Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
South Greenland: Qaqortoq, Norse Ruins and Ice Fjords
10 days around the Norse settlements of South Greenland: four nights in Qaqortoq, then Narsaq, Narsarsuaq, Qassiarsuk and Igaliku by boat and helicopter, in summer.
10 days · Round trip from Qaqortoq · up to 12 guests
Hvalsey church ruin, photographed in summer (Commons records an upload date of 3 August 2014); an overcast day, not a view promised for any departure Photo: Number 57, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons, resized
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 10 days, 9 nights
- Start and end
- Round trip from Qaqortoq
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Activity level
Moderate
Plan for walks of up to 3 to 4 hours on uneven, sometimes boggy tracks, with a few steeper sections, and short boat and helicopter transfers where baggage is limited. Easier options are offered but are not step-free. Weather decides every transfer, so flexibility matters as much as fitness. All timings are estimates pending operators.
- Meals included
- 9 breakfasts
- Season
- Summer, Norse and ice
Highlights
Why this trip
- Qaqortoq's old town and the Stone and Man rock carvings
- A proposed boat trip to the Norse church ruins at Hvalsey (operator to be quoted)
- A walk from Narsarsuaq through the Flower Valley toward a glacier lookout (permit position to be checked)
- Brattahlid at Qassiarsuk, home of Erik the Red, and its reconstructed longhouse
- Two nights at Igaliku, the Norse bishops' seat of Gardar
- No roads between settlements: every leg is a boat or a helicopter
What makes this trip different
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Qaqortoq
Qaqortoq Airport (JJU) to a guesthouse or small hotel in Qaqortoq
- Meals on your own
- Stay in Qaqortoq
Fly into Qaqortoq Airport, which has opened, according to a Visit Greenland trade release dated 16 April 2026, as the primary access point to South Greenland in place of Narsarsuaq. Air Greenland has published connections from Copenhagen through Nuuk, and the Visit Greenland release reports about two daily Nuuk to Qaqortoq flights; Visit Greenland also reports that Icelandair plans summer Keflavik flights, not confirmed; we confirm the actual 2027 timetable before any flight is booked.
Afternoon
A transfer takes you into town and the rest of the afternoon is yours to settle in.
Evening
In the evening your guide, once appointed, briefs the group on how the trip works: no roads join the settlements, so each leg is by boat or helicopter, weather can move any of them by hours or a day, and accommodation is simple. Bring layers, waterproofs and insect repellent.
Included
- Airport transfer
- Group briefing
Free time: Free until the evening briefing
Qaqortoq and the Stone and Man project
Qaqortoq old town, harbour and the Stone and Man sculptures
- Breakfast
- Stay in Qaqortoq
Qaqortoq is reportedly the largest town in South Greenland, with coloured wooden houses climbing bare rock above a working harbour. We plan a guided walk through the old town and the Stone and Man project, which Visit Greenland describes as about 40 sculptures, many carved directly into rock faces, begun in the mid-1990s. The Qaqortoq Museum sits in the oldest building on the main square, and the old square has a fountain.
Afternoon
Opening hours and fees are not yet checked, so the afternoon is left free for the museum, a harbour walk or the local craft shop. Footpaths are steep and wet after rain, so footwear with grip matters. Today is also a weather buffer for the days ahead.
Included
- Guided walk in Qaqortoq
- Stone and Man sculpture trail
Optional experiences
- Museum entry (fee to confirm)
Easier option: Stay on the harbour level and the main square
More active option: Climb to the viewpoints above town
Free time: Free afternoon
Activity: Museum and shop opening hours and fees not checked.
Hvalsey church by boat
Qaqortoq to Hvalsey Fjord and back
- Breakfast
- Stay in Qaqortoq
- By boat
Today we plan a boat trip out of Qaqortoq to Hvalsey, where the walls of a Norse church stand beside a fjord. Visit Greenland lists day trips from Qaqortoq to Hvalsey Church and a farm site nearby, with 15 ruins in total, and names sailing as the main way to explore. We walk the site with a guide and talk about what is known, and what is still argued, about why the Norse settlements ended. The excursion depends on a local operator, on wind and on sea state, so it may swap with day 2 or be replaced by another outing near town. Bring a warm layer, since it is cooler on the water than in town.
