Self-Launched South Greenland Arctic Adventure

Fly into Keflavík International Airport and take the Flybus shuttle (~£20) into central Reykjavik. Check into a hostel in the city centre and spend the afternoon exploring Hallgrímskirkja church, the harbour, and the old town. Grab a bowl of lamb soup at Café Loki for a true Icelandic welcome.

🚌Flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik city centre (~£20 one-way)

🛏Kex Hostel or Loft Hostel Reykjavik — dorm from ~£35/night

• →Explore Hallgrímskirkja and Reykjavik old town
• →Walk the harbour at Reykjavik Old Harbour
• →Visit the Harpa Concert Hall (free exterior)
• →Try local lamb soup or skyr at a neighbourhood café

Use today to explore Reykjavik more deeply before your onward journey. Visit the National Museum of Iceland (£12) for context on Norse and Arctic history. Walk Laugavegur shopping street, and consider a self-booked whale watching tour from the Old Harbour (~£55) — the same species you'd encounter in Greenlandic waters. Book your onward Air Iceland Connect flight to Narsarsuaq, South Greenland (see Day 3).

🚌Walking and city bus (Strætó) — day pass ~£5

🛏Kex Hostel or Loft Hostel Reykjavik — dorm from ~£35/night

• →National Museum of Iceland (£12 entry)
• →Self-booked whale watching tour from Old Harbour via GetYourGuide (~£55)
• →Laugavegur street walk and local food market
• →Book Air Iceland Connect flight to Narsarsuaq (GRJ) in advance

Take an Air Iceland Connect flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Narsarsuaq (Narsarsuaq Airport, GRJ) — approximately 2 hours. Flights run several times weekly in summer. On arrival, check into the Hotel Narsarsuaq or the nearby guesthouse. In the afternoon, walk to the Narsarsuaq Glacier (Kiattuut Sermiat) — a stunning 2-3 hour round trip accessible on foot from the village. The glacier sits at the edge of a moraine field and offers your first taste of Greenland's icy grandeur.

🚌Air Iceland Connect flight (~£300 est.); local walking

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq or Blue Ice Explorer Guesthouse — from ~£80/night

• →Air Iceland Connect flight Reykjavik–Narsarsuaq (~£250–350 one-way, book well in advance)
• →Self-guided walk to Narsarsuaq Glacier / Kiattuut Sermiat (~3hrs round trip)
• →Visit the small Narsarsuaq Museum (WWII Arctic airbase history, ~£5)

Take the local passenger ferry/boat from Narsarsuaq across the fjord to Qassiarsuk (~15 min, ~£10). This small settlement is built on the site of Erik the Red's estate of Brattahlíð. Visit the reconstructed Norse longhouse and the small replica of the first Christian church in the Americas. Hike the surrounding hillsides for panoramic fjord views. Overnight at a local guesthouse — these family-run spots offer authentic South Greenlandic hospitality.

🚌Local passenger boat Narsarsuaq–Qassiarsuk (~£10)

🛏Qassiarsuk Guesthouse or Gardar Farm Guesthouse — from ~£60/night

• →Ferry across fjord to Qassiarsuk (~£10)
• →Visit reconstructed Brattahlíð Norse longhouse (small entry fee ~£5)
• →Hike to hilltop viewpoint above Qassiarsuk (2–3 hrs, self-guided)
• →Engage with local farming community and sheep station

The Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses Norse and Inuit farming landscapes across South Greenland. Take a boat across to Narsaq (approx. 1.5 hrs, ~£20) and explore the town and surrounding heritage landscape. Book a half-day sea kayaking tour locally through Arctic Adventure Greenland or Tasermiut Camp — paddling the fjord among icebergs is one of Greenland's unmissable experiences (~£60–80). In the evening, try Narsaq's small supermarket for self-catering or eat at the local guesthouse kitchen.

🚌Local boat Qassiarsuk–Narsaq (~£20)

🛏Narsaq Guesthouse or Hotel Narsaq — from ~£65/night

• →Boat transfer to Narsaq (~£20)
• →Half-day sea kayaking among icebergs, book locally via Arctic Adventure Greenland (~£70)
• →Walk the Kujataa UNESCO heritage landscape and Norse/Inuit ruins
• →Visit Narsaq Museum (local Inuit and Norse artefacts, ~£5)

Spend a full day hiking in the hills above Narsaq, with incredible views of Sermilik Fjord and the surrounding icebergs. The self-guided trail to Narsaq Plateau (approx. 5–6 hrs return) rewards with sweeping Arctic panoramas. Pack a packed lunch from the local store. Alternatively, book a guided full-day hike through a local operator to explore more remote terrain. In the evening, look out for the Milky Way and, in late season, early Northern Lights.

🚌Walking / local trails (free)

🛏Narsaq Guesthouse — from ~£65/night

• →Self-guided hike to Narsaq Plateau (5–6 hrs, free)
• →Iceberg photography from fjord shoreline
• →Optional: guided full-day hike with local operator (~£50)
• →Northern Lights watch (late August/September)

Board the Disko Line passenger ferry (or charter boat) heading south to Nanortalik — a journey of approximately 3–5 hours through spectacular fjord scenery. Nanortalik is the southernmost town in Greenland and gateway to Tasermiut Fjord (Arctic Patagonia). Check into the local guesthouse and walk around the charming open-air museum featuring traditional Greenlandic buildings.

