What you get on this adventure: Experienced kayak and hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area Nine days of kayaking Sailing instruction during the tour Guided walks and land excursions Ten nights of sailing yacht accommodations All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11 Expedition kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, skirts, drysuits, and safety equipment Use of wet weather sailing clothing Use of a drysuit What’s not included: Transportation before and after the tour Accommodation in Kulusuk or Isafjordur Alcoholic beverages on the boat Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This tour is meant for adventurers with previous kayaking experience. You should be comfortable kayaking for 1.5 hours at a time, for up to 4 hours a day. You will also potentially need to paddle in some swell and wind waves. Remember: the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trip.

Will I see any unique wildlife?

This tour is the perfect opportunity to experience wildlife! We will be exploring some of the wildest and most remote regions of Greenland and Iceland, so your chances of seeing local wildlife will be much higher than in standard tours. Here is a list of animals we may encounter on this trip: Arctic Foxes Polar Bears Humpback Whales Narwhals White Beaked Dolphins Fin Whales Orcas Sperm Whales Black Guillemots Razor Bills Puffins Fulmars Snow Buntings Kittiwakes Arctic Terns Harbour Seals Ringed Seals Bearded Seals

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Small backpack (30-40L) Thermal underwear — at least two sets Wool or fleece thermal mid-layer — bring a few thin layers instead of thick ones Hiking pants — no cotton Thermal jacket — down or synthetic Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket. Wool or fleece hat Two pairs of gloves and one pair of mittens Three to four pairs of thick wool or synthetic socks Two to three pairs of thinner socks Casual clothes for happy hour Paddle booties such as neoprene — a size larger than normally worn Boat shoes or slippers with rubber soles for below decks — no black soles Hiking boots or cross trainers Sleeping bag — summer-rated is sufficient Soft travel bag — no hard suitcases Dark sunglasses with a cord to prevent them from falling into the water Sunscreen and sunhat Swim suit and towels Medical kit for personal medications, band-aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, and sea sickness tablets. Don’t forget your regular medication like, for example, asthma inhalers (even if you only occasionally use one) One liter water bottle and/or thermos Camera Expedition kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, skirts, dry suits, and safety equipment will be provided by your guide.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 are not allowed to join the trip.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Isafjordur harbor , the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport . From there, you can take a 45-minute flight to Isafjordur. Alternatively, if you want to see more of Iceland, you can take a bus to Isafjordur. However, this is logistically more complex and will take you over 7 hours. You will be meeting your guide at Isafjordur harbor at 10am on the first day of the tour, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. Once you get there, your guides will help you move your gear onboard and the tour will start.

Safety measures in Iceland & Greenland

We highly recommend 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. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Kayakers posing near an iceberg in Greenland

A sailing yacht near an iceberg in Greenland

A sailing yacht and a beautiful vista in Greenland

A person walking on a ridge in Greenland and enjoying the vista

NORTHWEST ICELAND, GREENLAND| ICELAND, GREENLAND

Iceland and Greenland Kayaking Expedition

5.00 ()

Season

July through August

Duration

9 days of kayaking, 11 days in total

Accommodation

The Byr, a comfortable Arctic sailing yacht

Difficulty

Guides

Angela Bueckert, Matt Edwards, Expedition Engineering

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $8,540 () / 11 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Life aboard the Byr
Reviews
Things to know

Looking for the adventure of a lifetime? Board the Byr, an Arctic expedition sailing yacht, and spend 11 days exploring the wildest regions of Iceland and Greenland! We will sail through ice-filled fjords, kayak with the whales among towering icebergs, visit traditional Greenlandic villages, and encounter dozens of animals you can’t find anywhere else. The ultimate Arctic playground awaits — are you ready to unleash your wild side?

