A fully-escorted adventure tour, staying in hotels, guesthouses and farms, accommodation with private and shared facilities

In just a few days you will gain first-hand knowledge of the home of the Eskimos, the history of the first settlers, its most beautiful valleys, the most impressive glaciers and its waters dotted with blue-tinged ice". A short trip separates Iceland –the well-known European natural enclave– from Greenland, an island –the largest in the world– blessed with an extraordinary and untamed beauty located on the edge of the unexplored Arctic. After a short three-hour airplane trip, we will find ourselves in a new world, waiting to be discovered, where roads are the exception and where nature is practically untouched. (Also possible to fly from Copenhagen). On some starry nights we will also enjoy the awe-inspiring show of the Northern Lights, in a place –southern Greenland– famous all over the world for the frequency in which these spirits of the north can be seen on summer nights. GREENLAND, without doubt, a genuine land of contrasts.

• Navigation in a sea filled with icebergs, travelling around the glaciers on speed boat.
• A unique excursion with crampons, guided through labyrinthine crevasses, drains and ice caves in one of the oldest ice fields in the planet. A truly exclusive trip in Greenland, only comparable to that in Patagonia’s Perito Moreno.
• Visiting the towns of Narsaq and Qaqortoq, and several Inuit settlements (Narsarsuaq, Qassiarsuk, Igaliko and Tasiusaq). In Greenland, a town is any settlement with more than one thousand inhabitants.
• Witnessing the northern lights, the “Dance of the Sky”, from one of the world’s most special areas (after mid August).
• Having first-hand experience of the dramatic progress of climate change in Southern Greenland, an area which offers a rare glimpse of the effects of global warming: glacier withdrawal, increase in the amount of ice that has broken of the glaciers, forest and new vegetation sprouting in terrain which for centuries could not sustain plant life.
• Sighting of local fauna such as eagles, caribou, foxes and arctic hares, or whales and seals when the journey takes us to the sea.
• Opportunity to enjoy an impressive kayak excursion, surrounded by iceberg.
• Helicopter trip, with unforgettable overview of the Fjords system and the Inland Ice Cap.
• Cultural exchange with locals, specially at Innerulalik Farm, where we will stay with a Greenlandic family.
• Visiting the ruins of Gardar and Brattahlid, the most important archaeological treasures in the South of Greenland.

Flight Reykjavik (domestic airport) – Narsarsuaq (also possible to fly from Copenhagen). Reception at the airport and transfer to the Hotel, for check-in and information meeting. Time to visit and walk around in the area.
Excursion: Hike to a fantastic Glacier View Point, around one hour from Narsarsuaq Hotel. Great views of the Fjord, the plain of Narsarsuaq and the Glacier. Accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 2: Qassiarsuk and Tasiusaq, “the Icebergs 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 100 inhabitants, mostly farmers. Lunch at the Leif Eriksson Hostel, named after the great marine and Erik’s son, who made the first colonization trip to the American continent in the year 1000 and starting from this same place.
Excursion: In the afternoon, 4x4 trip to Tasiusaq, where seven people live in notable isolation next to Sermilik fjord, which is almost always blocked by the ice from icebergs coming from Eqaloruutsit glacier.
Optional: Kayak excursion in the “Iceberg Bay”
Accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 3: Trekking and Greenlandic Farm
Transfer to Innerulalik, a fantastic Greenlandic farm on an idyllic spot, surrounded by lakes and green hills, and with impressive views of Icebergs floating on the fjord. A warm relax in a quiet environment. The family running the farm will welcome us and we will have the possibility to enjoy a delicious dinner prepared on a modern Greenlandic Style and know a bit more about the day by day of the people living here all year around.
Excursion: Trek 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 and accommodation at the farm. Double room with shared facilities.

Day 4: Qoorooq Ice Fjord and Igaliko (Gardar)
Excursion: In the morning, we will have a sea excursion to Qoorooq fjord and see what probably is 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. After that we will navigate to Itilleq.
Excursion: Easy hike to cross the “Kongevejen”, or Path of the Kings, to the idyllic Igaliko, a small Eskimo settlement inhabited by not quite 40 people, which is famous for being the most beautiful settlement in Greenland, and where one finds the ruins of Gardar, the archdiocese and religious capital of Viking Greenland. Dinner and accommodation at Igaliko Country Hotel. Double room with shared facilities.

