HIGHLIGHTS
- See
fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots
- As
you cross the Arctic Circle, you might possibly spot whales
- As
you approach the east Greenland coast near Brewster, the first icebergs
flash into sight
- Sail
along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst and reach Scoresbysund
- Enjoy
a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to
the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt
- Visit
the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | QUAD | TRIPLE PORTHOLE | TWIN PORTHOLE | TWIN WINDOW | TWIN DELUXE | SUPERIOR |
|---|
| Sep 02, 2023 | Sep 10, 2023 | 4,600 | 6,400 | 6,400 | 6,900 | 7,300 | 8,300 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Please Note: Transfer
supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and Radhus
Reykjavikur / city hall in Vonarstraeti and v.v. (6 hours) $ 220,-
return must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening,
the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the
Denmark Strait.
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
QUAD | (Mid-range)
TWIN WINDOW | (High-end)
SUPERIOR |
|---|
| Sep 02, 2023 | Sep 10, 2023 | 4,600 | 6,900 | 8,300 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Please Note: Transfer
supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and Radhus
Reykjavikur / city hall in Vonarstraeti and v.v. (6 hours) $ 220,-
return must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening,
the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the
Denmark Strait.
ITINERARY
Background
on Basecamp cruises
On
this voyage we will offer free activities (kayaking, hiking, and photo
workshop) .
Our
Basecamp voyages focus on land and near-shore activities with minimal
disturbance to local wildlife. If time and conditions permit, the
expedition team will also look for wildlife opportunities whenever
possible.
By
definition, a basecamp is a temporary camp from which expeditions or
other outdoor activities can be carried out.
During
our designated Basecamp cruises, the ship navigates to carefully chosen
areas in the Scoresby Sund, staying in fewer locations than during our
regular trips so that it can serve as a comfortable hub for multiple
outdoor activities.
Hikers
can embark on vigorous walks in the backcountry, photographers can
capture the dramatic surroundings in pictures, and kayakers can explore
waterways through which the ship cannot always sail.
Passengers
who do not wish to engage in these activities can enjoy Zodiac
excursions and easy-to-moderate shoreline walks that focus on wildlife.
All activities are free of charge. Polar scuba diving is the only
supplemented activity on these trips. See our section on polar diving
in the introduction.
Day
1: On the Iceland road
Your
journey begins in the morning, where by request you can transfer via
chartered bus (T) from the city hall of Reykjavik (the meeting point)
to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). You arrive in the
afternoon after a six-hour drive through northern Iceland.
PLEASE
NOTE: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for in advance. In the
early evening, the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing
north toward the Denmark Strait.
Day
2: Sailing to east Greenland
While
sailing north you're likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and
common guillemots. You then cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting
whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with your
approach to the east Greenland coast, near Brewster.
Day
3: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
Today
you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons
Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier
fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of
Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you
find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago.
The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the
winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well
preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches,
and grave sites. In the evening you continue sailing the berg-crowded
fjords to the west.
Day
4: Colors of the cape
The
goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the
world's most cherished iceberg attractions: The austere blue-white of
the icebergs sets sharp against the brooding red backdrop of the
sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern
parts of Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and
warm autumnal foliage.
Day
5: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares
In
the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328
feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are
grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You
then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot
of seeing Arctic hares.
Day
6: Settlement at Scoresbysund
Today
you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The
afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in
Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you
can buy stamps for your postcards, or just stroll around to see the
sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon you
sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.
Day
7: Remote shores
Turner
Sound and Rømer Fjord grant you the opportunity to sail far
inland, as they have no glacier front at the head and are not clogged
with ice. In this location, you may get the opportunity to spot
narwhals.
Day
8: Sea life under the northern lights
A
sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds
– and at night, the magical northern lights.
Day
9: Journey's end at Akureyri
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You
disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer by chartered
bus (T) (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the
Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompany you
wherever your next adventure lies.
Plancius (Expedition, 108-guests)
MV Plancius offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. The vessel has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- Transfer
supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and Radhus
Reykjavikur / city hall in Vonarstraeti and v.v. (6 hours)
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE OPTIONS
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Shore-based Walking
- Photo Workshop
