The summer season stretches from June to the end of September and the dogsled season from the end of February to the beginning of May. The period running from November to February is the best time to experience a real Arctic winter with clear polar nights and the chance to see the northern lights.
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No. On the west coast dog sledding is possible from Sisimiut northwards and on the east coast in Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit and their associated settlements. Qeqertarsuaq is the only place where dogsleds can be driven in summer - on a glacier at a height of approximately 800 metres.

The northern lights occur all year round, but can only be seen against a clear dark night sky. In South Greenland the phenomenon can be seen as early as the end of August. The midnight sun can be seen north of the Arctic Circle. The further north you are, the longer the period with midnight sun, and the earlier it can be seen. In Disko Bay there is midnight sun from around 20 May to 25 July.

In Greenland sudden changes in weather are common, and you have to be prepared for all types of weather when on an excursion. During the winter, temperatures range from minus 5° C to minus 30° C and in the summer from plus 5° C to plus 15° C. As the air in Greenland is very dry, temperatures do not feel as cold as in Europe.
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Yes. Several species of animal in Greenland are subject to quotas and as far as the majority of species of animal are concerned, there are fixed hunting seasons. The system of quotas ensures that the animals concerned are not threatened with extinction and that the number of animals killed is controlled such that populations can recover. The hunting season is of course organised so that the animals are not disturbed during the breeding season. You can therefore enjoy Greenlandic products with a clear conscience.

Greenland is the world's biggest island, but you can only get there by aeroplane or by cruise ship. There are three international airports in Greenland: Kangerlussuaq on the west coast is served from Copenhagen by Air Greenland; Narsarsuaq in South Greenland also has Air Greenland flights from Copenhagen and Air Iceland flights from Iceland in the summer; Kulusuk in East Greenland has an Air Iceland connection to Iceland. Read more.

Greenland is an enormous country: South Greenland, which is mild and green and known for its field ice, was home to the original Norse settlers, and is where many of the local inhabitants make their living as sheep-farmers today; East Greenland is characterised by glaciers and dramatic fells; North Greenland and Disko Bay are blessed with enormous icebergs and are famous for their dogsleds; if you want to get close to Mother Nature and love experiencing adventures in hilly terrain and deep fjords, perhaps you should consider Destination Arctic Circle or Capital Region. Whichever region you prefer, you can be sure of an experience for life.

In Greenland there are a number of youth hostels and hostels in both towns and settlements. The standard varies: some have been built to cater exclusively for hikers (youth hostels) and provide a bed, bathroom and kitchenette, whilst others can be described as hostels with cafeterias, the option of renting bed linen, sheet sleeping bags, etc. There are also seamen's hostels in the towns of Aasiaat, Sisimiut, Nuuk and Qaqortoq.
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Nordisk Korthandel sells hiking guides, hiking maps, key maps and maps containing historical information. The address is:

Nordisk Korthandel
Studiestræde 26
DK-1455 Copenhagen K
Tel: (+45) 33 38 26 38
Fax: (+ 45) 33 38 26 48
post@scanmaps.dk
www.scanmaps.dk

Maps can also be bought at tourist offices and bookshops in Greenland. More information about maps can be found here.

The majority of package holidays to Greenland include a tour of the town, and after that you will not have any problems finding your way around. A "city" such as Sisimiut has just 5,000 inhabitants, so getting lost is not very common.

No, there are lots of things to do for those visitors who do not want to go on long hikes or go climbing in the mountains. Organised excursions include boat and helicopter trips, guided tours of the town, visits to museums or just a short trip close to the town.

On boat trips there is a good chance of seeing seals and whales, and on land you can see reindeer in South Greenland and at Nuuk, and in Kangerlussuaq also musk oxen. Birdlife in Greenland is not exactly overwhelming in terms of the number of different species, but auks, terns, ravens, falcons, white-tailed eagles, grouse and several passerines can frequently be seen.

From January 1st 2011 it is forbidden to bring any form of beer, wine, spirits or any other form of alcoholic drinks with you when you come into Greenland. From this date the regulations concerning tax-free import of goods to Greenland have been changed.

Duty Regulations entering Greenland:

• Cigarettes 40 pcs.
  or Cigarillos (max. 3 gr. a piece) 10 pcs.
  or Cigars 5 pcs.
  or rolling tobacco 50 grams
• Cigarette papers 100 pcs.
• Perfume 50 grams
• Eau de toilette 250 ml.
• In addition, cosmetics and other toiletries
  up to a maximum value of DKK 1.000,-
• Chocolate or confectionary 4 kilos
• Coffee or tea 4 kilos
• Meat, meat products or poultry 5 kilos

You may only bring firearms with you if you are taking part in a trophy hunt organised by a certified operator. It is not necessary to take weapons on hiking trips - the chance of meeting dangerous animals such as the polar bear is extremely small. Though, in North East Greenland and north of Qaanaaq you would need to take precautions and take advice from the locals.

A fishing licence is required in order to fish. Licences can be bought at post offices and tourist offices. The fishing licence gives the holder the right to fish with a rod or hand line. The Arctic environment is vulnerable, so please only catch what you can eat. Ask at the tourist office for details of any local conservation rules. Price for a fishing licence: 24 hours DKK 75.00, 1 week DKK 200.00 and 1 month DKK 500.00. Visitors may only go hunting if they are on a trophy hunt organised by certified operator.

More and more campsites are being established in Greenland, most of which have toilet and bathing facilities. You may pitch your tent anywhere except close to ruins, close to water reservoirs and on areas laid out as fields. Nature is vulnerable so avoid pollution and do not leave any waste behind. In addition, please be careful with regard to open fire.

Souvenirs made of reindeer points, musk ox horn and soapstone can be taken home, whilst products made of whale tooth may not currently be taken out of Greenland. Certain countries also have bans on the import of sealskin products. When you buy souvenirs made from certain animals you can get a CITES certificate which guarantees that the product has not been made from material from endangered species.
Considering that every little figure carved in tooth, bone or soapstone is made by hand and no two figures are therefore alike, prices are not particularly high.
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Not as a Dane, but if you come from a country from which a visa is required to enter Denmark, it should be noted that you are travelling on to Greenland. Remember to take your passport with you, as security regulations may require that you provide proof of identity both on arrival and on departure.

Danish kroner can be used in Greenland and in major shops, tourist offices, hotels and restaurants you can also use Visa/Dankort, Diners Club and major international credit cards.
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There is a hospital in all towns, and in the settlements there is usually a nursing clinic. It is recommended that visitors bring their own medicine and any other medication that is used regularly, as special products are not always available. In the event of acute illness, treatment is free of charge in Greenland.

The colours are the same as the Danish flag - red and white - and the flag is simple and elegant: a red hemisphere on a white background symbolises the sun rising over the ice. The flag, designed by Greenlandic artist Thue Christiansen, was introduced on Greenland's national day, 21 June 1985.

In Greenland the mains supply is 220 Volts, and plugs are of the European type, i.e. with two round pins. If you are arriving from a country with another type of plug, it is recommended that you bring an adapter with you, as adapters can only be bought at a very few outlets in Greenland.

According to the sagas, it was the Viking Erik the Red, who gave Greenland its name. Having been exiled from both his native Norway and later also from Iceland, he headed west and discovered a country with an inviting fjord landscape and fertile, green valleys. Once back in Iceland he spread the word of the good opportunities for starting a new life in the new country which he called 'The green land' - and in the summer it really is green here.

Yes, with its 2,175,600 square kilometres it is the world's biggest island, since Australia is regarded as a continent.