Included
- Boat excursion to Hvalsey (operator to be quoted)
- Guided visit to the church ruins
Easier option: If the boat does not sail, a slower day in Qaqortoq
Free time: Back in Qaqortoq mid-afternoon (timing depends on the boat)
Activity: Boat operator, price and season not confirmed.
Qaqortoq to Narsaq
Qaqortoq to Narsaq by helicopter (or boat), then Narsaq on foot
- Breakfast
- Stay in Narsaq
We move on to Narsaq. The published helicopter contract, which started on 16 April 2026 and runs for one year, describes a year-round Qaqortoq to Narsaq service with up to two daily return flights on weekdays; a public tender is planned for later years, so the 2027 service is to be confirmed. A boat alternative is to be checked, and weather can delay either. Narsaq is a small fishing and farming town on its fjord, and we walk the harbour and town with a local guide and learn how fish and lamb shape local life.
Evening
The evening is free. Helicopter baggage allowances are small, so pack a soft bag and plan to leave any heavy case with the guesthouse. Ask us about luggage handling when you enquire.
Included
- Helicopter or boat transfer (operator to be quoted)
- Guided walk in Narsaq
More active option: A short hill walk above town
Free time: Free evening
Activity: Helicopter baggage limit and seat availability unconfirmed.
Narsaq to Narsarsuaq and the Flower Valley
Narsaq to Narsarsuaq, then a day walk in the Flower Valley
- Breakfast
- Stay in Narsarsuaq
- By boat
We cross to Narsarsuaq by boat, since a published 2026 boat price list shows a Narsaq to Narsarsuaq route, subject to the operator's calendar. Narsarsuaq reportedly began as an airbase settlement and has been replaced as the gateway by the new airport.
Afternoon
In the afternoon we plan the marked glacier-viewpoint walk Visit Greenland calls the blue route, which passes through the hospital valley and the Flower Valley to a lookout over the glacier; the ice sheet itself lies roughly 6 km away. Exact time and surface are not confirmed, and stream crossings and mud need a guide's judgement. The walk ends at the viewpoint: nothing in this plan promises contact with glacier ice, and the Government of Canada advises that a special permit is needed to explore glaciers.
Included
- Boat transfer Narsaq to Narsarsuaq (operator to be quoted)
- Guided glacier-viewpoint walk through the Flower Valley
Optional experiences
- Narsarsuaq museum (opening hours not checked)
Easier option: Walk the first section of the valley only
More active option: A longer section of the same walk, if the guide judges conditions suitable
Free time: Quiet evening
Activity: Walking time and distance to be confirmed with the local guide.
Qassiarsuk and Brattahlid by boat
Narsarsuaq to Qassiarsuk by boat; Brattahlid walk
- Breakfast
- Stay in Qassiarsuk
- By boat
A short boat crosses Tunulliarfik fjord to Qassiarsuk, the former Brattahlid, which Visit Greenland describes as the home of Erik the Red and part of the UNESCO Kujataa landscape. Norse ruins remain in the pasture, including a church, stables and a hall, and the village also has a reconstructed Norse longhouse and a reconstruction of Tjodhilde's Church. We walk the site with a guide and hear the saga account beside the archaeological record. The modern village dates from 1924.
Evening
We stay the night here. Visit Greenland recommends June to September for sailing and hiking, and wind or ice can delay crossings. Accommodation is expected to be simple and meals may be limited. Bring snacks if you have special dietary needs.
Included
- Boat Narsarsuaq to Qassiarsuk (operator to be quoted)
- Guided Brattahlid visit
Optional experiences
- A walk along the dirt road from the village (distance and time to be confirmed)
Easier option: Stay at the farm site
More active option: Walk the dirt road from the village
Free time: Evening on the farm
Activity: Qassiarsuk guesthouse capacity for a group of 7 to 12 not confirmed.
Qassiarsuk to Igaliku
Qassiarsuk to Igaliku by boat and a short walk on the King's Road
- Breakfast
- Stay in Igaliku
- By boat
Today we travel to Igaliku, the Norse bishops' seat of Gardar. Visit Greenland describes the usual route as a boat transfer to Itilleq followed by a 4 km walk on a gravel track called the King's Road, and says a direct boat to Igaliku harbour is sometimes possible, so the leg is conditional on the operator, tides and weather. Igaliku is a sheep-farming village at the far end of its fjord, beside the Gardar remains, which include the Norse cathedral, the bishop's residence and a farm with stables for about 100 cows. We drop bags at the guesthouse and walk the ruins and pastures. Walkers carry day packs; baggage may travel separately. Pack a light rain layer in your day bag.
