The great adventure in South Greenland, 15 days (2053)

Probably the most complete journey you can do in South Greenland including the best treks in the tundra, an unforgettable excursion on Greenland’s ice sheet, and the biggest and most beautiful mountains and granite walls in Greenland - Ketil and Ulamertorssuaq, in Tasermiut fjord, which are considered one of the ten wonders of the whole Arctic.

Navigate among fjords, icebergs, blocks of ice and spectacular glacier fronts. Visit the cities of Narsaq and Nanortalik - the most picturesque settlements - Tasiusaq, Igaliko and Qassiarsuk. Bathe in Uunartoq’s warm springs and relish in the breathtaking beauty of the icebergs on the cold waters of the fjord.

Watch the magnificent northern lights, see whales, seals and caribou. Go fishing for arctic salmon and cod, pick mussels, mushroom and blueberries. Visit the best Eskimo and Viking ruins - Brattahlid and Gardar. Meet the local Inuit people.

Join us on an immersion journey to the unexplored secrets of Greenland, one of the last frontiers of the modern world, a journey for adventurous travellers, willing to discover nature in her pure state, and to have first-hand experience of the effects of global warming.

There is also a shorter 8 day version of this trip.
Read more here!

Dates (2053)   2012: 17/7 - 31/7 7/8 - 21/8 25/8 - 8/9 Groups: 8 to 12 Date of booking: Up to 65 days before departure date. Late booking: depending on availability.  Price (SEK) Ask for price in euro   28 200:- from Reykjavik (+ taxes) 31 250:- from Copenhagen (+taxes) NB! The above prices are subject for change. Already booked tours will normaly not change.  Price includes   • Flight Reykjavik - Narsarsuaq (supplement for flight from Copenhagen) • Guide (English speaking) • Transfers in Greenland, as specified on this program • Meals on a full board basis (except dinner in towns and last day lunch) • Accommodation in Greenland, as stated in this program • Entrance to the “Museum of Inuit Culture and Traditions”, in Nanortalik • Camping and zodiac boat travel equipment  Price do not include   • Airport taxes and Fees (€135 from Reykjavik / €125 from Copenhagen) • Accommodation, food and transfers in Reykjavik • Travel insurance • Dinner in the towns of Nanortalik, Qaqortoq and Narsaq • Lunch on departure day • Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties due to ice conditions) or flight or boat delays. We strongly advice that you buy a travel insurance that cover such delays. • Any other aspect not listed in “Price includes”

Program
Day 1: Qaleraliq camp
Flight Reykjavik (domestic airport) – Narsarsuaq (also possible to fly from Copenhagen). Welcome reception at the airport. Preparation of equipment and explanation of the journey. When we are ready, we will set off for Qaleraliq camp, navigating along Tunulliarfik fjord among numerous icebergs. 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. 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. Accommodation in tents.

Day 2: Tasersuatsiaq Lake
Ascent to the base of Tasersuatsiaq great lake and panoramic view of the Inland Ice. Ascent on foot through a unique desert-like sand valley which will lead us to a surprisingly different landscape, that of the green and thick tundra. After passing the lake, we will climb a mountain 400 metres high, from which we will have a mesmerising view of the lake, one of the largest in Southern Greenland. The summit is also a very special viewing point of the Inlandis, the immense inland glacier. From there you can gaze upon the infinite ice sheet up to the north coast of the island and towards the Arctic Ocean, and see the Nunataks, floating landmarks on the ice sheet. We may pick mushrooms and blueberries, and look for caribou, which are plentiful in the area. Descent to the camp. Accommodation in tents

Day 3: Glacier fronts and excursion on ice
We will navigate along the glacier fronts on a zodiac boat, admiring the beauty of their vertical walls, 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 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.

Accommodation in tents

Day 4: Qaqortoq, South Greenland Capital
Transfer by boat to Qaqortoq, South Greenland capital, founded in 1775, now with almost 3000 inhabitants. They describe it as the most charming and attractive town in all Greenland. Time off to take a small excursion 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. In the evening, explore on our own the museum, the fur shops, the traditional kayak club, the church, the only fountain in the country, and enjoy a drink with the local people. Accommodation in Hostel.

Day 5: Thermal springs in Uunartoq
In the morning we will set off for Uunartoq through the complex system of fjords which somehow reminds us of Scotland, although here it is surrounded by icebergs. On our way to Uunartoq Island, we will go past Alluitsup Paa, a painteresque settlement and the capital for whales in South Greenland, which will give us the chance to look for whales during the whole trip. In the afternoon, we will have free time to enjoy a relaxing bathe in the warm springs (the only thermal springs to which access is possible in Greenland), a holiday resort for many natives who come from all over the country to camp and bathe in the thermal springs, while icebergs float only 500 metres away in the fjord.  Night at Uunartoq Island. Accommodation in tents

Day 6: Hunters Settlement and Kuusuaq River Camp
Transfer to Tasiusaq, a picturesque village with 80 inhabitants, and tragic historical landmarks which reflect how hard life was in this country decades ago. All the inhabitants of this village starved to death some 140 years ago. It was not until the 1930s that the village was repopulated by descendants and family of the original inhabitants. Spectacular scenery surrounded by mountains.