Day 5: City of Narsaq
Hike back (on your own) to Itilleq and boat trip to Narsaq, the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1700 inhabitants. During the morning, you will have free time to visit the local market, fur shops, hunters harbour, the Greenlandic museum, and go for a walk or do some shopping. Accommodation at Hotel Narsaq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 6: Qaleraliq Camp and Excursion on Ice – Qaqortoq:
We will set off for Qaleraliq camp, towards the Inland Ice. We will arrive to a cosy, enchanting camp set on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of two glacier fronts from Qaleraliq’s glacier. Glacier fronts and excursion on ice We will navigate along the glacier fronts on a RIB boat, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls and numerous icebergs as we approach them along their more than 10 kilometres descent to the sea. From there we will start the ice excursion. An impressive trek using crampons (organised to be suitable for all travellers) on one of the oldest masses of ice in the planet. We will explore its crevasses, drains, caves, seracs, and other ice formations, which give an incredible, labyrhyntine quality to this glacier. An expert mountain guide, a specialist in Glacier Science, will be in charge to make sure we are provided with the appropriate equipment, and to ensure the safety of the group during the trip, while he shares with us his knowledge about the special characteristics of the glaciers in the South of Greenland. A unique experience, exciting and original, surprising both first-time comers and those used to the peculiarities of the glacier world. One of the most impressive sights and one of the best excursions in all Greenland. Remember to bring your own packed lunch for this day! Transfer by boat to Qaqortoq, South Greenland capital, founded in 1775, now with almost 3000 inhabitants, who describe it as the most charming and attractive town in all Greenland. Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 7: Qaqortoq, Capital of South Greenland
Time off to walk around town, where we will discover the beauty of its colourful buildings, the awe-inspiring landscapes and some of its thirty different rock sculpture designs, spread over the town. 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 or enjoy a drink with the local people.
Optional: City Tour
Optional: Excursion to Hvalsoy Church and Upernaviarsuk agricultural centre
Optional: Excursion to Uunartoq Thermal Springs
Optional: Kaffemik with a Greenlandic family
Optional: Dinner with a Greenlandic family
Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq. Double room with private facilities.

Day 8: Helicopter Qaqortoq - Narsarsuaq
Impressive helicopter trip over the fjord system of South Greenland. Whatever the route, a helicopter trip in South Greenland is a really unforgettable experience. You will be able to see your whole tour from above, enjoying the fascinating composition of the Fjords and the fantastic view of the Inland Ice. Flight Narsarsuaq-Reykjavik (domestic airport) 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.

Hotel Narsarsuaq
This is a simple but well-equipped hotel in southern Greenland. It offers a bar, coffee shop, restaurant, bank, souvenir shop, etc. The rooms have private facilities, television, telephone, minibar, etc. The restaurant offers a varied buffet, in addition to all of the traditional products from Greenland, such as salmon, seal, whale and lamb. Lodging is in a double room with shower/wc. The price includes breakfast.

Hotel Narsaq
Breakfast and dinner are served daily in the hotel restaurant. Guests can enjoy drinks at the hotel bar in the evenings. All rooms have a TV, mini bar and safe. There is also everything you need to make yourself a cozy cup of tea or coffee in your room. Hotel rooms are cleaned daily. Lodging is in a double room with shower/wc. The price includes breakfast.

Hotel Qaqortoq
Hotel Qaqortoq offers comfortable accommodation with an authentic Greenlandic atmosphere that is warm and inviting. There are works of art made by local artists throughout the hotel. Perched on a hill overlooking the harbour, Hotel Qaqortoq is an oasis of calm in this bustling town, a "home away from home" and the perfect place to meet with and have drinks and a relaxed dinner. The hotel restaurant serves primarily Greenlandic meat and fish. Mikisoq, a cosy small lounge, offers everything from lunch to Italian coffees and cocktails. Lodging is in a double room with shower/wc. The price includes breakfast.

Sheep Farm
Accommodation at Innerulalik might be substituted for accommodation at Ipiutaq. Both, Innerulalik and Ipiutaq are active, family run farms, located between Narsarsuaq and Narsaq. Lodging is in a double room with shared bathroom. The price includes breakfast and dinner.

Igaliko Country Hotel
The country hotel has 8 double rooms with comfortable beds. There are separate showers and toilets in the corridor and a dining room with a beautiful view over the village. Additionally, there are 6 cabins. There are separate showers and toilets in a service cabin close to the other cabins. Everything is newly renovated, and staying here a night or two gives you an extraordinary experience of peace and tranquility.

The navigation will be done in a RIB-boat a Rigid Inflatable Boat, The Adventure boat by definition. 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 boats. This type of boats allows us to be more dynamic, versatile and to enjoy adventure, without compromising safety.

Alimentation included:

- Breakfast everyday
- Lunch at the Leif Eriksson Hostel the day of the visit to Qassiarsuk
- Picnic on the excursion to Igaliko and Innerulalik
- Dinner at the Greenlandic Farm and Igaliko

Note: Dinners at hotels are not included in the price but could be arranged in situ in the Hotel.

• Accommodation, food and transfers in Reykjavik
• Lunch and dinner not mentioned in “What is included”
• Travel insurance
• Optional excursions*: Kayak excursion: 60€ (minimum 2 participants) / Uunartoq Thermal Springs: 150€ (minimum 4 participants) / Hvalsey and Upernaviarsuk: 75€ (minimum 4 participants) / Kaffemik with a Greenlandic family: 25€ (minimum 6 participants) / Dinner with a Greenlandic family: 35€ (minimum 6 participants) / City Tour in Qaqortoq
• Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties due to ice conditions) or flight or boat delays
• Any other aspect not listed in “What is included”

Trips to Greenland are always subject to weather conditions. Delays and flight cancellations can happen. Therefore we stronly recommend you to buy a travel insurance in the country of residence that would 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.

Bookings to be sent to email: gjtravel@gjtravel.is
All bookings are on request. We need full names of all travellers to Greenland, nationality and travel dates to/from Greenland. After we receive your reservation by email, you will get a short reconfirmation from us that we will work on your booking. The final confirmation be send within 3-4 days after booking receipt. Payment is due latest 4 weeks prior to arrival and vouchers and detailed itinerary will be sent after receipt of final payment. This concept will assure an interactive relation between you and our company and we can assist you with any personal needs you might have.