The Making of : New Tour to South Greenland
Arnaud, one of our amazing guides, constantly calls out: “I love my job!” His words eccoed in my head during a good week in the south of Greenland last summer, as we scouted for new adventures to present to you.
Greenland is enourmous, a whole 2.166.000 km² (for reference, India is 3,287,263 km²), so there is a vast area to explore. To add more diversity to your selection we went on a scouting trip to the south of Greenland, flying from Reykjavík to Narsarsuaq. For eight days a dedicated team of tour designers, guides, a videographer and a photographer, explored the wonders of the newly awarded UNESCO sites, with the goal to create an exciting combination of activities and sights for you. We teamed up with a local hotel and boat operator in the lovely town of Narsaq and explored the surrounding wilderness and the colorful culture.
We had no patience to keep the best till last, so we started off by taking a bout trip to Qaleralik icefjord (a true toung-braker, we prefer to just call it "Blue Ice Fjord"). The ice is illuminance blue, it feels almost like being in an overly photoshopped image. Because we were travelling with a photographer and videographer for marketing material, we spend quite some time in front of the glacier… getting images from all possible angels.
For us normal people with normal cameras, the perfect shot came more easily and we spent the rest of the time while waiting, staring at the ice, listening to the thunder of ice cracking and water flowing. After this we thought the day was coming to an end and we were heading back to the hotel. But we took the scenic way back. You know, scouting always means taking de-tours. This was amazing. We found an amazing spot where we could go on land and march all the way up the glacier… I mean, so close that we could touch it! As we sailed every single fjord and inlet we spotted beautiful bird-cliffs and reindeer grazing spots, ancient Inuit ruins and of course we passed a few whales! WHAT A DAY. No edits needed - into the itinerary it goes!
The next day we went on a second boat cruise. This time a bit more history oriented, because of south Greenland's recent UNESCO World Heritage recognition for the unique hybrid of Inuit farming and Viking culture. We went to Qassiarsuk (in Icelandic Brattahlíð) and Igaligu (Garðar in Icelandic). For those of us who had not been to the south of Greenland this was a true pilgrimage. Since childhood, we had read stories about the Vikings who settled in Greenland and how their Greenland was really green, so they gave it it's name to attract more fellow Vikings.
I am aware that there are buildings all over Europe that are equally (if not older) and in better conditions… but hey! These are far away from everything in the remote Arctic! Give them some credit! Even if you are not into Vikings and think European churches are cooler, the wales make up for it! Who doesn´t love whales splashing and blowing in large flocks??? We sure did. So, with a few timing-adjustments and route tweeking, we have a second full day adventure!
But one does not need to go far from Narsaq to find glory and divinity. The hotel where we stayed, and where you will be staying, is convenientaly located in the center of town. Mountains, mines, Inuit ruins, museums, a pub and a distillery are within a hand's reach … and you might even spot a whale from the hotel window. Of course, we are Mountainguides who can leave no mountain un-climbed when we see one, so despite rain, up we went. Luckily, as soon as we came up, the sun shone again and we were rewarded with the most spectacular view. We are sure that Narsaq and the south of Greenland has something for everyone!
After an eventful week we had so many ideas that we had plenty to choose from. It was difficult to pick our favorites but we are very pleased with the result: Blue Ice and Arctic Wonders.
We hope you like it too. And yes, if you were wondering, we are fully aware and grateful that we have the best job there is! I LOVE MY JOB!
If you want to go on our new tour Blue Ice and Arctic Wonders, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call +354-522-4948. Start planning your unforgettable adventure in Greenland by browsing our tours here.
Jóhanna Björk is an anthropologist and adventure-enthusiast and has been our on-site-expert in Greenland since 2013. Greenland is for her and endless fountain of quriosities and astonishment and she is happy to call it her second home.
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