Iceland & Greenland: A Nordic Discovery

Limited To 13 Travelers

A very important feature of our Iceland and Greenland adventure is the limited group size, which facilitates the most intimate and authentic experience of our remote Nordic environs. In addition to enhancing safety, a small group limits our impact on this pristine ecosystem.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leaders, local guides and camp staff, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 14, select beer and wine at camp, some gratuities, airport transfers for those arriving by air on Day 1 and departing by air from Keflavik on final day, private whale watching tour, gear including Mustang expedition suits for Zodiac excursions and all kayaking equipment, all activities and entrance fees, 4x4 transportation in Iceland, all taxes, permits and service fees.
  
• Internal air includes: Round-trip flights between Reykjavik, Iceland and Kulusuk, Greenland, and a helicopter flight between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate to Difficult — Remote

Please read these details carefully. The physical requirements for the Iceland portion of the trip are presented first, followed by Greenland. 

In Iceland, you must be able to walk unassisted at a steady pace for a minimum of two miles at a time over uneven terrain. Our itinerary involves daily walks or hikes of varied lengths, including uphill and downhill stretches, over rough lava and earthen trails that can be muddy, slippery and uneven with roots and rocks (please note that all walks can be more difficult to navigate during inclement weather). We also spend time in 4x4 vehicles on bumpy, winding mountain roads that may cause discomfort or motion sickness for those who are prone. 

Our adventure in East Greenland is a genuine wilderness experience and expeditionary in nature, with each day's activities determined in part by weather and local conditions. Our deluxe safari-style base camp, accessed via a scenic 4- to 5-hour boat transfer and/or short helicopter flight, is located in an exceptionally remote and rugged area. Guests must be prepared for activities that take place in such a setting and in unpredictable weather conditions, often being away from camp facilities for a full day. Good health and general physical fitness are a must, as we are far from medical facilities in an area inaccessible by road. Walks and hikes are typically off-trail and often uphill, requiring strong mobility and stability. A guided glacier walk is included, and travelers must be comfortable hiking “off-trail” over wet and uneven terrain. This excursion requires the use of helmets and crampons (all specialized equipment is provided) and the glacier walk has a few steep parts. Although all activities are optional, and alternate activities are sometimes available at varying levels of physical demand, all guests must be able to walk unassisted for at least two miles at a time over uneven, rocky and sometimes steep terrain without trails. Hiking poles are strongly recommended.

We use open Zodiac motorized rafts to explore the fjord and access the shore for exploration, and landings can be unstable. Landings may be either wet (requiring you to exit the raft in shallow water and walk a short distance to shore) or dry (disembarking directly onto land), and may require navigating over rocks or large boulders that can be slippery with seaweed. Our staff is available to assist for safety purposes, but guests need to be able to comfortably negotiate such uneven and unstable conditions, as well as be able to embark and disembark the Zodiac with minimal help. Mobility and balance are essential.

While at Base Camp, daily activities include nature walks or hiking, kayaking and Zodiac excursions of varying durations. Zodiac outings in the nearby fjords can last up to 8 or 9 hours (including stops), with opportunities for hikes ashore to explore geological and historic sights. We expect to operate in generally calm seas, but conditions can and do change quickly, and we may be exposed in open boats to cold, windy or rainy weather for hours at a time. Guests who have health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions should take this into consideration. Since we travel with two Expedition Leaders, however, we are sometimes able to divide the group for varied activities by interest and physical ability level or preference when or if conditions allow.

Kayaking is optional and no previous paddling experience is required, however you should be able to sit in a kayak and paddle for up to two hours.

In Tasiilaq, our hotel is located atop a very steep hill high above town, and vehicle transportation is provided to and from our group activities for those who prefer to ride rather than walk. Hotel rooms are located at the top of steep stairs (and there is no elevator).

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

Our journey to Base Camp Greenland offers the only opportunity to encounter one of the planet’s most isolated locations via luxury camping. As we head way off the grid on Greenland's remote east coast, guests must be prepared for all the vagaries that come with travel to such an isolated destination. These include inclement weather, varying ice conditions, and a scarcity of operational support, all of which makes a journey to our exclusive Base Camp Greenland an adventure in the truest sense. At times, flights may be canceled due to poor weather, routes may be closed due to changing ice conditions, and some amenities may become unavailable until a new shipment arrives. But the adventure is part of the excitement, and we will use our 25+ years of Greenland operating experience to make the best of even substantial itinerary changes, should they occur.

Terrain
Terrain in Iceland is on rocky and slippery trails with roots and rocks with some elevation gain and steepness.

Terrain in Greenland is mostly off-trail and more difficult than the terrain you might be accustomed to hiking on. Click here to see example photos of walks and hikes from our adventure. We take your safety and risk management seriously. If it is determined by the Expedition Leader(s) that you are physically unfit for certain activities, you will be required to sit out or stay back at camp.

Medical Form
Due to the extremely remote nature of this adventure, we require that all travelers submit a medical form before departure. This form must be completed and signed by your primary care physician.
Meals
Please understand that the meals at camp, while hearty and tasty, are specially planned and prepared for well in advance. Dietary requirements due to serious medical conditions or strict personal restrictions can be met, with ample notice, but must be adhered to while on the trip. If you have a restricted diet (such as gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, etc), we recommend bringing some of your preferred snacks along with the appreciation that certain foods are limited in this part of the world, and there might not be many options at the Greenland hotels.

Flight Delays
It is possible that your flight to Greenland or back to Iceland could be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather. In these cases, we provide alternate activities and accommodations during the trip time frame.

Safety
Your safety is of paramount concern to us. Toward that end, we provide highly competent guides with extensive experience in polar regions, and the very best equipment. Our guides are thoroughly trained in emergency wilderness first-aid techniques, traveling in polar bear terrain, and with maritime survival in polar waters. Ultimately, our guides make decisions with everyone’s comfort and safety in mind, while trying to maximize the adventure experience for each individual. We must stress that listening carefully to your guide’s instructions and directions is ultimately your responsibility and in your best interest and that of the group.

Specialized Equipment
We provide all group gear such as Mustang survival suits, kayaks and kayaking gear (dry suits, pogies, booties, PFDs) dry bags and a comprehensive first-aid kit and satellite communication devices for emergency communications. We will supply you with a comprehensive Clothing & Equipment list prior to your departure.

Mandatory Insurance

Please arrive in Reykjavik in time for a 5:30 pm briefing and dinner on Day 1. For those arriving by air, upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to our hotel in Reykjavik, about an hour's drive.

Guests are free to depart Reykjavik anytime on the final day of the trip.

Weather can be extremely unpredictable in this part of the world, and our return flight from Greenland to Iceland can be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Given this possibility, we strongly recommend adding an extra night in Keflavik (or Reykjavik) to ensure you do not miss your connecting flight home.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Also, in the case you might be delayed in Kulusuk, we would be able to make international flight changes on your behalf. Please call us at 800-543-8917 to have us book your flights, or to learn more. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.