The Arctic Patagonia - GRL89

A unique trekking experience in the impressive fjords of South Greenland. Hike along dramatic mountain peaks, bathe in a hot spring while enjoying the view of deep blue icebergs.

The peaks are not unlike Patagonia, and hence the name
Photo: Einar Torfi Finnsson

The peaks are not unlike Patagonia, and hence the name

Landing in Narsarsuaq
Photo: Björgvin Hilmarsson

Landing in Narsarsuaq

Hot springs in Uunartoq
Photo: Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland

Hot springs in Uunartoq

Ice
Photo: Visit Greenland - Mads Pihl

Ice

Camping in the Tasermiut Fjord
Photo: Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland

Camping in the Tasermiut Fjord

The hike ahead
Photo: Einar Torfi Finnsson

The hike ahead

Klosterdalen - The Monastery Valley
Photo: Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland

Klosterdalen - The Monastery Valley

It's not all "off the beaten track" !

It's not all "off the beaten track" !

On top of the hill!

On top of the hill!

Curious little fox

Curious little fox

What a glorious world
Photo: Paul Zizka, Visit Greenland

What a glorious world

Here comes our transport back to civilisation!

Here comes our transport back to civilisation!

Admiring the glacier
Photo: Visit Greenland - Mads Pihl

Admiring the glacier

Never a dull moment. Whales on the way back!
Photo: Björgvin Hilmarsson

Never a dull moment. Whales on the way back!

Civilisation, AKA Nanortalik
Photo: Visit Greenland - Mads Pihl

Civilisation, AKA Nanortalik

Magic!
Photo: Paul Zizka, Visit Greenland

Magic!

Tour type: Private trekking tour with camping and hostel accommodation

Difficulty:

EASY

HARD

Price from:  

Adult: 424500

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  • DEC

What's included: Guide, food, boat transfers, luggage transport and accommodation

Departures: Upon request

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Accommodation: Tents and hostel

Meeting point: Reykjavík Domestic Airport

Group size: 5 - 14 participants

Language: English

Walking per day: 5-8 hours

Note: This trek is only available as a private tour

  • Tour Description

    Highlights of the Tour

    • Bathing in a hot spring
    • Picturesque boat trip to Tasermiut
    • Trek at the foot of Ketil and Ulamatorsuaq

    South Greenland is not only known for its Unesco classified nordic ruins from the viking era, but also for its stunning mountains and deep fjords. This trek takes you on a beautiful boat ride to begin with. We will make a stopover at the Uunartoq hot springs where we will take a dip while we enjoy the view of the icebergs in the sea next to the hot spring. We continue our boat ride to the Tasermiut fjord where we will be trekking at the foot of some of the biggest granite „big walls“ of the world. Talk about feeling tiny and humble!

    We will hike through green valleys, at the foot of over 2000 m (7000 f) high, sheer granite mountains and admire this mind blowing, yet peaceful landscape. Finally, we will visit the towns of Nanortalik and Narsaq, hike the local mountains there and learn about the incredible story of the region.

    Total distance: Appr. 70 km (43 MI)

    Altitude: 0-600m (0-1970ft)

    Maximum ascent: 500m (1640 ft)

    Included: Guide, breakfast (7), lunch (7), dinner (6). Transport: Boat transfers, luggage transport while trekking, Accommodation: Hostel (3 nights), camping (4 nights).

    Not included: Flights to/from Narsarsuaq (can be added on the first and last day of the tour). Sleeping mat for camping and Sleeping bag.

    Accommodation in Reykjavík can be added before and/or after tour.

    Private groups & tailor-made tours

    Create the ultimate Greenlandic adventure for your group. You can choose to make one of our pre-existing intineraries a private tour or our travel experts can help you design a completely customized adventure from scratch to meet your group’s wants and needs. Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will ensure that your group has a fun and unique experience during your time in Greenland. Please send your group’s size, preferred dates and desired activities to [email protected]. We look forward to helping you create an adventure of a lifetime.

    If you have questions, please check our FAQs. If you do not find the answer please contact us: [email protected]

  • Tour Itinerary

    D1: Arrival to Narsarsuaq - the Gateway to South Greenland
    Welcome to South Greenland. After a scenic flight we arrive in Narsarsuaq in the early evening. Narsarsuaq is located 100 km inside a fjord, just 6 km from the Greenland Ice Sheet. We check in at a local hostel and have a nice dinner with the group. We stay the first night at a hostel. 

    D2: Uunartoq, hot springs – Tasermiut fjord

    We start the day by stocking up for the next day’s adventure in the local shop, Pilersuisoq before we leave with the boat for Uunartoq, the hot springs and then our ultimate stop, Tasermiut fjord. We sail through the deep fjord of Tunulliarfik and sail further south to reach Uunartoq island. In Uunartoq you can enjoy the hot spring with the view of anchored icebergs in the background along with the historic landscape where Inuit and Norse Vikings once lived. We continue south, passing Nanortalik town where we change boats, and onwards to Tasermiut fjord. In this picturesque fjord we put up our camp at the foot of the mighty Ulamatorsuaq mountain. Its huge big wall of granite stretches are more than 1000 m with its top at almost 1900m over the fjord. Truly the arctic Patagonia.

