Interdependence: East Greenland

      Kulusuk, Greenland

      HT
      Hinoki Travels
      • Email address verified
      9 reviews
      Aug 24 - 31, 2024
      Group size: 5 - 7
      Interdependence: East Greenland
      Kulusuk, Greenland

      Hinoki Travels
      • Email address verified
      9 reviews

      Aug 24 - 31, 2024
      Group size: 5 - 7

      About this trip

      In a small village on an island off the coast of East Greenland, people live with the most powerful forces of nature on their doorstep. This is seasonal living in one of its most extreme forms, where the rhythms of the day are dependent on rapidly-changing weather patterns, and one must always be prepared to change plans with a moment's notice. 


      Across generations, Greenlanders have learned how to adapt and respond. It's this lesson in developing an interdependent relationship with weather that we aim to explore on this trip. 


      Hinoki trips explore themes of well-being in each place we visit. That might look like exploring spiritual traditions, local food-ways, or rewilding ourselves in environments that provoke non-cultivated behavior. In Greenland, we explore our theme of Interdependence. 


      What can other cultures can teach us about personal and community-wide adaptations to a changing climate? This trip goes looks toward how we might develop an adaptive mindset--something we all need as we accept climate change.


      We feel it is important to directly experience the native culture of Greenland--this critical, global epicenter that sits at the heart of climate change discussions. Community-based tourism has been identified as a viable alternative to other more extractive industries, and we aim to support that.


      To lessen our footprint, we will be traveling by foot or kayak for this expedition, with support from a small boat for our gear.


      The beauty of slowing down to fully immerse in one area is the opportunity we have to spend more time being active outside. We'll kayak out among the icebergs and whales, forage for wild foods, try to catch arctic fish for dinner, and spend a lot of time hiking out to view the fjords, glaciers and tundra. This is an immersion into the local people's way of life here, spending time in the village before heading out for our kayaking and trekking. 


      Our Greenland hosts have achieved the highest world-wide levels of qualification as IFMGA high mountain guides for climbing, mountaineering and backcountry skiing, and UIMLA international mountain leaders for wilderness trekking. They also have life-long local experience and safety systems developed to meet the unique challenges of this isolated arctic, alpine, maritime area. They have dedicated themselves to the pristine and wild land, watching and slowly learning from the complex interplay between ocean currents, snowpack, ice, migratory animals, and weather.


      While our guides will uphold the highest professional standards for our expedition, we hope that each team member will also play a full part, bringing whatever skills they have to each trip.


      5% of the proceeds from the trip will be granted to a local community conservation project in East Greenland. 


      All photos by Helen Spenceley

      Booking Terms & Conditions

      A $1500 USD non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip. 


      The remaining balance will be due on May 24th, 2024.


      Due to the planning considerations of our local guides in Greenland, who must turn down other work in order to commit to leading our trip, we are unable to offer refunds on any payments after they are made. 


      In order to ensure some flexibility in case of life circumstances, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance with a "cancel for any reason" policy in place. 


      Please be sure to read our general Terms & Conditions, found on our website here under our FAQs.

      What’s included

      • Professional Guides
        Trip guiding by an IFMGA certified Mountain Guide as well as a local Inuit hunter/guide
      • Lodge Accommodations
        3 nights of lodge accommodation in Kulusuk (fully catered and shared.)
      • Wilderness Accommodation
        1 night of accommodation in a wilderness hut and 3 nights of camping
      • Land & Sea transfers
        All boat journeys and baggage transfers as described in the plan
      • Equipment & Gear
        Sea kayak, camping gear, safety & communications equipment
      • Meals
        Expedition food and fuel

      What’s not included

      • Flights
        Return flights from your home country to Kulusuk
      • Insurance
        Expedition/travel insurance and medical insurance are not included and are a required condition of booking this trip.
      • Personal gear/equipment
        Outerwear, headlamp, trekking poles, etc.
      • Unexpected costs
        Any extra expenses due to unforeseen circumstances or changes to the planned itinerary (e.g. delayed flights, extra logistics and accommodation). Please be sure to book comprehensive travel insurance.

      Available Packages

      Trip Price
      Available until May 24, 2024
      $5,450
      Deposit: $1,500

      Itinerary

      Day 1
      Sat Aug 24 - Arrival Day

      On our arrival day, we'll get settled into Kulusuk, explore the village, and get to know the residents. 


      Our guides will be ready to welcome us to the lodge, where we'll have dinner, get to know each other, and spend a cozy evening preparing for the adventure to come.

      Your Organizer


      HT
      Hinoki Travels
      9 reviews
      Hinoki designs signature travel experiences in remote & rural communities around the world. We bring our travelers to experience the way of life in these beautiful landscapes, with uncommon access to cultural experiences you can't book on your own. Each trip features local well-being practices to help inspire travelers in their own lives. We support community-led conservation efforts in each destination, with trip proceeds to benefit these projects.

