Northern Lights Explorer | South Greenland

You arrive by flight from Keflavik (Iceland) or Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq (south Greenland). We meet at the reception in the airport and transfer by zodiac boat to Qassiarsuk (former Brattahlid, capital of Viking Greenland), that was inscribed in 2017 on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. We will do a walkthrough of the settlement of about 50 inhabitants and guided tour of the Viking ruins of Brattahlid, learning the history of the arrival of Eric the Red from Iceland at this small settlement in 985. Of particular interest are the reconstructions of a Viking house (spacious but cold) and an Inuit dwelling (small but warmer), transporting us back in time to the harsh conditions in which these people lived and it definitely shows us how the Inuit knew how to adapt better to the progressive cooling of the climate.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

We will set off for Qaleraliq camp navigating along Tunulliarfik fjord among icebergs. We will stop at Narsaq to visit the third most populated town in South Greenland (about 1,500 inhabitants). You will have free time to visit the museum, fish market, fur shops etc., before boarding the boat again to navigate towards the Inland Is (The Greenland Ice Sheet). We will arrive at our camp set on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of three glacier tongues. We will spend the night at the camp, allowing our senses to enjoy the thunderclap roar of the icefall from seracs. and, obviously, enjoying the absence of light pollution. Lecture about the Northern Lights from a scientific point of view.

Accommodation in 4 bedded basic but comfortable rooms of Domo “loft”.

After breakfast, we will be hiking to the Tasersuatsiaq lake and climb up a mountain, that is 400 metres high, from which we will have the view of the immense Polar Ice Cap and the Nunataks or floating landmarks on the ice sheet. We will have many opportunities to see caribou, polar fox and hare, which are plentiful in the area. In the afternoon we will have time for fishing or pick mushrooms and blueberries.  We can also do a lecture and discussion on climate change and its effects on the country.

Accommodation in 4 bedded basic but comfortable rooms of Domo “loft”.

We will navigate along the vertical glacier fronts on a zodiac boat. These glacier fronts were extended in only one, but the dramatic progress of climate change has divided it into three glacier fronts. From there we will start the Inlandis tongue hiking. An impressive hike using crampons where we will explore its crevasses, drains, caves, and seracs which gives a labyrinthine quality to this glacier. An expert mountain guide will be in charge of the excursion to ensure the safety of the group, while he shares with us his knowledge about the characteristics of the glaciers in the South of Greenland. Lecture about the Northern Lights from a mythological point of view.

Accommodation in 4 bedded basic but comfortable rooms of Domo “loft”.

Return navigation from Qaleraliq to Qassiarsuk, reaching the pontoon of Itilleq first. Easy hike to cross the Path of the Kings to the idyllic Igaliku, a small Inuit settlement where one finds the ruins of Gardar, the archdiocese of Viking Greenland. In the afternoon, on our way to Qassiarsuk, we will visit the Qooroq Fjord, one of the most active glaciers in southern Greenland, navigating to the area where iceberg density will make it impossible to carry on… The Endurance! After staying and enjoying a hot shower at the hostel, lecture on the history and evolution of the Greenlandic people through time.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Hiking to Tasiusaq farms, next to Sermilik fjord which is almost always blocked by icebergs. This is not the only sheep farm of the area and we can continue our walk to reach the idyllic Nunataaq with sights of the Eqaloruutsit glacier. Later, after the picnic, it’s time for action: optional kayak excursion in the “Iceberg Bay”, a 2-hour kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs in one of the safest and nicest spots in southern Greenland.

Accommodation at the Tasiusaq hostel or hike back to Qassiarsuk and accommodation at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

In the morning we will cross the fjord towards Narsarsuaq area. Then, after a short transfer by car, we will walk through the Flower Valley until we can see the Kiattut glacier and the landscape around it, with superb panoramic view of the Polar Ice Cap and its nunataks (floating landmarks on the ice sheet). Flower Valley is one of the most renowned excursion in all Greenland. Farewell dinner will be made of inuit dishes as whale, seal, caribou, etc.

Night at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Once in Narsarsuaq we have time to visit the local museum, the Bluie West One, former US military base untouched since the Second World War. Flight from Narsarsuaq to Iceland