Ittoqqortoormiit is located at Scoresby Sound and with its side fjord is the largest fjord complex in the
World, as well as the world's longest fjord. People in Ittoqqortoormiit live in the town itself and there is no longer anybody living permanently in the nearby settlements at
Itterajivit/Cape Hope and Uunartoq/Cape Tobin. Only a few tourists come to this remote area, where the winters are long and the sea is frozen for nine months of the year.
Ittoqqortoormiit history:
Ittoqqortoormiit, previously known as Scoresbysund, is one of the youngest towns in
Greenland and together with Qaanaaq, the most isolated. The town was established in 1925 by newcomer from
Tasiilaq, at the request of the polar explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen. The reason was that Tasiilaq had become too large in relation to opportunities for hunting seals, in particular. Even then the Ittoqqortoormiit region was known for its excellent hunting opportunities for seals, walruses and polar bears, and to this day hunting remains the main industry, together with tourism. Walrus Bay has a surprisingly broad and fine sand and gravel beach. Winter bathers and other hardy people can do as the locals: take a dip here.
How to get there:
The journey to Ittoqqortoormiit takes place with Air
Iceland via Reykjavik, Iceland, from where there are generally two weekly flight connections from the end of March until the end of October, and one weekly connection during the rest of the year. Several expedition cruise ships also call at Ittoqqortoormiit. Enquire at travel agencies that feature Greenland on their programme for more details.
How to get around:
In winter you can experience the town and its surroundings on dogsled, snowmobile or skis. Locally, the means of transport in winter is by snowmobile and dogsled. In summer, transport takes place in the area with private boats.
The UK tour operator Tangent Expeditions provides snowmobile transport service to any location within the Ittoqqortoormit and
Scoresby Sund district throughout the months of March, April and May.
Where to sleep:
Ittoqqortoormiit has its own guesthouse with comfortable rooms and self catering. You can also stay privately or camp anywhere in the countryside, where the view pleases you most.
