Kajak- och vandringsresa på Sydgrönland med engelskspråkig guide, 8 dagar (2052)

The perfect combination in South Greenland: 8 days in the meridian extreme of the gigantic island. In complete contact with nature, combining trekking and kayak in one circuit, surrounded by an impressive landscape of blue icebergs and tundra.

Our route will start with an incursion trek to the savage and untouched Paradise Valley, to close the circle with a non equal kayak traverse among the solitary ice flows of Tassiusaq bay.

In the meanwhile we will have visited the Viking ruins and reconstructions of Brathallid, fulfill impressive treks through the tundra, between infinity of lakes, and paddle side by side numerous icebergs and ice formations. All of this enjoying the spectacular panoramic of the Ice Cap and the mountain range and fiords of South Greenland.

We will overnight in unique camps of exclusive use, hidden in the incredible and silent landscape. In Tassiusaq we will sleep by a reproduction of a Tupeq, the Inuit summer tent, where we will learn the techniques to build up a traditional skimo kayak, fish artic salmons and cods, and wait, on clear nights, the luminous dance of the Northern Lights.

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Resedatum (2052)   2010: every Saturday, from July 3 until August 28. 3-10/7, 10-17/7, 17-24/7, 24-31/7, 31/7-7/8, 7-14/8, 14-21/8, 21-28/8, 28/8-4/9 Groups: 4 to 12  Pris (SEK)   18 500:- (from Reykjavik)  Priset inkluderar   • Flight Reykjavik - Narsarsuaq • Transfer Narsarsuaq - Qassiarsuk, round trip • Accommodation in sleeping bag at the Leif Eriksson Hostel and in tents in the Camps • Rental of kayaks, suits, and equipment (see attached list) • All meals in Greenland • All transfers and excursions in Greenland • Guided visit to Brathallid ruins • English speaking guide  Priset inkluderar inte   • Accommodation, meals and transfers in Reykjavik • Travel insurance • Anything not specified in “Included” • Airport taxes (ca €110) • Kostnader orsakade av flyg eller båtförseningar.

Program
Day 1:
Reception in the airport and preparation of materials. Start of the trek in the nearby Narsarsuaq mountains. Set up of camp in the tundra, dotted with lakes and impressive views of the fjord. Night spent in a tent..

Days 2
Trek to the scenic overlook of Qoorooq. We will carry on with the hike among tundra and lakes, toward the Mellem cabin, where we will set up camp. Once everything is in place, and after a short rest, we will continue with the trek until the scenic overlook point of the Qoorooq Glacier. Impressive views of the glacier, one of the most active in southern Greenland. We will get right on top of the glacier, so we can observe its entire extent as it drops to the sea. Spectacular vision of Ice Breaking to the sea.
Dinner and night at Mellem’s Camp.

Days 3
Climbing up the area’s highest peak on foot. From a height of less than 1,000 metres, we can observe one of the most privileged panoramas in the south of Greenland. Surrounded by green mountains and valleys dotted with lakes and rivers, we find ourselves in a setting of fjords at our back and Inlandis’s incredible mass of ice in front of us. Dinner and night in the Mellem Camp.

Days 4
Descent from the Mellem camp, travelling through lakes and rivers, toward the Valley of the Thousand Flowers. We will go all the way to the Kiattut glacier, famous for its spectacular views, with unbeatable panoramic views of the ice. We will carry on with our hike through the Valley of the Thousand Flowers.
Transfer in motorboat through the Tunulliarfik Fjord, usually covered by icebergs, to Qassiarsuk.
Night in the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Day 5
Visit to the church ruins and the settlement of Eric the Red comprising the old Brattahlid, capital of Viking Greenland, and where Eric the Red settled in 985 at the start of the colonisation of the barbarian peoples. Walk through the town of about 100 inhabitants, mostly farmers.
After, boat trip to Qooroq Ice Fjord, where one of the most active glaciers in southern Greenland can be found, navigating to the area where iceberg density will make it impossible to carry on, and which is without doubt one of Greenland’s best images.
In the afternoon, trekking to Tasiusaq Camp, with its replica of a traditional Eskimo tent.
Preparation of kayak materials, and contact with our new means of transport. Instructional session on the kayak, basic safety tips. Night in the Tasiusaq camp.

