8-Day Boat-Supported Camping Expedition

A boat journey of around two hours north through the fjords brings us to the start of our route in Tasiilap Kua, a deep, narrow fjord with the granite spires of the Fox’s Jaw towering in the distance to the north. From the shore, we make our way up a valley following a braided river, before either making a short crossing of the smooth, pitted surface of a “dry” glacier (no crampons required) or skirting the flank of the glacier via the moraine on the valley side. Our route follows the banks of a stream between steep mountains, eventually reaching the alluvial tidal flats of Tunu and the evening’s camp.

Over the next days, we’ll trace the shoreline of Ikateq Fjord, exploring tundra, navigating stream crossings, and passing the remains of a WWII-era American runway. As the team treks between camps, our baggage will be transported by boat to a pre-arranged point along the shoreline, where we’ll collect it and establish camp in the late afternoon.

Same as Day 3.

From our camp above the sand beaches of Nunartivaq, our route gains 2,300 ft on a traverse into the upper reaches of Sermiligaq Fjord. From our high point, we look out over multiple tidewater glaciers, the high peaks of the Caledonian Alps, and the fjord stretching out toward the open sea.

Icebergs calved from the Karale Glacier and other nearby glaciers drift past our shoreside campsite. In the morning, we take a boat across the fjord, navigating ice-laden waters to begin the day’s trek within sight of the massive Knud Rasmussen Glacier. Heading north, we carefully pick our way along the rugged coastline toward the glacier, aiming to establish camp for the night with views of its active calving face.

Today’s distance and elevation gain will vary depending on the high point selected for the route.

Today we will take a short walk to within a stone’s throw of the ice, an awe-inspiring viewpoint where we can take in the vast scale of the glacier and watch for icebergs calving. Later, our boats will collect us for the journey back to the lodge, where we will spend one final night. On the way back, we may have time to do some fishing for our dinner that evening.

After breakfast, return to the airstrip to meet the flight to Iceland.