Kiijali is a locally owned and operated dog sledding business based in Kulusuk, a small Inuit settlement on Greenland’s east coast. We travel the same routes hunters have used for generations, guided by experienced local mushers and their dog teams. Our trips are shaped by weather, ice, and local knowledge — a mindset known here as uppa, meaning “maybe.”
Travel the land. Follow the dogs.
Video: Four Horn Productions
Kiijali East Greenland Dog Sledding offers traditional dog sledding experiences led by local mushers in Kulusuk, East Greenland. Rooted in everyday Inuit life, our journeys follow the land, the dogs, and the rhythm set by nature.
The dogs are central to everything we do. They are not an attraction, but working animals and trusted companions, deeply woven into daily life in East Greenland. By keeping groups small and experiences personal, we offer guests the chance to slow down and understand a way of life that still depends on the land. Here, progress is measured in distance travelled together, not in speed or schedules. What you gain is not just an experience, but a deeper sense of how life unfolds when nature leads.
Local by Nature
Owned and operated in Kulusuk, with local mushers and hunters as guides, sharing knowledge shaped by lived experience.
The Journey Starts Here
Once you arrive in Kulusuk, your trip begins — no extra flights, no relocation, no detours.
Bridging Cultures
With Shelley’s international background and Jokum’s local roots, we create a respectful and easy meeting between cultures.
Our Products
Our experiences are shaped by the land, the dogs, and the rhythm of life in Kulusuk. Each journey follows traditional ways of traveling and living here, with flexibility, local knowledge, and nature setting the pace.
Dog sledding is the heart of Kiijali. Our multi-day journeys follow the traditional East Greenlandic way of traveling, with local mushers guiding their own teams through sea ice, fjords, and mountain landscapes. Guests do not self-drive the sleds but take part in the journey by assisting with the dogs, helping set up camp, and learning daily routines. Group sizes are limited to a maximum of six guests, ensuring close interaction with the mushers and dogs. Each trip adapts to conditions — guided by uppa — allowing nature to shape the experience rather than a fixed schedule.
2027 Dog Sledding Dates Now Available
• March 3 – 10
• March 10 – 17
• March 17 – 24
• March 27 – April 3
• April 10 – 17
Price: 24,500 DKK per person
(week-long, fully guided traditional Greenland dog sled journey)
What’s Included
• Traditional dog sled travel with local Greenlandic mushers
• Accommodation in our village guesthouse and wilderness huts/tents
• All meals during the journey
• All Arctic camping equipment and thermal flotation suit
• Safety equipment and expedition logistics
• Local transport within the Kulusuk area
Not Included
• International and domestic flights
• Comprehensive travel and medical insurance (required)
• Costs related to travel delays, flight changes, or unforeseen disruptions
Contact us for more information:
Our cultural package offers insight into daily life in Kulusuk beyond the sled. Guests meet local families, share meals, and spend time with the mushers outside the journey itself. Dining with locals, conversations, and simple moments are central — offering context to the dog sledding experience. This is not a performance, but an invitation into everyday life, shaped by weather, community, and the pace of the place.
Contact us for more information:
East Greenland, by sled.
About Kiijali
Kiijali East Greenland Dog Sledding is built around respect — for the dogs, the land, and the traditions that sustain life in East Greenland.
We work with around 20 Greenlandic sled dogs, each part of a small, functional team rather than a commercial dog yard. The dogs are loyal, resilient, and essential — not only for travel, but for maintaining a cultural practice that still matters here.
Our trips are intentionally small. With two guests and one musher per sled, we ensure safety, flexibility, and meaningful connection. Plans remain adaptable, because here, nature always has the final word.
Kulusuk
Kulusuk is a traditional Inuit settlement with around 185 residents. There is one shop, one school, and a strong reliance on hunting and fishing. Life here follows the seasons, the ice, and the weather.
Our trips are essentially an invitation to join the hunters on the land — traveling routes they know, using methods they rely on, and seeing the landscape the way they do.
What makes Kulusuk special is not only what you see, but what you feel:
- Time slows down
- Plans remain flexible
- Nature sets the pace
- You move with the flow, not against it
Into the ice, at the dogs’ pace.
Our Team
Kiijali is run by a small, dedicated team rooted in both local tradition and international hospitality. Together, Shelley and Jokum create experiences that are grounded, welcoming, and deeply connected to place.
Shelley
Co-Founder & Host
Originally from Canada, Shelley brings over 20 years of experience as a chef and hospitality professional. She focuses on guest experience, logistics, and communication, ensuring trips run smoothly while remaining flexible. Her international background helps bridge cultural differences and create a comfortable, respectful environment for guests. Shelley is often the first point of contact and plays a key role in preparing guests for life in East Greenland. Her background as a chef also shapes the shared dining experiences, where food becomes a way to connect.
Jokum
Co-Founder, Musher & Guide
Born and raised in Kulusuk, Jokum grew up with dog sledding as part of everyday life. His father was a musher and hunter, passing down knowledge, routes, and respect for the dogs. Jokum learned to work with sled dogs from a young age and continues that tradition today. Alongside running Kiijali, he works at Kulusuk Airport, balancing modern work life with traditional practices on the land. His deep understanding of ice conditions, weather patterns, and seasonal travel routes comes from a lifetime spent moving across the land with dogs.
Lars
Guide & Musher
Lars is Jokum’s father and a lifelong dog musher from Kulusuk, with over 45 years of experience working with sled dogs. He has spent most of his life traveling the land by sled, both for hunting and transport, and carries deep knowledge of routes, ice conditions, and dog handling. Lars is an active guide with Kiijali this season and continues to work closely with the dogs. Two years ago, he participated in one of Greenland’s major dog sled races on the west coast. His approach is calm, steady, and shaped by decades of experience passed down through family and practice.
Anganni
Guide & Musher
Anganni is an experienced musher originally from Tiniteqilaaq, now living in Kulusuk. Known locally for his dedication and skill, he has won several local dog sled races and is often seen training his dogs year-round. Like Lars, Anganni took part in a major dog sled race on Greenland’s west coast two years ago. He is deeply committed to passing on dog sledding traditions and is already teaching his two young sons the knowledge and responsibility that come with working dogs. His work reflects both pride in tradition and a strong focus on the future.
Travel slowly. Live the Arctic rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few practical questions to help you prepare for life with the dogs and the Arctic.
Can I drive the dog sled myself?
No — our tours follow the traditional East Greenlandic way, where local mushers drive the sleds while guests assist with dogs, camp, and daily routines.
I’m a little nervous around dogs — is that a problem?
Not at all. We introduce the dogs calmly and gradually, keeping a comfortable distance until you feel ready. All dogs are securely handled at all times.
Will it be cold?
It might be, but we provide an insulated flotation suit and a detailed packing list to ensure you stay warm and comfortable.
Contact
Email / WhatsApp: shelley@kiijalidogsled.com
Phone: +299 25 63 14
Address: B-1807, Kulusuk 3915, Greenland
