Self-Launched Greenland Arctic Adventure: South Greenland & Glacier Explorer
6 days · Greenland
Tasermiut charges £3,048
No-markup version: ~£1,330 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Explore the dramatic fjords, ancient glaciers, and Viking heritage of South Greenland independently — no guided group tour required. This self-launched itinerary mirrors the Tasermiut "Exclusive Adventure" route, flying from Reykjavik to Narsarsuaq, then travelling by local boat and ferry between Qaqortoq, Narsaq, and Qassiarsuk. You'll hike Flower Valley, trek a glacier with crampons, explore Norse ruins at Brattahlid, and cruise among towering icebergs — all bookable directly or via local operators. Greenland is not a budget destination, but going independently cuts out the operator markup and gives you full flexibility. All costs are approximate estimates in GBP per person.
Day-by-day
Reykjavik (Keflavik) to Qaqortoq via Narsarsuaq
Qaqortoq, South Greenland
Fly from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Narsarsuaq Airport (UAK) in South Greenland with Air Greenland — the only scheduled carrier on this route. Flights typically operate seasonally (June–August) and cost around £350–£500 return per person when booked directly at airgreenland.com. From Narsarsuaq, take the public ferry or a local speedboat transfer to Qaqortoq (approx. 3–4 hours through stunning fjords and past icebergs, ~£40–£60 per person one-way). Check in to your guesthouse or hostel in Qaqortoq and explore the colourful harbour town in the evening.
🚌Air Greenland flight KEF–UAK (book direct at airgreenland.com); local speedboat/ferry from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq (~£40–£60)
🛏Hotel Qaqortoq or Guesthouse Nanu (~£80–£110/night for a basic double; check Visit Greenland or booking.com for current availability)
- →Fly Keflavik to Narsarsuaq with Air Greenland (~£350–£500 return, book at airgreenland.com)
- →Ferry or speedboat transfer from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq through iceberg-filled fjords (~£40–£60)
- →Arrive and settle in Qaqortoq — explore the harbour and town centre independently
Qaqortoq: Flower Valley Hike & City Exploration
Qaqortoq, South Greenland
Start your morning with a self-guided hike up to Flower Valley (Blomsterdalen), a short walk from town, with sweeping views across to the Kiattut Glacier. Maps and trail information are available from the local tourist office. In the afternoon, do a self-guided walking tour of Qaqortoq: visit the Qaqortoq Museum (~£5), browse the fur and craft shops, locate the famous town fountain (the only one in Greenland), and find the traditional kayak club. Entry to most sights is free or very low cost. Local guides can be hired directly through the tourist office if you'd like company.
🚌On foot within Qaqortoq
🛏Hotel Qaqortoq or Guesthouse Nanu (~£80–£110/night)
- →Self-guided hike to Flower Valley with views of Kiattut Glacier (free, trail maps from tourist office)
- →Visit Qaqortoq Museum (~£5 entry)
- →Self-guided walking tour: fountain, fur shops, traditional kayak club, church
- →Optional: hire a local guide through the tourist office for a half-day town tour (~£30–£50)
Kiattut Glacier: RIB Boat & Glacier Trek with Crampons
Kiattut Glacier, South Greenland
Today is the highlight of the trip — a full-day glacier excursion to Kiattut. Book directly with a local operator in Qaqortoq (e.g. World of Greenland or a local boat owner via the tourist office) for a RIB boat ride along the glacier front, past vertical ice walls and floating icebergs. This is followed by a guided glacier trek with crampons on the ancient ice. Crampons and safety equipment are provided by the local operator. A packed picnic lunch is typically included or can be arranged with your guesthouse the evening before. This is the one activity where hiring a qualified mountain guide is strongly recommended for safety — book this as a direct excursion (~£150–£250 per person all-in).
