The Arctic Circle Trail is a 160km trek that takes you through true arctic wilderness with no roads, dwellings, shops or phone signal from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimuit. Whilst this fantastic 9 day digital detox trek is guided, participants will need to be self-sufficient and able to carry everything required for a 9 day self-supported wilderness trek. Daily distances are no greater than 13.5 miles (average day is 12 miles).
The best time to complete the Arctic Circle Trail is between June and August when days are at their longest, temperatures are warm and the weather is most stable.
Location TBC (Hotel). Evening at leisure in Copenhagen.
Travel to the airport in time for a flight to Kangerlussaq. After clearing the airport, the first leg of the Arctic Circle Trail comences. This is an easy day mainly on roads. 12.5 miles. Overnight camp at Hundesø.
This second day of walking is more undulating than the first with two distinct climbs, although the total amount of ascent is only 370m. 12.5 miles. Overnight camp at Katiffik.
Another 12.5-mile day mainly following the lake shoreline. Overnight camp at Canoe Centre.
On the 4th day of walking, the route climbs into the mountains to overnight camp at Ikkattooq. 13.5 miles.
A short day (6.5 miles) as the route descends out of the mountains for an overnight camp at Eqalugaarnirfik.
This 6th day of walking brings lakes, mountains and spectacular views. 12 miles.
Ten miles, mainly downhill travelling through a beautiful valley flanked by mountains. Overnight camp at Nerumaq.
Penultimate day of walking through a low-level valley. Overnight at Kangerluarsuk Tulleq. 10.5 miles.
The route on the final, 9th day of trekking passes through some spectacular scenery and after an initial climb it descends all the way to Sisimiut. Overnight in a hostel, celebratory meal out!
We can run this trip on demand at any time from late June to mid-August.
The trip needs a minimum of four people to run with
prices starting from £2250 per person.
Boots
A good pair of light-weight GoreTex lined walking boots which provide ankle support and are well broken-in. Boots are essential - Please do not bring trail shoes.
Buff
Essential for helping to keep the sun off your neck at lower altitudes, protecting from dust and wind and as neck/face protection higher up.
Dry Bags
A selection of rucksack liners and dry bags as required to keep your clothing, sleeping bag and equipment dry and organised.
Fleece or Soft Shell Layer
This can be a fleece jumper or fleece jacket or a soft shell jacket.
Gas Stove and Pan Set
Do not travel with gas canisters – these will be purchased and provided on arrival in Greenland.
Gloves
A lightweight windproof pair of gloves for wearing on a daily basis as required.
Head Torch
With spare batteries or the means to recharge.
Hiking Socks
We recommend a good pair of proper hiking/trekking socks. A minimum of three pairs but ideally you should have a pair for each day.
Insulated Jacket
Can be down or synthetic.
Lightweight Walking Trousers
To wear on a daily basis if not wearing shorts and for evening wear. Jeans or tracksuit bottoms are not suitable.
Long-Sleeved Thermal Top
Essential base layer for colder days and nights. Pack at least 2 of these.
Personal First Aid Kit
This should include suncream, lip balm, blister plasters (compeed), plasters, painkillers and any prescription medicines, insect repellant etc.
Rucksack 50lt
50l+ needs to be large enough to carry all your clothing, equipment and food.
Shorts
These are optional but the weather is often good enough for shorts.
Sleeping Bag - 3 Seasons
This should be a minimum of three seasons and able to keep you warm down to at least minus 5 (we recommend taking as warm a sleeping bag as possible).
Sleeping Matt
Good ground insulation is crucial as is a comfy surface to sleep on that softens the hardness of the ground. A full length inflatable sleeping mat is recommended.
Sports Bra
Ladies only, take 2. Should be a technical fabric, avoid cotton.
Sports Sandals/Flip Flops/Crocks
Or something similar for river crossings/around campwhen not wearing your boots/in the tea houses etc.
Sun Hat
To keep the sun off your head!
Sunglasses
For general eye protection, wearing whilst trekking or on glaciers if applicable to your trip – for wearing on glaciers sunglasses need to be Category 4 and be close fitting or have side protection.
Tee-shirt
For wearing on a daily basis whilst trekking. Should be a technical fabric – avoid cotton as it is slow to dry. You will need 2 or 3 of these.
Tent
The lighter the better. Single person tents are fine but you may want to share. Please get in touch if you need help sourcing a tent.
Toiletries and Travel Towel
Include wet wipes, hand sanitizer and toilet tissues as well as nappy sacks or dog poo bags (to bag your toilet paper and keep rubbish under control).
Trowel
For using when nature calls/burying human waste.
Underwear
Ideally these will be quick drying and moisture wicking. Take 3 pairs as a minimum.
Water Bladder
It is essential that you have the means to carry at least 2 litres of drinking water. The best solution is a bladder type water carrier such as a camelbak as this then allows you to drink whilst walking with no need to stop to get out a water bottle.
Water Bottle
At higher altitudes your Camelbak may freeze and so it is a good idea to have a 1 litre Nalgene type bottle. Also great for events like the Cuillin ridge Traverse.
