Hiking in South Greenland
from £2963 including flights
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Highlights
Hike in the south's verdant valleys and flower-speckled tundra
Explore Qooroq ice fjord by boat
Visit Brattahlid, the settlement of Erik the Red
Hike the ‘Kongevejen’ Path of the Kings to Igaliku
Why this trip...
Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Like-minded travellers
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Activity based
This itinerary features a range of optional activities during your stay
Overview
Over 80% of the world’s largest island is covered in permanent ice, but summer in South Greenland reveals a hiker’s paradise of verdant valleys, flower-speckled tundra and iceberg-filled fjords. On this invigorating 10-day escorted holiday, you’ll enjoy extraordinary day hikes, including the iconic Flower Valley trail, a glacier walk and the Kongevejen ‘Path of the Kings’. The three-centre trip also includes a tour of the Viking ruins of Eric the Red’s farm at Brattahlid.
The Flower Valley
South Greenland offers keen walkers a great variety of trails and on this escorted holiday you’ll experience some of the best. From your first base, Narsarsuaq, the Flower Valley trail winds through a colourful mosaic of Arctic flora. As well as gentians, harebells and saxifrages, you might also glimpse wildlife such as Arctic hare and peregrine falcon. The trail climbs 400m to a viewpoint overlooking the Kiattut glacier and the Greenland ice sheet beyond.
Hiking on ice and cruising among icebergs
Narsaq, your second base, is the starting point for an unforgettable day exploring the glaciers of Bredefjord fjord system. You’ll travel by RIB among icebergs and along the front of three enormous glaciers, cliffs of blue ice rising sheer above you. On one of them – Qaleraliq – you will then be led by an expert guide into a frozen world of crevasses, ice caves and seracs, using crampons to tackle an amazing glacier hike.
Path of the Kings and Viking ruins
Another boat trip from Narsaq takes you along Tunulliarfik Fjord for an easy 11km hike on the Kongevejen, or Path of the Kings, to Igaliku. Inhabited by less than 50 people, this tiny Inuit settlement is not only renowned for its idyllic setting, but is also the site of the ruins of Gardar, the religious capital of Viking Greenland. After exploring the green valleys around Igaliku and taking a boat trip to visit Qooroq Icefjord, you’ll visit another key Viking site – Brattahlid – where Eric the Red settled in the year 985. The church ruins and reconstructed longhouse vividly conjure life from the Viking days.
Itinerary
Day 1 arrive Iceland
Fly to Iceland and transfer to your accommodation in Reykjavik. Explore the capital city and enjoy dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants on offer.
Fly to Iceland and transfer to your accommodation in Reykjavik. Explore the capital city and enjoy dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants on offer.
Day Reykjavik - Narsarsuaq
Make your own way to Reykjavik City Airport and fly to Narsarsuaq in South Greenland. On arrival in Narsarsuaq you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in and an information meeting about the trip. Set off on a hike to the Glacier View Point (3 miles, approx 2 hours), for great views of the Tunulliarfik fjord icebergs and the Kiattuut Glacier.
Make your own way to Reykjavik City Airport and fly to Narsarsuaq in South Greenland. On arrival in Narsarsuaq you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in and an information meeting about the trip. Set off on a hike to the Glacier View Point (3 miles, approx 2 hours), for great views of the Tunulliarfik fjord icebergs and the Kiattuut Glacier.
Day 3 Narsarsuaq - Qaqortoq
We reserve the morning for the most famous hike in the area, the Flower Valley (7 miles, approx 5 hours). A spectacular hike with sights of the Kiattut river and glacier. You will enjoy the spectacular view of this valley formed due to the retreat of the glacier and the resulting glacial sedimentation. Transfer from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq the capital of South Greenland. On arrival take a guided city tour. Later on there is free time to have dinner in one of the restaurants or enjoy a drink with the local people.
We reserve the morning for the most famous hike in the area, the Flower Valley (7 miles, approx 5 hours). A spectacular hike with sights of the Kiattut river and glacier. You will enjoy the spectacular view of this valley formed due to the retreat of the glacier and the resulting glacial sedimentation. Transfer from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq the capital of South Greenland. On arrival take a guided city tour. Later on there is free time to have dinner in one of the restaurants or enjoy a drink with the local people.
Day 4 Qaqortoq - Narsaq
This morning there is time to independently explore Qaqortoq or join an optional excursion to Hvalsoy Church (payable locally). In the afternoon, transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq city, the third most populated town in South Greenland for a two-night stay.
This morning there is time to independently explore Qaqortoq or join an optional excursion to Hvalsoy Church (payable locally). In the afternoon, transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq city, the third most populated town in South Greenland for a two-night stay.
Day 5 visit Qaleraliq glacier camp and ice hike
In the morning set off for Qaleraliq camp towards Greenland’s ice cap. Following our arrival at the camp with its spectacular views of three glacier fronts we will set off on an excursion on the glacier. We navigate along the glacier fronts on a RIB boat, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls and icebergs to the starting point for our ice trek (2 miles, approx 3-4 hours) with an expert mountain guide explore its crevasses, drains, seracs, and other ice formations, which give an incredible, labyrinthine quality to this glacier and learn about the special characteristics of the glaciers in the South of Greenland. Picnic lunch in the ice or at the camp depending on conditions. In the afternoon, transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq. Watch for the enormous icebergs falling off from the Eqaloruutsit Glacier and floating through the Sermilik Fjord.
In the morning set off for Qaleraliq camp towards Greenland’s ice cap. Following our arrival at the camp with its spectacular views of three glacier fronts we will set off on an excursion on the glacier. We navigate along the glacier fronts on a RIB boat, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls and icebergs to the starting point for our ice trek (2 miles, approx 3-4 hours) with an expert mountain guide explore its crevasses, drains, seracs, and other ice formations, which give an incredible, labyrinthine quality to this glacier and learn about the special characteristics of the glaciers in the South of Greenland. Picnic lunch in the ice or at the camp depending on conditions. In the afternoon, transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq. Watch for the enormous icebergs falling off from the Eqaloruutsit Glacier and floating through the Sermilik Fjord.
Prices and Departures
Price from £2963 including flights
What's Included
- Return flights between Iceland and Greenland
- Transfers in Greenland
- 8 nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities
- 1 night accommodation in rooms with shared facilities
- All breakfasts
- 2 picnic lunches and 1 evening meal
- 4x4 trip to Tasiusaq
- Boat transfers
- City tour in Qaqortoq
- Guided visit to Brattahlid
- Return transfers from Keflavik to Reykjavik
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
From prices per person
Based in a room with private bathroom
| Start | Duration | Twin Price | Single Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jun 2020 | 9 nights | £2,963 | £3,452 |
| 29 Jun 2020 | 9 nights | £2,963 | £3,452 |
| 06 Jul 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 13 Jul 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 20 Jul 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 27 Jul 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 03 Aug 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 10 Aug 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 17 Aug 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 24 Aug 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 31 Aug 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
| 07 Sep 2020 | 9 nights | £3,054 | £3,543 |
Flights
Prices above include flights between Iceland and Greenland only. Airfares to Iceland start from around £250 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.Meet our expert
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