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Kayaking and trekking in South Greenland, 8 days (2052)
The perfect combination in the south of Greenland. 8 days in
the very southernmost part of the world's largest island, in
complete contact with Nature, combining trekking with
kayaking, surrounded by an awe-inspiring landscape of
blue-tinged icebergs and tundra.
Our route will begin with a hike into the untamed and
untouched Land of Mellem area, and later the circle will be
closed with an incomparable kayak trip among the icebergs in
Tasiusaq Bay.
Meanwhile, we will have visited the Viking ruins at
Brattahlid and done some impressive trekking through the
tundra among infinity of lakes, as well as kayaking around
numerous icebergs. All while enjoying spectacular panoramic
views of ice cap, the mountains and fjord systems of
southern Greenland.
Nights will be spent in unique, exclusive camps, nestled in
the area's incredible and silence-filled landscape. In
Tasiusaq, we will sleep in a reproduction of a traditional
Inuit summer tent, where we can fish for Arctic salmon and
codfish and observe, when the nights are clear, the
light-filled dance of the Northern Lights.
There is also a longer 15
day version of this tour.
Read more here!
Program
 Day
1: Narsarsuaq
Flight Reykjavik
(domestic airport) – Narsarsuaq. Reception in the
airport and preparation of materials. Start of the trek in the
nearby Narsarsuaq mountains. Set up camp in the tundra, dotted
with lakes and impressive views of the fjord. Accommodation in
tents
Day 2: Ice Break in Qooroq Glacier
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. Night at
Mellem’s Camp. Accommodation in tents
Day 3: View of the Ice Cap
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 Inland Ice's incredible mass of ice in front of us.
Night at Mellem Camp. Accommodation in tents.
Day 4: Flower Valley and Glacier
Descent from Mellem Camp, travelling through lakes and
rivers, towards Flower Valley. We will go all the way to
Kiattut Glacier, famous for its spectacular views, with
unbeatable panoramic views of the ice. We will carry on with
our hike through Flower Valley with spectacular views of an
enormous valley created by the withdrawal of and subsequent
sedimentation from the glacier, where there are abundant
flowers. This is quite possibly the most famous excursion in
all of Greenland. Transfer in motorboat through Tunulliarfik
Fjord, usually covered by icebergs, to Qassiarsuk. Special
dinner with
typical Greenlandic products,
whale, seal, caribou, mattak... Accommodation in Hostel
Day 5: Viking Greenland
Walk around Qassiarsuk, old Brattahlid. It is here that Eric
the Red settled when he started Greenland’s colonisation
back in 985.
Optional:
Brattahlid reconstructions. Guided visit
to the original ruins from Erik the Red, and a replica of
the original chapel and longhouse.
After, we will visit the 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
at Tasiusaq camp. Accommodation in tents
Days 6 and 7
Travelling by kayak through the foothills of Nordre Sermilik
Fjord, which is always filled with icebergs of indescribable
colours and textures, coming from 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 at Tasiusaq
camp. Accommodation in tents
Day 8
Trek back to Qassiarsuk. Preparation of equipment and
shower.
Transfer to Narsarsuaq. Time to walk around in the area and
visit the local museum.
Flight Narsarsuaq-Reykjavik
(domestic airport).
NOTE:
This itinerary is a unique journey, designed and organised
by Tasermiut, 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 the weather conditions, sea
conditions, or technical and organisational difficulties,
and it therefore requires flexibility in the traveller.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Guide
The Guide’s job is to point the group in the right
direction, to ensure all travellers’ safety and to solve any
possible problems that may arise along the itinerary, making
changes or adjustments if necessary. Activities such as
setting up the tents in the camp or taking them down, making
lunch or other shared activities will be everybody’s
responsibility, including the guide’s.
Physical Condition
This trip, considered as “active”, is physically challenging
but it is designed so that it is suitable for anyone who
enjoys the outdoors, who doesn´t mind sleeping in a tent and
goes hiking or trekking on a regular basis.
During the treks, each participant will carry their own
equipment in their backpack. Common equipment such as tents,
cookers, etc., will be found in the camps, in waterproof
storage containers.
