Name: Tasermiut South Greenland Expeditions
Address: B-873 Qassiarsuk, Narsaq, 3921, Greenland
Telephone: 00299 665010

Duration: 15 days/14 nights expedition

Period: From 28th of June to 12th of July 2017

Price: 26,037 DKK or 3,495 € (from Iceland/return). From Copenhagen: supplement of 300 €

Expedition Group: 3 to 9 people (plus guide)

Expedition Overview
Itinerary
Dates & Rates
Included / Not included

The crossing leaves from the coast to climb the interior plateau at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, crossing areas of ravines, crevasses, rough ice, as well as glacial lakes and rivers; also, we will find moraines and rock islands (called “nunatak”) which cannot be seen from the coast… All of this with the double landscape of the plateau stretching as far as the eye can see and, looking back towards the coast, a superb view of the complex system of fjords. From there, after spending about 100 kilometers in a magic, white environment we will be picked up by a helicopter to flight back towards Qassiarsuk.

Expedition Highlights
- Be immersed in a true polar expedition with skis and pulks
- Helicopter trip back to civilization
- Kayak excursion in the “Iceberg Bay” (optional)
- Greenlandic farewell dinner
- Navigate among icebergs on the fjords
- Viking & Inuit ruins
- Narsaq town visit
ACTIVITY LEVEL

Active

Active trip, physically challenging, but suitable for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, who doesn’t mind sleeping in a tent and goes hiking on a regular basis.
Day 1. Flight to Greenland and visit of the Qassiarsuk viking ruins

Flight from Keflavik (Iceland) or Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq (south Greenland). Reception at the airport and zodiac boat transfer to Qassiarsuk (former Brattahlid, capital of Viking Greenland). Walk through the village 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. Overnight at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Day 2.Narsaq town and Qaleraliq Camp

We will set off for Qaleraliq camp, navigating along Tunulliarfik fjord among numerous icebergs. We will stop at Narsaq to visit the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1500 inhabitants. You will have free time to visit the local market, fur shops… and go for a walk or do some shopping, before boarding again to navigate towards the Inland Ice. We will set up the camp on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of two glacier fronts from Qaleraliq’s glacier. We will spend the night at the camp, allowing our senses to enjoy the unbelievable views and the thunderclap roar of the icefall from seracs.

Day 3. Entrance to the Ice

As we start to climb up the glacier and we enter the ice-field, in this first area, we come across ravines which can be crossed easily as well as moving ice. We return to solid ground to skirt an area of crevasses and we reach a height of 300 meters where we find an area of wet snow. The march continues along the ice passing a lake full of black icebergs until we reach the campsite, in the middle of snow but not too far from solid ground.

Days 4 to 10. Ascension to Plateau

Gradual climb up to the plateau, where conditions are unpredictable and depend on previous snowfall and temperatures. We get into the ice through an area of dead ice usually flat, reaching first a “nunatak” (a rocky outcrop in the middle of the ice) that we will climb. From there we will start travelling due north, in order to get altitude. The first thing we come across is an area of fissures and ravines which can easily be crossed. Then, an area of living ice, and later, a drainage area which can be covered in glacial lakes of ice and water. Then the snow-covered plateau is reached and we start to travel on skis. Our first goal is the “hidden nunatak”, a mountain totally unseen from any other point, a magical place which can’t be approached due to the various crevasses which surround it.

We continue skiing to the mysterious interior of the plateau. In our back, the mountains from the coast and, in our front, the big Inlandis that stretch more than 2,000 km until the Arctic Ocean. We change course eastwards towards Aputaiutseq, a type of ice-peak, a landmark which can be seen rising out of the ice from far away. This is our destination. We will ski towards the base of this magical Matterhorn.

This part is done on skis and pulks and the total distance to ski is around 100 km. We will average around 15 km a day, but always depending on the the conditions. The nights are spent on tents. Throughout the whole trip you can see the plateau on one side and a panoramic view of fjords and drift-ice on the other, with visibility up to 100 Km.

Days 11 and 12. Aputaiutseq

Base Camp at Aputaiutseq Nunatak. If it is possible, we will set the camp up on a rocky surface. Excursions around the mountain. We will not climb it due to its technical difficulty, although if there are experienced climbers on the team we might try an attempt.

Day 13. Helicopter flight

A helicopter will pick us up from here to Qassiarsuk. Impressive breathtaking views.
Overnight stay at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Day 14. Tasiusaq bay and kayaking optional excursion

Hiking to Tasiusaq farms, next to Sermilik fjord which is almost always blocked by the icebergs coming from Eqaloruutsit glacier. This is not the only sheep farm of the area and we can continue our walk to reach the idyllic Nunataaq. Then, 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 (75€ , minimum 2 participants). Accommodation at the Tasiusaq hostel or hike back to Qassiarsuk and accommodation at the Leif Eriksson Hostel. Farewell dinner with typical Eskimo products like whale, seal, caribou or mattak.

Overnight stay at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Day 15. Flight back to Iceland or Copenhagen

Boat transfer to Narsarsuaq, where we can visit the Bluie West One museum, former US militay base frozen in tiem since the second world war.

Optional Excursion: Qooroq Ice Fjord. 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 (66€, four participants minimum).

Flight Narsarsuaq-Keflavik (Iceland’s international airport) or Copenhagen.
Price

26,037 DKK (3,495 €), from Keflavik.

28,347 DKK (3,805€), from Copenhagen.

Dates 2017

From 28^th of June to 12^th of July

Registration date: Up to 60 days before the journey’s departure date.

Registration after that date: Depending on flight availability.

Reservation: 40% deposit of the total price, excluding airport taxes.
What it’s included:
- Flight Keflavik/Copenhagen – Narsarsuaq, return
  Helicopter trip from the Ice
  3 nights at the Leif Eriksson Hostel
  Meals on a full board basis
  Boat transfers, as stated on this program
  1 to 3 guides, depending on the group
  Rental of specific equipment for the trip (see list)
  Brattahlid reconstructions
  Greenlandic farewell dinner
What it’s not included:
- Airport taxes and Fees (approx. 165-200 € from Keflavik/ 200€ from Copenhagen)
- Travel insurance
- Accommodation, transfers and food in Keflavik or Copenhagen
- Personal mountain equipment
- Optional excursions:
- Kayak excursion: 75€ (minimum 2 participants)
- Qooroq Ice Fjord: 66€ (minimum 4 participants)
- Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions or flight or boat delays
- Any other aspect not listed in “What is included”