      Reviews

      PP
      This was my first trip with Hinoki, and also my first time to Bhutan, and it was an amazing experience. I had not much knowledge of the country or its history prior to the trip, but we had an excellent driver and guide who definitely shared loads of enthusiasm and love for their country with us. A personal highlight for me was the challenging hike up to Phajoding and being able to stay the night there and seeing how the monks live their lives, witnessing the last rituals of the year, plus the chance to have candid conversations with the previous head of the monastery over delicious meals. We also had tremendously good luck with great weather and even experience the Dochula Pass festival with snow, the first time that has ever happened in that festival's history. We also got to share meals with interesting local folks that allowed us to learn much more about the culture and challenges they face, both from climate change and globalization. Overall, the combination of a little more off the beaten path excursions and some level of flexibility all came together to grant us really amazing, organic and memorable experiences that I think wouldn't have been possible with most other tours. Looking forward to my next Hinoki trip as well!
      By Paul P for Reverence: Bhutan 2023 on Dec 26, 2023
      Thank you, Paul. It was fun traveling with you! Thank you for contributing so many interesting ideas and questions to our many conversations and for taking such a genuine interest in the culture of Bhutan. Looking forward to traveling with you again in 2024!
      By Hinoki Travels on Dec 27, 2023
      HT
      JB
      Finding myself nearly speechless, I have to say this is one of the most fantastic and deeply meaningful travel experiences I have ever had, and this is coming from a true world traveler. The amount of care, expertise, mindfulness and reverence Hinoki weaves into their trips is just BEYOND. In focusing on slowing down versus the normal "tourist circuit" and getting you off the beaten path, you will have experiences you may have never thought you would, it will stretch and grow you, and expand you and your life in all the best and most needed ways. And, you will have a ton of fun doing it while bonding with other adventurous travelers. Trips at the pace that Hinoki does them, are also a beautiful way to truly connect to yourself as you find enough stillness to just be. I can think of no greater gift in the world. I am crying tears of joy as I write this! There is no other trip like this. Thank you SO much, Hinoki Travels, and I can't wait for our next trip together, and the one after that, and after that, and so on!
      By Jeneil B for Rewild Yourself: Northern Thailand 2023 on Dec 17, 2023
      Wow, thank you so much, Jeneil. It was so wonderful to have you in Thailand with us and we cannot wait to have you join another trip soon! Thank you for all of the beautiful energy and intention that you brought with you on this trip, and thank you for so perfectly articulating what we are all about.
      By Hinoki Travels on Dec 20, 2023
      HT
      This has been my second adventure with Hinoki. What stood out for me on this trip was the privilege of experiencing Northern Thailand on a raw, intimate level in lesser-known parts of the country. Various local hosts and families welcomed us warmly into their homes, fed us like their own, and invited us to experience life in their villages. With these, I caught a glimpse of the fiercely independent and communal spirit of the hill tribe peoples, and their deep connection to nature. It remains clear to me that Hinoki deeply respects the local community, and takes into consideration what they value, and what they are willing to share with travellers, at their own pace. This trust has resulted in profound moments of generosity and spontaneity — and formed memories that will stay with me for a very long time. Looking forward to my next adventure with Hinoki!
      By Karen W for Rewild Yourself: Northern Thailand on Jan 08, 2023
      This was my second trip with Hinoki, and I feel really lucky to be a part of it. Any pre-conceived notions I had about Thailand were expanded much further. It's gotten me a lot more excited about exploring this part of the world. Together with a small lovely group, we had so many unique experiences packed in a short span of 10 days. It was a balanced mix of food, culture, nature and people. And throughout the trip, we were accompanied by kind and knowledgable local guides, each one striving to impact their communities positively. I will always appreciate Hinoki's pursuit to connect travelers with nature. This trip allowed me to see how self-sustaining communities can maintain an ancient sacred connection with the land, as they move towards the future. I can't wait to embark on another journey with Hinoki!
      By Jean Paolo T for Rewild Yourself: Northern Thailand on Dec 25, 2022
      Thank you, Pao. We are happy that you really appreciate the experiences in nature and with local communities on Hinoki trips. It is always so nice to have you with us.
      By Hinoki Travels on Dec 26, 2022
      HT
      Absolutely had the trip of a lifetime. There’s no way I could have orchestrated these activities and experiences on my own. I feel like I got to see and experience things and places not many travelers get the privilege to. The memories from this trip will stick with me for a lifetime!
      By Michelle K for Rewild Yourself: Northern Thailand on Dec 22, 2022
      Thank you, Michelle! We absolutely loved having you with us on this trip and getting to see the way that you experience the world.
      By Hinoki Travels on Dec 26, 2022
      HT
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      References

      The way Hinoki works with local communities to design travel experiences inspires a kind of mindful travel that is not only refreshing, it stems from a genuine sense of awe and respect for the land and its people. Experiencing Albania through Hinoki and their local partner, whose passion, knowledge and connections gave me rare access to the people, conversations and stories that would have remained undiscovered had I gone on my own. The itinerary was equal parts invigorating, challenging and contemplative. While catering to my pace and tastes, it strove to expand my limits and nudge me into contemplation. I adventured in the wilderness; stayed with local families and fell in love with their ways of life; learned about the history and culture of a country once shrouded in mystery; experienced first-hand the community-led efforts in conservation and preservation of their cultures and land — these collectively served to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the country, and allowed me to see how my travel directly impacts the local community. Here, I am no longer just a guest and visitor, but an active participant making small contributions to their lives, livelihood and land. This way of travel deepens, expands and continues to shape the way I see the world and my place in it, long after my trip has concluded — what a gift. Bethany’s thoughtfulness and care extends beyond designing the trip. Her sensitivity and empathy made me feel cared for, with regular check-ins, personalised tweaks, and an enthusiasm in listening to my personal reflections! Having developed this relationship with Bethany who understands me and my taste for travel, I’m eager to experience more countries with Hinoki — I know I’m in good hands.
      By Karen W on 08 Jul, 2022