Iceland & Greenland – 7N/8D

Itinerary:

Day 1: Narsarsuaq and view point

Flight from Keflavik International airport in Iceland or from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq, South Greenland. Reception at the airport and transfer to the Narsarsuaq Hotel for check-in and information meeting. Hike to the Glacier View Point, around one hour from the hotel. Great views of the Tunulliarfik fjord icebergs and the Kiattuut Glacier.
Accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq. Twin/double room with private facilities.

Day 2. Helicopter flight to Qaqortoq

Impressive helicopter trip (scheduled flight) from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq, over the fjord system of South Greenland. Whatever the route, a helicopter trip in South Greenland is a real unforgettable experience. You will be able to see from above what will be your whole tour, enjoying the fascinating composition of the fjords and the fantastic view of the Inlandis (the Greenlandic ice cap). Guided City Tour in Qaqortoq. Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 3. Qaqortoq, capital of southern Greenland

Qaqortoq was founded in 1775, and nowadays has almost 3000 inhabitants. It’s described as the most charming town in all Greenland. Time at leisure to walk around town, where we will discover the beauty of its colorful buildings and the awe-inspiring landscapes. Explore on your own the museum, the fur shops, the traditional kayak club, the church, the only fountain in the country, and have dinner in one of its restaurants.

Optional: Excursion to Hvalsoy Church and Upernaviarsuk Agricultural Center. 80€ per person (minimum 4 participants)

Optional: Excursion to Uunartoq Island Thermal Springs. 160€ per person (minimum 6 participants)

Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 4. Qaleraliq Camp and Excursion on Ice – Narsaq

We will set off for Qaleraliq camp, towards the Inlandis. We will arrive to our camp set on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of three glacier tongues. These glacier fronts extended in only one, but the dramatic progress of climate change divided it in three glacier fronts. After the navigation along the vertical glacier fronts we will start the Inlandis tongue hiking. An impressive trek using crampons where we will explore its crevasses, drains, caves, and seracs which give an 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. Picnic lunch in 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 throw all the Sermilik Fjord. Sometimes, they are blocking the access to Narsaq ports.

Accommodation at Hotel Narsaq. Twin/Double room with private facilities.

Day 5. City of Narsaq and Sillisit guest farm

Narsaq is the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1500 people. During the morning, you will have free time to visit the museum, fur shops, hunters harbour or the fish market.

Afterwards, we will navigate to Sillisit farm. This Greenlandic guesthouse and farm is set on an idyllic spot, surrounded by lakes and green hills. It’s provided with impressive views of icebergs floating on the fjord: a warm relax in a quiet environment. The family running the guesthouse will welcome us and we will have the possibility to know a bit more about the Inuit way of life of the people living here all year around.

Excursion: Hike through the mountains and lakes around the farm. From this idyllic mountains we can enjoy the spectacular views of Ilissumatarfik, the highest mountain in the area, with an altitude of 1,716 m. Vikings used to climb to the summit of this mountain, loaded with huge bundles of firewood to light a great fire to serve as a lighthouse for ships sailing from Europe and wanted to reach Brattahlid, the capital of Greenland Viking world.

Dinner prepared on a modern Greenlandic Style and accommodation at the farm. Small hut with a 2 bedded room or double room in the guesthouse. All rooms are with shared facilities.

Day 6. Igaliku and Qooroq Ice Fjord excursion

Excursion: Speed boat transfer to Itilleq. Easy hike to cross the “Kongevejen”, or Path of the Kings, to the idyllic Igaliku, a small Inuit settlement inhabited by no more than 40 people. This town is famous for being the most beautiful settlement in Greenland, and where the visitor can discover the ruins of Gardar, the archdiocese and religious capital of Viking Greenland… Nice and interesting place!

Excursion: Hike back to Itilleq and we will have a sea excursion to Qooroq fjord and see what probably is the most spectacular glacier in southern Greenland. We will navigate among blocks of ice until the density of ice is such that we can no longer continue. You can’t imagine the sight of huge icebergs floating around us!

We will continue the navigation on our zodiac boat, to Narsarsuaq.

Car transfer to Hotel Narsarsuaq. Accommodation in Twin/Double room with private facilities.

Day 7. Qassiarsuk, Brattahlid when Eric the Red, and Tasiusaq, the Kayaking bay

Excursion: Transfer in RIB boat through 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.

Then, lunch at another privilegiate place, the Leif Eriksson Hostel terraza in front of the fjord (if weather permits) and 4×4 trip to the beautiful Tasiusaq bay.

Optional Excursion: Kayak Excursion in the “Iceberg Bay”, a 2 hour sea kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs in one of the safest and nicest places in Greenland. Way back to Qassiarsuk and boat transfer to Narsarsuaq. Accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq. (twin/double 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, where we can visit the Bluie West One Museum (frozen in time since the Second World War).

Flight Narsarsuaq-Keflavik international airport in Iceland or Copenhagen.

IMPORTANT:
This itinerary is a unique journey, designed and organised by the company South Greenland Expeditions. It keeps the adventure and discovery ingredients present in all our journeys. The route can be done as it is explained above or in reverse order. The order of the activities may not be exactly as planned in this outline. Greenland is the wildest country in the northern hemisphere, infrastructures are almost non-existent and logistics pose enormous challenges. That is the reason why we may not follow this daily itinerary exactly as planned. It is subject to change in order to adapt the journey to weather conditions, sea conditions, or technical and organisational difficulties, and it therefore requires flexibility from the traveller.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Narsarsuaq and view point

Flight from Keflavik International airport in Iceland or from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq, South Greenland. Reception at the airport and transfer to the Narsarsuaq Hotel for check-in and information meeting. Hike to the Glacier View Point, around one hour from the hotel. Great views of the Tunulliarfik fjord icebergs and the Kiattuut Glacier.
Accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq. Twin/double room with private facilities.