🚌Disko Line ferry or chartered boat (~£40 est.)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse / Hotel Nanortalik — from ~£70/night

• →Disko Line ferry / passenger boat south to Nanortalik (~£30–50)
• →Visit Nanortalik Museum and open-air historical buildings (~£5)
• →Walk the harbour and spot local fishing boats
• →Plan Tasermiut Fjord excursion for upcoming days

Today is the crown jewel of the trip. Charter a local boat from Nanortalik into Tasermiut Fjord — 70km of sheer cliff walls, tumbling glaciers and spires reminiscent of Patagonia, dominated by the iconic peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq. Small group boat charters can be arranged through Tasermiut Camp or local operators (split costs between 2–6 people). Hike from the drop-off point toward the glacier at the fjord's head, or simply marvel at the scenery from the water.

🚌Chartered local boat into Tasermiut Fjord (~£100 est.)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse — from ~£70/night

• →Charter boat into Tasermiut Fjord from Nanortalik (split cost, ~£80–120pp)
• →Self-guided hike toward Tasermiut glacier head (half/full day)
• →Wildlife spotting: seabirds, seals, possible humpback whales
• →Photography of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq peaks

Arrange a local boat excursion toward the Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq) — described as one of the world's most scenic fjords, stretching 105km through mountains and glaciers near Greenland's southern tip. Day boat tours can be arranged locally from Nanortalik (~£100–150pp depending on group size). Look out for seabirds, seals, and icebergs throughout the passage. If a full transit isn't possible, even a partial run into the sound is staggeringly beautiful.

🚌Local boat charter (~£125 est.)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse — from ~£70/night

• →Local boat excursion toward Prins Christian Sund (~£100–150pp)
• →Glacier and iceberg viewing at close range
• →Seabird and marine mammal spotting
• →Photography of Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua) landscapes

Aappilattoq is a tiny, remote settlement on the shores of Prins Christian Sund, reachable by local boat from Nanortalik (~2–3 hrs). One of the most isolated communities in South Greenland, it's home to hunters and fishermen who maintain centuries-old traditions. Arrange this as a cultural day-trip — local operators can facilitate introductions with community members. Experience local food, hear stories of life on the frontier, and if you're lucky, join a pickup football game on the hillside pitch.

🚌Local boat Nanortalik–Aappilattoq return (~£70 est.)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse — from ~£70/night

• →Boat day trip to Aappilattoq village (~£60–80pp, arrange via Nanortalik guesthouse)
• →Cultural exchange with local hunting and fishing community
• →Traditional Greenlandic food tasting
• →Hiking the hillside above the village for panoramic views

Take a slower day to recover from the intensity of the fjord adventures. Self-guide a hike to a local viewpoint above Nanortalik (2–3 hrs) and enjoy the views across the southern archipelago. Visit the small local supermarket and prepare a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, visit the local museum again or speak with guesthouse hosts about the area's hunting heritage. This is also a good day to organise your return boat north toward Narsarsuaq.

🚌Walking (free)

🛏Nanortalik Guesthouse — from ~£70/night

• →Self-guided viewpoint hike above Nanortalik (~3 hrs, free)
• →Visit Nanortalik Museum
• →Self-catering picnic from local Pilersuisoq supermarket
• →Arrange return transport north

Take the Disko Line ferry or local boat back north to Narsarsuaq (approx. 4–6 hrs), soaking in the fjord scenery one last time. On arrival, settle back into the Hotel Narsarsuaq. In the evening, do a final walk to the glacier viewpoint or the hospital ruins (a relic of the WWII American airbase) and reflect on the journey.

🚌Disko Line / local boat Nanortalik–Narsarsuaq (~£50 est.)

🛏Hotel Narsarsuaq or Blue Ice Explorer Guesthouse — from ~£80/night

• →Ferry/boat return north to Narsarsuaq (~£40–60)
• →Evening walk to glacier viewpoint
• →Visit WWII airbase ruins near the airport
• →Pack and prepare for departure

Catch your Air Iceland Connect flight from Narsarsuaq back to Reykjavik (~2 hrs). On arrival in the afternoon, check back into a Reykjavik hostel for a final night. Celebrate the adventure with dinner at Grillmarkaðurinn or a more budget-friendly feast at Hlöllabátar (Icelandic hot dog and sandwich chain). Walk the harbour at sunset.

🚌Air Iceland Connect flight (~£300 est.); Flybus from airport (~£20)

🛏Kex Hostel or Loft Hostel Reykjavik — dorm from ~£35/night

• →Air Iceland Connect flight Narsarsuaq–Reykjavik (~£250–350)
• →Evening walk along Reykjavik harbour
• →Celebratory dinner in Reykjavik old town
• →Visit Reykjavik flea market (Kolaportið) if open

Enjoy a final Icelandic breakfast before checking out. Take the Flybus to Keflavík Airport (~£20) for your international departure. If you have time before your flight, consider a stop at the Blue Lagoon (pre-book, ~£60–80) en route to the airport — a fitting, otherworldly farewell to the North Atlantic.

🚌Flybus Reykjavik–Keflavík Airport (~£20)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Flybus transfer to Keflavík Airport (~£20)
• →Optional: Blue Lagoon stop (pre-book, ~£70)
• →Final Icelandic skyr breakfast
• →Duty-free Icelandic snacks and souvenirs