Kayak and Glacier Hiking, 8 days

Day 1. Flight to Greenland, boat transfer to Narsaq city

Three-hour flight from Keflavík (Iceland’s Ingternational  airport) or Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq (Greenland) with breathtaking views of Cap Farvel and the huge southern Greenland ice sheet … I ‘m having the window seat! Welcome at the airport by our English speaking guide and transfer to the port of Narsarsuaq. An hours crossing by high-powered zodiac to the city of Narsaq, our last contact with civilization for a week. Once settled in our hostel off we go to our supply store to get kitted out with kayaks, paddles, clothing and navigation accessories. If conditions permit, we make first contact with water to get familiar with the use of the rudder. Overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.

Day 2. Narsaq icebergs. Nuulussuaq peninsula

Tranfer by zodiac boat to Qingaarsup island (one of many strange names we’ll hear!) where we will start the kayak expedition. We will follow the coast along the ice covered fiord among the icebergs coming from Eqalorutsit glacier. In this area, full of ringed seals, there is usually a greater density of ice, slowing down the kayak and sometimes even blocking access at certain locations. When we start the crossing to Nuulussuaq peninsula through we get the first views of the Inlandis, the polar cap. Once we arrive to Nulussuaq, we will install our camp and have a spot which was one of the Viking settlements in South Greenland. Camping overnight.

Day 3. Naajaat Sermiat. First glacier front

Protected by a network of channels between small islands and peninsulas, the route today is longer than the day before but with three breaks on land before reaching the glacial front at Naajaat Sermiat.

We will travel into a labyrinthic system of islands and outcropping lands having  different views of the ice cap and several
glaciers and will be impressed by unique and wild areas.

We will Paddle through a setting of low-slung islands, with waterfalls and alongside leafy tundra which contrasts with the blue and white of the icebergs.
Several islands and peninsulas are separating indland ice from Ikersuaq fjord. This magical landscape attracted the Vikings to
establish settlements in several coastal areas.
Kayaking among blue icebergs provides us a special feeling of Arctic nature. We will sail in Maniitsup Tunua fjord, surrounded by the island of Maniitsop and Nuulussuaq peninsula.
We will camp no so far away from Qaleraliq Fjord, one of the most spectacular places in South Greenland.
This is not the only area that will surprise you. The next step will be special when we get so close to Qaleraliq Glacier.
This is time to allow our senses to enjoy the unbelievable views of one of the oldest masses of ice in the planet.
Night in tents.

Day 4. Qaleraliq glacier

Paddling south from early morning, we are quickly sandwiched between two large islands, one of them called Caribou, for their presence on the island. The first break after a good 12 kilometers paddle, is just before turning into the channel and heading northwest along the Qaleraliq fjord (which translates as halibut). Sailing along the coast under cliffs for about 7 kilometers and just before reaching the three glacier tongues that make up the Qaleraliq glaciers, we cross the fjord to pitch camp on the beach which faces this colossal amphitheater which hangs from the Inlandis. By now we are used to the thunder claps of ice exploding, either from within the glacial cracks or the seracs that collapse into the sea… how small I feel in my kayak!

After a break if weather conditions and time allow it, we will ascent to a view point if we are lucky we will observe the caribou feeding on salts from the fjord and  the observer a privileged vista of the infinite Inlandis or the inland ice sheet of Greenland.

At night, will enjoy the thundering sound of the seracs breaking away in the area’s magical silence.

Camping overnight

Day 5. Glacier-walk

After breakfast we sail to the end of the fjord (4 km), disembarking to enter the perpetual Inlandis ice sheet. It is a steady and easy climb along the last glacier tongue, enjoying the sights of the rimayas or large transverse cracks, as we approach the great moraine (mixture of ice and sediment) that leads to the 2,500 kilometers of icy plateau to the north of the island.

Back on the kayaks we will continue the navigation along the glacier fronts, 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.
These glacier fronts extended in only one. But the dramatic progress of climate change divided it in three glacier fronts.
We will spend the night in the same camp as the previous day.

During the night, we will be surprised by thunderclap roar of the icefall from seracs.
Night in tents. Camping overnight.

Day 6. Ikersuaq Fjord – Maniitsoq

We will start the way back towards Qaleraliq Fjord kayaking through Ikerssuaq fjord.

We are about 25 kilometers and two rest stops from Qingaarsuup Island, where we began the journey. To do this, after going around Maniitsoq Island (meaning rough terrain), we take a new route to the large northeasterly Ikersuaq fjord, facing again the colossal icebergs of the Eqaloruutsit glacier. This is also a seal area and where the chances of seeing whales are greatest… Pay close attention to the guide’s instructions! Camping overnight

Day 7. Qingaarsup. Narsaq City

We will continue the way back towards Qingaarsuup Nunaa island, kayaking through Ikerssuaq fjord.
This is an area where the chances of seeing whales are greatest. Big icebergs use to decorate Ikerssuaq Fjord. These are enormous ice blocks coming from Eqalorusit and Qorooq fjords. Sometimes you could be surprised by Greenlandic seals sailing
in your way or staying over these icebergs.
Our kayak trip will be ending in Qingaarsuup Nunaa and then be transferred to Narsaq.

Free time to visit the city, inuit market, hunters’ harbour, church, local handicraft workshop, museum, etc.

Overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.

Day 8 Flight back to Iceland or Denmark

In the morning we take the zodiac to Narsarsuaq, where after checking-in at the airport, you can visit the Bluie West One Museum, former US militay base frozen in time since the second world war.

Optional: Qooroq ice fjord excursion. The Qooroq is one of the most active glaciers that can be found in southern Greenland. We will navigate to the area where iceberg density will make it impossible to carry on, and which is without doubt one of Greenland’s best images (566 DKK or 85 € per person, 6 participants minimum).

Flight from Narsarsuaq to Reykjavík (Iceland’s domestic  airport) or Copenhagen.