Tasiilaq

Ammassalikk, or Tasiilaq, is in the centre of the east coast of Greenland. It is a village with a harbour surrounded by high mountains. Tasiilaq is located in a deep fjord and has a river cutting through it. The majestic Flower Valley just near the town is great for exploring on hikes. Tasiilaq is a unique mesh of modern European influence and traditional Inuit culture. Town of Tasiilaq Understand In the village you can find hotel, restaurant, post office, bakery, book shop, museum and the helicopter station. In Tasiilaq there are also Greenlandic filatelia and a hospital. The local people are still fisherman and hunters by trade but lots of people also work in administration and service. The city was founded by Danish explorers in 1894 and called it Ammassalik, the place with lots of ammassats (small fish), the name of the area used by the locals farther south. The locals living in the area continued to call it Tasiilaq, the one that looks like a lake. As a consequence, the city was renamed Tasiilaq a few years ago. The municipality is still called Ammassalip Kummunia. Get in Helicopter landing in Tasiilaq The easiest way to travel to Tasiilaq is to fly from Reykjavik in Iceland. There are several airlines that fly to Kulusuk airport not far from Tasiilaq. From Kulusuk you can either take the local helicopter or try to find a local fisherman to take you by boat to Tasiilaq. If you have booked your stay with a hotel or a campground, they will usually offer to pick you up at the Kulusuk airport with a boat. Otherwise, you can book your flight with Air Greenland. There are international flights to Kulusuk, which is only a 10-minute helicopter ride from Tasiilaq. In the summer it is possible to get to the town by boat, in the winter it is more plausible to get there by snowmobile, dogsled or on skis. Get around The town is small enough to get around it on foot. However, you will need to be in a good shape, as you will need to get up and down lots of hills the town is built on. Taxi service is also available. To get to a different settlement (Kummiut, Isortoq or Sermimiligaq) you will need to find a local boat or book a helicopter. In the winter, transportation is usually by skis or snowmobile. Getting around the island is mostly on foot, and you can simply walk out of the town to start your adventure. See Iceberg watching tour in Tasiilaq Icebergs You can book several iceberg watching boat tours (half a day or full day) with any of the hotels in town. The icebergs are everywhere, and going around them on a boat can provide some amazing views. Boat tours are also available to a nearby abandoned village of Ikkatteq, usually combined with iceberg watching. There are also helicopter tours to nearby glaciers, with or without landing on them. And of course the best sightseeing is the one that you create for yourself. The best approach is to plan your hike around the island, and book the tours on your extra days, if you have any remaining. Museums The Ammassalik Museum is currently housed in the building that used to be the town’s old church. The museum has a collection of traditional artifacts ranging from kayaks to wooden masks. Ammassalik Museum, B41, P.O. Box 112, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 13 11 (tasmus@greennet.gl), [1]. M-F 9-5 Sat 12-4 (summer).. Situated in the old church of the town from the 1930s, the museum features exhibits of both art and cultural items from the Inuit culture. Winter Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - Noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.. Monday and Saturday: closed.  edit Do Tasiilaq in the winter. Eastern Greenland is a paradise for those who love hiking, alpine climbing and kayaking. You can start your hiking trip direct from Tasiilaq but you can also travel with a local boat to one of the settlements and start your trip there. You must consider that your hiking trip will distance you from nearby settlement areas and that you are on your own. Bring an EPIRB and be sure that your travel insurance contains SAR (Search and Rescue) in case you get stuck in the outback. Hiking The landscapes around Tasiilaq are perfect for short or long hikes, many hikes around the area are combined with boat trips further up the fjord system. Kayaking In Tasiilaq, kayaks are still used today for some types of hunting as they provide the hunter with stealth and maneuverability. Today, modern tours are organized from the local tourism offices as well. Diving With visibility unmatched by even the tropics and unique fish and icebergs, East Greenland is an exclusive and amazing place to dive. Local dives can be organized with the tourist office in Tasiilaq. Angling The area around Tasiilaq is known for its cod fishing. Tourist trips are usually done by boat, and the guides will know the best places to bring home the biggest catch. Siggi Tours, B211, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 40 31 (siggip@greennet.gl), [2]. Offers guided fishing and hunting tours as well as transport to nearby settlements. Accommodation is also available.  