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Greenland🇬🇱 | villagesKulusukAirport island, drum dance, drifting bergs, sled dogs | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Kulusuk
🏆 Top pickvillage ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The airport at Kulusuk is the gateway to East Greenland, and the walk from the gravel runway into the settlement of about 200 people takes you past drying racks and sled dogs chained on the rocks, howling at each arriving helicopter. Kulusuk sits on an island off the east coast of Greenland, across the water about 20 km east of Tasiilaq. Icebergs the size of apartment blocks drift past the shore, cracking and hissing as they turn. Houses are painted red, yellow and blue against bare gneiss, and the wind carries diesel, seal fat and cold salt. Walks are short but steep, with viewpoints over the ice. It is easy to meet other travelers, since most stay in the same two or three guesthouses, but evenings are quiet and early. Shops are tiny and stock runs low. Book your helicopter or boat connection onward before you arrive, because weather can ground flights for days.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 village in GreenlandThe unique appeal for travelers

Kulusuk works for people who want East Greenland without the cost and planning of a longer expedition. Most come for the iceberg-choked waters directly off the village, which you can reach on foot, by boat or by kayak in summer. The settlement is small enough to walk end to end in twenty minutes, so the days revolve around the sea, the weather and the dogs. Hikers use it to scramble up the rocky hills for views of the ice, and photographers linger for the light on the bergs. It also carries real Ammassalik Inuit character, with a drum-dancing tradition that locals still perform for visitors. Kulusuk suits slow travelers, solo backpackers who like long chats in a guesthouse kitchen, and anyone content to let the weather set the schedule. Two or three nights is typical. Stay longer only if you … read more 👉
Kulusuk works for people who want East Greenland without the cost and planning of a longer expedition. Most come for the iceberg-choked waters directly off the village, which you can reach on foot, by boat or by kayak in summer. The settlement is small enough to walk end to end in twenty minutes, so the days revolve around the sea, the weather and the dogs. Hikers use it to scramble up the rocky hills for views of the ice, and photographers linger for the light on the bergs. It also carries real Ammassalik Inuit character, with a drum-dancing tradition that locals still perform for visitors. Kulusuk suits slow travelers, solo backpackers who like long chats in a guesthouse kitchen, and anyone content to let the weather set the schedule. Two or three nights is typical. Stay longer only if you plan boat trips or camping. Anyone craving restaurants, nightlife or a packed itinerary will run out of things to do quickly, and Tasiilaq is the better base for that.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Kulusuk

  1. Iceberg viewpoints and shoreline walk: The headline experience is simply standing above the water as bergs calve off the Greenland ice sheet and drift by. Follow the paths past the village edge up the rocky slopes for wide views over the fjord. Go on a calm morning or evening when the water is mirror-flat and the ice shows blue. It is free and takes 1 to 3 hours.
  2. Drum dance and village demonstration: Local performers sometimes stage traditional East Greenlandic drum dancing and singing, wearing sealskin and beadwork, and explain the Inuit stories behind it. It is arranged through guesthouses or tour operators, usually in summer when visitors arrive. Expect US$50 to 90 including a village walk, and about 1.5 to 2 hours.
  3. Kulusuk village walk and dog teams: Wander between the colorful wooden houses,
… read more 👉
  1. Iceberg viewpoints and shoreline walk: The headline experience is simply standing above the water as bergs calve off the Greenland ice sheet and drift by. Follow the paths past the village edge up the rocky slopes for wide views over the fjord. Go on a calm morning or evening when the water is mirror-flat and the ice shows blue. It is free and takes 1 to 3 hours.
  2. Drum dance and village demonstration: Local performers sometimes stage traditional East Greenlandic drum dancing and singing, wearing sealskin and beadwork, and explain the Inuit stories behind it. It is arranged through guesthouses or tour operators, usually in summer when visitors arrive. Expect US$50 to 90 including a village walk, and about 1.5 to 2 hours.
  3. Kulusuk village walk and dog teams: Wander between the colorful wooden houses, the small church and the drying racks where hunters hang seal and fish. Sled dogs live tethered on the hillsides, and you may see kayaks and hunting gear in use. Keep your distance from the dogs and ask before photographing people. Walking is free and takes 1 to 2 hours. Late afternoon gives the best light.
For day trips, boats from Kulusuk reach the glacier-lined waters and abandoned settlements nearby, and Tasiilaq, the region's largest town, is accessible by helicopter or boat. All three sights together fit comfortably into one full day, though most people spread them across two.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

