100km Expedition in Greenland
Hike and kayak this remote, icy wilderness on a self-powered Arctic adventure like no other
100km Expedition in Greenland
Hike and kayak this remote, icy wilderness on a self-powered Arctic adventure like no other
DURATION
7 nights
LOCATION
Greenland
ANNUAL LEAVE
6 days off work
SEASON
Jun-Sep
GROUP SIZE
Up to 12 people
MEETING POINT
Reykjavik Airport, Iceland
ACCOMMODATION
Hostel · Wild camping
DIFFICULTY
Challenging
This trip has been planned so that anyone with reasonable fitness can participate.
Power through never-ending Arctic summer days as you paddle and stomp across unspoilt wilderness
Kayak amongst the looming icebergs of the Greenlandic fjords - eyes peeled for seals, caribou and whales
Hike across the craggy Qaleralig glacier, with the creak of ancient ice underfoot
Deemed a ‘Life-Changing Adventure' by The Telegraph
All our reviews are verified
— Anna, June 2022
Incredible trip with a brilliant group and a faultless guide.
— Chris, June 2022
A truly mind bending experience getting to Kayak through icebergs and camp out away from civilisation.
— Katharina, June 2022
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— Paul, June 2022
Absolutely amazing. Greenland is beautiful. The host was out of this world and couldn’t do enough for you. Highly recommend
— Thomas, September 2019
Everything was great.
— Sinead, September 2019
Our host Ruben was excellent. The scenery and remoteness of the experience. Seeing whales! Fantastic group of people.
— Sasha, September 2019
The scenery, host, group and flexibility of activities were great.
— Catherine, August 2019
Well organised logistics, good food (and plenty of it), attentive and knowledgeable guide and good equipment.
— Jennifer, August 2019
Greenland is somewhere I have wanted to travel to for many many years and reality totally lived up to my dreams! The kayaking, camping and landscape are simply breathtaking. The guides are simply brilliant!
— Sandro, August 2019
Location, guide and format were great.
Included
Internal flights
Return flights from Reykjavik to Narsarsuaq
Guides
Experienced, English speaking expedition guides
Accommodation
5 nights camping and 2 nights in a hostel
Meals
All meals, bar dinner in Narsaq on Day 7
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Equipment
All your kayaking and camping equipment
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Reykjavik Airport
11:40 on Day 1
Ends
Reykjavik Airport
17:10 on Day 8
Transfers
Your host suggests arriving the day before the start of the trip and spending the night in Reykjavik. Most international flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), 55km outside of Reykjavik, which is different from the airport that you'll depart from the next day.
On Day 1 your included flight departs from Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Narsarsuaq (UAK) in Greenland at 11:40. Your host will meet you in the arrivals area ready for onward travel in a RIB boat to your accommodation.
On Day 8 you will be dropped back at Narsarsuaq Airport (UAK) in time to catch your included flight to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) which departs at 12:45 and lands in Reykjavik at 17:10. Your host suggests spending the night in Reykjavik before continuing your journey home the following day.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Iceland from airports across the UK and Europe.
For an additional fee you can start your adventure in Copenhagen instead of Reykjavik. Please request this at the time of booking - see Optional Extras for pricing.
Day 1
Hostel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 6
Wild camping · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Hostel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Departure day
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, with help from the group, will prepare a hot meal in the camp, usually consisting of rice, pasta, potatoes and sausages, or stew.
What is the accommodation like?
Narsaq
On your first and last night 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, 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 plenty of time to fish, forage, hike to viewpoints or just take in the incredible surroundings.
Day 1
Welcome to Greenland!
Make your way to either Reykjavik or Copenhagen and then fly to Narsarsuaq, deep inside the Arctic Circle. Meet your guide and travel by RIB boat to the city of Narsaq where 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 kayak 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 we have time and depending on the month we can forage for mushrooms and cranberries. After a hot meal made from your ingredients, settle into your tent and get a good night’s sleep.
Day 3
Naajaat Sermiat Glacier
Break camp and set off in your kayak past a group of islands dotted with waterfalls and covered in leafy tundra. Paddle up Maniitsup Tunua Fjord, surrounded by the peninsulas of Maniitsop and Nuulussuaq and set up camp in front of the ice cap where you can 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 the seracs breaking away in the Arctic's magical silence.
Day 5
Hike a glacier
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 - a great place to spot for whales and seals bobbing in the water or resting on the icebergs that float past. Arrive at your campsite and enjoy another night in the Arctic wilderness.
Day 7
Qingaarsup Nunaa and Narsaq City
You will continue the way back towards Qingaarsuup Nunaa island, kayaking through Ikerssuaq fjord. This is an area where the chances of seeing whales are greatest.