Day trek to the mouth of Kuusuaq River, the most popular Salmon River in South Greenland. Walk in a truly alpine background to Tasersuaq Lake, through Saputit path, created by Tasiusaq’s inhabitants to go fishing in Lake Tasersuaq. Night and Dinner at Kuusuak River Camp. Accommodation in tents.

Day 7: Tasermiut Camp
Navigation across to Tasermiut glacier, along the fjord of the same name. Along the journey we will discover three impressive mountains - Ketil, Ulamertorssuaq and Tinitertuup – up to the borders of the glacier, a glacier with a 1.400 metres drop from the plateau to the fjord in barely three kilometres, which turns the glacier into a spectacular, mighty ice waterfall. Night at the camp under the huge Ulamertorsuaq - one of the largest and steepest walls in the world, exceeding even “Capitán” in Yosemite - a place where climbers attempting the big walls in the region usually camp. This fjord is highlighted as one of the ten Arctic wonders. Accommodation in tents.



Day 8: Nalumasortoq
Moderate walk on a terrain of medium difficulty up to the base of the glacier in the amazing granite mass of Nalumasortoq, whose extremely smooth twin walls are highly cherished by climbers in South Greenland. From this viewing point we can see the south face of the Ketil and the north face of the Ulamertorssuaq, together with many other unnamed walls. Alpine and glacial landscapes, incredibly beautiful sights. Fishing and picking mussels, mushrooms and blackberries. Night at the Ulamertorssuaq camp. This camp also offers a fantastic view to the west face of the Ulamertorssuaq as the sun set strokes the rock with the last rays of sun. Accommodation in tents.

Day 9: Ulamertosuaq
Trekking up to the base of the Ulamertorssuaq wall, rated the best Arctic "Bigwall" and one of the best ten climbing walls in the whole world. Mountain of unique, singular beauty, astonishing wall and glaciers. Night at the camp. Accommodation in tents.

Day 10: Nanortalik
Navigation in zodiac boats to Nanortalik, the southernmost town of the country, which has some 2300 inhabitants and is the second most populated town in the South of Greenland. Visit to the Museum of Inuit Culture and Traditions, the best museum in the South. Free time in the evening and for dinner. You can visit the town, go shopping, explore the hunters market, go to a restaurant or have a drink in a town “where there are polar bears” – at least that is the meaning of its name, though the chances of meeting one are extremely little – and which still remains isolated by ice for a considerable part of the year. It is possible to join a guided tour of the town and surroundings.
Optional: Kaffemik with a Greenlandic family
Optional: Dinner with a Greenlandic family
Accommodation in Home-Hostel.

Day 11: Narsaq
Transfer by boat to Narsaq, the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1700 inhabitants. In the evening, free time to explore on our own the museum, the fur shops, the church, and to have dinner in one of its restaurants or enjoy a drink with the local people. When we travel by boat, we will look out for whales, we may see them here.
Optional: Kaffemik with a Greenlandic family
Optional: Dinner with a Greenlandic family
Accommodation in Home-Hostel.

Day 12: Igaliko and Qoorooq glacier
Navigation in zodiac boat to Itilleq, where we will leave the zodiac and take the Kings’ Way to Igaliko on foot. We will visit Archbishopric Gardar’s ruins, religious capital for the Vikings. On the way to Qassiarsuk, we will have a sea excursion to Qoorooq fjord and see what probable 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. Accommodation in Hostel.

Day 13: Tasiusaq and Sermilik
Walk to Tasiusaq farm, 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. Later we could go arctic salmon fishing or for a walk in the region.
Optional: Kayak excursion in the “Iceberg Bay” As we get back, we can also 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.
Accommodation in Hostel.

As we get back, we can also walk around Qassiarsuk, old Brattahlid. It is here that Eric the Red settled when he started Greenland’s colonisation back in 985. We will visit the original ruins from Erik the Red, and a replica of the original chapel. Night at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.

Day 14: Flower Valley
We will cross to Narsarsuaq on a motorboat. Then, we will walk through Flower Valley enjoying the spectacular view of a valley formed due to the glacier retreat and the consequent glacial sedimentation with plenty of flowers. We will walk until we can see Kiattut glacier and the landscape around it, with superb panoramic view of the ice sheet and its Nunataks. This is probably the most renowned excursion in all Greenland. Farewell dinner, with typical Greenlandic products, whale, seal, caribou, mattak… Accommodation in Hostel.

Day 15: Narsarsuaq
Transfer to Narsarsuaq. Time to walk around in the area and visit the local museum.
Optional: Helicopter excursion
Flight Narsarsuaq-Reykjavik (domestic airport) or Copenhagen.

NOTE:
This itinerary is a unique journey. 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.

Guide
An English speaking guide will be with you throughout the journey and you may also be accompanied by one or more additional guides for specific stages of the journey. 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 us putting 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.

Qualifications
The journey 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, share accommodation and goes hiking or trekking on a regular basis. The longest trek takes approximately 5-6 hours walking (with a light-weight bag) on easy terrain – maximum accumulate high: 600 metres. All other excursions are easier, approximately 3 or 4 hours walking, on alternate days. Walks are optional. Travellers who wish to stay at the camp or the hostel may do so. If you are not sure if you are fit enough for the journey, please contact our staff for further information and advice.

Level and technical information in the trekking
The journey is an adventure in a spectacular scenery, surrounded by an atmosphere of exploration and discovery of this wild country, in sometimes difficult conditions, which requires a special type attitude. Nevertheless, the treks are quite easy, and suitable for most abilities. The excursion on ice with crampons will be guided by a mountain guide and is also suitable for anyone physically active and with an adventurous attitude.

*Some excursions – for example, Flower Valley – allow shorter distance options.

Family travelling
This itinerary can be organised for families. We recommend children are at least 10 – 12 years old in order to take part in the excursions. If this is the case, a special meeting before departure is required to give more detailed information to the families about the characteristics of the journey.  

Camps
Qaleraliq fjord camp is located in one of the most spectacular and beautiful regions of South Greenland. It has a big dining room-kitchen area, cosy, with gas cooker, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs.
The camp at Tasermiut fjord will have a dining room - kitchen tent and two man tents to sleep. The big tent will have a gas cooker, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs. 

Hostels and homes
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. Accommodation in hostel-homes will be made in a regular house, temporarily prepared to be used as hostels, with similar services, exclusively for the members of the group.

Communication
Most phones can be used in towns and many areas of the coast. Camps will have Iridium satellite phone and radio. Boats have special radio systems.

Boats
Almost all navigation will be done using speed boats, of the zodiac type, in order to make the best possible use of time, which is essential in a journey like this, and 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. For some stages of the journey we may combine zodiac boats with other means of transport. All boats used during the journey are registered, approved and comply with all Danish Marine safety measures.

Food
The journey will finish with a special Eskimo dinner that will include local products available: cooked and dried seal meat and fat, stewed whale meet, raw whale meet, caribou meat, smoked fletan, 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 (no precooked dishes). 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
Tasersuatsiaq lake, Tunulliarfik fjord and Qassiarsuk are very good areas to go fishing, especially for arctic salmon and cod. We do not provide fishing equipment. We therefore recommend you take it from your country or buy it at Qassiarsuk.

Mushroom (Boletus Edulis) and blueberry picking is season dependent, although August is usually the best month. Mussel collecting will be easy near Tasermiut camp, where there are plenty during the summer months.

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 5ºC and 10ºC 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.

Ice conditions
Eastern Greenland draughts bring great amounts of ice from the Arctic Ocean, which cut off Southern Greenland from May to mid-June. We may also come across ice that makes navigation difficult in July, but it is rare. If this happens, we won´t be able to navigate to Nanortalik, so we would take an alternative route instead.  In August, the ice field poses no special problems and the sea in the region is full of icebergs.

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 injections 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 East 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 Inuits 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 BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE GROUPS

Camping equipment
• Tents
• Camping stoves and cooking accessories, kitchen utensils,…
• First-aid kit

Communication
• The boats will be equipped with a radio to be used at sea.
• Mobile phone
• Iridium phone (at Camps)
• SPOT Satellite Messenger

Orientation and weather conditions
• Compass
• Maps

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION
• Polar jacket
• Life jacket (to be worn on the zodiac boat)
• PVC kit bag, where you must fit all your luggage for the trip, (capacity: 90 litres). You can leave what you don’t need for the trip in Narsarsuaq, we will keep your bag safe until your return.

RECOMMENDED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT NOT PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION

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 in Narsarsuaq. Please confirm first with your agency
• Peak cap (to use with the mosquito net)

BODY
• Waterproof jacket
• A pair of light waterproof trousers
• Rain cape
• Fleece jacket
• Light/Midweight fleece or jumper
• Thermal underwear (3 shirts)
• Thermal leggings
• Comfortable trousers (to wear during the treks) 

HANDS
• Waterproof gloves
• Fleece gloves

FEET
• Waterproof trekking boots
• Gaiters (useful, but not essential)
• Rain boots (useful, but not essential)
• 4 pairs of socks
• Flip-flops or similar footwear (useful at the hostel, but not essential)

CAMPING EQUIPMENT
• Sleeping bag (if possible for -10ºC). You may rent one in Narsarsuaq. Please contact your Agency first to confirm.
• Mattress pad. You may rent one in Narsarsuaq. Please contact your Agency first to confirm.
• Torch (if possible, head torch). If you come in August and onwards.
• Light water bottle
• Toilet bag and accessories (please bring biodegradable products)

BAGS
• Backpack, suitcase or big kit bag (remember that you will leave it in Narsarsuaq with your extra equipment, until the end of the trip)
• Small bag (for one-day trips)

OTHERS
• Hiking poles (optional). You may rent one at Narsarsuaq. Please contact Grönlandsresor first to confirm.

 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 boats 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.

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