Home / Multi-Day Tours / Greenland / History and Heritage for 5 days – South Greenland
Follow in the footsteps of Eric the Red and visit South Greenland. Impressed by the green hillsides, this is where the Norse settler made his homestead in 982 AD. Today the area offers visitors a cultural experience with the stunning landscape serving as a beautiful backdrop. During this 5 day tour, you will visit sights such as the Hvalsey Church and the beautiful village of Igaliku. You will also have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and go on a boat tour in the Qooroq ice fjord. You can book this holiday package on its own or as an extension of one of our Iceland holidays.
No guide is included on this tour. It is possible to hire a private guide for a fixed price. Please contact our travel agent for further information and a price quote. There will be an information meeting on arrival. You will be able to contact our local partner in Greenland from all places of accommodation.
If you are interested in receiving more information about this tour, please click on the “Request a quote” widget on the left side of the page. A quick form will open up where you will provide us with more information about your travel expectations. You will then be connected with your specialized travel agent who will assist you throughout the planning a provide a fully detailed quote.
Please note that this itinerary can be adjusted and customized to meet your travel needs and preferences. The package can also be offered as a privately guided tour if a self-drive option is not what you had in mind for your Iceland experience.
We recommend booking a Greenland tour as early as possible as availability is limited and prices for flights normally raise during the year. Please note that the flights to/from Greenland are the most expensive part of this tour package. You can also add extra nights to make the most out of your Greenland holiday.
GT-06
Jun - Sep
By plane
5 Days / 4 Nights
Greenland
Today your South Greenland UNESCO holiday begins! At Reykjavík Domestic Airport you will board a flight to Narsarsuaq, Greenland. The flight takes about 3 hours and as you approach Greenland you will be welcomed with views over the Greenland ice cap. Upon arrival in Narsarsuaq a local representative will greet you for a short information meeting. Afterwards, transfer by boat to the colorful village of Qaqortoq where you will stay for the next two nights.
Today you will visit the Hvalsey Church, which is situated in the fjord of Hvalsey (e. Whale Island). The boat ride to Hvalsey takes about 30 minutes. The church is in the region which the Norse named Eystribyggð or The Eastern Settlement. The old ruins of this former Viking Church are located on a verdant meadow, along with the ruins of an old farm. The church, with it’s high and thick stone walls, is the best-preserved structure from the Norse era in Greenland. The walls are up to 6 meters high and 1.5 meters thick. During your visit to Hvalsey Church, you will have plenty of time to walk around this historic site and explore the ruins in this peaceful countryside.
After exploring the Hvalsey Church you will head back to Qaqortoq by boat and can enjoy some free time in this colorful town. Qaqortoq, formerly known as Julianehåb, is the largest town in South Greenland and the fourth largest town in Greenland. The area around Qaqortoq has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Beginning with the Saqqaq culture roughly 4,300 years ago, the area has had a continuous human presence. Those who would like to learn more about the town and life in Greenland should visit the Qaqortoq museum.
The town is well known for it’s “Stone and Man” project, consisting of more than 30 sculptures that are carved into the granite bedrock by various artists. Visitors can enjoy a stroll though town to explore this artistic project. Also in Qaqortoq you’ll find Greenland’s oldest fountain which is located in the town square next to the harbor. Here visitors can sit and watch the hunters and fishermen selling the catch of the day at the nearby fish market.
After checking out of your accommodations it’s time to say goodbye to Qaqortoq and continue exploring South Greenland. You’ll be transferred by boat to the village of Itilleq. From there you will enjoy an easy 4 km hike to the village of Igaliku. You will hike along a road called the King’s Road, so named after the Danish King’s Frederik 9th visit in 1952.
The village of Igaliku is best known for it’s ruins of Garðar, built by Norsemen around 1100 AD, which was once the religious heart of 12th century Norse Greenland. Igaliku, which name translates to “The Place Like a Pot” was founded in 1782 by the Norwegian merchant Anders Olsen and his Greelandic wife Tuperna. In modern times, Igaliku is a sheep farming settlement with about 27 year round inhabitants. The village offers visitors a cultural experience around the ruins of Garðar, but it is also a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors. With many beautiful hiking trails in the area, guests can explore at will and admire the beautiful landscape that surrounds the village. You will stay overnight in Igaliku.
After what has hopefully been a wonderful visit to Igaliku, it’s time to move on to the village of Qassiarsuk. Transport by boat to Qassiarsuk, also known as Brattahlid. This is the place where Eric the Red settled in 982. The Norse ruins in Qassiarsuk are well preserved, and during your free time in the area you can for example visit the Brattahlid open air museum (admission not included). You can also walk up to the stature of Eric the Red, which towers over the village.