Included
- Boat transfer to Itilleq or Igaliku (operator to be quoted)
- Guided walk on the King's Road
- Gardar ruins visit
Easier option: Take the vehicle or boat option if available for bags and walk only the last section
More active option: Walk the full King's Road
Free time: Evening at the farm
Activity: Route and operator for this leg not confirmed.
A day around Igaliku
Igaliku: Gardar, the pastures and a choice of walks
- Breakfast
- Stay in Igaliku
A full day with no transfer to catch. Visit Greenland lists marked trails from the edge of the village: a red route to a lookout over icebergs in Tunulliarfik fjord and the Qooroq glacier, a yellow route past waterfalls, and a green route to the summit of Nuuluk. The guide picks one to suit weather and energy, and whether icebergs are present depends on the day. We spend time at Gardar, where Norse bishops had their seat from around 1100, and a Kujataa information guide is reported to work in the village church in summer. Paths can be boggy and steep, and visitors are asked to keep off the farmers' grass fields. This day also works as a weather buffer if an earlier transfer ran late.
Included
- Guided Gardar ruins visit
- A guided half-day walk
Optional experiences
- Nuuluk summit or the Qooroq lookout walk (guide's decision; not guaranteed; permit position to be checked)
Easier option: Village and ruins only
More active option: Nuuluk summit hike (permit position to be checked)
Free time: Free time at the farm
Activity: Walks vary by weather; none is guaranteed.
Return to Qaqortoq
Igaliku to Qaqortoq by boat or helicopter
- Breakfast
- Stay in Qaqortoq
- By boat
We return to Qaqortoq and sleep close to the airport on purpose.
Evening
A 2026 boat price list shows a Qaqortoq to Igaliku route, so the leg is to be confirmed, because the current operator is withdrawing and no timetable is published; a late or cancelled leg would eat into this day, which is why nothing else is planned and the final night sits in town with the flights. If the transfer is on time you have the afternoon for local crafts and wool, the museum if you missed it, or the harbour. A farewell dinner can be arranged at extra cost. Weather is the main reason for the buffer: delays are normal, and we build the route around them.
Included
- Transfer to Qaqortoq (to be confirmed)
Optional experiences
- Farewell dinner (not included)
Free time: Afternoon free
Activity: If the transfer slips, the free afternoon is lost first.
Departure from Qaqortoq
Qaqortoq to Qaqortoq Airport (JJU)
- Breakfast
Morning
Breakfast is planned at your guesthouse, followed by a transfer to Qaqortoq Airport for your onward flight to Nuuk and Copenhagen or, if the seasonal service is running, to Keflavik. The flight schedule decides the time, so do not book onward international flights until the airport arrival window is agreed. If you connect through Nuuk or Keflavik to a transatlantic flight, leave a generous margin, because a delayed or cancelled domestic flight in Greenland is not unusual and an airline may not rebook you the same day. Extra nights in Qaqortoq are not included and would need a separate quote. Please carry medicines, passports and valuables in hand luggage. If you would like a few extra days in Greenland or Iceland before heading home, tell us in your enquiry and we will quote them separately.
