South Greenland Grand Adventure
Overview
Explore and learn about south Greenland’s fantastic nature, its people and traditions. Discover the highlights of South Greenland on this 6-day journey. Explore colourful towns, sail among icebergs, and walk on ancient ice at Qaleraliq Glacier. Visit the Viking site of Brattahlíð in Qassiarsuk, part of the UNESCO World Heritage area Kujataa Greenland. Enjoy scenic boat transfers through fjords, hikes in Flower Valley and the Greenlandic Arboretum, and time to experience local life in Narsaq and Qaqortoq. An optional tour to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is also available. On departures from mid-August onwards, enjoy the awe-inspiring show of the Northern Lights in a place –southern Greenland– famous worldwide for the frequency in which these “spirits of the north” can be seen on summer nights.Private Touring
- Flexible Dates
- 24-Hour Local Assistance
- Flexible Itinerary
- Upgrade Accommodation
- Local Guide Service
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
Itinerary
Flight from Keflavík International Airport to Qaqortoq, the main town in South Greenland. Surrounded by mountains and fjords, Qaqortoq is known for its colourful houses, small harbour, and local art scene. The open-air project Stone & Man features rock carvings around town.
Hotel/Other Details: Hotel Qaqortoq or similar
Meal Plan: No Meal
In the morning, you’ll have time to explore this charming Greenlandic town. Visit landmarks such as the Qaqortoq Museum, which offers insights into the region’s history and culture, as well as the harbor, local church, and artisan shops. After lunch, travel by RIB boat to Narsaq, with a stop along the way to see the impressive icebergs floating in the fjord. Narsaq lies between fjords and mountains and is known for its peaceful setting and striking scenery.
Hotel/Other Details: Hotel Qaqortoq or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Today’s excursion offers a close experience of the Greenlandic ice. Travel by RIB boat along the glacier fronts, surrounded by icebergs and vertical ice walls.
With an experienced mountain guide, take a walk on the glacier using crampons. The trek is designed for all travellers and allows time to explore crevasses and ice formations — a fascinating insight into the Arctic landscape.
Hotel/Other Details: Hotel Narsaq or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Cross to Narsarsuaq by zodiac. The village has an interesting history as a World War II air base and is home to the Greenlandic Arboretum, one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world.
Walk through the Arboretum and into Flower Valley, known for its summer colours and views of the Kiattut Glacier. From the Ridge, enjoy fine views over the valley and glacier.
Later, cross the fjord to Qassiarsuk to visit the Norse ruins of Brattahlíð, home of Erik the Red. Explore reconstructions of a Viking longhouse and Thjodhild’s church. The site forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage area Kujataa Greenland, which shows how Norse and Inuit farmers once lived on the edge of the Ice Cap.
Hotel/Other Details: Hotel Narsaq or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
In the morning, explore Narsaq with your guide. Visit the local museum, fish market, handicraft workshop, and church, or enjoy a short walk in the surrounding area. If time allows, take an easy hike to enjoy the views over the town and fjord.
In the afternoon, return by boat to Qaqortoq.
Hotel/Other Details: Hotel Qaqortoq or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Qaqortoq before your flight back to Keflavík, Iceland.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
In the morning, 4×4 jeep trip to the beautiful Tasiusaq farm, where seven people live in notable isolation next to Sermilik fjord, which is almost always blocked by the ice fromicebergs coming from Eqaloruutsit glacier. Picnic at Tasiusaq farm. Later on, transfer in RIB boat through Tunulliarfik Fjord 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. This Norse and Greenlandic core farming area were in 2017 inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the title: Kujataa Greenland: A Norse and Inuit farming landscape on the Edge of the Ice Cap. Qassiarsuk area represents the most comprehensive and rich example of both Norse and Greenlandic farming histories and contains ruins of large cattle-based Norse farms and their numerous satellite sites including, not least, Erik the Red’s Brattahlid. It was also here that Otto Frederiksen in 1924 established the first sheep farm after Igaliku, founding today’s settlement of Qassiarsuk. Optional Excursion: Kayak Excursion in the “iceberg bay”, a 2-hour sea kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs and ice in one of Greenland’s safest and most delightful places. Return by jeep to Qassiarsuk and transfer by zodiac boat to Narsarsuaq. Accommodation: Hotel Narsarsuaq. Twin/double room with private facilities Meals included: Breakfast & picnic lunch
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Free time for some last photo shoots and short walks in Narsarsuaq. We recommend visiting on your own the Blue West Museum One, which reflects the town’s history and especially Narsarsuaq’s role in the Second World War. Flight from Narsarsuaq to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland or to Copenhagen in Denmark. Meals included: Breakfast
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Inclusions
• Flight Keflavik/Copenhagen – Qaqortoq & return and airport taxes
• Transfer from the airport and hotel to the harbour in Qaqortoq
• 5x nights accommodation in hotels with private facilities
• 5x breakfasts
• English speaking guide
• Boat transfers and excursions in Greenland, as detailed in the program
• Picnic in Flower Valley and Qaleraliq Glacier
• Dinner at Narsaq
• RIB boat travel equipment
• City tour in Qaqortoq
• Guided visit to Brattahlið Viking reconstructions.
