Join us on an unforgettable journey to one of the most remote and pristine kayaking destinations on the planet. Located above 70° North, the Upernavik area of northwest Greenland offers dramatic mountain landscapes, colossal icebergs, and a true immersion in the Arctic wilderness. This is our second PYB expedition to this extraordinary region, designed to take novice and less-experienced paddlers on the adventure of a lifetime.
- Explore above 70° North in one of the most untouched Arctic landscapes on the planet
- Expert instruction and mentorship from seasoned PYB expedition leaders
- 10-day self-supported journey immersed in nature’s raw beauty
- 24 hours of daylight allowing for flexibility and extended paddling days
- Skill-building focus: learn how to paddle, pack, and thrive in the Arctic wilderness
What to Expect
- 10-day self-supported journey exploring the stunning Arctic seascape
- Gentle daily distances (15–20 km), focusing on exploration over speed
- Comprehensive skills training to build your confidence and competence
- Learn how to pack, load, and manage your kayak on a wilderness expedition
- Small group size (max. 6 participants) for a personal and low-impact experience
- Safety equipment included for remote travel and polar bear precautions
The Plan
- Two departures available, both aimed at beginners and novice paddlers
- Meet in the remote settlement of Upernavik, where you’ll stay at a local guesthouse with our trusted host, Nikolaj
- After packing the kayaks, we head into the fjords for 10 days of wilderness exploration
- Return to Nikolaj’s guesthouse for a final night before departure
- The Arctic summer’s continuous daylight provides maximum flexibility in our travel plans
Training Weekends
Dates: TBC
Details
Expedition Price – £4250
What’s Included?
- Sea kayak, paddle, spray deck, and safety equipment
- Pre-expedition training weekends to develop paddling and expedition skills
- Mentorship from experienced expedition leaders
- Discounts on outdoor gear through our sponsors
- Photos from the expedition.
Extra Costs
- International and domestic flights to Upernavik
- Expedition food (you’ll receive full guidance on what to bring)
- Personal travel and activity insurance (must include kayaking in remote areas)
Your Instructors
Olly Sanders
Experienced expedition paddler and instructor at PYB.
Olly is a L5 Sea Coach who has been coaching and playing on Anglesey for 30 years. He has guided trips to Scotland, Ireland, Sardinia and Norway.
As an expedition paddler he has been to the Arctic on 10 expeditions mostly all over Greenland, combining sea kayaking and climbing.
He is on the Panel for expedition funding for the Arctic Club and was President of the Arctic Club in 2023.
He is on the Sea Technical Committee for Paddle UK advising on sea kayak related matters.
Olly co-authored a guide to the Lofoten Islands in the Arctic, a result of 10 years of guiding and working there in the Summer.
He has been a sponsored paddler for P&H sea kayaks, Palm and Peak paddling gear and Werner Paddles.
As a personal Challenge he completed some of the big UK open crossings, The Irish sea in a double sea kayak , Holyhead to the Isle Of Man Solo, the English Channel , guiding and Lundy solo.
George Shaw
Experienced paddler and professional Sea Kayaker.
George is a professional sea kayaker, guide, and coach based on the Isle of Man. His passion for the ocean began at 13 while surfing in Cornwall, where long days in the water sparked a lifelong connection to the sea.
Living on the Isle of Man gave George, he discovered sea kayaking and developed a love for tide races. Over the years, he became deeply involved in the BCU system, qualifying as an advanced sea kayak leader and performance coach. In 2017, he founded Sea Kayaking Isle of Man and now regularly guides and coaches at international sea kayaking symposiums. George is a sponsored paddler for Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK).
George has completed numerous long, unsupported open-water crossings and taken part in expeditions across the globe, including East Greenland, Patagonia, Norway, the Aleutian Islands, and beyond. In 2023, he became a member of the prestigious Arctic Club and continues to guide advanced Arctic expeditions.
When not on expedition, George enjoys playing in tide races, sea kayak surfing, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Embark Sponsors
A big thank you to all our Embark sponsors for their generous support.
