HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
Ilulissat, nicknamed "Iceberg Capital of the World" &
UNESCO-protected Icefjord
- Glaciers
of Eqip Sermia & East Greenland
- Ivittuut,
former world strategic mining town in South Greenland
- Eric
the Reds farmhouse reconstruction in South Greenland
- Cruising
the Prince Christian Sound & East Greenland Coast
- Arctic
wildlife with whale and bird watching
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Cat. F | Cat. G | Cat. E | Cat. D | Cat. C | Cat. B | Cat. A | Freydis Suite | Brynhilde Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Cat. F | (Mid-range)
Cat. C | (High-end)
Brynhilde Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: KANGERLUSSUAQ FLIGHT AND EMBARKATION
In
the afternoon we board our chartered flight in Reykjavík,
Iceland or Copenhagen, Denmark, bound for Kangerlussuaq in Greenland
(both flight options are available, please contact us for more
information).
Upon
arrival in Kangerlussuaq, we will be transported to the small port
located west of the airport, where our ship Ocean Albatros, will be
anchored. Zodiacs will transfer us the short distance to the ship,
where you will be checked in to your stateroom. After the safety drill,
you will enjoy a dinner as Ocean Albatros 'sets sail' through the
160-kilometer Kangerlussuaq fjord.
DAY
2: SISIMIUT - EXPERIENCE GREENLAND'S SECOND-LARGEST CITY AT THE FOOT OF
NASAASAAQ MOUNTAIN
After
breakfast, we arrive to the colorful town of Sisimiut, where we will
get an idea of what modern Greenland looks like. With 5,400
inhabitants, it is considered Greenland's second 'city'. People have
lived around Sisimiut on and off since 2,500 BC.
In
1756, Count Johan Ludvig Holstein, established a colony here and called
it “Holsteinsborg”. The oldest part of Sisimiut's
historic quarter features town houses from this
“Holsteinsborg” era, and the oldest house in town
dates to 1756. One of the most culturally significant buildings is the
Blue Church, built in 1775.
Nowadays,
Sisimiut is an important place for education and industry, and local
factories process the bulk of Royal Greenland's fishing. The fish
processing plant is one of the largest of its kind in Greenland, and
one of the most modern in the world.
Our
city tour highlights include the historic colonial quarter, as well as
the museum and the beautiful church. Additionally, we will pay a visit
to the busy city center for a glimpse of what daily life is like in
21st century Greenland. In the afternoon, our voyage will continue
northward.
As
evening falls, we will pass the Sisimiut Isortuat Fjord, the Nordre
Strømfjord settlements of Attu and Ikerasaarsuk, and the
small town of Kangaatsiaq. During the bright night, we will pass
Aasiaat and proceed into the southern waters of Disko Bay. Next, the
ship's heading will be set for Disko Island, known for its distinctive
1,000-meter/3,280 feet layered crags.
At
this point, we will be north of the Arctic Circle! Here, the nights are
bright and early risers can enjoy the sight of the icebergs on Disko
Bay as they squeeze out of the Ilulissat Icefjord and dance into the
frigid ocean waters.
DAY
3: QEQERTARSUAQ ON DISKO ISLAND, 'KAFFEMIK' IN A COMMUNITY CENTRE AND
EQIP SERMIA GLACIER
Our
next sojourn lies on the southern tip of the Disko Island, where Ocean
Albatros will anchor in a protected natural harbour, which is named
Godhavn ('Good Harbour') in Danish, while its Greenlandic name,
Qeqertarsuaq, means 'The Big Island'.
Although
topographically quite different from mainland Greenland due to the
basalt characteristics of the Disko Island's mountains, Qeqertarsuaq
maintains a long, rich history and once served as one of the country's
important economic centres. From the 16th century, the community was
relatively prosperous and, in fact, considered the most important town
north of Nuuk until the mid-1900s, due in part to the area's sizeable
whale hunting population.
