Self-Launched South Greenland: Alpine Exploration (Independent Edition)

Fly into Keflavík International Airport and take the Flybus or Strætó bus (~£20) into Reykjavík city centre. Check into a central hostel such as Hlemmur Hostel or KEX Hostel. Explore the old harbour, Hallgrímskirkja church, and grab an affordable lamb soup (kjötsúpa) from Grái Kötturinn or Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dogs. Pick up a local SIM card at a petrol station or Siminn/Vodafone shop for data on the road.

🚌Flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík city centre (~£20)

🛏KEX Hostel or Hlemmur Hostel dorm, Reykjavík (~£35–£50/night)

• →Flybus or Strætó public bus from Keflavík (~£20)
• →Walk to Hallgrímskirkja and the old harbour area
• →Visit the Settlement Exhibition (Landnámssýningin) for Viking history context (~£12)
• →Grab a famous Icelandic hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (~£4)

Fly from Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) or Keflavík (KEF) to Narsarsuaq (UAK) in South Greenland with Air Greenland — book well in advance as seats are limited. Narsarsuaq has a small airport and is the gateway to South Greenland's fjord country. Check into Hotel Narsarsuaq or the nearby guesthouse. Stroll the short trail above the settlement for your first views over the Tunulliarfik Fjord.

🚌Air Greenland scheduled flight (~£300–£500 return, book early)

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq or Narsarsuaq Guesthouse (~£80–£120/night)

• →Air Greenland flight Reykjavík to Narsarsuaq (book direct at airgreenland.com, ~£300–£500 return)
• →Arrive and check into Hotel Narsarsuaq or local guesthouse
• →Short hike above the settlement for fjord panoramas
• →Visit the small local museum about the WWII Blue West One airbase

Take the short ferry across Tunulliarfik Fjord to Qassiarsuk (~£8 each way), the site of Erik the Red's legendary estate Brattahlíð. Wander the reconstructed Norse longhouse, visit the tiny replica church, and walk among sheep pastures that have been farmed for over 1,000 years. Guided walks can be arranged locally or independently — the trails are well-marked. This is part of the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Narsarsuaq by afternoon ferry.

🚌Local ferry across Tunulliarfik Fjord (~£16 return)

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq or Narsarsuaq Guesthouse (~£80–£120/night)

• →Ferry from Narsarsuaq to Qassiarsuk (~£8 each way)
• →Explore Brattahlíð — Erik the Red's reconstructed Norse longhouse and church
• →Walk the Kujataa UNESCO landscape and sheep farm trails
• →Optional: arrange a guided Kujataa cultural walk through the local tourist office (~£25–£40)

Set off on the famous Ice Cap Trail from Narsarsuaq — a well-marked day hike (~14km return, 4–6 hours) through birch and willow scrubland, past the Flower Valley (Blomsterdalen), up to the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet at Kiattuut Sermiat glacier. This is a genuine, accessible taste of the ice sheet that doesn't require a helicopter — you walk right up to the glacier snout. Pack a packed lunch, waterproofs, and sturdy boots. The local tourist office in Narsarsuaq can supply maps and trail conditions.

🚌On foot from Narsarsuaq (no transport needed)

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq or Narsarsuaq Guesthouse (~£80–£120/night)

• →Self-guided Ice Cap Trail hike to Kiattuut Sermiat glacier (~14km return, free)
• →Walk through Blomsterdalen (Flower Valley) — one of Greenland's most scenic valleys
• →Touch the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet (second largest ice mass on Earth)
• →Optional: rent hiking poles or gear from Hotel Narsarsuaq reception

Arrange a shared or private small boat from Narsaq or Nanortalik to explore Tasermiut Fjord — the so-called 'Arctic Patagonia' — a dramatic 70km cliff-lined waterway flanked by towering peaks including Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq. Local operators such as Blue Ice Explorer and Greenland Tours offer small-group boat excursions into this fjord. Scan for humpback whales, seabirds, and drifting icebergs. This is one of the most spectacular fjord landscapes on Earth. Camping overnight on the fjord shore is possible with your own or rented lightweight kit.

🚌Local bus or shared taxi to Narsaq (~£10), then small boat charter into Tasermiut Fjord (~£80–£150/person)

🛏Wild camping on Tasermiut Fjord shore (free, with own/rented kit) or return to Nanortalik guesthouse (~£60–£90/night)

• →Small boat charter into Tasermiut Fjord (book via Blue Ice Explorer or Greenland Tours, ~£80–£150/person)
• →Spot humpback whales, seabirds, and icebergs along the fjord
• →View the iconic granite peaks Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq
• →Optional overnight camping on the fjord shore (bring or rent tent, sleeping bag)

A full day in the spectacular Tasermiut wilderness. Hike the trails at the head of the fjord toward the glacier, scramble rocky ridges for elevated views of the towering granite walls, and soak in the silence of one of Greenland's most remote and beautiful places. Rock climbers from around the world come specifically to attempt routes on Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq — even if you're not climbing, the atmosphere is electric. Paddle, walk, or simply sit with the landscape. Return by boat to the nearest settlement by evening.

