Traveler Photos: Back to Nature in the Arctic Riviera

In a world where fewer and fewer places remain undiscovered, the wild Arctic realm of East Greenland entices adventurous travelers to explore a wholly unfamiliar and utterly entrancing region, a last vestige of pristine wilderness. But reaching this most isolated of destinations is challenging, and the rugged Arctic landscape is still largely inaccessible to cruise ships. In years past, those who wanted to experience the raw beauty of East Greenland were mostly limited to short day excursions. Today, travelers can spend a week of the glorious summer on Greenland’s east coast—the “Arctic Riviera”—for an unparalleled Arctic adventure based from the comfort and seclusion of Natural Habitat’s deluxe wilderness camp.

Nat Hab guests have discovered East Greenland in this most extraordinary fashion—and documented their epic nature journeys in the photos below.

Exploring in Zodiacs

Located on a protected fjord in one of the most remote places on Earth, Base Camp Greenland provides a comfortable outpost for exploring this wild terrain on foot, by kayak, and on Zodiac rafts. Guided Zodiac expeditions give us the opportunity to search for the seals and whales that swim in these Arctic waters while we navigate between the ever-shifting icebergs, some as large as buildings. We listen to the clinking ice and marvel at close-up views of massive ice chunks calved from the mighty glaciers that feed East Greenland’s fjords, even sighting tabular sea-faring icebergs floating in the currents, some of which have drifted from hundreds of miles away.

Ice and Glaciers Galore

The ice is one of the most intriguing aspects of our East Greenland Adventure, and we’ll encounter it in a wide variety of fantastical shapes, sizes and colors, including the most beautiful blues in nature. The following photos show a sampling of some of the many forms the ice can take.

Making Friends with Sled Dog Puppies

Meeting the beautiful sled dogs of East Greenland is a highlight for many Nat Hab travelers. Here, several sled dog puppies take a nap in the shade of a rock beneath the afternoon sun.

The Best Kayaking in the North

Entry-level, guided sea kayaking is an exciting option for the many Base Camp Greenland visitors who want to paddle among the icebergs that often fill Sermilik Fjord.

The Charm of Tasiilaq

The small East Greenlandic town of Tasiilaq has distinguished, brightly painted wooden houses and is surrounded by jagged peaks with year-round glaciers. About 2,000 people reside in this subsistence hunting community on Greenland’s “back side.”