Tasiilaq Travel Guide

The town of Tasiilaq is loacted on the East coast of Greenland and is one of the two settlements in the area. It is also known by its former name of Ammassalik. the town lies just south of the Arctic Circle. It is situated on a fjord which is protected from the open sea by a narrow mouth, and the first sight that welcomes arriving guests looking out of the helicopter window is of the many brightly-coloured houses built along the mountainsides.  In fact for most of the year when the ocean is frozen, helicopter is the only way in to Tasiilaq.  Most of them come from Kulusuk which is a 10 minute flight across the fjord, but since the town is a starting point for expeditions on the polar ice cap some of the helicopters ferry explorers around the country.

The people of the town are very friendly and welcoming although many of them do not speak English or even Danish but simply the East Greenlandic dialect.  Comunication is easy though with smiles and gestures.  Other than the explorers, much of the tourists that come to town are heliskiiers.

There is very little vegetation around the town and it is easy to think that you are 14 000 ft up in the Rocky Mountains when you are just at sea level. Tasiilaq is built on the side of a hill and if you intend to walk around the town then be prepared to walk up some steep hills.  If this is too much for you then you can take the local taxi.  It is well worth walking around the town though as the views of the surrounding mountains are outstanding.

There are 3 stores and a post office.  Another thing of interest in the town is the one room museum that tells the history of the area.

The town moves at a very slow pace and a visit there is a great time for reflection in a totally different world.