South Greenland Grand Adventure includes one week of travel and exploration that will help us to intensively know both sides of Greenland.
On the one hand Greenland's amazing nature: huge glacier fronts, sailing among icebergs and hiking on a glacier tongue which is millions of years old; secondly, its people and traditions: towns like Narsaq or Qaqortoq and idyllic villages as Igaliku or Qassiarsuk with its viking ruins. In a country where infrastructures are almost non-existent, our system that combines boat trips and zodiacs makes it happen.
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Activities
Boat Tour
City Tour
Glacier Views
Greenlandic Culture
Hiking
Settlement Visit
Attractions
Flower Valley Tasiilaq
Ice Sheet
Norse Ruins
Qooroq Icefjord
Sermilik Fjord
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Uunartoq Hot Springs
Day 1
Narsarsuaq and view point
You start by taking the flight from Keflavik International Airport in Iceland or from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq. When you start to see the beautiful mountains and mesmerizing glacier, you are reaching your destination. Upon arrival you will be transported to your hotel, where you will spending the next two nights.
Depending on what time you arrive, you might be able to get a tour if you aren't too tired or just get acquainted with the area. When you have settled in in your room, you will have an arranged information meeting and afterwards take a short hike to the Glacier View Point, approximately a one hour walk. A view over the Tunulliarfik, the plain where Narsarsuaq is situated and Kiatuut Glacier.
After an exciting day of new impressions, it's time to head back to Hotel Narsarsuaq and get a good night sleep.
Accommodation: Hotel Narsarsuaq. Twin/double room with private facilities.
Meals included: None
Day 2
Qassiasuk, the Viking Greenland and Tasiusaq, the iceberg bay
Transfer in RIB boat through the Tunulliarfik Fjord, usually covered by icebergs, to Qassiarsuk. Visit of the church ruins and the settlement of Eric the Red comprising the old Brattahlid, capital of Viking Greenland, and where Erik the Red settled in 985. Walk through the village of about 50 inhabitants, mostly farmers.
In the afternoon, 4×4 trip to the beautiful Tasiusaq farm, where seven people live in notable isolation next to the Sermilik fjord, which is almost always blocked by icebergs coming from the Eqaloruutsit glacier. Picnic at Tasiusaq farm.
Optional Excursion: Kayak Excursion in the "iceberg bay", a 2 hour sea kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs and ice in one of the safest and nicest places in Greenland.
Way back to Qassiarsuk and boat transfer to Narsarsuaq. Tonight you will also be staying at Hotel Narsarsuaq.
Day 3
Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq, capital of southern Greenland
Transfer by zodiac boat from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq through the complex system of fjords and among numerous icebergs, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls. A guided city tours in Qaqortoq, the capital of South Greenland, which was founded in 1775 and nowadays has almost 3300 inhabitants. It's described as the most charming and attractive town in all Greenland. We will discover the beauty of its colorful buildings, the awe-inspiring landscapes and some of its thirty different rock sculpture designs, spread over the town. We visit the museum, the fur shops, the traditional kayak club, the church and the only fountain in the country.
You will be staying at Hotel Qaqortoq in a double room with private facilities.
Day 4
Qaqortoq and boat transfer to Narsaq
Time for leisure to walk around this charming town and explore on your own a city which is considered a sub-arctic Riviera or you can join one of our two wonderful optional excursions:
Optional Excursions:
* Hvalsey or Whale Island is the location of a church that was probably built in the 14th century and is the best-preserved church in Greenland from the period. People gathered there from far and wide to attend Christian festivals throughout the year. The fells and the fjord which surround the church have not changed at all over the centuries and are very scenic.
* Hot springs in Uunartoq: We will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing bath in the Uunartoq warm springs which are the only accessible thermal springs in Greenland, used as a pool and "holiday resort" for many natives who come from all over the country to camp and bathe in the thermal springs. This is an experience in touch with nature in such a unique place enjoying a warm bath while icebergs float only a few meters away in the fjord.