Water Purification System
Running water found along the trail ‘should’ be drinkable but it makes sense to have some sort of purification system such as ‘water purification tablets’, filtration system or UV light purification system (recommended).
Waterproof Jacket
Hard shell jacket ideally this will be waterproof and breathable (GoreTex or equivalent) and it will have a hood.
Waterproof Trousers
Ideally they should be windproof and breathable (Gore Tex or equivalent) and with full or ¾ length side zips.
Woolly hat
To keep your head warm - Ideally a hat that will cover your ears too and fit under a climbing helmet.
Camera
Make sure you have spare batteries or the means to re-charge.
Long Sleeved Shirt
For covering up during the day or wearing in the evening.
Mobile Phone
You may want to use you phone as a camera. On our overseas trips signal is often limited or non-existent so making calls or sending texts may not be possible - see FAQs for trip specific info.
Walking poles
Not essential but extremely useful when carrying a load, descending and for any river crossings.
Booking Confirmation
This will be sent to you aproximately 10 days before departure
Immunization Papers
Check requirement - see specific country information at https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
Insurance Documents
It is crucial that you have comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical treatment and rescue apropriate for your trip. You must ensure you take your insurance documents with you and that the 24 hour emergency contact number for your insurance is clearly identifiable.
Passport and Visa
Your passport should have at least 6 months validity beyond your last day of travel. It is worth making a photocopy of your passport and bringing this with you too just in case. See https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for information about Visa requirements. See also our FAQs for Visa information.
We are yet to determine the average CO2 emissions per person for our Arctic Circle Trail Trek.
Trekking and mountaineering trips such as this are low carbon in comparison to other forms of travel and activities. That said though, we are working hard to understand exactly what the carbon emissions are for all our products. By the end of 2024 we hope to have measured everything we do and have a good understanding of all the individual carbon footprints. This will then act as a starting point for us to take action to reduce our emissions to as low as reasonably practicable and drive towards net zero.
No, unfortunately we don’t currently provide equipment for hire but can recommend Expedition Kit Hire.
Allergies and intolerances shouldn’t limit what you can do, so we make sure we cater for everyone. We ask that you let us know at the time of booking about any dietary requirements so that we can make sure these are taken into account on the trek. That said it is worth noting that kitchen conditions and facilities on some of our trips are fairly basic. Standards of food hygiene are good, but we cannot guarantee against cross contamination of ingredients. If you have a particularly serious allergy or are extremely sensitive to certain ingredients such as nuts or wheat for instance, then please get in touch with us to discuss options.
You are likely to require vaccinations for the majority of our overseas trips. We recommend you book an appointment with your GP to discuss your trip so they can provide you with specific advice. More information can be found here.
Yes, you will need to book your own flights for this trip.
Yes. Most insurance companies do not cover you for trekking above 4000m. Make sure when taking insurance cover the policy covers you for trekking up to the appropriate altitude as follows:
Kilimanjaro – 5895m
Everest Base Camp – 5644m (summit of Kala Patthar)
Kanchenjunga Base Camp – 5200m
Toubkal – 4167m
Your insurance should also include medical and emergency evacuation (helicopter rescue). Insurance is a condition of booking and we request that all clients provide us with proof of insurance before travel (8 weeks before departure).
Mosquitos don’t generally survive above 1800m. However, a risk still remains and we recommend taking advice from your GP before you travel. Further information including advice on bite prevention and vaccinations can be found here.
Yes, we recommend you carry a small first aid kit in your day pack containing the following items:
Your first aid kit should be small and light so as not to add too much weight to your day pack. Our Guides carry full group first aid kits for dealing with more serious injuries.
Ultimately this is your choice, but we would say yes. It’s important you keep yourself warm and down is without a doubt the best insulation. You will really feel the difference when the temperatures drop and especially on summit day. There are some very good synthetic brands on the market, and these have the advantage of still keeping you warm when they are wet but synthetic insulation is heavier and bulkier than down – you need a bigger, bulkier synthetic jacket for the same warmth as a lighter down jacket. Sleep helps us to recover from our trekking and is an important part of the acclimatisation process. So, our recommendation for a sleeping bag would again be down. Be sure to pick a bag with a comfort rating of -20oC and 3-4 seasons. You can buy silk or similar liners which will also enhance the warmth. With all down sleeping bags, the best way for you to keep warm is to remember to wear as little as possible whilst inside it. The heat from your body then warms the bag and the feathers retain the heat.
On all our trips (unless specifically excluded) we provide you with adequate safe drinking water. Early on we generally provide bottled water. As we move further from civilisation water is sourced from local streams and springs. All water provided for drinking is filtered and boiled to ensure it is safe.
We believe prevention is better than cure and all our trips are planned and structured to reduce the likelihood of problems arising. That said, things can go wrong. Our local Guides are experienced and first aid trained. They work hard to prevent problems however, if a problem does arise they deal with it in the first instance. If the problem is beyond their abilities, we can call on the support of local rescue services and get you evacuated to the nearest medical facility without delay. Please ensure your insurance covers rescue and medical emergencies.
