Generel information
The Avanersuaq (place of the farthest north) District is the most northerly in Greenland and lies between 70 and 80 degrees North, stretching from Melville Bay in the south up to Smith Sound. There is archaeological evidence that suggests that the first settlers of Avanersuaq arrived some 5000 years ago after crossing Smith Sound from Canada. The direct ancestors of today's Inuit belonged to the ‘Thule' culture and reached Avanersuaq soon after 1000 A.D. The Inuit of this remote area of Northwest Greenland have been known by a number of different names. The Scottish explorer John Ross, who on his ‘Voyage of Discovery' in 1818 was the first European to encounter these Inuit, called them'Arctic Highlanders' They have also been know af "Thule Eskimos" and "Polar Eskimo". They call them selves "Inughuit" which means ‘Great People'
Today, hunting sea mammals like seals, walrus and polar bear is still important to the Inughuit both as a source of food and also as a way of preserving their culture.
Avanersuaq gives visitors the opportunity to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the high arctic. You can experience traditional dog-sled travel or during the summer month, you can hike amongst beautiful arctic flowers or jus relax and enjoy the midnight sun. Temperatures in Avanerusaq vary from a low of -40C in winter to a high of +12C in summer.
Between March and June its possible to arrange dog sled tours of a couple of hours out to the Icebergs in the fiord or longer trips can also be arranged. You will travel in the same traditional way that the Inughuit have for centuries. On overnight trips you will sleep in a canvas tent erected over a sled. You can rent suitable fur clothing in Qaanaaq, but remember to bring a warm sleeping bag.
Please contact your travel agency for information on how to get here or if you want to stay at Hotel Qaanaaq contact the Hotel
Until 31 December 2001 the rute is:
Tuesday:
Kangerlussuaq - Thule Air Base - Qaanaaq and Qaanaaq - Kangerlussuaq
Thursday:
Kangerlussuaq - Qaanaaq and Qaanaaq - Thule Air Base - Kangerlussuaq
There are worldwide telephone,internet and fax connections available in all the communities in Avanersuaq.
Danish Kroner is the currency used in Avanersuaq.
There are no Banks in Qaanaaq, so it is not possible to exchange foreign currency.
Severe weather conditions can interrupt travel and outdoor activitis in Greenland: Allow for this when making your travel plans.
The main community and administrativ centre of Avanersuaq is situated on the north coast of Inglefield Fiord. It was founded in 1952 following the Danish authorities decision to move the Inughuit from their home village Uummannaq (Dundas) because of its close proximity to Thule Air Base. It was at Uummannaq or "Thule" as they called it, after the latin name "Ultima Thule" (faraway unknown region) that Explores Knud Rasmussen and Peter Freuchen established the district's first trading post in 1910.
Qaanaaq is a modern community with a hotel, shop, and a post office. It offers magnificent views of Inglefield Fiord with its massive Icebergs. It has a fine museum which is housed in the former home of the famous Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen.