Tasermiut Fjord Exploration.15 days
Considered as one of the ten wonders of the Arctic by Lonely Planet, Tasermiut Fjord is home to some of the best “big walls” in the world of climbing. During this trip, before reaching South Greenland’s largest hanging glacier, we will go on several treks to explore the valleys, untouched by man, and admire their 2,000 meter summits…what better way than by kayak to move through this impregnable landscape?
Expedition Highlights
Kayaking to explore as we want and an opportunity to go on the best treks this fjord has to offer,
Excellent chances of seeing the Northern Lights at the end of August
Visit the hot springs of Uunartoq and cities like Qaqortoq or Nanortalik. Viking ruins.
Day 1
Day 1.Narsaq town
Three-hour flight from Reykjavík (domestic airport) to Narsarsuaq (Greenland) with views of the sea ice and the glacier tongues of the southern tip of Greenland… We are now in the Arctic! Reception at the airport of Narsarsuaq and one-hour high-powered zodiac trip through a breathtaking landscape of canyons and icebergs before reaching Narsaq, the third most populated town in South Greenland with about 1500 inhabitants. This town is really lovely, apart from being stocked with everything (second last chance to do some last minute shopping), and well worth a good stroll around.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.
Day 2
Days 2 .Nanortalik, the southernmost town in Greenland
Boat transfer to Qaqortoq, capital of southern Greenland founded in 1775 and described as the most attractive town in Greenland. After stroll around in Qaqortoq (where you should not miss a visit to the genuine “Qajaq”club) we keep on sailing to the picturesque and isolated Nanortalik, the southernmost city of Greenland of about 2300 inhabitants. The route between Qaqortoq and Nanortalik is a maze of islands and isthmuses which somehow reminds us of Scotland, although here it is surrounded by icebergs. It takes about three hours with a refueling stop midway in the small, unspoilt whaling village of Alliutsup Paa.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hostel in Nanortalik.
Day 3 to 6
Days 3 to 6.Kuusuaq river
Preparation of equipment, and navigation by zodiac boat to the village of Tasiussaq. After visiting this small and picturesque village, we will visit several farms in the area like Nugarssuk and Saputit, and camp in Kuussuaq river, one of the best fishing villages of
South Greenland. From Kuussuaq river we will portage our kayaks up to the Lake of Tasiussaq, where we will start paddling to the end of it, surrounded by dramatic and very alpine mountains, in the end of it we will explore the Qinngua forest with Birches of up to 4 meters high, being the only natural forest in Greenland. From there we will come back to Tasermiut Fjord.
Day 7 to 11
Days 7 to 11. On course to the Big Walls
Again in the Fjord we will paddle through the eastern side, an easy coast with long beaches in low tide, to stop in every valley, the Ulamertorssuaq Nountain, a massive vertical wall similar to “El Capitan” in Yosemite, The Nalumasortoq, with his characteristic double sheet similar to a book, and very much liked by climbers for its perfect 800 m vertical shape.
Then it comes the Ketil Mountain (2,010 meters), where the ruins of a Viking monastery can be seen, the Tininertuup and other valleys so rarely visited that have no name, but each one special and different. Combining the paddling with the hiking we will get into the bottom of the Fjord where the Tasermiut Glacier falling down from 1500 meter comes to the shore.
From there we will start the way back to Tasiusaq through the western shore where other hikes with totally different views can be explored.
Accommodation in tents.
It’s really a blue iceberg!
Day 12
Day 12. Nanortalik
Arrival by paddle to Tasiusaq and then boat transfer to Nanortalik, if not there pick up by RIB boats and navigation to Nanortalik.
Arrival at Nanortalik.
Free time in Nanortalik, town “where there are polar bears” – at least that is the meaning of its name, though there is extremely little chance of meeting some – and which still remains isolated by ice for considerable part of year. Possibility of a guided tour through the city and its surroundings.
Visit to the Museum of Inuit Culture and Traditions, considered 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 the restaurant or have a beer.
Accommodation in hostel.
Day 13
Day 13. Nanortalik – Thermal springs in Uunartoq – Qaqortoq
Boat transfer to Uunartoq Island.
Free time to enjoy a relaxing bath in the Uunartoq hot springs (the only accessible thermal springs in Greenland), a holiday resort for many natives who come from all over the country to camp and bath in the thermal springs, while icebergs are floating only 500 metres away in the fjords. Then, we will pursue our navigation in order to get to Qaqortoq.
Accommodation in hostel.
Day 14
Day 14.Transfer by RIB boat from Qaqortoq to Qassiarsuq. Hike to Tasiusaq Bay
We will make a visit of the area, and go on excursions with impressive views of Tasiusaq Bay
and the numerous icebergs covering it! We will discover lakes hidden in the tundra. Way back to Tasiusaq Farm.
Kayak excursion in the “Iceberg Bay” among icebergs and ice in one of the safest and best place in the whole Greenland.
Accommodation at Tasiusaq Hostel or Leif Eriksson (Qassiarsuk )
Day 15
Day 15. Keflavik
Trekking way back to Qassiarsuk.
Walk through the village of about 50 inhabitants, mostly farmers, 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 people.
Cultural visit: Brattahlid reconstructions. Guided visit to the original ruins from Erik the Red, and a replica of the original chapel and longhouse.
This Norse and Greenlandic core farming area were in 2017 inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the title Kujataa Greenland: A Norse and Inuit farming landscape on the Edge of the Ice Cap. Qassiarsuk area represent the most comprehensive and rich example of both Norse and Greenlandic farming histories and contains ruins of large cattle-based Norse farms and their
numerous satellite sites including, not least, Erik the Red’s Brattahlid. It was also here that Otto Frederiksen in 1924 established the first sheep farm after Igaliku, founding today’s settlement of Qassiarsuk.
Transfer to Narsarsuaq. Time to walk around in the area and visit the local museum, shopping, sightseeing, etc.
Flight Narsarsuaq-Keflavík (Iceland’s International airport).
Included
- Flight Reykjavík – Narsarsuaq, return
- Tasermiut, South Greenland Expeditions guide (English speaking)
- RIB boat transfers and Helicopter flight as stated on this program
- RIB boat travel equipment
- Rental of kayaks, navigation and specific equipment (see the list provided)
Meals on a full board basis (except dinner on last day and lunch on flight days) - Brattahlid reconstructions cultural visit
Accommodation in Greenland, as stated on this program
Not included
- Airport taxes and fees (approx. 260-280 € from Reykjavík)
- Last dinner in Nanortalik and lunch on flight days
- Travel insurance
- Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties due to ice or weather conditions) or flight or boat delays.
- Any other aspect not listed in “What is included”
Physical level required
Since we will be sailing in an area of calm water and because of the stability of our double kayaks, previous experience in kayaking is not required (although is recommended). The pace of the crossing is moderate and a specific physical level is not required.
Prices 2025
3,695 € from Reykjavík, Iceland and Copenhagen, Denmark (round-trip ticket included)
Dates 2025
Departures from Keflavík
July
July 19th – August 2nd