Day 2. Helicopter flight to Qaqortoq

Impressive helicopter trip (scheduled flight) from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq, over the fjord system of South Greenland. Whatever the route, a helicopter trip in South Greenland is a real unforgettable experience. You will be able to see from above what will be your whole tour, enjoying the fascinating composition of the fjords and the fantastic view of the Inlandis (the Greenlandic ice cap). Guided City Tour in Qaqortoq. Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 3. Qaqortoq, capital of southern Greenland

Qaqortoq was founded in 1775, and nowadays has almost 3000 inhabitants. It’s described as the most charming town in all Greenland. Time at leisure to walk around town, where we will discover the beauty of its colorful buildings and the awe-inspiring landscapes. Explore on your own the museum, the fur shops, the traditional kayak club, the church, the only fountain in the country, and have dinner in one of its restaurants.

Optional: Excursion to Hvalsoy Church and Upernaviarsuk Agricultural Center. 80€ per person (minimum 4 participants)

Optional: Excursion to Uunartoq Island Thermal Springs. 160€ per person (minimum 6 participants)

Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 4. Qaleraliq Camp and Excursion on Ice – Narsaq

We will set off for Qaleraliq camp, towards the Inlandis. We will arrive to our camp set on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of three glacier tongues. These glacier fronts extended in only one, but the dramatic progress of climate change divided it in three glacier fronts. After the navigation along the vertical glacier fronts we will start the Inlandis tongue hiking. An impressive trek using crampons where we will explore its crevasses, drains, caves, and seracs which give an 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. Picnic lunch in 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 throw all the Sermilik Fjord. Sometimes, they are blocking the access to Narsaq ports.

Accommodation at Hotel Narsaq. Twin/Double room with private facilities.

Day 5. City of Narsaq and Sillisit guest farm

Narsaq is the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1500 people. During the morning, you will have free time to visit the museum, fur shops, hunters harbour or the fish market.

Afterwards, we will navigate to Sillisit farm. This Greenlandic guesthouse and farm is set on an idyllic spot, surrounded by lakes and green hills. It’s provided with impressive views of icebergs floating on the fjord: a warm relax in a quiet environment. The family running the guesthouse will welcome us and we will have the possibility to know a bit more about the Inuit way of life of the people living here all year around.

Excursion: Hike through the mountains and lakes around the farm. From this idyllic mountains we can enjoy the spectacular views of Ilissumatarfik, the highest mountain in the area, with an altitude of 1,716 m. Vikings used to climb to the summit of this mountain, loaded with huge bundles of firewood to light a great fire to serve as a lighthouse for ships sailing from Europe and wanted to reach Brattahlid, the capital of Greenland Viking world.

Dinner prepared on a modern Greenlandic Style and accommodation at the farm. Small hut with a 2 bedded room or double room in the guesthouse. All rooms are with shared facilities.

Day 6. Igaliku and Qooroq Ice Fjord excursion

Excursion: Speed boat transfer to Itilleq. Easy hike to cross the “Kongevejen”, or Path of the Kings, to the idyllic Igaliku, a small Inuit settlement inhabited by no more than 40 people. This town is famous for being the most beautiful settlement in Greenland, and where the visitor can discover the ruins of Gardar, the archdiocese and religious capital of Viking Greenland… Nice and interesting place!

Excursion: Hike back to Itilleq and we will have a sea excursion to Qooroq fjord and see what probably is the most spectacular glacier in southern Greenland. We will navigate among blocks of ice until the density of ice is such that we can no longer continue. You can’t imagine the sight of huge icebergs floating around us!

We will continue the navigation on our zodiac boat, to Narsarsuaq.

Car transfer to Hotel Narsarsuaq. Accommodation in Twin/Double room with private facilities.

Day 7. Qassiarsuk, Brattahlid when Eric the Red, and Tasiusaq, the Kayaking bay

Excursion: Transfer in RIB boat through 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.

Then, lunch at another privilegiate place, the Leif Eriksson Hostel terraza in front of the fjord (if weather permits) and 4×4 trip to the beautiful Tasiusaq bay.

Optional Excursion: Kayak Excursion in the “Iceberg Bay”, a 2 hour sea kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs in one of the safest and nicest places in Greenland. Way back to Qassiarsuk and boat transfer to Narsarsuaq. Accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq. (twin/double 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, where we can visit the Bluie West One Museum (frozen in time since the Second World War).

Flight Narsarsuaq-Keflavik international airport in Iceland or Copenhagen.

IMPORTANT:
This itinerary is a unique journey, designed and organised by the company South Greenland Expeditions. It keeps the adventure and discovery ingredients present in all our journeys. The route can be done as it is explained above or in reverse order. The order of the activities may not be exactly as planned in this outline. Greenland is the wildest country in the northern hemisphere, infrastructures are almost non-existent and logistics pose enormous challenges. That is the reason why we may not follow this daily itinerary exactly as planned. It is subject to change in order to adapt the journey to weather conditions, sea conditions, or technical and organisational difficulties, and it therefore requires flexibility from the traveller.