🚌Return boat from Tasermiut to Nanortalik (~£40–£60/person)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse or local B&B (~£60–£90/night)

• →Full-day hiking at the head of Tasermiut Fjord toward the glacier
• →Watch international rock climbers on the walls of Nalumasortoq (free spectating)
• →Optional kayaking on the fjord — rent from local operator (~£40–£60/half day)
• →Boat return to Nanortalik or Narsaq by late afternoon

Nanortalik ('place of polar bears') is the southernmost town in Greenland, close to Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua) — Greenland's southernmost tip. Explore the well-preserved open-air town museum, with colourful turf-roofed buildings and fishing equipment. Chat to locals about hunting and fishing traditions that still define life here. Arrange a local boat tour toward Cape Farewell for views of the dramatic skerries and inlets of the most southerly point of Greenland — an extraordinary, wind-lashed seascape.

🚌Small local boat tour (~£60–£100/person)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse or Hotel Kap Farvel (~£60–£90/night)

• →Visit Nanortalik Open Air Town Museum (~£5)
• →Arrange a local small-boat trip toward Cape Farewell/Nunap Isua (~£60–£100/person)
• →Walk the short trails above town for panoramic views over fjords and sea
• →Try local Greenlandic food — dried fish, mattak (whale skin), or reindeer stew — at the local café

The 105km Prins Christian Sund is one of the world's most scenically dramatic fjord passages. While independent small boat travel through this remote waterway requires careful planning, you can arrange a passage with a local charter skipper from Nanortalik — ask at the tourist office. Alternatively, take the Air Greenland helicopter service (a local public transport helicopter) between southern settlements to cover the geography and get aerial views of this extraordinary landscape. Arrive in Narsaq by evening.

🚌Local charter boat or Air Greenland helicopter shuttle (~£80–£150)

🛏Narsaq Guesthouse or Hotel Narsaq (~£60–£90/night)

• →Arrange a local charter boat passage through part of Prins Christian Sund, or take the Air Greenland helicopter shuttle service (~£80–£150)
• →Watch for glaciers tumbling to the sea, dramatic mountain ridges, and seabirds in the sound
• →Arrive in Narsaq — a small, colourful town surrounded by farmland and fjords
• →Evening walk around Narsaq and its harbour

Narsaq is one of South Greenland's most charming towns — a hub for sheep farming, fishing, and increasingly tourism. Visit the Narsaq Museum (Narsap Katersugaasivia) which covers both Norse and Inuit history. Walk to the Narsaq brewhouse, a microbrewery that uses glacial meltwater to brew Arctic beers — a remarkable South Greenland institution. The surrounding landscape offers easy hikes above town with views over icebergs drifting through the fjord. Visit nearby Inuit settlement ruins from the Norse era.

🚌On foot (no transport needed in Narsaq)

🛏Narsaq Guesthouse or Hotel Narsaq (~£60–£90/night)

• →Visit Narsaq Museum — Norse and Inuit history exhibits (~£5)
• →Tour the Narsaq Brewery (Greenlandic craft beer brewed with glacial meltwater, ~£10 including tasting)
• →Hike the ridge above Narsaq for fjord and iceberg panoramas (free)
• →Walk to the nearby Norse ruins at Ø64 settlement site

This is the headline experience — a helicopter scenic flight over and, with some operators, landing on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Fly back to Narsarsuaq and arrange a helicopter tour with a local operator. Air Zafari (based in Narsarsuaq) offers scheduled scenic helicopter flights over the ice sheet with a glacier landing — the closest independent equivalent to the ship-based ice sheet experience. Book well in advance online. Standing on the Greenland Ice Sheet — 80% of the entire island — with nothing but ancient ice stretching to every horizon is a genuinely transformative experience.

