Practicalities about authentic dogsledding experiences in Greenland

There is a lot of information out there about dogsledding in Greenland. It is an absolutely vital component of Greenland’s culture, identity and survival in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Without dogs, they cannot survive in certain areas. It is also a big interesting tourism.

I’m going to put some links together and provide practical information about planning a dogsledding adventure in Greenland. If you’re looking for something to coincide with places you’ll already be visiting like Ilulissat, there are options with a guy named Konrad and Inuk Adventure if you want to support local businesses. These are experiences clearly for fun and amusement rather than for a purpose like transporting fish or for hunting.

However, if you are looking for that authentic experience of going out with a hunter then there are only a few places that can do that. Those are Qaanaaq and its surrounding villages, Ittoqqortoormiit, Upernavik, and Tasiilaq. Tasiilaq is the easiest to get to.

Qaanaaq dogsledding culture is the most traditional and well preserved. Here is a great Nat Geo article about it. We also had Hakai Magazine publish an amazing photo essay by Justin Lewis about Qaanaaq here. The magazine is being shut down so I’m reposting the images in the gallery below.

Inuit guide Martika Qujaukitsoq—wearing a coat made from reindeer that his grandmother stitched for him—stands with his sled and dog team. Also known by Thomas, his Catholic name, Qujaukitsoq is a hunter, a label that applies to few people in his community of Qaanaaq, Greenland. Photo by Justin Lewis

A muskox skull from last season’s hunt nestles in the snow outside a small house in Qaanaaq.

Without the furs and skins from the animals he hunts, Martika Qujaukitsoq would be unprepared for the outdoors. To complement his reindeer coat, he wears polar bear fur for his pants and traditional footwear (kamiks) made from sealskin, lined with Arctic fox fur and cuffed with polar bear fur. His mittens are cuffed with sealskin.

Aquingwak, a skilled hunter, stops his sled at the edge of the sea ice to patiently untangle the leads.

Martika Qujaukitsoq drives his team of sled dogs across freshly fallen snow on the sea ice.

Hunters pitch a piece of canvas over their sleds for shelter at night

A hunting team makes its way across the top of a massive glacier, kilometers from the nearest settlement.

As promised, here are the pictures and videos that can inspire you to do dog sledding

Pinitartoq, about our friend Martin Madsen who also owns Tsigaar Nassor a new travel company in addition to Nanu Travel the largest local company.

North Greenland Journey by Dog Sled

The Bottom Line: It’s very expensive

Here are the practicalities of doing the authentic experience: it’s VERY expensive. Even with a group. Why? You’re paying for safety, experience of the guides, training of the dogs, logistics, and a unique once-in-a-lifetime memory.

You also need to consider the amount of daylight there will be in the winter and the climate. It needs to be cold so March is probably the best time but understanding the hunting season / schedule / where they are with quotas is also a consideration that you’ll have to discuss with your contact. Climate info is available from Nanu Travel for instance and TimeandDate.com provides estimates on daylight such as this one.

If you’re normal tourist with a couple weeks holiday for this, you won’t be able to drive the dogs solo yourself. You won’t have the skill to do it in these remote areas. You need to know the ice and the terrain. Lonnie Dupre is a good example of an outsider that learned the craft but it took years.

For a group of 10 or 11 people wanting to do dog sledding in East Greenland, the logistics will depend on the following factors:

1. Number of Dogs Needed

• Typical Sled Size: A traditional sled team in East Greenland generally consists of 10–14 dogs, depending on the terrain, weight of the sled, and the purpose of the trip.

• For 10 People: Assuming each person has their own sled and driver (hunter or musher), you’d need at least 110–140 dogs in total for the group.

• Shared Sleds: If travelers share sleds with a musher, the number of sleds and dogs can be reduced.

2. Safety and Expertise

• Trained Hunters or Mushers:

  • Strongly Recommended: Hunters or professional mushers should lead the sledding journeys. They have the expertise to navigate the challenging Arctic environment and handle the dogs safely.

  • Risk of Inexperienced Handling: Training the dogs to listen to travelers is unrealistic for a short trip. Sled dogs are trained for years, and Greenlandic dogs respond to specific commands in Greenlandic or Danish.

• Cultural Consideration: Engaging local hunters not only ensures safety but also provides an authentic experience that supports the local economy and respects Inuit traditions.

3. Itinerary for a 12-Day Adventure

• Suggested Schedule:

  • Days 1–2: Arrival and acclimatization in Kulusuk or Tasiilaq.

  • Days 3–10: Multi-day dog sledding journey.

    • Rest Days: Incorporate 1–2 rest days for dogs and travelers, especially during a long trip.

    • Route Planning: Work with local guides to choose safe and scenic routes through fjords, mountain passes, and sea ice.

  • Days 11–12: Return to base, cultural activities, and departure.

4. Practical Considerations

• Gear and Preparation:

  • Travelers need proper Arctic clothing (many outfitters offer rentals).

  • Sled dogs in Greenland are hardy and well-adapted to the cold, but ensure adequate rest and feeding for the dogs.

• Cost Estimate:

  • Dog sledding in East Greenland is expensive due to logistics, remoteness, and dog care costs.

  • Full breakdown below

• Accommodation:

  • Combine sledding with stays in huts, tents, or community lodges, depending on the route.

Breakdown of costs for a group of 10 people

• Dog Sledding: As noted, dog sledding alone typically costs $500–$1,000 per sled per day in remote Greenland due to logistics, the value of trained sled dogs, and the expertise of local mushers.

  • For 12 days with shared sleds (let’s say 6 sleds total), this could range from $36,000 to $72,000 just for sledding.

• Accommodations:

  • Basic accommodation in Ittoqqortoormiit, huts, or tents would cost $150–$300 per night per person, easily adding up to $1,800–$3,600 per person.

• Meals and Supplies:

  • Food is flown into Ittoqqortoormiit and costs 2–3x higher than normal. Feeding a group of 10 people (plus sled dogs) for 12 days could cost $2,000–$5,000 or more.

• Logistics:

  • Snowmobile support, transportation, gear, and permits can add another $5,000–$10,000+ depending on complexity.

• Guides and Staff: Experienced local hunters or guides may charge set fees of $300–$500 per day per guide, adding another $3,600–$6,000+ for the trip.

• Grand total: is between $64,000 and $129,000 for a group of 10. If you’re an operator and intend to make a profit off selling this tour, you’d need to charge a margin and cover taxes.