Adventure highlights

A true Arctic expedition

Go further than ever before and enjoy a unique mix of exploration, adventure & solitude
Activities for everyone

Hiking, climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding – experience the Arctic wilderness any way you want it
Meet the wildlife

Encounter dozens of unique animal species, including polar bears, arctic foxes, whales & more

Itinerary

Board a spacious sailing yacht and enjoy an epic 11-day journey through the heart of the Arctic. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure combines the thrill of sailing, the serenity of kayaking, and the exhilaration of hiking, offering an unparalleled chance to explore Iceland and Greenland's spectacular landscapes. An expert kayak guide, captain, and first mate will lead you through this adventure, keeping you safe and satisfied on your adventure. From the moment you step aboard our vessel, you'll be captivated by the raw beauty and untouched wilderness.

We start our journey by meeting at Ísafjörður harbor at 10am. We will move your gear onboard and have a safety briefing. We will depart Isafjordur harbor at around noon and sail to Seyðisfjörður Fjord, a journey of about 1-2 hours. Our evening anchorage will be either at Eyri or Folafótur.

We’ll enjoy an afternoon kayak trip or onshore walk with the opportunity to observe the many different species of birds found here such as puffins, black guillemot, whooper swan, eider, fulmar, oystercatcher, ringed plover, golden plover, common snipe, common redshank, glaucous gull, great black-backed gull, arctic tern, pied wagtail, redwing and many others. By the day’s end, we will return to our sailboat and enjoy our first night on board.

Meals: Dinner
On day 2, we will visit Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a flora and fauna paradise. The last permanent residents moved away in 1952, with only summerhouses remaining. There are no roads in this area – it is only accessible by boat. The vegetation is surprisingly lush; over 2m/ 6,5 ft tall angelica grows down to the coast and the lowlands and the slopes are decorated by wildflower patches.

During the morning, we will paddle to the ruins of the old whaling station where Norwegians processed around 12,000 barrels of whale oil between 1894 and 1915. Before the Icelandic government passed a law to protect whales in Icelandic waters. Subsequently, Icelandic companies processed herring in the same plant until it was finally shut down around 1940.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We will explore the northernmost tip of the reserve. This area feels incredibly wild, with towering cliffs filled with thousands of nesting sea birds. The plan is to go kayaking in the morning and hiking in the afternoon, and we expect to see Arctic foxes foraging for eggs and young chicks. Both outings provide a very different perspective of this spectacular area. In the evening, we’ll prepare to depart for Greenland, as soon as we get a good weather window.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
On day 4, we will be crossing the Denmark Strait on our way to Greenland. In the afternoon, we should get our first glimpse of the mountains of Greenland. We will keep a watchful eye for icebergs that are always present in this area. Dolphins and whales are likely to be riding our bow wake.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We continue our journey to the great Kangerlugssuaq Fjord (‘big fjord’), where we will anchor in Suhaili Bugt. This is a very sheltered anchorage where Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe) and Sir Chris Bonnington (Britain’s best-known mountaineer and one of the most successful expedition leaders in history) anchored their vessel, the Suhaili, during their attempt to climb Cathedral Peak in 1991. This will be our base camp for the following few days.

In Kangerlugssuaq Fjord we have plenty of options for hikes, climbs, and kayak tours. We can paddle over to the abandoned Skærgård Inuit settlement and explore the Uttendal Sound towards the ice-filled Watkins Fjord. We can also hike in the hills of Kræmer Island where there are fantastic vistas of the surrounding fjords, mountains, and glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We will leave Kangerlugssuaq Fjord and make our passage south.

