QEQERTARSUAQ
If you’re a nature lover, then Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island is a place to put onto your bucket list. Because it’s not an understatement to say that the Disko Island is a natural volcanic wonder of Greenland.
The Natural Wonders of Disko Island
There are so many scenic distractions in Qeqertarsuaq that it can be difficult to know where to begin when visiting. Originally established as a whaling station in 1773, the botanical wonders of the place draw in the most celebrated scientists in the field, and is the very reason that the University of Copenhagen established an Arctic Station for research more than 100 years ago.
From a traveller’s perspective, the unique flora and fauna, basaltic columns, glaciers, bedazzling giant floating icebergs and spouting whales in the bay are all reasons to tick Disko Bay off your bucket list.
Where Time Stops and Hiking Begins
When you arrive to Qeqertarsuaq in the summertime by cruise, you are enticed to slow down and appreciate what is right in front of your very eyes. The dignified nature of your surroundings and the stillness of the place sings for you to breathe in and smell the fresh moss and herbs growing about you.
There are many hiking options that will show the diverse nature of the island, including the waterfalls of the ‘Valley of the Wind’, or the stunning walk along the island’s coast to the famous columnar basalt rocks. This route to these volcanic rocks roughly follow the base of the famous Lyngmark Glacier, the only place where you can potentially go dogsledding under the midnight sun in Greenland.
Ice Cruising and Whale Watching
As a cruise guest you may have the opportunity to view Disko Island from sea as well as land. Ice cruising on small zodiac boats allow you to zip in and out among the gigantic icebergs of the Disko Bay, weaving through all kinds of fantastically shaped ice structures.
The recognisable sign of a whale spouting air will definitely cause excitement in your little group. Chances of seeing a variety of these giant mammals in their natural surroundings, including the rare Greenland whale, are quite high in this area.
The Town Centre
If you only have limited time to visit you’ll have to pick and choose what to do. There are now 850 residents living in Qeqertarsuaq in 2016, making this a relatively large village in Greenland.
A town tour can give insight into everyday life and you can hear about current and past whaling, fishing and hunting stories. For even more cultural fixes, visit the cute church called Vorherres Blækhus and the local museum.
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