South Greenland: A Region of Contrasts

Blog by Quark Expeditions

The easiest way to sum up the landscape of this part of Greenland: mountains, ice and vegetation.

First of all, there are the mountains, especially in the southern horn of Greenland and along the southeast coast. They’re incredibly jagged, rising hundreds of metres straight out of the sea. It’s mesmerizing to sail past them in any fjord, whether it’s Tasermiut, Prins Christians Sund or Lindenow Fjord.

The second main feature that comes to mind: ice. Ice in its many forms. There’s the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the second-largest body of ice in the world. There are the many glaciers pouring down into the sea. And icebergs, a veritable theatre of differently shaped and colored ice sculptures.

The third main feature sometimes surprises visitors: the vegetation. South Greenland has more plants and vegetation than any other part of the Arctic. There’s so much diversity. Juniper trees and all sort of shrubs. Botanists encounter plant species that don’t grow elsewhere. You can actually get “small forests” of plants that reach up to your waist (or shoulder, depending on your height.)

As a modern explorer to South Greenland you’re immediately struck by all of these contrasting elements—and the immensity of what’s here to explore: Going ashore to local communities; walking on the ice sheets; observing wildlife—whales off the southeast coast, as well as muskox and marine mammals; exploring deep fjords; and learning about Viking history. There’s so much diversity to experience in a very concentrated area, which is different from other destinations in the Arctic.

Explore by Land Sea and Air

A first in polar adventure travel, Quark Expeditions has teamed up with municipal, regional and national partners to offer you the most extensive array of adventure activities and enable you to curate an active adventure in Greenland that best suits you. You’ll experience this new voyage aboard our game-changing polar ship, Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, luxurious onboard amenities, and the largest portfolio of adventure options in the polar regions.

This one-of-a-kind voyage will immerse you in the majestic landscape of the world’s second-largest ice mass. Based in and around Southeast Greenland’s spectacular fjords, Quark Expeditions takes advantage of Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters to take you to areas others can’t reach.

Ascend cascading coastal glaciers and step onto the vast polar plateau of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Travel by helicopter to paddle glacial lakes high in the alpine zones, or roam the tundra with a resident chef and enjoy an unforgettable meal made from local ingredients on one of our Adventure Options (extra cost).

Join Quark Expeditions’ Greenland Adventure, and return home with lifelong memories of one of Earth’s most fascinating destinations. check out the below sailings:

Contact Spencer Travel on leisure@spencertravel.com.au for more information or to book.