100km Expedition in Greenland
Kayak and hike this remote, icy wilderness during the Arctic summer on a self-powered adventure like no other
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesHostel & Wild camping
5 nights camping and 2 nights in a hostelMeals
All meals, except dinner in Narsaq on Day 7Internal flights
Return flights from Reykjavik to NarsarsuaqTransfers & Equipment
Transers to and from the airport and everything in between, plus kayaking and camping equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Paddle amongst the looming icebergs of the Greenlandic fjords – eyes peeled for seals, caribou and whales
Gaze upon Inlandis, the polar ice cap, and hike across the craggy tongues of the immense Qaleralig Glacier
Camp among unspoilt wilderness, enjoying views of some of the oldest ice masses on the planet from your tent
Deemed a ‘Life-Changing Adventure' by The Telegraph
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Greenland!
Make your way to Reykjavik, where your adventure begins. You'll fly to Narsarsuaq, located in southern Greenland, to meet your guide and travel by RIB boat to the city of Narsaq. Here you'll head to the nearby supply store and get kitted out with clothing and navigation equipment, ready for the adventure ahead. Settle into your host's kayaking hostel, meet your fellow travellers and enjoy your first night of 24-hour daylight as you acclimatise to the Arctic summer.
Day 2
Navigate the Narsaq icebergs by kayak
Travel by RIB to Qingaarsup Island, where your kayaking expedition will begin. Jump into your stable double kayak and follow the spectacular coastline as you navigate along a fjord, dotted with icebergs from the nearby Eqalorutsit Glacier. The high density of ice will often slow you down and may make certain locations inaccessible, but this only adds to the drama. In the company of friendly ringed seals, cross to the Nuulussuaq Peninsula and get your first glimpse of Inlandis – the polar ice cap. Arrive at your campsite, and if there's time (and depending on the month) you can forage for mushrooms and cranberries. After a hot meal made from your ingredients, settle into your tent to get a good night’s sleep.
Day 3
Naajaat Sermiat Glacier
Break camp and set off in your kayak, passing a group of islands dotted with waterfalls and covered in leafy tundra. Paddle up the Maniitsup Tunua Fjord, surrounded by the peninsulas of Maniitsop and Nuulussuaq, and set up camp in front of the ice cap. You'll be able to enjoy the views of the Naajaat Sermiat Glacier, one of the oldest ice masses on the planet, right from your tent.
Day 4
Qaleraliq Glacier
Kayak around Akuliaruseq and then along Qaleralig Fjord, experiencing some of the most epic glacial scenery in the world, including glacier tongues that stretch nearly 10km wide. Set up camp on a sandy beach and if the weather allows, hike to the viewpoint at Tasersuatsiaq Lake to spot caribou feeding on salts from the fjord. At night, enjoy the thundering sound of glacial seracs plunging into sea, breaking the Arctic's magical silence.
Day 5
Glacier hiking
Paddle to the end of the fjord and trek over the glacier, avoiding deep crevasses and listening to the sounds of the ice creaking all around you. Return to your kayak and continue along the face of the glacier with vertical walls of ice towering above you. Back at camp, get cosy in your tent and listen for the thunderclap roar of the icefall from seracs.
Day 6
Ikerssuaq Fjord
Break camp, climb into your kayak and paddle around Maniitsoq Island and towards the vast Ikerssuaq Fjord – eyes peeled for whales. It's also a great place to spot Greenlandic seals bobbing in the water or resting on the icebergs that float past. Arrive at your campsite and enjoy another unforgettable night in the Arctic wilderness.
Day 7
Qingaarsup Nunaa and Narsaq City
Continue the way back towards Qingaarsuup Nunaa Island, kayaking through Ikerssuaq Fjord. This is an area where the chances of seeing whales are greatest, and where enormous ice blocks come from the Eqalorusit and Qorooq fjords. Your trip ends in Qingaarsuup Nunaa, then you'll head to the city of Narsaq. There is time to visit its interesting museum, go shopping in the Inuit market for local handicrafts or visit the hunter’s harbour. Check into the hostel for your final night and head out with your group for one last meal.