Included
- Airport transfer
- Qaqortoq3 nights
- Narsaq1 night
- Narsarsuaq1 night
- Qassiarsuk1 night
- Igaliku2 nights
- Qaqortoq1 night
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: June to September daytime temperatures are typically in the single digits to low teens Celsius, with wind, fog and rain possible on any day. Midges are worst in calm, warm weather. Icebergs, whales and clear weather cannot be guaranteed, and nothing in this plan promises contact with glacier ice.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- Travellers who want remote walks and Norse history in one trip
- Guests who accept simple lodging and weather-driven changes
- Anyone who prefers a slower route with a buffer day built in
Not for you if you want
- Travellers who need guaranteed transfers on fixed hours
- Step-free access: paths are rough and boats are small
- Anyone wanting a confirmed departure now: this itinerary is still in development
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
9 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Qaqortoq3 nights
- Narsaq1 night
- Narsarsuaq1 night
- Qassiarsuk1 night
- Igaliku2 nights
- Qaqortoq1 night
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 9 nights in simple guesthouses and small hotels: 4 in Qaqortoq in two stays, 1 in Narsaq, 1 in Narsarsuaq, 1 in Qassiarsuk, 2 in Igaliku
- Rooms shared, with single rooms subject to availability and a supplement
- Properties named only when confirmed
Transport
- Airport transfers at Qaqortoq
- Scheduled or chartered boat transfers and one helicopter leg between Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Narsarsuaq, Qassiarsuk and Igaliku, operator to be quoted; weather and ice can cancel sailings
- Walking and local transfers as in the day plan
Your guide
- A local or See Sight Tours guide with the group, appointment to be confirmed
- Local guides where sites or walks require them
Activities
- Qaqortoq: old town walk and Stone and Man rock carvings
- Hvalsey boat excursion and church visit (operator to be quoted)
- Narsarsuaq: Flower Valley walk to the glacier viewpoint
- Qassiarsuk: Brattahlid guided visit
- Igaliku: King's Road walk and Gardar ruins
Meals
- Breakfast daily from day 2 (9)
- No other meals are included; lunches and dinners are bought locally or arranged at extra cost
Not included
- International and domestic flights, including flights to Qaqortoq
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover
- Visa or travel authorisation fees, if any apply to your passport
- Meals not listed
- Museum and site fees not listed
- Excess baggage or extra helicopter or boat charges
- Tips
- Optional activities, such as scenic helicopter flights or whale-watching
- Personal expenses
Extras
- Room of your own
- Price on request
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
Is this trip bookable now?
No. It is a proposed itinerary, not an available departure. An enquiry takes no payment and confirms no booking. Boats, helicopter seats, guesthouses and guides have not been booked, and the written quote sets the final price, taxes, inclusions, operator and terms.
Why does it start in Qaqortoq and not Narsarsuaq?
A Visit Greenland trade release dated 16 April 2026 says Qaqortoq Airport has opened and replaces Narsarsuaq as the primary access point to South Greenland. Air Greenland said the Qaqortoq to Narsarsuaq feeder flight would end, so we plan from Qaqortoq and confirm the live timetable before any flight is booked.
How do we get between settlements?
There are no roads between them. The plan uses scheduled or chartered boat transfers, operator to be quoted, and a helicopter for Qaqortoq to Narsaq. The published helicopter contract runs for one year from April 2026, so the 2027 service and any summer boat timetable are to be confirmed. Weather and ice can cancel sailings.
Can weather change the itinerary?
Yes. Wind, fog and sea ice can delay or cancel any leg. We build in a quiet day 9 and sleep in Qaqortoq on the last night, but you should not plan an onward international connection on the same day without a margin of at least a full day.
What are the walks like?
Mostly rough tracks and open ground, up to about 3 to 4 hours on the longer days, with boggy sections. The King's Road to Igaliku is a 4 km gravel track per Visit Greenland. Exact routes for other walks are not confirmed, and shorter options are offered where the ground allows.
Will we see icebergs and the glacier?
We plan viewpoints, not glacier travel. The Narsarsuaq blue route ends at a glacier lookout and the Igaliku red route at a lookout over Tunulliarfik fjord and the Qooroq glacier. Icebergs depend on the day, nothing here promises contact with ice, and the Government of Canada advises that a permit is needed to explore glaciers.
What is the accommodation like?
Simple. Expect small guesthouses and a village or farm lodge, some with shared bathrooms and basic meals. We cannot name them yet, and capacity for a group of 7 to 12 in Qassiarsuk and Igaliku still needs checking in the quote.
When is the best time to go?
The route is planned for late June to early September. Visit Greenland recommends June to September for sailing and hiking at Igaliku. Midges can be heavy in summer, and we cannot promise icebergs, whales or clear skies on any date.
What do Canadian travellers need to know before going?
The Government of Canada's advice says Greenland sets its own entry rules outside the EU and Schengen area, asks for a passport valid three months past departure, notes limited medical care and that evacuation may be needed, and recommends insurance covering medical evacuation. Check it again before you travel.
Does it connect with other Greenland or Iceland trips?
Yes in principle: Visit Greenland reports that Icelandair plans summer Keflavik flights to Qaqortoq (not confirmed), so you could pair this with our Iceland Ring Road trip or our Ilulissat, Disko Bay and Nuuk trip. Connections follow published flight schedules and are not included.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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