Morning Report : Current Position is 70° 20’ 23.3” N , 22° 15’ 14.4” W, Speed 4.561 kn, COG 34.2°, Wind 352 ° at 5.7 m/s.
Today we will visit Ittoqqortoormiit.
Only around 500 to 700 people visit Ittoqqortoormiit each year. It’s one of the least-visited settlements on Earth, offering a truly rare chance to witness Arctic life, untouched landscapes, and cultural resilience at the edge of the world.
Welcome to the edge of the world. Perched on the fringes of Northeast Greenland, where the sea ice lingers for most of the year, and polar bears still outnumber tourists—lies a town few can pronounce—but many dream of: Ittoqqortoormiit.
The town of Ittoqqortoormiit sits at the entrance to iceberg-strewn Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system on Earth, and is a key access point to Northeast Greenland National Park —the world’s largest national park.
It has been said : “Ittoqqortoormiit feels like an ‘Arctic Brigadoon’—a place so remote and unchanged, it could vanish into myth the moment you leave.”
This remote East Greenlandic outpost is a place of profound isolation, rugged beauty, and cultural resilience. If you're the kind of traveller who prefers satellite phones over Wi-Fi and true adventure over lounging poolside, hearty expedition fare over room service, then read on.
Ittoqqortoormiit: overview and history:
Ittoqqortoormiit recently marked 100 years of life on the edge of the world. Founded in 1925 by 80 Inuit families from Tasiilag and guided by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen, this small Arctic town is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. Officially, it was about better hunting: the Scoresby Sund region, with its iceberg-choked fjords and vast, silent horizons, promised rich marine life. But the deeper motive was political—Denmark sought to reinforce its territorial claim over East Greenland as Norway showed growing interest in the area.
The settlers weren’t forced, but the ‘choice’ came with pressure and persuasion, framed as a chance to preserve the traditional Inuit way of life in a land untouched by European sprawl. What they found was stark, raw beauty and brutal isolation. For the first decades, they survived by relying entirely on hunting and fishing skills passed down through generations.
Today, life has grown even harder. Winters are long and dark, supply ships rare, and hunting still essential. As sea ice diminishes, polar bears are spending more time ashore, wandering into town with increasing frequency. Locals have adapted bear patrols, armed lookouts, and even trained dogs posted near the perimeter—vigilant guardians against an apex predator displaced by a warming Arctic. For the people of Ittoqqortoormiit, resilience isn’t a choice. It’s a tradition.
What makes Ittoqqortoormiit unique:
Set in East Greenland, near the mouth of Scoresbysund, Ittoqqortoormiit offers a rare, unfiltered connection to both nature and tradition. This isn’t a town built for tourists—it’s a living community shaped by self-reliance and the seasons.
The surrounding wilderness is breathtaking: colossal icebergs, shifting sea ice, and Arctic wildlife like polar bears, musk oxen, and nesting seabirds. It’s one of the best places in Greenland for raw wildlife encounters.
What makes Ittoqqortoormiit truly unique, though, is its way of life. Inuit hunters still follow traditional subsistence practices, including regulated polar bear and narwhal hunting. These aren’t performances—they are part of a culture that endures where modern supply chains don’t reach.
For those seeking more than just scenery, Ittoqqortoormiit offers something rare: authenticity. A place where nature shapes daily life, and ancient knowledge still leads the way.
Life in Ittoqqortoormiit
Home to roughly 350 hardy souls, Ittoqqortoormiit is less a town and more a tight-knit Arctic enclave. Daily life is deeply tied to the rhythm of nature and the ancestral customs of the Inuit.
The community relies heavily on subsistence hunting and fishing for their livelihood—seals, musk ox, narwhales, and the occasional polar bear still provide food, clothing, and fuel. These ancestral practices remain essential in a place where modern supply chains rarely reach.
Colorful homes dot the landscape, their cheerful paint standing in stark contrast to the frozen wilderness that surrounds them. Sled dogs are still essential and ever-present, chained near homes, their howls carrying across the tundra, alerting the town to danger or simply announcing their presence. Dog sledding isn’t a winter novelty here—it’s a lifeline.