Day 8
Goodbye Greenland
Hiking
After a final breakfast in your hostel, return by RIB to Narsarsuaq. From here, you'll head out on an easygoing hike of The Ridge for spectacular views of the Narsarsuaq Glacier. Following trails lined with a variety of plants – many of which are in bloom at this time of year – you'll reach a viewpoint. Enjoy the epic panorama across Flower Valley, the ice sheet, the glacial river and the fjord, all backed by the dramatic mountains. Later, return to Narsarsuaq and check in for your flight to Reykjavik, where your Arctic expedition will come to an end.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Keflavík International Airport
15:30 on Day 1
Ends
Keflavík International Airport
00:15 (overnight flight departing Narsarsuaq Day 8, arriving Keflavík International Airport +1 day)
Transfers
International flights to Iceland all arrive in to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) which is 55km outside of Reykjavik, and your onward flight to Greenland also departs from Keflavík.
Your included flight to Narsarsuaq (UAK) in Greenland departs from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) at 17:30 on Day 1, so we recommend arriving in to Iceland no later than two hours before to allow a smooth transfer between flights. However, as this is the only flight to Greenland and cannot be missed, we strongly suggest allowing a generous amount of time between your flight connections in case of any disruption, even if that means arriving a day in advance of your trip starting.
The flight between Iceland and Greenland takes three hours and once you land in Narsarsuaq your host will meet you in the Arrivals area, ready for onward travel (by RIB boat) to your accommodation.
On Day 8 you will be dropped back at Narsarsuaq Airport (UAK) in time to catch your included flight back to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) which departs at 20:15 and lands at 00:15 (+ 1 day). Your host recommends spending the night in Reykjavik before continuing your journey home the following day.
Travel options
There are regular, direct flights to Iceland from airports across the UK, Europe and US.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
For breakfast, there will be plenty of hot drinks, along with bread, jam, biscuits, muesli and cereals. Lunch is usually a packed lunch taken at a picturesque stop and will include bread, cheese, ham, chocolate, nuts, biscuits and hot soup and drinks. For dinner your guide will prepare a hot meal in the camp (with help from your group), usually consisting of rice, pasta, potatoes and sausages, or stew.
What is the accommodation like?
Narsaq
On your first and last nights you’ll stay at a local hostel, where you’ll meet your fellow explorers and get a chance to see some of this remote Arctic town. Rooms are simple (multi-share), but clean and comfortable.
The wilderness
For the rest of the expedition, you’ll camp in picturesque locations across Southern Greenland. All camping equipment is provided, except for sleeping bags and sleeping mats which can be rented locally. Each night your guide will help you set up camp and cook you a hot meal to refuel after a day kayaking or hiking. The locations are all remote and give a real taste of the Arctic wilderness, as well as providing plenty of time to fish, forage, hike to viewpoints or just take in the incredible surroundings.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
This trip has been planned so that anyone in reasonably good physical condition can participate. However, as you'll be kayaking for 3-5 hours (15-20 km) per day, it's a good idea to do some cardio and upper body exercise in the run-up to departure. The trip is not recommended for anyone with serious back problems, as you'll need to carry the kayaks into and out of the water. It's not necessary to have any previous kayaking experience, although it's a good idea to try it out beforehand to make sure that you enjoy it. The kayaks themselves are double kayaks – stable and easy to paddle and navigate. If you have extensive kayaking experience it's possible to undertake this trip in a single kayak – if this is the case, please contact your host in advance of the trip.
If you weigh more than 95 kilos or are over 1m 95cm tall, please check with us before booking this trip as we'll need to ensure that the kayaks and equipment provided is suitable for your comfort and safety. Sea currents bring huge amounts of ice in from the Arctic Ocean, which sometimes block Southern Greenland from May to mid-June. In July and August, the icefield typically poses no obstacle and the sea in the region is full of icebergs. Every season is different, however, and should sea ice persist, your expert guide will help you to navigate an amended route.
What will I need to carry?
Your kayak will be loaded up with waterproof kitbags for the expedition so you can expect some extra weight on the water from your personal items plus your share of the food and camping gear. You'll only need to carry a small daypack during the glacier hike. You can leave your main luggage with anything not needed on the expedition in Narsaq.