Day 6 and 7
Travelling by kayak through the foothills of the Nordre Sermilik Fjord, which is always filled with icebergs of indescribable colours and textures from the Egaloruutsit glacier. This is an area in which the kayak is the only vehicle possible at this time of the year, due to the ice which blocks access to the area by the rest of the boats.
At the end of this day of travel, the camp will be set up on the shores of the fjord. A short hike through the tundra, until we arrive at the point where we can admire the impressive Eqaloruutsit glacier. Night spent in a tent.
The second day we will return to camp in the afternoon. Possibility to go fishing in the fjord.
Night in the Tasiusaq camp.

Day 8
Transfer in ATV to Qassiarsuk.
Preparation of equipment and taking a shower. Zodiac transfer to Narsarsuaq. Time to visit around Narsarsuaq. Flight Narsarsuaq - Reykjavik with spectacular views of an enormous valley created by the withdrawal of and subsequent sedimentation from the glacier, where there are abundant flowers.

NOTE: This is the planned schedule and is subject to change. It could be made as described or in the other way around. The order of activities might not be exactly as scheduled. Greenland is probably the most savage country in the North Hemisphere, where infrastructures are almost inexistent and logistic difficulties enormous. Because of this, the route is an orientation, and it is exposed to modifications in situ, due to meteorology, sea, logistics or technical complications, which require a certain level of flexibility by the traveller.
Picking of mushrooms is better in the second half of July and the first of August. Blueberries only in August. Overnights at the Leif Eriksson Hostel may be changed for overnights in another Hostel in the area.

Physical condition
This trip is considered as “active”. Nevertheless, it can be overtaken by any person used to simple excursions, lover of wild nature and who don’t mind to sleep in tents and sleeping bag, with no need of special physical condition.

Degree of difficulty
Previous experience in a kayak is not necessary to take part in the trip, as they are safe, wide and very stable and do not require any high technical level. We only navigate under favourable conditions.

Guide: South Greenland Expeditions
The trip will be accompanied by a veteran kayak guide, with several years of experience, in Greenland and other countries.
The guide’s mission is to lead the group through the route, respond of their security and to find solution for the various problems that could arise, changing the route if he finds it necessary.
Communal works such as setting up the camps, preparing meals and other activities, will be done by all participants in the trip, guide included.

Camps
Paradise Camp is situated in the high area of the Valley, and can only be reached by foot or helicopter. It counts with a big Lavu tent as a dinner and meeting place, with cooking facilities, table, chairs and double tents to sleep. It is a preinstalled camp that the group will have to set up upon arrival.
Tassiusaq Camp lies by the shore of Sermilik fiord, in the interior of Tassiusaq Bay. As a dinner and meeting place, uses a Tupeq, the traditional summer skimo tent. It also has a traditional skimo kayak in construction process, which will be finished with the help of the participants. Overnights in dome tents for two people. Camp will be preinstalled before our arrival.

Hostels
In Qassiarsuk we will sleep at the Leif Eriksson Hostel, by the monument to the great Viking marine. It is a very clean Hostel, with double and four people rooms, shared showers and toilets, and a big new terrace looking towards the fiord. Overnight is with your own sleeping bag. Other hostels where we might sleep are similar to this one.
Overnights in the Leif Eriksson Hostel might be changed for overnights in other Hostel in the area.

Communication and security
Normally, there is signal for mobile phones in Qassiarsuk and Narsarsuaq. There is radio in Tasiusaq, and the guide carries a Satellite phone.
While navigating, every kayaker will wear a special kayak suit and a lifejacket. The traverse takes place in an area between fiords, with minimum waves and often soft winds. We only navigate when weather conditions are good (at the decision of the guide) and, mainly, by the coast..

Food supply
On the last night there is a chance to try Eskimo food; cooked and dried seal meat, fried whale meat, raw whale meat, caribou, smoked halibut, dried anmmassat and cod as well as Eskimo bread.
During the trip, a more standard diet is followed:
* Breakfast: Coffee, tea, cocoa, powdered milk, biscuits, bread, jam, muesli and cereals.
* Lunch: Bread, cheese, cured sausage, salami, cured ham, pâté, butter, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, soup, orangeade and lemonade.
* Dinner: Rice, pasta, meat and mashed potato, sausages, bacon, cured sausage, tuna, squid...
It is the intention to use, as much as possible, natural products: salmon, fresh cod, mushrooms, cranberries and mussels which can be used in addition to, or in place of, the normal diet.