This spectacular area was beautifully described in the British Admiralty Arctic Pilot: ‘The stretch of coast between Kap SM Jørgensen and Kap Deichmann, 90 miles NE, is considered one of the most difficult in Greenland; the mountains rise almost vertically from the sea to form a narrow bulwark, with rifts through which active glaciers discharge quantities of ice, while numerous off-lying islets and rocks make navigation hazardous’.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sailing further south, we will explore new areas before entering Nigertuluk Fjord. Here are two spectacular calving glaciers, a sandy beach, and a tranquil mountain lake. All in all, this is a fantastic playground for hiking and kayaking.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
On day 8, we will sail across to Kangertigtivatsiaq Fjord. There are hanging glaciers precariously balanced on the steep hillsides and other glaciers coming right down to the sea. At the head of the fjord, away in the distance, we will see a superb pinnacled mountain, reminiscent of St. Paul ́s Cathedral; this was Ingolfsfjeld. We will anchor overnight in Storø.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our journey continues as we sail further south into the remote and little-explored territory of Depot Sound. We will pass the Idrac Glacier, Fladøerne Island, and Smalsund, and will anchor overnight in Sermiligaq.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today, we will sail further into Sermiligaq Fjord and enter the stunning Ikasaq Sound, where we will make a short stop at the abandoned WWII military base of Bluie East 2. From there, we will continue our passage to Ammassalik Fjord and anchor next to Kulusuk village in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We will go ashore and visit the village of Kulusuk. Here, our expedition concludes. You can catch a departing flight back to Iceland – or continue exploring Greenland on your own!

Meals: Breakfast (lunch will be provided if flights leave in the afternoon)

Get free trip brochure

Download Iceland and Greenland Kayaking Expedition Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guides

5.00

Angela Bueckert

Angela’s enthusiasm for sharing new experiences with her guests is ever-present. She has been guiding water-based expeditions for over 15 years, and she’s guided sea kayaking expeditions in Iceland, Greenland, Palawan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Antarctica, South Georgia, The Falkland Islands, Alaska, Svalbard, Myanmar, Kamchatka… She has also led ski touring trips throughout British Columbia. Angela has a passion for multi-day expeditions around the globe.

5.00

Matt Edwards

Finding out what’s around the corner or at the top of the next mountain has taken Matt to some of the remotest places on the planet. He’s been organizing and guiding custom adventures for guests all over the world, for over a decade. Matt has been to Antarctica, Fiji, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Greenland, Iceland, Kamchatka, Alaska, and Northern Canada. He has a genuine passion for adventure, a wicked sense of humor and a love of life.

5.00

Expedition Engineering offers custom-designed tours that blend the best of local cultures with adventure travel, exploration, and being in tune with nature. Apart from their focus largely being on fun and discovery, they care even more about their clients’ safety—Expedition Engineering staff has the highest level of certifications available in the guiding industry. They’ve pioneered expeditions to some of the farthest flung corners of the world, including Raja Ampat, East Greenland, Myanmar, and Anctartica.

Life aboard the Byr

A comfortable sailboat for Arctic expeditions

The BYR was built for expeditions in the Arctic. She is tough, reliable, and provides everything you need for a comfortable trip. She is a steel-built vessel of 18.2m (60ft). There are four guest cabins: two 2-person cabins with single beds and two 4-person cabins with single beds. All cabins have central heating and are well-ventilated, with lots of space to store equipment. You’ll also find a saloon with plenty of room to hang out, read, and chat about the day. Guests are welcome in the heated pilot house, where you can watch the scenery go by. There are two heated bathrooms, each with a toilet and sink, as well as a large separate shower room with hot water throughout the boat.

5.00 (2 reviews)

Expedition Engineering top of the list

Brett R. (source: Guide’s website)

I have done several trips with Expedition Engineering now and have found Matt and Angela to be very professional and considerate in the planning and execution of their expeditions. Prior to Covid, I had the pleasure of joining them on three exploratory trips, one each to Raja Ampat, Kamchatka Peninsula, and Alaska. Being self-supporting camping based exploratory trips, both Matt and Angela went to extraordinary lengths to research these new areas, access local equipment and knowledge, engage professional local guides, provide nutritious and tasty meals, and ensure participant safety was always at the forefront of everything they did. With these trips being exploratory in nature, there were always unknowns and not everything went to plan, but Matt and Angela’s experience came through every time with their extensive preparation and knowledge providing effective solutions to keep the journeys on track, and all participants safe and engaged. While sadly I have not had the good fortune of joining them on any expeditions recently, I look forward to being part of their adventures in the near future when the cost of flights drop to a level that makes long distance travel affordable again. I cannot recommend Expedition Engineering enough if you are looking for an adventurous journey in some of the most spectacular and remote parts of the world.