In the afternoon transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq, the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1500 inhabitants. You will have free-time to visit the local market, fur shops, hunters harbour and the Greenlandic folk museum or go for a walk to do some shopping.
You will be staying at Hotel Narsaq in a twin/double room with private facilities.
Day 5
Qaleraliq camp and excursion on ice - Narsaq
In the morning we set off for Qaleraliq camp, towards the Inland Icecap. We will arrive to a cozy, enchanting camp set on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of three glacier tongues.
We navigate on a RIB boat along the glacier fronts, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls and numerous icebergs as we approach them along their 10 kilometers descent to the sea. The glacier fronts extended in only one, but the dramatic progress of climate change divided it into three glacier fronts. From there we start the glacier hike. An impressive trek using crampons takes us on one of the oldest masses of ice on the planet. We explore its crevasses, drains, caves, seracs and other ice formations, which give an incredible labyrinthine quality to this glacier. An expert mountain guide and glacier specialist will be in be in charge of the excursion to ensure the right equipment and the safety of the group, while he shares with us his knowledge about the characteristics of the glaciers in the South of Greenland. A unique experience, exciting and original, surprising both for first-timers and more experienced glacier hikers. This is one of the most impressive sights and one of the best excursions in all of Greenland. Picnic lunch on the ice or at the camp depending on conditions.
In the afternoon, transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq. We will be surprised by enormous icebergs falling off from the Eqaloruutsit glacier and floating through the Sermilik Fjord. Sometimes, they are blocking the access to Narsaq ports.
You will be spending another night at Hotel Narsaq.
Day 6
City of Narsaq and Igaliku (Gardar)
In the morning we have time off to walk around the city and discover the beauty of its colorful buildings. Surrounded by an awe-inspiring landscapes, you can enjoy a drink with the local people and discover the modern Inuit's way of life. After that we will navigate by zodiac boat to Itilleq. Once we disembark from the boat, we will start and easy hike across the "Kongevejen", or Path of the Kings. Our destination will be the idyllic Igaliku, a small Inuit settlement inhabited by no more than 40 people. This place is famous for being the most beautiful settlement in Greenland, and where we can discover the ruins of Gardar, the archdiocese and religious capital of Viking Greenland.
You will be spending the night at Igaliku Country Hotel in a twin/double room with shared toilet/shower facilities.
Day 7
Excursions in Iqaliku and boat excursion to Qooroq Ice Fjord
In the morning, we can enjoy the spectacular views of Einarsfjord, a surprising fjord which is one of the few in Greenland that can't impress visitors with big icebergs. However, green hills provide guests a warm relax in a quiet environment. Hike back to Itilleq where we embark in the RIB boat and start a sea excursion to Qooroq fjord. This is probably the most spectacular glacier in the South of Greenland. We will navigate among blocks of ice until the density of ice is such that we can no longer continue. Wonderful sight of ice floating around us. We will continue the navigation on our zodiac boat, to Narsarsuaq. Car transfer to Hotel Narsarsuaq.
Free time to visit by your own the Narsarsuaq Museum Blue West One. It is recommended as it reflects the town history from ancient times and specially its role in the Second World War.
You will stay at Hotel Narsarsuaq in a room with private facilities.
Day 8
The Flower Valley hike. Then flight home
We reserve the morning for the most famous hike in South Greenland, the Flower Valley. A spectacular hike with sights of the Kiattut river and glacier. You will enjoy the spectacular view of this valley formed due to the retreat and the consequent glacial sedimentation with plenty of flowers. Trekking way back to Narsarsuaq. Free time to visit and walk around in the area.
Then it's time to head back home from Narsarsuaq to either Keflavík International Airport in Iceland or Copenhagen.