This tour runs between July and September when the weather warms and the sea ice breaks up and allows passage. The weather in Greenland is very changeable and whilst it's usually pleasant, it's essential that you bring appropriate clothes for both cold and rainy weather. July is the typically warmest of these months, with temperatures often reaching over 15ºC and flowers coming into bloom. Whilst in August, temperatures drop to between 5ºC and 10ºC and the nights can be cold. In September, temperatures are usually between 5ºC to 8ºC during the day but may reach -5ºC at night.
Greenland
Beautiful place, we had such a good time. We did unfortunately have a shortened trip because of being unable to land in Greenland due to weather so there was a big snafu and we stayed in Iceland in various hotels for a few days. The only reason I give it a 4/5 is because it seems that happened frequently from Iceland to Greenland and I felt neither icelandair nor MBA had a plan for what to do if that happens. But Greenland and the guides and the group were great. Such good memories and good people.
A Wild Excursion
If you’re looking for an off the grid adventure in the arctic, this is it! Our trip was cut short, due to the inability to land the plane in Greenland, which added to the “remoteness” of the journey. The guides, Herman and Krista were top notch and had our safety as a priority. I highly recommend the food at “Teepee Restaurant”. BYO adult beverages and pack a good book - although tempting, it was too windy to sit out in the elements all night. Listening to the cracking icebergs in the howling wind was amazing in the tent.
Unforgettable kayak adventure in the Arctic
Greenland is incredibly beautiful and we had an amazing adventure week paddling in the fijords around the icebergs, with dolphins and seals. Paddling with the whales was definitely our highlight.
Greenland July 2024
This was an incredible journey in an incredible country brought to life by excellent guides. A real wilderness adventure. It's quite difficult to describe without sounding over the top. We stood on the Greenland icesheet. We saw humpback whales from our campsite. We swam amongst icebergs. We were entirely self sufficient for six days as we paddled between breath taking locations around the fjords. It's a physically demanding trip, but the rewards are worth the effort. Well organised by Much Better Adventures, and the in-country guide company were superb. I would recommend this trip, and seeing this spectacular landscape before it's gone.
Amazing trip
My daughter and I enjoyed a tremendous journey through Greenland’s epic landscape. Life is all about making great memories and this trip certainly achieved this!!!
Unique adventure
We had an amazing time kayaking the Greenland fjords. It was tiring but very rewarding. Recommendation is to take some long-sleeve thin layers in addition to thermals - it can get quite hot in the dry suits on a sunny day!
Beautiful and Unforgettable!
Greenland is incredibly beautiful, and we had so many unforgettable experiences: kayaking between icebergs through the fjords, being cozy in our sleeping bags at night while hearing the glacier nearby breaking apart, and hiking through stunning scenery. Our guides Pablo and Iñigo were both very knowledgeable and fun to hang out with, and the other travelers on our trip were lovely!
A couple things to note: the Challenging rating of this trip is real. We kayaked up to 5-6hrs/day with minimal breaks, and it's definitely quite hard even if you're in good shape. Personally I was looking for a challenge, and was happy with this.
It would have also been nice to know that flights between Iceland and Greenland can often have serious delays/cancellations. Our flight there was delayed by 24hrs, and we fortunately didn't have delays getting home, but it's worth considering to save 1-2 days buffer at the end of your trip in case you get stuck in Greenland.
I only rate 4 instead of 5 because the pacing of the trip could use improvement -- the first couple days felt very rushed, while the last 24-36hrs had no official plans. Overall, highly recommend this trip!
Things to watch out for!
A few things to comment on here, just to help anyone considering this holiday:
- the flight from Iceland is regularly delayed or cancelled, due to weather conditions in Greenland. On our way out it was delayed by 24 hours. We got back ok, but I notice the following week it was also cancelled for at least a day. Icelandair advised us that this is a fairly regular occurrence on this route. As a result, some of our group decided not to go on Day 2. So you need to be very flexible in your approach and be prepared to lose a day's holiday. Tasermiut said we ended up doing the same itinerary just in on