Despite its diminutive size, Ittoqqoortormiit supports a surprising array of services. There’s a church, a school, a kindergarten, a town hall, and even a modest museum, which I found well done and interesting. .Health and safety are covered by a hospital, a police station, and a fire station. A sports hall and football field offer recreation. There is also a heli pad to provide support for the community.
Life here is hard, but not joyless; it’s vibrant and communal. Residents take pride in their independence but lean on one another when needed—a harmony forged by necessity and bound by tradition. It’s a rare kind of strength, the kind you don’t often see in more connected parts of the world.
Culture and traditions:
The town is a treasure trove of Inuit tradition. Locals still craft tupilaks, spirit figurines carved from bone or tusk and heavily rely upon ancestral subsistence hunting that still shapes daily life.
And no matter when you go, know this: only around 500 to 700 people visit Ittoqqortoormiit each year. It’s one of the least-visited settlements on Earth, offering a truly rare chance to witness Arctic life, untouched landscapes, and cultural resilience at the edge of the world.
Our narwhal group was last to be shuttled ashore. I had great hopes of sending some post cards from this remote location.
On this, our final landing, the zodiacs were loaded with twelve guests to get us all ashore quickly. The conditions were very calm as we went ashore. The landing was still wet a bit rocky. We dropped our lifejackets to be more comfortable as we visited Ittoqqortoormiit.
Our first stop was the supermarket, planning to get a couple of postcards to send. Sadly there were no postcards to be had. We did check out the stores offerings. We learned they had received a couple of supply ships and the shelves were well stocked. I would describe the store as a grocery/ general hardware store.
Next we went to a local museum situated in a one room house. The displays were well done and informative about the overall and personal history of several residents. I was surprised to find some of the roads to be paved with concrete. Our personal walking tour next stopped at the church. This church was beautiful with maritime influences. I noticed the kirkeskibe (church ship) hanging above the pews. A kirkeskibe is a model ship symbolizing the church as a vessel navigating life's stormy seas with Jesus at the helm, honor sailors lost at sea, and give thanks for safe returns.
Next we went to a local residence for the traditional coffee and cake. Kaffemik in Greenland is the ultimate in social gatherings. “Come glad and eat cake” the message, but it is what the invitation does not say which makes kaffemik more of a social staple than just a fun get-together. It’s a way to meet friends and friends of friends and be ‘out on the town’.
We were hosted by an elderly couple and were treated to coffee and a great raisin cake. The husband had killed a musk ox and we were offered a sample of roast musk ox. I found it to be mild like a fine lean beef.
We then kept walking up hill near the heliport and past the community sports hall. We located a local craft shop where several different handcrafted items. We noticed some polished musk ox horn we liked, but the legal process to bring home is or can be involved.
Then we returned to the landing location for our final zodiac ride for this trip.
We showered and gathered laundry to be sent out (complimentary laundry is a nice Platinum Explorer perk).
1400 - Lecture on post processing your eclipse images.
1600 - Q&A with Senior Staff. The captain is hilarious.
1730 - Lecture on the history of navigation
2015 - time for disembarkation talk
2030 - daily briefing
2045 - HX foundation Auction
The HX Foundation is the charitable arm of HX Expeditions, created to fund environmental conservation, wildlife protection, and community support in the regions HX Expeditions visit. Operating costs are fully covered by HX, ensuring 100% of donations go directly to project grants.
Core Focus Areas
Protecting Wildlife: Saving endangered species and funding polar marine research (such as work with the California Ocean Alliance).
Fighting Plastic Waste: Removing marine litter and funding coastal cleanups through groups like Surfers Against Sewage.
Community Support: Investing in youth and educational programs, including initiatives with the Association of Greenlandic Children and the OSM-AD Foundation.
How It is Funded
Green Stay Program: Guests can skip daily cabin servicing, and HX donates money to the foundation for each night skipped.
Onboard Fundraising: Charity auctions, special cabin experiences, and direct donations from travelers.
Rapid Response Fund: Allows ship crews to distribute quick on-site micro-grants to local communities in need.
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