The Destination

As Greenland is situated in the polar climate zone, its weather stays cool all year round, but there are large variations from region to region. This variation depends on factors such as the surrounding coastline and the inland ice sheet. Hence, rapid weather changes should be expected. 

The sun never sets in Ilulissat from late May to late July. However, the sun does not imply that it will be hot. Participants should prepare for the day to be chilly, with an average temperature between 6 and 7°C (43 - 45°F).

A day can shift from clear sunshine to a snowstorm in the blink of an eye, and thus, visitors need to come prepared.  

In general, Greenlanders are friendly and welcoming to visitors. If you act kindly and with respect, there are not too many special rules to abide by. 

As visitors, it is important to know that the indigenous population are called Inuit and not Eskimo. 

Also, please note that sled dogs are not pets and should never be approached. 

Water

The drinking water in Greenland is some of the cleanest in the world, so the tap water is safe to drink. In fact, you can even drink from the rivers!  

Cuisine

Greenlandic cuisine is traditionally based on fishing and hunting, meaning this is a meat-loving society. Marine mammals, game, and fish are part of the general diet because of their high level of protein, with seafood being the main source due to its accessibility. The national dish of Greenland is suaasat, a traditional Greenlandic soup, often made from seal, whale, reindeer, or seabirds.

Dietary preferences and health requirements

We understand that allergies and special diets are a common concern among our guests. We do our very best to accommodate any diet for medical, allergy or religious needs; however, we cannot guarantee that all dining establishments can fulfil special requests. 

Those with other nutritional preferences or health requirements should keep in mind that vegetables are mainly imported. Most accessible vegetables are canned or frozen, but in bigger towns, you will be able to find fresh produce, keeping in mind that due to cargo rates, it might be more expensive than usual.

If you require a special diet during your travel, please inform us no later than 45 days before your tour begins. 

The shortest distance between two people is often a smile, and this is true in Greenland as well. English is widely spoken, but it is relatively easy to communicate even with those who don't. 

The official language in Greenland is the West Greenlandic dialect, Kalaallissut. Danish was previously an official language, so most Greenlanders speak Danish to some degree as well. 

Medical assistance during the marathon event

A team of English-speaking doctors and danish paramedics will be present prior to, during and immediately after the marathon event. The doctors patrol the route and are ready in case of injury or severe exhaustion. All decisions made by the medical team are final.

Medical assistance in general

There is a regional hospital in Ilulissat and a national hospital in Nuuk. If you fall ill, the regional hospital is very close to the start/finish area. 

Disclaimer

If any treatment is unable to be carried out by our doctors and it is necessary to refer a participant to a local medical facility, our medical team and travel agency will not be held liable for any treatment carried out by local medical facilities. It is advisable to purchase medical insurance before your journey. 

Expenses

Greenland uses the Danish Crown as currency (DKK). Please note that it is not possible to pay with other currencies. There are ATMs in Copenhagen that guests can access before we leave, otherwise, there is an ATM in Kangerlussuaq airport as well as in the town of Ilulissat. 

Most places in the larger towns will accept credit cards. That said, some smaller stores may only accept cash, so it is a good idea to have some on hand. 

Breakfast is included every day at the hotel, and several dinners are included. If you participate in one of the optional excursions, lunch may be included (depending on the excursion). 

Any meals that are not included in the itinerary must be purchased. Keep in mind that, as an isolated island, the cost of living in Greenland is generally higher than normal. A standard meal at a local restaurant costs between USD15-25/person.

In terms of extra travel money, it is our experience that you can manage for approx. USD 20-40/day, which can cover the cost of supplemental drinks, food, snacks, postcards, stamps, etc. If you intend to purchase souvenirs and gifts, plan to spend more. 

Tipping 

All prices in Greenland generally include a service fee, so it is not necessary to tip.

Of course, if you are exceptionally pleased by a guide or a restaurant, gratuity is appreciated. 

Telephone

The international country code for Greenland is +299. Roaming is possible, but Greenland is an expensive place to roam from, so it is not recommended if you want to keep costs down.

Internet

Internet access is generally available at the hotels and larger restaurants. Usually, it must be purchased, and it is also expensive.

Electricity

The standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz. If you are bringing a laptop or similar portable device to Greenland, be sure to check the labeling on the power pack. It should describe the amount of voltage your device can handle, and if a voltage converter is required. 

The exception to the standard is socket Type K, which is of Danish origin and includes a third prong below the top two. Plugs of Type C will fit (Standard European), but it is incompatible with Types E and F.

You can find the visa requirements for your country here. Please contact your local embassy for further details. 

All participants are responsible for checking whether their nationality requires a visa or not, and responsible for obtaining the visa if so. Make sure that your passport remains valid for 3 months beyond your planned departure from Greenland. 

If you don’t need a visa to enter Denmark, you also don’t need one for Greenland. However, if you do require a visa, note that Greenland is not part of the Schengen agreement, so standard Schengen visas are invalid. You must obtain a Danish visa with a special 'valid for Greenland' stamp.

Layers, layers, layers. 

Ilulissat is far above the Arctic Circle, but the sun is strong in the summer, you may feel hot one moment and freezing the next, so having extra layers to shed or add is very important. Other items to bring: 

• Sturdy footwear - many paths are made of rocks or gravel, and having a good pair of shoes to protect your feet and ankles is crucial.
• Rain gear - June is generally a dry month, but you can never be sure. A good rain jacket and waterproof shoes are always a good idea.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen - the sun is both powerful and constant in the summer months.
• Warm clothes - even if it is warm on land, it can feel very cold if you go out on the water on a sailing trip. Bring warm layers, scarf, gloves, and a hat if you plan to do so.
• Race clothes! If you are participating in the marathon or half-marathon, don't forget your running clothes. Trail runners are preferable as approximately 1/3 of the marathon course is on rocky trail, but normal running shoes will work as well. 

Mosquitoes

Greenland suffers from an excess of mosquitoes in the summer. While movement during the race may deter them, using insect repellent is recommended for the rest of your trip. Choose a product with 20% or more of DEET, Picaridin, OLE, PMD, or IR3535. It is recommended to use sunscreen first and mosquito repellent after.