Day 1. Narsaq town

Three-hour flight from Reykjavík (domestic airport)  to Narsarsuaq (Greenland) with views of the sea ice and the glacier tongues of the southern tip of Greenland… We are now in the Arctic! Reception at the airport of Narsarsuaq and one-hour high-powered zodiac trip through a breathtaking landscape of canyons and icebergs before reaching Narsaq, the third most populated town in South Greenland with about 1500 inhabitants. This town is really lovely, apart from being stocked with everything (second last chance to do some last minute shopping), and well worth a good stroll around.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.

Day 2. Qaqortoq and Nanortalik

Boat transfer from Narsaq to Qaqortoq, the South Greenland capital. Qaqortoq, founded in 1775 and nowadays with almost 3000 inhabitants, is described as the most charming and attractive town in Greenland. After stroll around in Qaqortoq (where you should not miss a visit to the genuine “Qajaq”club) we keep on sailing to the picturesque and isolated Nanortalik, the southernmost city of Greenland of about 2300 inhabitants. The route between Qaqortoq and Nanortalik is a magical maze of islands, peninsulas and isthmuses of which only experienced sailors knows the way. It takes about three hours with a refueling stop midway in the small, unspoilt whaling village of Alliutsup Paa.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hostel in Nanortalik.

Days 3 to 6. Kuusuaq and lake Tasersuaq

After doing a final check of all the material, we leave Nanortalik by zodiac boat and head towards the small picturesque village of Tasiusaq and the farms of Saputit and Nuugaarssuk, before reaching our camp by the river Kuusuaq, barely 700 meters long but known to be the best salmon river in the area. The camp is facing one of the few conifer plantations in Greenland. Our goal now is to explore the Quingua forest, the only indigenous forest in Greenland. This is a small set of dwarf birch (do not expect the jungle!) boxed in by 1,400 meters cliffs at the end of Lake Tasersuaq, which is about ten km long. To reach the freshwater we have to carry the kayaks for five hundred meters… it’s worth the effort!

Days 7 to 11. On course to the Big Walls

Back in the fjord we begin the exploration of Tasermiut itself. From here, the routes are flexible and the stages depend on the strength of the group and, of course, the weather. We start paddling along the eastern shore with its generous sandy beaches, towards the “Big Walls” of  South Greenland: the Ulamertorsuaq (1830 meters, the Arctic version of El Capitan in Yosemite), the Nalumasortoq (2054 meters, is shaped like an open book in which two pages are 900 meters tall and with overhanging wall sections) and, finally, the huge granite pyramid of the Ketil (2,010 meters).

To reach the base of these walls the treks are easy, about two hours long, and along the shore of the fjord we see ruins of Viking settlements, particularly striking being  the Klosterdalen Monastery, at the mouth of the river that runs under the Ketil.

At the bottom of the fjord another awesome sight from the kayak awaits us: the Tasermiut glacier, descending 1400 meters in just three km… it’s a hanging glacier! We now begin our return journey to Nanortalik (about 80 km as the crow flies) from the eastern shore of the fjord, again we are in an alpine landscape with a rest stop and a trek to the base of the Napasorsuaq (1,590 meters). Throughout the trip, apart from fish, we have enjoyed mussels, mushrooms and blueberries found throughout the Tasermiut fjord: an excellent complement to dinner!

Day 12. Arrival in Tasiusaq-Nanortalik

Either by our own means (rowing) or by previous arrangement with the boat via the Iridium (satellite phone) we make Tasiusaq and then, boat transfer to Nanortalik.

Besides strolling around and enjoying the colorful houses or shopping, we absolutely recommend visiting the Museum of Inuit culture, the most comprehensive in Greenland, with all kinds of ancient tools, house reconstructions, clothes, a traditional kayak section and exhibits on the traditional myths and legends of the Inuit culture… There isn’t enough time to see everything! Dinner tonight, usually in a restaurant in Nanortalik, is not included in the trip. Anyway, it’s possible to cook in the hostel.

Overnight stay at the hostel in Nanortalik.

Day 13. Uunartoq hot springs and Qaqortoq

Transfer by boat to Uunartoq island, where we enjoy a long and relaxing soak in the hot springs, with an amazing view of icebergs floating in the fjord. Then, we will pursue our navigation in order to get to Qaqortoq.

Overnight stay at the hostel in Qaqortoq.

Day 14. Transfer by RIB boat from Qaqortoq to Qassiarsuq. Hike to Tasiusaq Bay

Transfer by boat to  the small village of Qassiarsuk. From there we start hiking towards Tasiusaq, populated by only three families who live on their farms throughout the year. It takes about two and a half hours at a comfortable pace through a unique environment, with a way up to a hill from which we see the Sermilik fjord filled with icebergs from the Eqalorutsit glacier.

Optional: kayaking excursion among icebergs.

Overnight stay at the Tasiusaq Hostel.

Day 15. Viking Greenland before flight

Trekking way back to Qassairsuk, where we will do the visit of the Viking ruins of Brattahlid. This Norse and Greenlandic core farming area were in 2017 inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the title Kujataa Greenland. In two hours we will hear the story of the arrival of Eric the Red from Iceland to this small settlement in 985, why it is called “green land” or why they established here the first Christian church in the Americas. Especially interesting is the reconstruction of a viking house (spacious but cold) and an Inuit dwelling (small but cozy), transporting us back in time to the harsh conditions in which these people lived and clearly shows how the Inuit were better adapted to widespread worsening weather conditions.

Then we cross the Eriksfjord to Narsarsuaq Airport. We recommend, after luggage check-in, that you step back in time and visit the Bluie West One Museum of the American Base WWII… Nothing has changed!

Flight from Narsarsuaq to Reykjavík (Iceland).

Prices 2023:

3,595 € from Reykjavík (Iceland)

Date 2023

Departure from Reykjavík 

July:

08th – 22th July

Registration after that date: Depending on flight availability.

Reservation: 40% deposit of the total price, excluding airport taxes.

What it’s included:

• – Flight Reykjavík – Narsarsuaq, return
• – Tasermiut, South Greenland Expeditions guide (English speaking)
• – RIB boat transfers and Helicopter flight as stated on this program
• – RIB boat travel equipment
• – Rental of kayaks, navigation and specific equipment (see the list provided)
  – Meals on a full board basis (except dinner on last day and lunch on flight days)
• – Brattahlid reconstructions cultural visit
  – Accommodation in Greenland, as stated on this program

What it’s not included:

• – Airport taxes and fees (approx. 210-250 € from Reykjavík)
• – Last dinner in Nanortalik and lunch on flight days
• – Travel insurance
• – Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties due to ice or weather conditions) or flight or boat delays.
• – Any other aspect not listed in “What is included”