Expedition Engineering the Best in the Business

James D. (source: Guide’s website)

Expedition Engineering (EE) are the best adventure trip operators I have encountered. My wife and I have undertaken either privately organised trips or trips run by operators other than EE all over Australia and the world for the last 55 years, Without reserve I recommend EE paddling trips even for less competent/confident paddlers. EE is superior with innovative spectacular destinations, safety briefings/procedures and social interaction. Travel with Matt and Ang They will not let you down.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - Experienced kayak and hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Nine days of kayaking
  - Sailing instruction during the tour
  - Guided walks and land excursions
  - Ten nights of sailing yacht accommodations
  - All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11
  - Expedition kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, skirts, drysuits, and safety equipment
  - Use of wet weather sailing clothing
  - Use of a drysuit
What’s not included:
- - Transportation before and after the tour
  - Accommodation in Kulusuk or Isafjordur
  - Alcoholic beverages on the boat
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
This tour is meant for adventurers with previous kayaking experience. You should be comfortable kayaking for 1.5 hours at a time, for up to 4 hours a day. You will also potentially need to paddle in some swell and wind waves. Remember: the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is the perfect opportunity to experience wildlife! We will be exploring some of the wildest and most remote regions of Greenland and Iceland, so your chances of seeing local wildlife will be much higher than in standard tours.

Here is a list of animals we may encounter on this trip:
- - Arctic Foxes
  - Polar Bears
  - Humpback Whales
  - Narwhals
  - White Beaked Dolphins
  - Fin Whales
  - Orcas
  - Sperm Whales
  - Black Guillemots
  - Razor Bills
  - Puffins
  - Fulmars
  - Snow Buntings
  - Kittiwakes
  - Arctic Terns
  - Harbour Seals
  - Ringed Seals
  - Bearded Seals
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Small backpack (30-40L)
  - Thermal underwear — at least two sets
  - Wool or fleece thermal mid-layer — bring a few thin layers instead of thick ones
  - Hiking pants — no cotton
  - Thermal jacket — down or synthetic
  - Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket.
  - Wool or fleece hat
  - Two pairs of gloves and one pair of mittens
  - Three to four pairs of thick wool or synthetic socks
  - Two to three pairs of thinner socks
  - Casual clothes for happy hour
  - Paddle booties such as neoprene — a size larger than normally worn
  - Boat shoes or slippers with rubber soles for below decks — no black soles
  - Hiking boots or cross trainers
  - Sleeping bag — summer-rated is sufficient
  - Soft travel bag — no hard suitcases
  - Dark sunglasses with a cord to prevent them from falling into the water
  - Sunscreen and sunhat
  - Swim suit and towels
  - Medical kit for personal medications, band-aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, and sea sickness tablets. Don’t forget your regular medication like, for example, asthma inhalers (even if you only occasionally use one)
  - One liter water bottle and/or thermos
  - Camera
Expedition kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, skirts, dry suits, and safety equipment will be provided by your guide.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants.
Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 are not allowed to join the trip.
To get to Isafjordur harbor, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport. From there, you can take a 45-minute flight to Isafjordur.

Alternatively, if you want to see more of Iceland, you can take a bus to Isafjordur. However, this is logistically more complex and will take you over 7 hours.

You will be meeting your guide at Isafjordur harbor at 10am on the first day of the tour, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. Once you get there, your guides will help you move your gear onboard and the tour will start.
We highly recommend 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.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits

You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.