Need some peace and quiet? Step into a distant world of Arctic wonder in Greenland, escape civilization and camp out in remote wilderness, where you’ll likely see more seals than people. Trek from the Sun Gate to the Icefjord and witness Mother Nature’s artwork as you observe icebergs of all shapes and sizes, carved off the Helheim glacier—one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world, with the speed of 60 meters per day! On this 8-day guided Greenland Icefjord hiking tour, we’ll explore hidden gems like Trout Lake, pass nearby rivers, trek across fjords and discover a tiny hunters’ village, where Inuits have survived by hunting seals among the icebergs. Greenland’s glacial marvels await!
Discover pristine wilderness on an unforgettable Greenland Icefjord hiking tour as we visit sites such as Sun Gate, Trout Lake, and the Icefjord, i.e., Sermilik fjord. Trek along coastal paths, ascend scenic summits, camp amidst the Arctic splendor and enjoy local meals and comfortable lodgings in a cozy local house and wilderness campsites. Luggage transfer from camp to camp and boat transfers to stunning locations like Johan Pedersen Fjord and Tiniteqilaaq ensure seamless exploration of Greenland’s breathtaking landscapes.
Meet your guide and your group at Keflavík Airport in Reykjavík. The plane takes off at 5:30pm and lands in Kulusuk at 6:15pm local time. Please note that Keflavik-Kulusuk flights are not included in the price of the tour, but let us know if you’re interested and we can arrange it for you. Following a quick luggage transfer onto a quad trailer, we’ll go on a picturesque 30-minute walk to the village. Tonight, settle into dormitory-style lodging at a local house and enjoy gazing under the Arctic sky. If you’re traveling in late August or early September, you might even see Northern lights (Aurora Borealis)!
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Local house
In the early morning, we’ll sail to Qinertivaq, a narrow fjord surrounded by towering granite peaks. From there, we’ll hike to the bottom of the fjord and to Trout Lake at the foot of the Sun Gate pass. As we trek southwest, we’ll cross a glacier river and admire the Dwarf Fireweed at its riverbanks. Our path continues westward, revealing the majestic Icefjord (Sermilik fjord) with its endless array of icebergs. Its moraines give us an opportunity to learn about climate change and its effect on Greenland. Finally, we’ll camp on a small peninsula by the fjord’s edge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Today’s hike takes us along the Sermilik coast, where we’ll traverse coastal paths and ascend hills above the shore. Listen for the distinct sounds of icebergs cracking and the occasional call of Ringed Plovers. We’ll encounter small bays with hundreds of car-sized stranded icebergs before reaching the larger bay, where we’ll wade across a river surrounded by ice in various shapes and sizes. By afternoon, we’ll reach the Paarnakajiit peninsula, where we’ll put up camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tent
After breakfast, we’ll load the baggage boat and set off along the scenic Sapulik bay. Following the river at the bay’s end, we’ll arrive at a serene lake, where we’ll navigate a river crossing. Continuing along the lake shore, we’ll venture southward through a narrow valley until we reach the remarkable Amitsivattiva fjord—a mere couple of hundred meters wide but stretching over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in length. After a satisfying day of trekking, we’ll make camp at the bottom of this fjord.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tent
We start the day by climbing the slopes to a stunning summit at 538 meters (1,765 feet), offering breathtaking views of Sermilik fjord and its “ice beaches.” After a leisurely lunch on the summit, we hike along the ridge before descending to a small fjord where our boat awaits. Our Greenland Icefjord hiking tour continues as we sail to the quaint hunter’s village of Tiniteqilaaq (also called Tinit or Diilerilaar), perched on the edge of Sermilik fjord. After a short stop in this tiny village, where Inuits have survived by hunting seals among the icebergs of the fjord, we return by boat to Johan Pedersen fjord, where we’ll camp for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Elevation gain & loss: 538 m / 1,765 feet
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tent
Following breakfast, we embark on a full-day hike in Johan Pedersen Fjord, delving into the remarkable landscape at the base of the Innlandis (Ice Cap). We climb to a viewpoint with stunning vistas of glaciers descending from the second-largest Ice Cap on Earth and calving into the fjord below. After admiring Greenland’s wilderness, we return back to our camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Elevation gain & loss: 500 m / 1,640 feet
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tent
We’ll start our day with a refreshing walk along the coast to admire the icebergs and the magnificent landscape of Johan Pedersen. Later in the morning, we’ll set sail back to Kulusuk. Upon our arrival, we’ll go on a brief walk through the village and visit an interesting local museum to explore Greenland’s rich history and culture. Finally, we’ll gather at our local house and prepare a final festive dinner, cherishing the memories of our Greenland Icefjord hiking tour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 2-3 hours
Accommodation: Local house
After breakfast in the house, we’ll take a walk through Kulusuk and into the surrounding hills. We’ll learn about the intriguing story of Cap Dan and its significance during the Cold War, while also marveling at the pristine nature of Kulusuk Island. We’ll then pack our luggage and load it onto the quad trailer before walking to the airport and bidding farewell. The flight departs from Kulusuk at 7pm, and we’ll arrive in Keflavik at 9.45pm local time, concluding our Greenland Icefjord hiking tour.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Unforeseen circumstances and unpredictable weather may affect sailing times and cause delays, so itinerary may have to be adjusted. Not to worry—your guides are experts who will adapt the program to each situation that comes up.