The best window for Kulusuk is late June to early September, when the fjord ice has cleared and boats run.
  • Summer (June to September): Daytime highs sit around 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F), with long bright evenings and mosquitoes in calm, warm spells. Hiking, boat trips among icebergs and berry picking all happen now. Prices for guesthouses and boat charters are highest.
  • Autumn (September to October): Temperatures fall to roughly 0 to 5°C (32 to 41°F), the mosquitoes vanish and the sky gets dark enough for northern lights from late September. Boats still run until the sea ice forms.
  • Winter (November to February): Expect -15 to -5°C (5 to 23°F) and only a few hours of daylight. Quiet, cold and dark, with limited services.
  • Spring (March to May): Temperatures of -15 to 0°C (5 to 32°F), bright sun and
… read more 👉
The best window for Kulusuk is late June to early September, when the fjord ice has cleared and boats run.
  • Summer (June to September): Daytime highs sit around 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F), with long bright evenings and mosquitoes in calm, warm spells. Hiking, boat trips among icebergs and berry picking all happen now. Prices for guesthouses and boat charters are highest.
  • Autumn (September to October): Temperatures fall to roughly 0 to 5°C (32 to 41°F), the mosquitoes vanish and the sky gets dark enough for northern lights from late September. Boats still run until the sea ice forms.
  • Winter (November to February): Expect -15 to -5°C (5 to 23°F) and only a few hours of daylight. Quiet, cold and dark, with limited services.
  • Spring (March to May): Temperatures of -15 to 0°C (5 to 32°F), bright sun and solid sea ice make this the season for dog sledding and skiing. Easter week fills quickly.
Book flights and beds three to four months ahead for July and March to April.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
greenland-city-kulusuk v1
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Kulusuk has only a handful of beds, so book ahead and expect to pay US$110 to 190 per person per night for most options.
The Kulusuk Guesthouse in the village is the usual backpacker choice. It offers simple rooms, some shared bathrooms, and meals on request, with a short walk to the harbor and the church. Expect roughly US$110 to 150 for a bed, depending on room type and season.
The airport-side Hotel Kulusuk sits beside the runway, about 4 km (2.5 miles) from the village by a gravel road. It is the most convenient for early flights, though you will want a lift or a walk to reach the houses. Rooms … read more 👉
Kulusuk has only a handful of beds, so book ahead and expect to pay US$110 to 190 per person per night for most options.
The Kulusuk Guesthouse in the village is the usual backpacker choice. It offers simple rooms, some shared bathrooms, and meals on request, with a short walk to the harbor and the church. Expect roughly US$110 to 150 for a bed, depending on room type and season.
The airport-side Hotel Kulusuk sits beside the runway, about 4 km (2.5 miles) from the village by a gravel road. It is the most convenient for early flights, though you will want a lift or a walk to reach the houses. Rooms run about US$150 to 220.
Some travelers arrange a homestay or a sleeping-bag bed in a local house through the guesthouse or the village tourist contacts. That cuts the price, often to around US$60 to 100, but availability changes with the season.
Camping is possible on the tundra around the village in summer if you carry your own gear and fuel, since nothing can be bought on the spot beyond basic groceries. Use a freeze-dried food stash from home. Settlement shops close early and are shut on Sundays.
Winter beds are fewer. Message the guesthouse well before arrival, because flights and rooms sell out together.
Best hostels in Greenland


