Greenland Kayak and Glacier, 15 days
This expedition takes you to the unspoiled Greenland ‘s south Ice-walk & kayaking among icebergs, glaciers and polar wildlife
Expedition Highlights
Independent navigation through icebergs to reach the Qaleraliq glaciers, the Perito Moreno of the Arctic.
Trekking on a glacier tongue and night spent beside the perpetual ice of Inlandis, the second largest glacier in the world.
Experience 24 hours of sunlight (up to mid-July) or see the northern lights (from mid August).
Additional information
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Day 1
Day 1. Flight to Greenland, boat transfer to Narsaq
Three-hour flight from Keflavik (Iceland’s International airport) to Narsarsuaq (Greenland)
with spectacular views of the glacier tongues and the huge southern Greenland ice-sheet…
We are in the Arctic now! Welcome at the airport by our English speaking guide and an hours
crossing by high-powered zodiac to the city of Narsaq; with about 1,500 inhabitants, it is one
of southern Greenland’s biggest cities. Overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.
Day 2 to 13
Days 2 to 13. Kayaking route
Tugtutoq Island
We start the journey crossing the great fjord of Narsaq, sailing amid icebergs heading southwest toward Tuttutooq Island. The landscape is one of low mountains with waterfalls cascading into the sea and the constant presence of seals. We travel parallel to the coast, doing some trekking and sheltered by the islands until we reach the cabin of Ujaraq, a local fisherman. Depending on the weather and how the journey progresses, the guide will decide whether to circumnavigate Tuttutooq island or take the “shortcut” to the Qaleralliq fjord: carrying our kayaks over an isthmus for 400 meters and arriving at a point right across from the fjord that leads directly to the Qaleralliq glaciers, the Perito Moreno of the Arctic. Camping overnight.
Torsukattak fjord zone
Firstly, we cross the wide Kerssuaq fjord, often plagued by ice and, with luck, visited by whales. We spend two days skirting the coast in a northeast direction through an area relatively uncharted by kayakers, approaching the mouth of the Torsukattak fjord and its islands until we reach the Qaleraliq Fjord. Camping overnight.
Towards Qaleraliq
The next stage is a beautiful 15 km sail along the cliffs before reaching the three gigantic Qaleralliq glaciers, the gateway to the 2,500 kilometers of icy plateau leading to the northern coast of Greenland. It goes without saying that the spectacle, seen and heard from our silent kayaks, is awesome! Still surprised by the intermittent roar of cracking or seracs collapsing into the sea, we set up camp on a sandy beach. After a break, we trek up to Lake Tasersuatsiaq, where we have a privileged view point of the infinite Inlandis or Greenlandic ice-cap. We are in caribou, arctic fox and hare country. Camping overnight.
Short glacial trekking into the ice cap
We will pursue paddling direct to the ice. And right in the spot where the rare south-north expeditions crossing the ice cap use to start, we will hike over the glacier and discover a very small part of its immensity, among the rimes (crevasses), large cracks and drains.
Enjoying a short trekking on one of the oldest masses of ice in the planet. A unique experience.
In the last years, we have seriously noticed the dramatic progress of climate change in Southern Greenland, an area which offers a rare glimpse of the effects of global warming: glacier withdrawal, increase in the amount of ice that has broken of the glaciers… Camping overnight.
Glacier Fronts
The easiest and probably the most spectacular day, we travel by kayak around all the Qaleralliq glaciers to set up camp on nearby Caribou island. After leaving Qaleraliq, we will travel into a labyrinthine system of islands and visit several glaciers, some of which can be reached on foot, and others which we will need the kayak to reach. We will have the opportunity to discover unique and wild areas, as beautiful as they are inaccessible, unknown places that we will have the exclusive privilege of exploring.
Time for gathering mushrooms and cranberries.
Camping overnight.
Sermiat Naajaat Glacier … No limits!
Once we backtrack Qaleraliq Fjord, we set sail in a north-eastern direction, circumnavigating the island of Akuliaruseq (also called caribou because of their presence there) to visit the two Naajaat Sermiat glaciers. This is the day we cover the most ground but by now our muscles are up to the challenge… No limits! Camping overnight.
Qingaarsuup Island
Today we head towards Qingaarsuup Island, our second last objective. We camp next to a cabin and have an easy trek up to get a unique view of Inlandis and much of the route traveled during the previous days. By now we are already expert salmon fishermen and gatherers of mushrooms and wild blueberries (from August), tasty and rich in vitamin C.
Camping overnight.
Day 13: Return to Narsaq
We will finish off the return trip to Narsaq travelling through an area with a great density of ice, slowing down the kayak and sometimes even blocking access at certain locations. Possibility to visit some Inuit ruins in the area; Manitsuarsuk (settlement of fishermen and hunters, inhabited until the eighteenth century).
After lunch we cross to Narsaq, our starting point, where we will find being back in civilization almost exotic!
Overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.
Day 14
Day 14. Stay in Narsaq. Optional excursion: Qaqortoq and Hvalsoy Church
Free time to visit Narsaq town: the museum, the inuit market, the church or the leather shop. Option of a small hike to nearby mountains.
Optional: Excursion to Qaqortoq town (125 €) and the norse ruins of Hvalsoy Church (180 €)
Boat transfer to Qaqortoq, described as the most charming town in all Greenland. Time to take a stroll around the city, while you enjoy the beauty of its colourful buildings and the awe-inspiring landscapes. Explore on your own the museum, the fur shops, the traditional kayak club, the church or the only fountain in the country. Then, we will pursue our sailing from Qaqortoq to visit the best preserved norse ruins in Greenland. We sail past the large island of Arpatsivik, the norse “Hvalsey” or Whale Island, and into the Hvalseyfjördur, where the church ruins stand in a quiet and peaceful setting. In the afternoon, boat transfer way back to Narsaq.
Overnight stay at the Kayak Hostel.
Day 15
Day 15. Transfer to Narsarsuaq airport.
Boat transfer from Narsaq to Narsarsuaq, where we have time to walk around in the area or visit the Bluie West One museum, US militay base frozen in time since the Second World War.
Flight Narsarsuaq-Keflavík (Iceland’s International airport).
Included
- Flight from Keflavik to Narsarsuaq/return flight.
- Guide (english speaking)
- RIB Boat trip Narsarsuaq – Narsaq – Narsarsuaq
- Rental of kayaks and navigation equipment
- Meals on a full board basis
- Accommodation in Greenland, as stated on this program
- Camping and RIB boat travel equipment
Not included
- Airport taxes and issuing tickets fees (approx 260-280 € from Keflavik )
- Travel insurance
- Lunch on flight days
- Accommodation, transfers and food in Reykjavik
- Optional trip to Qaqortoq: 125 € per person (four participants minimum)
- Optional trip from Qaqortoq to the Hvalsoy Church: 180€ per person (four participants minimum)
- Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties or cancellations 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.
A trip of 15 days and 14 nights in Greenland
Prices 2025
3,595 € from Reykjavík (Iceland)
Dates 2025
Departures from Reykjavík ( Keflavik International Airport)
JULY
July 05th -19th
AUGUST
August 02nd – 16th
August 16th – 30th
August 30th – September 13th