🚌RIB boat from Qaqortoq harbour to Kiattut Glacier (included in excursion booking)
🛏Hotel Qaqortoq or Guesthouse Nanu (~£80–£110/night)
- →RIB boat excursion along Kiattut Glacier front — vertical ice walls and icebergs (~£80–£120pp, book via World of Greenland or local operator)
- →Guided glacier trek with crampons on ancient ice (~£70–£130pp including equipment)
- →Picnic lunch on or near the glacier (self-prepared or arranged via guesthouse)
Narsarsuaq, Qassiarsuk & the Greenlandic Arboretum
Narsarsuaq & Qassiarsuk, South Greenland
Take a public ferry or chartered zodiac from Qaqortoq across the fjord to Narsarsuaq (~£35–£55). Visit the fascinating Greenlandic Arboretum — a surprisingly lush forested area in the Arctic, free to enter. Hike the ridge above the arboretum for panoramic views over Flower Valley and the Kiattut Glacier. Then take a short local boat hop across to Qassiarsuk (ancient Brattahlid), the farm of Erik the Red, where you can explore the reconstructed Viking longhouse and Thjodhild's Church. These Norse sites are managed by the National Museum of Greenland and have a small entry fee (~£5–£10). Sleep in Narsaq tonight — ferry across (~£20).
🚌Disko Line public ferry Qaqortoq–Narsarsuaq; local boat to Qassiarsuk; ferry to Narsaq (see diskoline.gl for schedules)
🛏Hotel Narsaq or local guesthouse (~£70–£100/night)
- →Ferry from Qaqortoq to Narsarsuaq (~£35–£55, check Disko Line schedules at diskoline.gl)
- →Visit Greenlandic Arboretum (free entry)
- →Ridge hike above Arboretum with views of Flower Valley and Kiattut Glacier (free, self-guided)
- →Local boat to Qassiarsuk / Brattahlid (~£10–£20)
- →Explore Viking longhouse reconstruction and Thjodhild's Church (~£5–£10 entry)
- →Ferry to Narsaq (~£20)
Narsaq: Town, Museum, Fish Market & Transfer to Qaqortoq
Narsaq, South Greenland
Spend the morning exploring Narsaq at your own pace. Visit the Narsaq Museum (~£4), browse the fish market at the harbour (a great spot for local produce and atmosphere), and find the handicraft workshop where local artisans sell traditional Greenlandic work. If time and energy allow, head out on one of the short trekking trails above town for views across the fjord — maps are available from your accommodation. After lunch, take the ferry back to Qaqortoq (~£20–£35, approx. 2 hours) and spend the evening packing and preparing for your return flight.
🚌Disko Line public ferry Narsaq–Qaqortoq (~£20–£35, ~2 hours)
🛏Hotel Qaqortoq or Guesthouse Nanu (~£80–£110/night)
- →Visit Narsaq Museum (~£4 entry)
- →Explore the fish market and harbour
- →Browse local handicraft workshop
- →Optional short trek above Narsaq for fjord views (free, self-guided)
- →Ferry back to Qaqortoq (~£20–£35 via Disko Line)
Qaqortoq to Keflavik — Departure Day
Qaqortoq / Narsarsuaq / Keflavik
Take the morning ferry or speedboat from Qaqortoq back to Narsarsuaq Airport (~£40–£60, allow at least 3–4 hours before your flight). Check in for your Air Greenland return flight to Keflavik. Consider adding optional extras before departure if time allows: a 2-hour sea kayaking excursion among icebergs can be arranged directly with local operators (~£65–£80, suitable for beginners in double kayaks), or a boat trip to the 14th-century Norse ruins of Hvalsoy Church on Whale Island (~£60–£75 per person, minimum 4 participants). Alternatively, consider a 2-night extension to Nuuk (Greenland's capital) — Air Greenland operates domestic flights from Narsarsuaq to Nuuk.
🚌Speedboat/ferry Qaqortoq–Narsarsuaq (~£40–£60); Air Greenland return flight UAK–KEF
🛏N/A — departure day (or Nuuk hotel if extending, ~£90–£130/night)
- →Speedboat/ferry transfer from Qaqortoq to Narsarsuaq Airport (~£40–£60)
- →Optional: 2-hour sea kayaking among icebergs, book directly with local operator (~£65–£80pp)
- →Optional: Boat trip to Hvalsoy Norse church ruins (~£60–£75pp, min. 4 people)
- →Air Greenland return flight Narsarsuaq–Keflavik
- →Optional: Extend 2 nights in Nuuk via domestic Air Greenland flight
Self-launched vs. Tasermiut
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Tasermiut | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,330 | £3,048 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,718 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Tasermiut-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,330
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Greenland Arctic Adventure: South Greenland & Glacier Explorer cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,330 per person for 6 days in Greenland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Tasermiut?+
Yes — Tasermiut charges around £3,048 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,330 — a saving of roughly £1,718 (56%) per person.
How long is the Greenland trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Greenland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Greenland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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