Big icebergs use to decorate Ikerssuaq Fjord. These are enormous ice blocks coming from Eqalorusit and Qorooq fjords. Sometimes you could be surprised by Greenlandic seals sailing in your way or staying over these icebergs. Your trip ends in Qingaarsuup Nunaa and you 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 a final meal.
Day 8
Return to Reykjavik or Copenhagen
After a final breakfast in your hostel, return by RIB to Narsarsuaq and wander the area, or take an easy, hour-long walk to a viewpoint overlooking the fjord and the Kiattut Glacier. After that, check-in for your flight to Reykjavik or Copenhagen, where your Arctic expedition will come to an end.
15% Off Outdoor Gear
What can I rent?
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- See Optional Extras for prices
What's included?
- Tents
- Camping and cooking equipment
- First-aid kit
- Mobile phone
- Iridium phone (Global signal)
- Delorme Satellite Messenger or similar with GPS
- Compass
- Maps
- Stable single and double kayaks
- Paddle and 2 replacement paddles
- Semi-dry raincoat
- Semi-dry trousers
- Spray skirts
- Life jacket
- Paddling mittens
- Rubber boots
- 2 dry bags (20 and 40-litre capacity)
- 1 bilge pump per kayak
What do I need to bring?
- Fleece or wool hat and a waterproof hat
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream with a high SPF and lip balm with UV protection
- Mosquito head net (highly recommended if you are travelling before mid-August)
- Peaked cap (to use with the mosquito net)
- Polar buff
- Waterproof jacket
- A pair of light, waterproof trousers
- Fleece jacket
- 2 long sleeve thermal t-shirts
- 1 short sleeve thermal t-shirt
- 2 pairs of thermal leggings
- Comfortable hiking trousers
- Neoprene gloves and fleece gloves
- Waterproof Gore-Tex gloves
- Waterproof Gore-Tex trekking boots
- 4 pairs of socks
- Flip-flops, Crocs or similar
- Sleeping bag (if possible, synthetic and suitable for -10ºC).
- Sleeping mat
- Head torch
- Plate, cup and cutlery set
- Water bottle
- Personal toiletries (please bring biodegradable products)
- Backpack, suitcase or kit bag (you will leave this in Narsaq - your host will provide you with waterproof kit bags for the expedition)
- Small day bag
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Microfibre towel
- Personal first aid kit
Excursion to Qoorooq Ice Fjord
Payable Before Departure
Excursion to Qoorooq Ice Fjord
… Per Person
Sleeping bag & mat rental
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping bag & mat rental
… Per Person
2022 Flight supplement for departures from Copenhagen
Payable Before Departure
2022 Flight supplement for departures from Copenhagen
… Per Person
2023 Flight supplement for departures from Copenhagen
Payable Before Departure
2023 Flight supplement for departures from Copenhagen
… Per Person
Solo Tent Occupancy
Payable Before Departure
Solo Tent Occupancy
… Per Person
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 867kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2022 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Sea currents bring huge amounts of ice from the Arctic Ocean, which sometimes block Southern Greenland from May to mid-June. You may also come across ice that makes navigation difficult in July, but it is rare and your guide will find an alternative route. In August, the icefield poses no problems and the sea in the region is full of icebergs.
This trip has been planned so that anyone in reasonably good physical condition can participate, however, as you'll be kayaking for up to 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, however, it's a good idea to try it out beforehand to make sure that you enjoy it. The kayaks themselves are stable, double and easy to paddle and navigate. If you have extensive kayaking experience it's possible to undertake this trip in a single kayak - if so please contact your host in advance of the trip.
There are no Polar Bears in this part of Greenland during the summer period when the trip takes place.
A RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), sometimes known as a Zodiac, is an open boat that's fast, flexible and very safe. A special coat is provided to protect you from the elements whilst on board.
Southern Greenland is famous for offering some of the best places to view the Northern Light and if you're travelling from mid-August through to the end of September there's a good chance that you'll see this spectacular natural phenomenon. The Aurora Borealis occurs all year round, but cannot be seen during May, June and July in Greenland due to the presence of the midnight sun.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Yes you can. Your adventure can begin in Copenhagen instead of Reykjavik for an additional charge of €310 to cover your inclusive flights to Greenland from this alternative location.
On day eight you can choose to visit the Qoorooq ice fjord. You'll ride on a RIB boat to this spectacular location that's usually covered in ice and icebergs, until you can go no further. The trip takes two hours and costs €85 per person - please ask your host for further details.
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. Temperatures often reach over 15ºC in July and drop to between 5ºC and 10ºC in August, when the nights can be cold. In September, temperatures are usually between 5ºC to 8ºC during the day but may reach minus 5ºC at night.
For current advice about travelling in Greenland, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.