Best quality hotels in Greenland

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Kulusuk works as a base for boat-based day trips, but nothing is spontaneous, because every trip depends on a local skipper, the weather and sea ice.
Tasiilaq by Boat:
The largest town on the east coast lies about an hour away by boat in summer, and by helicopter in under 15 minutes year-round. The boat costs roughly US$150 to 250 per person shared, the helicopter around US$250 to 300 one way. Go in July or August, and book the return before leaving, since a missed helicopter seat means a night in town.
👉 Explore Tasiilaq
Walk to the Village Ridge:
A hike from the houses up the rocky hill behind Kulusuk takes 1 to 2 hours round trip and costs nothing. From the top you see icebergs jammed across Ammassalik Fjord and the mountain wall of Apusiaajik. First-timers often climb in sneakers, then find … read more 👉
Kulusuk works as a base for boat-based day trips, but nothing is spontaneous, because every trip depends on a local skipper, the weather and sea ice.
Tasiilaq by Boat:
The largest town on the east coast lies about an hour away by boat in summer, and by helicopter in under 15 minutes year-round. The boat costs roughly US$150 to 250 per person shared, the helicopter around US$250 to 300 one way. Go in July or August, and book the return before leaving, since a missed helicopter seat means a night in town.
👉 Explore Tasiilaq
Walk to the Village Ridge:
A hike from the houses up the rocky hill behind Kulusuk takes 1 to 2 hours round trip and costs nothing. From the top you see icebergs jammed across Ammassalik Fjord and the mountain wall of Apusiaajik. First-timers often climb in sneakers, then find the tundra boggy, so bring waterproof boots.

Apusiaajik Glacier:
A boat ride of around 1 to 2 hours takes you to the calving front of this glacier, where you can watch ice crack off and ride the swell it makes. A shared charter runs about US$120 to 200 per person. June to September is best, and you should stay well back from the ice face, because calving waves travel far.

Iceberg Cruise in the Fjord:
A 2 to 3 hour local boat tour through iceberg fields is the easiest day out and costs around US$80 to 150. Late summer light is soft, and calm mornings give the clearest reflections. Wear a windproof layer even in July, since the cold off the ice cuts through cotton.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Kulusuk is reached only by air, with seasonal Icelandair flights from Reykjavik in Iceland (about 2 hours) or Air Greenland flights from Nuuk. A one-way ticket from Iceland typically costs US$350 to 600 depending on the season. From the airport, the village is about 4 km (2.5 miles) away by a gravel road, and hotel or guesthouse hosts normally arrange the transfer.
Kulusuk is worth the trip if you want icebergs, a small Inuit hunting settlement of about 200 people and a quiet east coast pace that is hard to find elsewhere. Two to four nights lets you hike the ridge, take a boat trip to the glacier and add a helicopter hop to Tasiilaq. Costs are high, with beds from about US$110 and boat trips from about US$80, so it suits those who value remoteness over comforts.
Kulusuk can be done as a long day from Iceland on organized summer flights that land in the morning and return in the evening, giving about 5 to 7 hours on the ground. That is enough for a village walk, the church and a short boat ride, costing from around US$600 to 900 all in. A night or two is better, since weather delays can cancel a same-day return and leave you stranded.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Greenlandic villages near Kulusuk

Explore more nearby:

  • Tasiilaq—Ammassalik Island, Blomsterdalen, East Greenland museum, quay catch| 21 km away
  • Tiniteqilaaq—Sermilik Fjord island, dog yards, grounded icebergs, rock viewpoint| 45 km away
  • Kangerlussuaq—Ice sheet access, Point 660, old US airbase, tundra| 624 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Kulusuk is quietest on its edges, so walk past the last houses at dusk and just listen: the ice groans and cracks long after you think it has settled. Bring a headlamp and spare batteries, and carry cash and snacks, since the shop closes early and card machines are unreliable.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Greenland. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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