Northern Lights
Northern Lights are one of the natural wonders of our planet, an incredible show of light and movement. Flickering curtains of dancing light against the dark skies, they are, certainly, one of the most spectacular of nature’s phenomena.
Generally it is possible to observe them during winter time. But, South Greenland is famous because of being one of the best spots in the world to enjoy this beauty even in summer, being very frequent in August. In July, due to daylight they are much more difficult to see. From September, they can be seen almost everyday in clear skies.

Fishing and recollection
Tasersuatsiaq Lake, Tunulliarfik fiord and Qassiarsuk are all very good places to fish, especially artic salmons and cods. The organization will not provide with fishing material, and we recommend to bring it from abroad or to buy it in Qassiarsuk.
Picking of mushrooms (Boletus Edulis) and blueberries depends on the period of the trip, but generally, August is the best month. There normally are plenty of mussels in Ujarak’s hut surroundings.

Cartography: we use topographic maps 1:250.000 from Kort&Matrykelstyrelsen (Denmark) and 1:100000 from Greenland Tourism Office

Meteorology
Weather in South Greenland changes continuously and, although generally is good, is very important to be prepared for raining and strong winds. Temperatures very often go over 15ºC in July, between 5ºC and 10ºC in August, starting to freeze at night by the end of this month. In September temperatures are often between 5ºC and 8ºC during the day, and go down to -5ºC at night.

Ice conditions
The Eastern Greenland current brings an enormous quantity of drift ice from the Arctic Ocean and turns the southernmost point of Greenland before rising up to 62º, 63ºN on the west coast. This flow of ice, which reaches its peak in May, falls off during the summer, is the reason why the water temperature is so cold, between 2ºC and 6ºC. In some occasions this ice blocks the South of Greenland, reason why we don’t do this trip before this period is finished. July might present sometimes ice blocking in part of the trip, but it is not very frequent, in which case the route will be changed accordingly.
Icebergs, produced by the glaciers, are numerous in the fjords but they do not present any serious problem to navigation.

GROUP EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY SOUTH GREENLAND EXPEDITIONS

CAMPING GEAR
* Tents
* Kitchen equipment
* Fuel
* Stoves

COMUNICATIONS
* Satellite phones
* Radio in Tassiusaq Camp and Hostel in Qassiarsuk

PROGRESSION EQUIPMENT
* Double kayaks, very stable
* 2 extra paddles

NAVIGATION
* GPS
* Compass
* Maps

OTHERS
* First aid kit



PERSONAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY SOUTH GREENLAND EXPEDITIONS

CLOTHING
* Kayak suit
* Lifejacket (one for the zodiac and one for the kayak)
* Paddling mittens
* Polar Parka (for the zodiac trips)

PROGRESSION EQUIPMENT
* 2 watertight bags
* Paddle
* Bailing pump (one on each kayak)



PERSONAL EQUIPMENT NOT SUPPLIED BY SOUTH GREENLAND EXPEDITIONS

HEAD
* Fleece or woolen hat
* Mosquito net
* Sun glasses
* Sun block cream
* Lip stick balm
* Cap or similar (to be used with mosquito net)

BODY
* 2 synthetic shirts
* Medium weigh Fleece jacket (Polartec 200 or similar)
* Anorak Gore-Tex or similar (waterproof)
* Thermal under trousers
* Trekking trousers
* Waterproof trousers
* Thin fleece or similar

HANDS
* Fleece or windstopper gloves

FEET
* 3 pairs of synthetic socks
* Trekking boots (waterproof)
* Rubber boots to use in kayaks

CAMPING EQUIPMENT
* Sleeping bag (recommended synthetic with Comfort temperature of -10º)
* Sleeping mat.
* Head torch
* Plate
* Cup
* Fork, spoon and knife.
* Personal cleaning set (soap and shampoo, ecological products)

OTHER
* Small rucksack (for one day excursions)
* Fishing equipment (optional)

Note:
This is not an exclusive list. Include any extra clothing for travelling between destinations, medication, toiletries, towel, personal medication, etc.

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