If you’re having trouble finding flights from Reykjavík to Kulusuk for your desired travel dates, just let us know. Your guides pre-book flights to make sure your trip is locked in.
Einar’s knowledge led us to discover a beautiful, remote part of the world. Insightful explanations, enjoyable landscapes, and a well-adapted journey for all. Highly recommend for a delightful and disconnecting experience.
We spend the most amazing 8 days at the Icefjord Trek with Einar at the late summer 2023! The trek was very well planned: not too long day hikes, variable (and amazing) views, high quality camping equipment and so tasty dinners every night at the base camps. Einar is a calm and professional guide with great sense of humor and whom you can count on in the Greenlandic wilderness. The trek was just enough demanding and you do not need to be a professional in order to accomplish it or to enjoy it. We can recommend this trek to anyone who loves hiking, quiet nature and ridiculously beautiful views. It is worth every euro!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
For this Greenland Icefjord hiking tour, a moderate to high level of fitness is recommended as you’ll engage in various activities, such as trekking along coastal paths, navigating uneven terrain, and ascending summits at more than 500 m / 1,640 feet. Your luggage will be transported from camp to camp, so you won’t have to carry everything in your backpack, but keep in mind that the duration of hikes ranges from 5 to 8 hours per day.
The terrain you’ll navigate during your Greenland Icefjord hiking tour is uneven and sometimes rocky, with certain sections of a little trodden path, while some hikes are entirely off the beaten track. Treks can also include exposed, steep, and stoney terrain. Given these challenges, it is crucial that the hikers are not only fit, but also experienced and prepared for extended periods of physical activity in remote wilderness areas.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
During your Greenland Icefjord hiking tour, your guides make sure to provide you with meals and various nutritious options with a focus on local ingredients, including freshly caught fish when available.
While vegetarian and vegan options may be limited due to the region’s restraints, your guides will try their best to accommodate your dietary preferences and needs. However, gluten-free diets can be easily accommodated. If you require a gluten-free diet, bear in mind that you should assist your guides during food shopping to ensure the purchase of the appropriate products for your needs. If you have any dietary restrictions or needs, let us know upon checkout.
For your Greenland Icefjord hiking tour all camping and cooking gear, including tents, mess tent, safety equipment (satellite phone, first aid kit, etc.) is provided by the guides. You should only bring your own sleeping bag—it’s recommended to have a sleeping bag rated for comfort between 0°C to -5°C (32 to 21°F) to ensure a comfortable night’s rest.
If you don’t have a suitable sleeping bag, you can rent one. If you’re interested in the rental, let us know upon booking.
Group sizes and pricing
Greenland Icefjord hiking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Kulusuk Airport (KUS), the starting point of your Greenland Icefjord hiking tour, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), less than an hour from Reykjavík, Iceland.
You’ll meet with your guide at the airport in Keflavik at 5:30pm (local time). After arriving in Kulusuk at 6:15pm, you’ll put your luggage on a quad trailer and enjoy a 30-minute walk to the village.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.
With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Full payment is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If the Client cancels the tour…
Early Bird booking
Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.
As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.
More about how Early Bird bookings work below:
Guided hiking trip to Greenland’s fjords organized by Arctic Hiking and Expeditions, was a beautiful and immersive experience in Greenland’s untouched wilderness. The choice of trails allowed us to witness the diversity of Greenland’s terrain, despite the remoteness of the locations, the logistical and safety arrangements were seamless. The itinerary allowed for a balance of challenging hikes and leisurely strolls, catering to both seasoned hikers and those seeking a more relaxed pace. If you’re seeking a journey that transcends the ordinary and connects you with nature, this trip is an absolute must.