The Viking Saga. In the footsteps of Erik de Rode.

Program schedule “The Viking Saga” in South Greenland.

A unique and spirited backpacking trek along the history of Greenland.

Day 1: Beginning of the adventure

We meet at the Reykjavik airport. From there we will fly to the village of Narsarsuaq in South Greenland. Early in the evening we will reach our hostel where we will eat together and go over the trip. We bent over the maps and checked all the material one last time.

Day 2: Into the Greenland wilderness.

Day distance about 15 kilometers

A boat takes us across the fjord to the other side where the village of Qassiarsuk, called “Brattahlid” in Greenlandic in Viking times, lies. We visit the ancient Viking ruins and then walk on to Tasiusaq a small settlement located on a bay where we can see the first icebergs floating in the fjord. After enjoying the beautiful view, we move into the Greenland wilderness. From here there are no trails and we make our way through the desolate landscape. At a lake, we set up our first camp.

Day 3 through 6:

Daily distances about 15 kilometers per day

Over the next few days, we move on to Erik the Red land, a peninsula with a mountain range up to almost 1,400 meters. We scramble up over rock paths and make considerable elevation until we reach the plateau where the many lakes provide us with drinking water. With peaks such as the Nasannguaq and Limaasaq with their glaciers on our right hand, and on our left beautiful views of the lower country and the Tunalliarfik fjord, or too (you guessed it) “Eriks fjord.

On Day 6, we arrive in Narsaq, a small village on the southern tip of the peninsula.

Day 6 and 7:

We stay 2 nights at a campsite in Narsaq. Because an experience not to be missed is on the program: Kayaking among the icebergs! This promises to be an unforgettable experience! We visit the Greenland trees project where we get to help plant trees in the area.

Day 8: Boat trip to picturesque Qaqortoq

Day distance about 7 kilometers

A small boat will take us to the town of Qaqortoq, the largest town here in South Greenland. In the morning, explore the city on your own. In the afternoon we start our second part of the backpacking trek. We camp in the wilderness on the coast.

Day 9 through 11 or 12:

Daily distances about 14 – 17 km per day

Over the next few days, we will again trek through rugged wilderness along rocky ridges through valleys with streams that we may have to cross. We pass the famous Hvalso church ruins from Viking times. We set up our camp wherever we want, always near water for our drinking water. Depending on how our trip goes we will reach the village of Igaliku a beautiful gem in the arctic on day 11 or 12. We camped outside the village near a lake.

Day 12-13:

Day trip about 12 – 20 kilometers (Depending on group choice)

North of Igaliku is a beautiful, wild area with high peaks and Mount Literfissalik of over 1,600 meters. We take a day hike in this rugged terrain, trying to reach a summit for the best views of the fjords and views of Greenland’s ice sheet.

Day 14:

Day trip about 15 per day (Optional)

A boat will take us back to the village of Narsarsuaq. Here we can take another optional day trip towards the glacier Kuussup Sermia a beautiful natural phenomenon. Also located near the village is the only piece of forest in all of Greenland. Which is a second option for a nice hike. We end the day with a delicious meal at a restaurant in the village. We are sleeping in a hostel tonight.

Day 15:

The day is free to spend or you can join us on day hikes. We will fly back to Reykjavik in the evening.

Note: This is a semi-flexible route and may be altered slightly depending on weather conditions and the physical condition of the group. The itinerary cannot be altered much because we need to get to our boat transfers on time.