🚌Local ferry or small boat back to Narsarsuaq (~£20–£40), then helicopter flight with Air Zafari

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq (~£80–£120/night)

• →Helicopter scenic flight and ice sheet landing with Air Zafari, Narsarsuaq (~£250–£400/person, book at airzafari.gl)
• →Walk on the Greenland Ice Sheet — average thickness 1,673m
• →Aerial views over glaciers, fjords, and the vast white interior
• →Return to Narsarsuaq and debrief over dinner

Spend a full day sea kayaking on Tunulliarfik Fjord — one of the most spectacular kayaking environments in the world, with icebergs drifting past, mountains rising above, and seabirds diving around you. Local operators including Blue Ice Explorer offer single and tandem kayak rentals with guided half or full-day options. The water is cold but manageable in the provided drysuits. Paddle among icebergs — they're dramatically larger up close than from shore — and keep eyes peeled for humpback whales entering the fjord.

🚌On foot or short boat to kayak launch point (included in tour)

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq (~£80–£120/night)

• →Guided sea kayaking on Tunulliarfik Fjord with Blue Ice Explorer (~£80–£120/person for a full day including drysuit)
• →Paddle among icebergs — observe scale and colour up close
• →Watch for humpback whales, arctic terns, and other seabirds
• →Optional: camp overnight on a fjord shoreline with kayak camping kit

Aappilattoq is one of Greenland's most remote and traditional communities, tucked into the shores of Prins Christian Sund. Access is by helicopter shuttle (Air Greenland operates inter-settlement helicopter services — check schedules at airgreenland.com) or occasionally by local charter. The community of around 100 people remains deeply connected to hunting and fishing traditions. Arrange a community visit through Visit Greenland's network of local hosts — you may hear traditional Greenlandic music (drum dancing), taste local foods, and hear stories of life on the frontier. This is a rare cultural privilege.

🚌Air Greenland inter-settlement helicopter shuttle (~£100–£200 each way)

🛏Return to Narsarsuaq (Hotel Narsarsuaq, ~£80–£120/night) or overnight community guesthouse in Aappilattoq if available (~£60–£80)

• →Air Greenland helicopter shuttle to Aappilattoq (~£100–£200 each way, book ahead)
• →Community visit — meet local Greenlandic Inuit residents
• →Listen to traditional drum dancing and music if arranged through local host
• →Sample traditional Greenlandic foods — dried fish, seal meat, local berries

Fly from Narsarsuaq to Nuuk (GOH) with Air Greenland (~£120–£200 one way) — this is a spectacular low-altitude flight over fjords and the edge of the ice sheet. Nuuk is a fascinating small capital of around 20,000 people — a mix of traditional Greenlandic culture and modern Scandinavian architecture. Check into a guesthouse and explore the colourful old colonial quarter (Kolonihavn). Visit the Greenland National Museum, home to the extraordinary Qilakitsoq mummies — 500-year-old naturally mummified Inuit bodies.

🚌Air Greenland scheduled flight Narsarsuaq to Nuuk (~£120–£200)

🛏Hotel Nuuk or Nuuk Hostel / Bed & Breakfast (~£70–£110/night)

• →Air Greenland flight Narsarsuaq to Nuuk (~£120–£200 one way)
• →Explore Kolonihavn — Nuuk's historic old colonial harbour quarter
• →Visit the Greenland National Museum and the Qilakitsoq mummies (~£8)
• →Walk the modern city waterfront and spot icebergs in the fjord

A free day to explore Nuuk at your own pace. Take the local boat tour of Nuuk Fjord (one of the world's largest fjord systems) and look for humpback whales, minke whales, and seabird colonies — tours bookable at the tourist office. Visit the Hans Egede statue, browse the Nuuk Art Museum, and pick up sealskin or soapstone souvenirs at local craft shops. In the evening, fly back to Reykjavík with Air Greenland for the final overnight.

🚌Air Greenland flight Nuuk to Reykjavík (~£200–£350 if booked separately from return)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Reykjavík (~£45–£70/night)

• →Nuuk Fjord boat tour (whale watching and iceberg cruise, ~£60–£90 via local operator)
• →Visit Nuuk Art Museum (~£8)
• →Browse local Greenlandic craft shops for sealskin, soapstone, and ceramics souvenirs
• →Evening Air Greenland flight from Nuuk to Reykjavík (included in return ticket or ~£200–£350)

After breakfast, make your way to Keflavík International Airport for your onward flight home. If you have time before departure, stroll the Laugavegur shopping street one more time, or take a quick visit to the striking Harpa Concert Hall on the harbour. The Flybus runs directly from Reykjavík BSÍ bus terminal to Keflavík Airport (~£20). Take the memories of iceberg-filled fjords, the vast white ice sheet, and the extraordinary remoteness of South Greenland home with you.

🚌Flybus to Keflavík International Airport (~£20)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Breakfast at hotel included
• →Optional: final stroll along Laugavegur or visit Harpa Concert Hall (free exterior)
• →Flybus from Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport (~£20)
• →Onward flight home