Included
Flight Keflavik/Copenhagen – Narsarsuaq & return and airport taxes
Transfers from the airport and hotel to the harbour, in Narsarsuaq
7 Nights Accommodation in hotels (twin/double rooms with private facilities)
Breakfast
Dinner at Igaliku
South Greenland Expeditions guide (English speaking)
Boat transfers and excursions in South Greenland, as detailed in this program
4×4 trip to Tasiusaq
Picnic at (Flower Valley, Qaleraliq Glacier and Tasiusaq Farm)
RIB boat transfers and excursions
Glacier hike with crampons
City tour in Qaqortoq
Guided visit to Brattahlid reconstructions (UNESCO area)
Not included
Accommodation, food and transfers in Keflavik or Copenhagen
Lunch and dinner not mentioned in “What is included”
Travel insurance
Any other aspect not listed in “What is included”
Single traveller supplemet (mandatory if travelling alone)
Please note extra charges for room upgrades can accrue after the booking as the availability of accommodation is very limited.
What to bring
Layered clothing. Ideally, you should pack a thermal underwear layer (top and bottom), activity layer (e.g. hiking pants and shirt), insulation layer (e.g. fleece or down jacket), and outer layer of windproof clothing (top and bottom). For winter, your outer layer must be proper winter gear which typically has lots of insulation and is windproof. Think ski jacket and pants if you come from a warmer climate. You may not need all of this on any particular day, but you should have it available. You should always bring a windproof jacket, regardless of the weather.
Warm hat, gloves, buff or scarf
Sturdy shoes (e.g. hiking boots in Summer, insulated boots in Winter)
Sunglasses, sunscreen & sun hat (depending on weather)
Head net and insect repellent (in case of mosquitoes)
Camera with extra batteries
Additional Information
If traveling alone, make sure to choose the single room supplement when booking this tour.
Depending on availability for flights to Greenland, a flight supplement might apply.
Trips to Greenland are always subject to weather conditions. Delays and flight cancellations can happen. Therefore we strongly recommend you to buy a travel insurance in your country of residence that would cover any additional travel expenses, should your flights be delayed or canceled due to weather. We recommend not to book any international flights directly after a trip from West Greenland.
Most airlines allow 20 kg of check-in baggage. If you have more, there is a fee for the extra weight you bring. Payment for extra baggage is often implemented strictly, because of the small size of the planes. It is important to bring Danish Krona to Greenland. Foreign currency is not accepted everywhere.
Credit cards are accepted only at a few locations. i.e. at the hotels and larger stores. When you use a credit or debit card, a PIN-code is required. Please note there is a 3-hour time difference between Iceland and West Greenland in the winter time and a 2-hour time difference in the summer time. The order of the activities may not be exactly as planned in this itinerary. Greenland is the wildest country in the northern hemisphere, infrastructures are almost non-existent and logistics pose challenges. It is subject to change in order to adapt the journey to weather conditions, sea conditions, or technical and organizational difficulties, and it therefore requires flexibility from the traveler. Some activities may be canceled because of weather or ice conditions as locals say "the weather is the boss in Greenland".
Our customers are the foundation of Guide to Greenland so we make great efforts to provide you with the best possible service. We are located in Greenland and cooperate with everyone involved in the Greenlandic tourism industry. We are therefore perfectly placed to quickly react to changes or new wishes you may have to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
BOOK EARLY The earlier you book your trip, the better the prices will be, and the more likely you will be able to book the tour you want for the dates/times you want.
Package tours can be sold out more than half a year in advance (note that Guide to Greenland does not include international flights in packages, except where indicated from Iceland or Denmark).
Day trips may sell out closer to your arrival date, but for popular destinations, certain dates/times can also sell out months in advance. We recommend that you secure all of your experiences by booking them well in advance of your trip.
CANCELLATIONS All cancellations must be made via e-mail.
Although Guide to Greenland is committed to ensuring the best protection and service for our customers in the event of a cancellation, we are obliged to charge cancellation fees. This is in accordance with Greenland travel industry business practices. Details can be found in our general cancellation policy.
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