Enjoy free time in Qassiarsuk, afterwards transfer by boat to Narsarsuaq in the late afternoon. After arrival you can for example enjoy a hike up to Signal hill, for beautiful views over the area. You will stay overnight in Narsarsuaq.
Your time in South Greenland is coming to an end, but first it’s time for one last adventure. In the morning you will go on a boat trip to the Qooroq ice fjord. Here you will sail among the giant icebergs, which will appear in all colors, sizes and shapes. When the glacier is in view, the boat engine will be stopped and you can enjoy the silence and a drink chilled with ice from the icebergs.
After the tour you will return to Narsarsuaq. Before your flight you can enjoy some free time in Narsarsuaq where you can for example enjoy a late lunch or visit the local museum. It’s then time to say goodbye to Greenland, hopefully with many great memories and stories to share. You’ll land at Reykjavík Domestic Airport in the evening.
Budget accommodations include shared facilities in guest houses, country hotels, farmhouses, etc. In some cases, the rooms might be equipped with a TV and a washbasin. The in-room amenities are limited and basic but they all adhere to a high standard of cleanliness.
Breakfast is included.
Comfort accommodations offer access to private facilities (shower and toilet). This type of lodges belongs to the 3-star hotel category. Most of these properties have an in-house restaurant. This section offers an upgrade in comfort and service compared to the budget category. Breakfast is included.
Flights to Narsarsuaq depart from Reykjavík airport. Flight time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Please check in for your flight at least 90 minutes earlier to your flight time to avoid queues and so that the airline can keep on schedule. Please have all required documentation at hand before checking in, your confirmation number and identification. For flights that belong to the Schengen Region, passengers can show their passport or drivers license. For flights outside Schengen only a passport is valid. Please note that Credit and Debit Cards are not a valid ID.
At the airport is a cafeteria which sells drinks, snacks and other refreshments. When traveling internationally from Reykjavík airport there is a duty free store.
Narsarsuaq is a significant location regarding the Greenland's history, as the name Greenland was given here. The vikings settled here where it is green with an arctic forest. Here you can visit Brattahlid, the settlement of Erik the Red, and the first Christian Chuch in North America was erected. Hiking is a very popular activity as well.
Qaqortoq is the largest town of South Greenland. There are 3229 inhabitants. The town has many things to offer, art, culture, hot springs, kayaking, and Norse history.
Hvalsey Church is the best preserved ruins from the Norse Era in Greenland.
Qaqortoq is the largest town of South Greenland. There are 3229 inhabitants. The town has many things to offer, art, culture, hot springs, kayaking, and Norse history.
It is a 4km long hike along the very pebbly “Kings Road” which is between Itilleq and Igaliku.
Igaliku is a small settlement about 50 people in South Greenland. The attractions of the town is the King's Road and the beautiful hike towards the town. It is also known as Gardar, the old episcopal see from the Norse Era.
Gardar Cathedral was built by Arnaldur, the first bishop og Greenland. Right now, only the foundation of the cathedral can be seen. It is very close to Igaliku.
Qassiarsuk is the where the first sheep farm in Greenland was established, as well as being the site where Eric the Red settled and established a community called Brattahlid.
Brattahlid Open Air Museum is the location where Erik the Red established his colony in South Greenland. His descendants lives there until about 15th century. The name Brattahlid means "the steep slope".
Narsarsuaq is a significant location regarding the Greenland's history, as the name Greenland was given here. The vikings settled here where it is green with an arctic forest. Here you can visit Brattahlid, the settlement of Erik the Red, and the first Christian Chuch in North America was erected. Hiking is a very popular activity as well.
You can go on a boat tour in Qooroq Ice Fjörd to see the Qooroq calving glacier, see the many icebergs floating around and enjoy the sounds of the icebergs breaking from the glacier.
Narsarsuaq is a twon in South Greenland, and has the second biggest airport in Greenland, therefore it is a good place to start to any South Greenland adventures. It is surrounded by large green plains and a fjörd, and only 6 kms from the Greenland Ice Cap. It is very close to Igaliku, Qassiarsuk and Hvalsey.
Flights to Reykjavík depart from Narsarsuaq airport. Flight time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Please check in for your flight at least 90 minutes earlier to your flight time to avoid queues and so that the airline can keep on schedule. Please have all required documentation at hand before checking in, your confirmation number and identification. For flights that belong to the Schengen Region, passengers can show their passport or drivers license. For flights outside Schengen only a passport is valid. Please note that Credit and Debit Cards are not a valid ID.