Exclusions
• Accommodation, food and transfers in Iceland or Copenhagen
• Meals not listed under included
• Single supplement (mandatory when in a single room)
• Any private expenses
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Optional Excursions: two extra days in Nuuk upon request
• Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties due to ice conditions) or flight or boat delays.
Notes
Highlights & Experiences
Qaleraliq Glacier: exclusive ice excursion
Glacier walk with crampons
Picnic in Flower Valley
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qassiarsuk
Viking ruins and reconstructions at Brattahlíð
Zodiak cruises among icebergs
Greenlandic Arboretum and Flower Valley hike
Narsaq & Qaqortoq towns
Local culture and handicrafts in Narsaq
Scenic boat transfers between fjords and glaciers
Northern Lights after mid-August
Optional tour to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital
Availability : June - August
Max People : 12
Departure & Return Location - Keflavik International Airport (Iceland) or Copenhagen Airport (Denmark).
Currency and credit cards
Important to bring Danish Krona to Greenland. Foreign currency is not everywhere accepted. Credit cards are accepted only at a few locations. i.e. at the hotels and larger stores. Using credit and debit cards, a PIN code is required.
Guide-Coordinator
The trip will be coordinated by an English-speaking guide from our local partner in South Greenland. All excursions are guided. The guide’s job is to point the group in the right direction, ensure all travellers’ safety, and solve any possible problems that may arise along the itinerary, making changes or adjustments if necessary. Note that one or different guides can be in charge of the group during the adventure tour.
Physical Conditions
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy / The journey is designed to suit anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and goes hiking or trekking regularly, not needing a very particular physical condition to participate. The walk to Igaliku could be arranged in situ as a car transfer (additional cost of 75 DKK per person, one way). The excursion on ice with crampons will be guided by a mountain guide and will be suitable for anyone with an adventurous attitude. For the optional kayak excursion, previous experience in kayaking is not required. Recommended minimum age: 12 years
Rigid Inflatable boat (RIB) Navigation
All sea navigations will be done in a RIB-boat, a Rigid Inflatable Boat, The Adventure boat by definition or Zodiac type. The RIB boat is an open boat, fast, flexible and very safe. A special coat is provided for navigation. The RIB Boat allows the traveller to feel the elements and be one with them. RIB boats enable to reach areas that are difficult to access on any other type of boat. This type of boat allows us to be more dynamic and versatile and enjoy the adventure without compromising safety.
Weather
The weather in Greenland is very changeable. It is usually pleasant, but you must bring appropriate clothes for the rainy weather. Temperatures are often more than 15ºC in July and between 5ºC and 10ºC in August. Mid-August nights are sometimes cold. In September, temperatures are usually between 5ºC to 8ºC during the day and may reach minus 5ºC at night.
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 their journeys. The route can be done as 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 precisely as planned. It is subject to change in order to adapt the journey to weather conditions, sea conditions, or technical and organisational difficulties and therefore requires flexibility from the traveler.
Excursions can be cancelled because of bad weather or ice conditions. The local tour company will try to offer an alternative excursion if available or move the planned excursion to another day to do the full program. In case it becomes impossible, no refund will be applicable.
Trips to Greenland are always subject to weather conditions. Delays and flight cancellations can happen. Therefore, we strongly recommend you buy travel insurance in the country of residence to cover any additional travel expenses should your flights be delayed or cancelled due to weather. We recommend not to book any international flight directly after a trip from Greenland. Ideally, stay a minimum of two nights in Copenhagen after the Greenland trip to avoid the risk of missing an international flight.
Dates & Pricing
Pricing
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