ICELAND EXCURSIONS
HIGHLIGHTS OF SNAEFELLSNES
Price: $139
Degree of Difficulty: 3
We depart the small town of Grudafjordur, with Kirkjufell mountain looming in the distance, continuing past fishing villages Olafsvik, Rif, and Hellissandur, and around the western edge of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The landscape is characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shoreline and jagged mountains, crowned by the shimmering Snaefellsjokull glacier, featured in Jules Verne's novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Our first stop is at Djupalonssandur, where we hike to impressively strange rock formations alone the shore. We continue past Londrangar-two prominent rocks protruding from the coast just east of the lighthouse at Malarrif-to Arnarstapi. There, we start a walk from the town's beautiful harbor, which is surrounded by cliffs and considered by many the most beautiful in Iceland. We followed the cliff's sides, where we may examine and photograph one of Iceland's largest seabird colonies up close. The walk ends at the stone memorial to Bardur Snaefellsas, protector of Snaefellsnes. We continue to Burdir, where we enjoy a two-course lunch at Hotel Budir before walking to the local church and a rare yellow-sand beach. We then drive over the Frodarheidi Heath, once regarded as one of Iceland's most haunted areas. We return to Grundarfjordur in the afternoon.
STYKKISHOLMUR WITH BREIDSFJORDUR BOAT TOUR
Price: $219
Degree of Difficulty: 1
The Snaefellsnes peninsula, with the Snaefellsjokull glacier rising majestically at its tip, is one of the most enchanting parts of Iceland. We start our tour with a drive to the picturesque fishing village of Stykkisholmur, where we board a boat trip on Breidafjordur Bay. On this tour we view characteristic rock formations, countless islands and skerries, and the rich local birdlife. Birds nesting and breeding in the cliffs can be observed from within a few yards. Species that may be spotted include puffins, cormorants, shags, Black guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, and several types of gull. Sometimes White-tailed eagles- and even seals - can be seen. We then drop our fishing nets and trawl the bottom of the bay. When the net is reeled in, we sample the freshly caught shellfish and other seafood, including sea-urchin roe, a local delicacy. After the refreshing boat trip, we lunch at a local restaurant, returning to Stykkisholmur in the afternoon.
GREENLAND EXCURSIONS
ILLULISAT HELICOPTER TO THE ICECAP
Price: $550
Degree of Difficulty: 1
On this excursion we will fly at low altitude over the icebergs. In the bottom of the fjord is the enormous front of the glacier. The helicopter will fly close to the glacier and land on the rock at Kangia with a view over the glacier and the ice cap. After approximately 30 minutes on the ground we will fly at low altitude over the ice fjord until we reach the icebergs stranded at the estuary of the Ice fjord. From here we have a magnificent view of the deep ice foot under the iceberg and the turquoise sea. There is no "guaranty" that you will see seals on this trip, but there are good possibilities.
SISIMIUT BOAT TRIP TO ASSAQUTAQ
Price: $129
Degree of Difficulty: 1
In the 60's and 70's small settlements around Greenland were abandoned because people choose to move to bigger towns to work and enjoy the modern facilities. Assaqutaq is situated just on the other side of the mountain Kaellingehaetten, one of the characteristic symbols of Sisimiut. The settlement is today used as a summer camp for the local public schools. In June it's a busy place when the inhabitants from Sisimiut go fishing for the capelin- a small fish important for dog food. During the leisurely stroll around the settlement we see the old fishing factory, the summer camp and the small church that is still here, beautifully situated on a small hill top.
SISIMIUT HISTORICAL HIKE TO TELEOEN
Price: $49
Degree of Difficulty: 3-4
You will be able to visit some old ruins, and also to experience the modern Greenland. On Teleoen, formerly known as Tommermadsoen (the hangover island) you will find culture-historical monuments of the past, which date back to the culture of Saqqaq 2500 years BC and up until today. The guide will tell the participants about how the people have lived and survived in Greenland over 4000 years.
IIULISSAT BOAT TRIP IN THE ICEFJORD
Price: $129
Degree of Difficulty: 1
Illulissat is renowned for its beautiful and breathtaking Ice Fjord. The fjord is best experienced from a boat up close. We sail in to the estuary where the gigantic icebergs in the northern part of the fjord have stranded. There are good possibilities for seal watching. Coffee and tea will be served on board.
VIKING RUINS (NARSAQ)
Price: $96
Degree of difficulty: 2
Archaeologists believe that when Viking explorer Erik the Red first visited Greenland in 982, he spent the winter on the island of Illutalik, not far from Narsaq. In fact, there is a lot of evidence of the presence of the Norse settlers throughout the area. In Narsaq itself, large farm estate-including houses, stables, and storehouse--has been excavated and in "Dyrnæs Valley," just outside the town, a European farm and church have also been unearthed. We visit the Norse exhibition in the local culture house and the ruins in Dyrnæs Valley.
HIKE TO NARSAQ POINT
Price: $70
Degree of Difficulty: 3
For those interested in Greenland's flora, fauna, and ancient history. A spectacular hike along Qaqqarsuaq, a typical Greenland mountain, gives us a fantastic view over the fjord and the settlement of Narsaq. We pass by some Inuit ruins and graves, and-on a more modern note-learn about the Allied telegraph station that operated here during the Second World War.
TOUR TO KVANE MOUNTAIN (NARSAQ)
Price: $124
Degree of Difficulty: 3
We cover some of the distance up Kvane Mountain by bus before starting our hike on foot to its summit. This tour focuses on geological themes, of particular interest in this area.
QAQORTOQ SCULPTURE TOUR
Price: $52
Degree of Difficulty: 1
Since 1993 artists from the Nordic countries have come to Qaqortoq to carve sculptures in rocks and stones. It was a local artist who started the project, and the result in a unique sculpture park all over town. The artists come from Greenland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The project continues and almost every year you can meet artist carving sculptures around town.
QAQORTOQ GREAT GREENLAND TOUR
Price: $24
Degree of Difficulty: 1
Visit the leading industry in producing skin from Greenland. Great Greenland is known for their modern designs in skin coats all over the world. Besides seal skin they also stock polar bear skin among others. Get a tour and feel the softness of the skin delivered by the native Greenlandic hunters.
NUUK WHALE WATCHING
Price: $124
Degree of Difficulty: 1
Sail to Nuuksfjord (Godthabsfjord), where you may spot amazing Humpback whales and encounter other wildlife. The tour also offers fantastic views over Nuuk, the mountain Sermitsiaq, and surrounding islands.
QAQORTOQ GREENLANDIC SPECIALTIES
Price: $26
Degree of Difficulty: 1
Taste different Greenlandic specialties and get a short presentation on the traditional foods found in Greenland.
QASSIARSUK SAILING TO QOOROQ
Price: $109
Degree of Difficulty: 1
We sail from Qassiarsuk to the underwater moraine at the mouth of the Qooroq Ice fjord. We make our way into the fjord along a tortuous path through turquoise-colored icebergs stranded on the moraine. From our boat, we behold the breathtaking sight of thousand icebergs, sheer cliffs, and an enormous glacier that sheds some 200,000 tons of ice per day into the fjord. The motor stopped, we drift quietly with the current, enjoying the panorama. The absolute silence is disturbed only by the crash of icebergs as they break free from the glacier and fall into the fjord. Gathering ice for our on-board cocktails, we enjoy the pop of 1,000-year-old air bubbles as they escape into the glass.