It is not absolutely necessary to have had prior experience
in a kayak in order to participate in our trip, because the
kayaks are stable, wide and safe, although if you haven't
got any experience, we do recommend that you take a course
and practise all you can before the trip. Travelling in
these kayaks is not technically difficult, and is only done
when conditions are favourable.
In the two-person kayaks, those in better shape will be
paired with those who are a little less fit, so that the
group can be balanced. The trip is not recommended only for
those with serious back problems, due to the difficulties
that can result from carrying the kayaks from the beach to
the water and back.
We recommend that those who are in doubt about their
physical abilities take a weekend kayak trip (ask Tasermiut,
South Greenland Expeditions).
Camps
Mellem Camp is located in the highlands of Narsarsuaq
Mountains, and can only be reached on foot or by helicopter.
It has a comfortable kitchen-dining hut which is supplied
with cooker and utensils, and tents for sleeping. It is a
pre-installed camp which will have to be set up when the
group arrives.
The first night after arrival will be spent in tents which
we will find in storage on our way.
Tasiusaq Camp is located along the shores of Sermilik Fjord,
inland from Tasiusaq Bay. The dining tent is a reproduction
of a traditional Inuit summer lodge. Igloo-type tents are
provided for sleeping. The camp will be pre-installed upon
our arrival.
Hostels
At Qassiarsuk we will spend the night at the Leif Eriksson
Hostel, located next to the notable, Viking marine monument.
It is a clean and cosy hostel, with a spacious terrace
overlooking the fjord, different rooms, with shared toilets
and showers. We will use sleeping bags at night. Overnight
stays at the Leif Eriksson Hostel may be
substituted by overnight stays at another local hostel.
Communication and Safety
Main mobile telephone networks can be reached in villages
and in some parts of the coast.
At the start of the trip, the guide will share some basic
tips on behaviour, safety and kayak self-rescue.
While travelling by kayak, each participant will wear a
special suit and a life jacket. The expedition is carried
out in an area of protected fjords where there are hardly
any waves, and winds are usually very light. Travelling by
kayak is only done when conditions are optimum, and, with
few exceptions, along the coast.
Food
In the middle of the journey, we will enjoy a special Eskimo
dinner that will include local products available: cooked
and dried seal meat and fat, stewed whale meat, raw whale
meat, caribou meat, smoked halibut, dried anmmassat and
cod,…
During the day trips we will follow a more practical diet:
Breakfast: Coffee, tea, infusions, cocoa, powdered milk,
biscuits, bread, jam, muesli and cereals.
Packed lunch: Bread, cheese, chorizo, salami, ham, foie-gras,
chocolate, nuts, biscuits, soup, hot tea…
Dinner: Meals cooked at the camp. Rice, pasta, fish, mashed
potatoes and meat, sausages, bacon, chorizo, tuna, squid…
Northern Lights
The northern lights are one of the most wonderful of
nature’s phenomena on our planet, a beautiful, delightful
display of movement and light against the dark polar skies
on clear, calm nights.
It is usually possible to witness the aurora in winter. Late
summer, however, especially in September, is the best time
of the year to watch it in Southern Greenland, which is
famous for offering some of the best places to view this
spectacular natural display. In July, there is more sunlight
and therefore it is not so easy to see it, but in August it
can be seen more often, and from September onwards, the
aurora can be seen almost every day when the skies are
clear.
Fishing and Fruit picking
The rivers, lakes and even the fjords in the area
surrounding Tasiusaq and Qassiarsuk are very good spots for
fishing.
Weather
Weather in Greenland is very changeable. It is usually
pleasant, but it is essential that you bring appropriate
clothes for rainy weather. Temperatures are often more than
15ºC in July and between 5 º C and 10 º C in August.
Mid-August nights are sometimes very cold. In September,
temperatures are usually between 5ºC to 8ºC during the day
and may reach minus 5ºC at night.
State of the Ice
Tasiusaq area gets large
quantities of ice in the form of icebergs, which come from
the nearby glaciers. The saturation of ice in this area can
even end up impeding navigation in certain spots (although
this is not common). If this happens, the route will be
changed as a result.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THE TRAVELLER
Passport and visa regulations
You must have a valid passport which expires no less than
three months after your stay in Greenland. A visa is not
necessary unless you come from a country where a visa is
required to enter Denmark. Ask us what the specific
requirements from your country are.