The best way to avoid AMS is to follow these five simple steps:
1 – Go slowly. Trekking up to 5600m should be done at a snail’s pace. Be first out on the trail in the morning and last into the teahouses in the afternoon, take your time, keep your pulse and breathing rate down, enjoy the views and take plenty of breaks to take photos. Going slowly means that your body can focus on acclimatising rather than keeping you moving at a fast pace.
2 – Stay hydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water whilst on the trail. Being hydrated helps with the acclimatisation process. As a guide, you should need the toilet more than normal and your urine should be clear.
3 – Eat. Trekking to Everest Base Camp requires lots of energy and so does the acclimatisation process. Eat well at each meal.
4 – Keep Warm. If you start to get cold your body will need to use extra resources to keep you warm. This slows down the acclimatisation process so make sure you put that fleece on when you stop and that you take a 4-season sleeping bag to stay warm at night.
5 – Get good rest. Sleep and rest are extremely important and also part of the acclimatisation process. Don’t be up chatting all night, get an early night and make sure you are warm and comfortable so that you can get a good night’s sleep.
A deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip/course is payable at the time of booking and the balance is due 8 weeks before the departure date. If the booking takes place less than 8 weeks before departure, then the full amount is due at the time of booking. If you would like to discuss payment options, then please get in touch.
You may be experiencing altitude for the first time, and the facilities at times will be basic, it may become difficult to sleep and eat so yes you might feel a little out of your comfort zone. Our experienced team will be with you to help you through these moments and remember your trekking partners will be going through this too so you can help each other along the journey.
Our team of guides and leaders do everything we can to make sure all your possessions remain safe, but we recommend a small padlock on your duffle bag for extra piece of mind. Like any other trip we recommend things like passport, money etc should be kept with you at all times (in your daysack). If you normally wear jewellery, unless it is absolutely necessary or for medical reasons, we suggest this is left at home. It is important that you take responsibility for your valuables and look after them whilst you are travelling.
Diamox has been shown to reduce the chances of getting AMS, but it does not replace proper acclimatisation. We don’t recommend you take or use Diamox on our trips and would encourage you to take your time and acclimatise naturally.
Visas requirements vary from country to country and can change from time to time. Specific and up to date requirements can be found on the UK Government’s Foreign Travel Advice website.
In all case, we recommend that you apply for a Visa on-line before travelling where possible.
Kilimanjaro: There are no plug sockets or recharging points on the mountain so we recommend you bring a solar battery charger or a power pack that will last for the duration and provide sufficient charge for all your devices. If your device has disposable batteries, then please take spares and make sure you carry the used batteries back down the mountain for recycling. Keeping your devices warm at night by taking them in your sleeping bag is a good way to prolong your battery life.
Nepal: Some teahouses will offer a re-charging service for a small fee however, as a general rule, there are no plug sockets or recharging points. We recommend you bring a battery bank (or similar) or a solar charger. If your device has disposable batteries, then please take spares and make sure you carry the used batteries back down the mountain for recycling. Keeping your devices warm at night by taking them in your sleeping bag is a good way to prolong your battery life. If you are planning on staying in hotels before and after the trek the voltage is 230v similar to the UK and uses one of three types of plugs with round pins (Type C, D & M – see here for more info).
Our local teams work very hard to make sure your trip runs smoothly and to help you achieve your goals. Tipping is down to you but I’m sure once you see how hard the crew work and what they earn in comparison to our own wages you will want to reward them. Tipping is generally done on the last day of your trek, before your guide and crew disappear back to their homes and villages.
Kilimanjaro: For guidance on tipping please read our article on tipping your Kilimanjaro Mountain Crew.
Nepal: For guidance on tipping in Nepal please read our article Tipping in Nepal.
HACE stands for High Altitude Cerebral Edema which is essentially a swelling of the brain due to excess fluid.
HAPE is High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or fluid in the lungs.
These two conditions are fairly rare and can be prevented by careful management of any symptoms of AMS whilst ascending to Everest base camp.
A comprehensive list of clothing and equipment required for your trip can be found by visiting the ‘Kit List” tab on the relevant experience.
Please refer to our Booking Conditions which can be found here. Alternatively, please feel free to contact a member of the team.
You need to look after your feet, after all it will be your feet that get you to the top. Making sure you choose the right footwear, preferably boots, and allowing time to break them in will help prevent injuries like blisters, which can be very painful and potentially prevent you from reaching the summit. When choosing suitable boots make sure they are waterproof, insulated, have a good sole and provide ankle support and above all, make sure they are comfortable. If you are looking to buy specifically for Kilimanjaro, then the best advice we can offer is to pop into your nearest outdoor gear shop and speak to a store assistant who should be able to help you choose the most suitable pair.
Can’t see what you are looking for? All our trips can be customised to meet your needs so, if you need bespoke dates, want to add extra days, or modify the itinerary then please just let us know – we will be happy to help.