edit Tuning Incoming, Napparngumut B1025, P.O. Box 81, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 16 50 (office@tuning-greenland.com), [3]. Offers many different types of outdoor tours in Eastern Greenland including Trekking, skiing, fishing and other types of boat tours.  edit Arctic Wonderland Tours, Suulup Aqq B-725, P.O. Box 511, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 12 93 (info@arcticwonder.com), [4]. Offers private boat chartering and tours in Eastern Greenland. Also assists with bookings at local hotels.  edit Destination East Greenland (Tourist Office of Tasiilaq), Skæven Ujuaap Aqqutaa B48, P.O. Box 120, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 22 43 (director@eastgreenland.com), [5]. Design custom tours (both short day trips and longer excursions) from Eastern Greenland with or without guides. They also provide equipment rentals.  edit Buy The local grocery store is called "Pilersuisoq", and located in the town centre. You can buy souvenirs and furs in any of the hotels. Hiking and camping supplies are available at the campground. Eat The Red House Restaurant, Napparngumut B1025, P.O. Box 81, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 16 50 (office@tuning-greenland.com), [6]. Restaurant located inside of the Red House Hotel. Breakfast is served for guests. Lunch and dinner menus are also available. DKK200.  edit Restaurant Ammassalik (c/o Hotel Ammassalik), Suulup Aqq B-725, P.O. Box 511, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 12 93 (arcwon@greennet.gl), [7].  edit Drink Tasiilaq red houses in the winter. There is a bar by the harbour. Sleep Accommodation is very expensive, like everywhere in the Arctic. You can stay in The Red House hotel or Hotel Ammassalik, which are very comfortable and clean. Food is of exceptional quality in the hotel. The Red House hotel also runs the nearby campground, right across from the heliport, which makes for a more affordable option. Alternatively, you can stay with a local family, or rent a hut in Tasiilaq. The hotels can help you organize any of these. The Red House Hotel, Napparngumut B1025, P.O. Box 81, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 16 50 (office@tuning-greenland.com), [8]. Small hotel includes 2 lounges with fireplaces, and a small library for guests. There is also a fully functional kitchen that guests can use. Rooms: DKK550-890.  edit Hotel Ammassalik, Suulup Aqq B-725, P.O. Box 511, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 12 93 (arcwon@greennet.gl), [9]. This hotel has a small shop, restaurant, tour service and is located 5 minutes from the local ski lift. Rooms: Single/Double: 495-1495DKK.  edit Travel Lodge Greenland, B4, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 58 41 71 (lars@travellodge.dk or l_anker@sol.dk), [10]. Private house with 4 bedrooms and room for up to 7 people. There is also a smaller house available. The house includes a kitchen, living room and small library of books. Plus there is a private bathroom and laundry facilities. DKK 900 (up to 3 guests), DKK300 for every guest after 3..  edit Discovery Mountain Lodge, Jens Emiilip Aqq B-47, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 15 06 (qipinnge@greennet.gl), [11]. Newly renovated small house with 2 bedrooms and private kitchen and bath. There is also a living room with a large tv! DKK700-1000/day.  edit Private Accommodations in Tasiilaq, Naparngumut B 1025, P.O. Box 81, 3913 Tasiilaq, Greenland, ☎ (+299) 98 16 50 (tuning@greennet.gl), [12]. Includes a stay with a Greenlandic family. One condition of this type of stay is that the guest participates in all activities with the Greenlandic family, including hunting, fishing and other excursions, preparing game and meat, as well as meals and joining the family on social visits. Price varies.  edit