Vaccine
You do not need to have any vaccinations for Greenland
Language
Kalaallisut, the Western Greenlandic language, is the main
language in Greenland. It is spoken by 40.000 people, which
makes it the most important Inuit language in the world.
Inuhumiutut is also spoken in the North, and Tunumiutut in
the West Coast. Most people in Greenland speak some Danish,
which is the second official language. Many speak English
too, with various levels of fluency, especially young
people.
Greenlandic has an agglutinating structure. It belongs to
the Inuit-Aleut family of languages, and it is spoken by
people in different areas, from the Aleutian Islands up to
the west coast in Greenland. It is of Asian origin, as is
the Inuit race.
The country
Greenland is one of the most singular countries in the
world: A huge island that holds a glacier measuring two
million square kilometres in size, surrounded by a coastal
mountainous belt, bathed by a sea which due to its Arctic
climate remains frozen most of the year.
Some 57.000 inhabitants, mostly Inuit depending on fishing,
hunting and farming, live on the coast. Greenland is now
semi-independent from Denmark, the colonising country. The
most populated area is the west coast, where Nuuk – the
capital of the country, with 15.000 inhabitants – is
located. Northern and Eastern Greenland are almost
uninhabited.
Transport
Roads are almost non-existent, except in towns. The most
common means of transport are therefore boats, planes,
helicopters and dog sledges.
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Camping equipment
•
Tents
•
Camping stoves and cooking accessories, kitchen utensils,…
•
Fuel
•
First-aid kit
Communication
•
The boats will be equipped with a radio to be used at sea.
•
Mobile phone
•
SPOT
Satellite
Messenger
Orientation and weather conditions
•
GPS
•
Compass
•
Maps
Travelling materials
•
Very stable double kayaks
•
2 replacement paddles
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Kayaking clothing
•
Semi-dry raincoat
•
Semi-dry cordura trousers
•
Spray skirts
•
Life jacket
•
Paddling mittens
•
Rubber boots
Travelling materials
•
Dry bags
•
Paddle
•
1 bilge pump (per kayak)
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
NOT
PROVIDED BY TASERMIUT
Head
•
Fleece hat (or wollen)
•
Sunglasses
•
Sun cream (we recommend strong protection against UVA rays)
•
Lip balm (with sun block)
•
Mosquito head net (recommended
if you come before mid August. It may be possible to
purchase it at Narsarsuaq.
Please confirm first with Tasermiut).
•
Peak cap (to use with the mosquito net)
Body
•
Waterproof jacket
•
A pair of light waterproof trousers
•
Fleece jacket
•
Fleece vest
•
Thin Fleece pullover
•
3 short sleeve thermal shirt
•
Thermal leggings
•
Comfortable trousers (to wear during the treks)
Hands
•
Neoprene gloves (recommended from mid August)•
Fleece gloves
Feet
•
Waterproof trekking boots
•
3 pairs of socks
•
Flip-flops or similar footwear (useful at the hostel, but
not essential)
Camping equipment
•
Sleeping bag (if possible, synthetic and suitable for
-10ºC). You may rent one at Narsarsuaq. Please contact
Tasermiut first to confirm.
•
Mattress pad. You may rent one at Narsarsuaq. Please contact
Tasermiut first to confirm.
•
Torch (if possible, head torch). If you come in August and
onwards.
•
Plate
•
Cup
•
Cutlery set
•
Water Bottle
•
Toilet bag and accessories (please bring biodegradable
products)
Bags
•
Large, comfortable backpack (where all equipment to be
transported on the trip must fit). Suitcases or
travelling bags may not be used. Remember that you
don’t need to carry all your luggage for the whole trip!
•
Small bag (for one-day trips)
Others
•
Trekking Poles (not essential but recommended)
Note:
This is not an exhaustive list. Please add toiletries,
towel, travelling clothes, personal medication, and any
other item you may need. When packing, please be aware of
the limitations as far as space on kayaks and on your own
backpack is concerned, and keep in mind your own comfort.
Try to carry as less weight as possible in a bag as small as
possible. We will emphasize recommendations for luggage at
the beginning of the journey.
Resevillkor
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