    SailingAprox 5 hours

    D3: Inside the valley

    Full day walk into the big wall paradise of vertical peaks. We hike into the high valley on the south East of the Ulamatorsuaq. Vertical granite peaks tower over the valley on both sides and at the high end of it yet another majestic mountain closes the valley, forming a half circle. A life time experience! We stay at the same camp.

    Walking: Aprox 7 hours
    Ascent: 400-500 m

    D4: From Ulamertorsuaq to Klosterdalen.

    This might be the most challanging parts of the hike, but thankfully they do not last very long. We hike along the coast to get over to the Klosterdal, the valley of the monastery. We walk East along the rocky coast, sometimes through thick birch and willow bushes. When we get to our destsination, it is time to put up our camp which will be at the foot of the enormous Ketil mountain, a mountain with even larger vertical granite wall and spires than we have seen before. At the foot of this mountain, Nordic settlers built a monastery about 1000 years ago and the ruins can still be seen.  


    Walking: Aprox 7 hours 
    Ascent: 300 m

    D5: Ketil mountain

    We hike into the Klosterdal valley today, at the foot of the 2000 m high Ketil mountain. The views and scenary are breath-taking. This is where you get the towering granite walls. After this great day of hiking, we do not have to spend energy on camping this time, as we stay at the same camp, so we will have a 'hyggelig' evening (cosy, in the very Danish way). 

    Walking: Aprox 6-7 hours
    Ascent: 300 m

    D6: Tasermiut – Nanortalik

    After a good breakfast, we pack up our camp and get ready to sail back to the mouth of Tasermiut fjord where we find Nanortalik. Nanortalik is small town and it was founded in 1797 on a small island. It has approximately 1.300 inhabitants. Nanortalik means “the place with polar bears”,Because polar bears are known to arrive occasionally with the drift ice from East Greenland. Don't get your hopes up, nor panic. This is very unlikely these days. We will explore Nanortalik and take a hike in its surroundings, with insight in the town and culture that has strong ties to East Greenland. No camping tonight, we spend the night in hostel.

    Walking: 3-4 hours
    Sailing: I,5 hours

    D7: Nanortalik – Narsaq

    Today we sail further north, from Nanortalik to Narsaq. Notice the landscape changing from dramatic vertical mountains to green farming landscapes. South Greenland is so diverse. Narsaq is the youngest town in Greenland, known for being an agricultural town. Actually, the farmer here study farming in Icland, so the ties to Iceland remain long after the Viking era. But Narsaq also has mineral deposits that attract rock pickers and people with interest in geology. We will take a walk through Narsaq and explore the interesting things it offers. Again we spend the night in a hostel.  

    Walking: Aprox 4 hours
    Sailing: 3 hours

    D8: Narsaq – Narsarsuaq

    This is our last morning in South Greenland. Enjoy the piece and quiet before our boat to Narsarsuaq picks us up. We take the scenic route as we have plenty of time before our afternoon flight back to Iceland. 

  • Equipment List

    Trekking Tours in Greenland

    - Equipment list for Trekking Tours / Assisted Treks in Greenland

    Boots and Clothing:

    • Sturdy Hiking Boots – preferably waterproof with ankle support. 
    • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
    • T-shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
    • Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer).
    • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down).
    • Trousers – Strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell. 
    • Jacket or an Anorak with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable. 
    • Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory on all our tours. 
    • Gloves – Wool or synthetic. 
    • Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs. 
    • Warm hat – Wool or synthetic.

    Other gear:

    • A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between huts. Please avoid bringing a suitcase! 
    • Backpack for extra clothes and food during the day. 25 – 40L (1500 – 2500 cu in)  
    • River shoes – Walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job. 
    • Walking pole(s).
    • Sleeping bag – A basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient treks in huts/hostels – for camping tours we recommend a 3 or 4 season sleeping bag. The last few summers have been cold.
    • Camping mattress
    • Towel – light weight and packable.
    • Swimsuit  
    • Sunglasses & sun protection. 
    • Water container – thermos flask or water bottle 0,5 – 1L.
    • A box/container for your daily lunchs
    • Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut/tent. 
    • Change of clothes for wearing in the hut/camp.
    • Personal first aid kit – including blister care. 
    • Prescription medication and other personal health items.
    • Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc. 
    • Earplugs 
    • Protection against flies (mosquito's); such at nets, repellants, etc.

    Optional gear:

    • Gaiters
    • Neoprene socks – highly recommended for river crossings. 
    • Pen knife. 
    • Sun/rain Hat or a Cap. Shorts
    • Thermal mat (for lunch breaks). 
    • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
    • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing. 
    • Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits.

    We provide

    • Tents
    • Coocking equipment 

    For your own wellbeing and safety we strongly suggest following the advice of our equipment list, this includes having good quality rain-gear, tops and bottoms! Also respect that cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity – this includes jeans and t-shirts. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience. 
Gear transport in Greenland happens on boats with limited capacity – both in volume and weight – pleas limit your personal equipment to 15kg and pack it in a soft duffel bag or comparable.

    Should you have any questions regarding this equipment list or the equipment on our tours feel free to contact [email protected]

  • Map

For availability and more information about this tour please contact us.