During
our visit, we will wander through town, paying a visit to the
characteristic octagonal church, nicknamed “God's
Inkpot”, as well as to a local community center that will be
hosting a traditional Greenlandic “kaffemik”, which
can be best described as a friendly gathering with coffee, cake and
traditional dances and music.
As
the day draws to a closing, Ocean Albatros will set a north-easterly
course bound for a magnificent natural highlight – the
enormous Eqip Sermia Glacier.
Situated
approximately 50 nautical miles north of Ilulissat, the Eqip Sermia
Glacier is renowned for its jaw-dropping beauty. Legendary arctic
explorers selected this location as a base for their studies. One such
explorer, the acclaimed Swiss glaciologist Alfred de Quervain, used the
location as a base for his expeditions onto Greenland's inland ice
sheet over a century ago.
We
will sail as close as possible to the ice's edge – but at a
safe distance to avoid plunging blocks of ice and violent waves that
often result from the calving glacier.
DAY
4: CAPITAL OF THE ICEBERGS, ILULISSAT
Ilulissat
is possibly the most well located town in Greenland. The name simply
means 'icebergs' in Greenlandic, and the town's nickname is rightly
'the Iceberg Capital'.
In
Disko Bay, which is located just off the coast of Ilulissat, gigantic
icebergs linger in the freezing waters. These icebergs come from the
Icefjord, which is located a half hour's hike south of Ilulissat. These
impressive frozen structures are born some 70km/43,5 miles deeper into
the fjord by the enormous Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This 10km/6
miles-wide glacier is the most productive glacier outside of
Antarctica; Whereas most glaciers only calve at a rate of approximately
a metre/three feet a day, the Ilulissat glacier calves at a rate of
25m/82 feet per day. The icebergs produced by the glacier represent
more than 10% of all icebergs in Greenland, corresponding to 20 million
tons/22 million us tons of ice per day!
These
facts, together with the fjord's unforgettable scenery, have secured
the Ice fjord a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. During the more
than 250 years that have passed since the establishment of Ilulissat,
the town has steadily flourished. Today, Ilulissat is Greenland's third
largest town, with more than 4,500 inhabitants. The town is very
vibrant, welcoming and lively with a wide range of cultural
attractions, according to Greenlandic standards.
The
legendary polar explorer, Knud Rasmussen, were born in Ilulissat.
On
this day, you will also have the opportunity to join a boat trip to the
Ice fjord (not included). The journey takes about two and a half hours
in total, a great opportunity to take a closer look at the amazing
ice-sculpted scenery.
The
trip is definitely something out of the ordinary and a great natural
experience that you will remember for years to come – but be
sure to have warm clothing on!
If
a hike or a trip by boat does not present enough excitement, there is
also an opportunity to arrange a flight excursion over the Ice Fjord
(not included).
In
the evening, we will cruise southward from “the Iceberg
Capital”, leaving lovely Disko Bay behind us as we part.
DAY
5: AT SEA
Listen
to a lecture from our experienced expedition staff, see a film about
Arctic nature – or go out on deck to catch glimpses of
migrating birds and hopefully some whales.
DAY
6: NUUK
During
the night, we have cruised north to reach Nuuk in the morning. As we
enter the Nuuk Fjord we have fair chances of encountering the area's
seasonal visitors: Humpback whales!
The
world's smallest capital is in Greenland considered by many a mighty
metropolis - a total of 17,000 people live here today, almost a third
of the country's population.
The
area has been inhabited back to 2200 BC by pre-Inuit hunters. From year
1000 to 1350 AD, the Icelandic Vikings and farmers settled in South
Greenland and in the Nuuk Fjord, while at the same time Inuit hunters
of the Thule culture moved south from North Greenland. The Nordic
settlers disappeared around 1350 AD, but the Inuit stayed, being far
better equipped to hunt and survive in the tough Arctic nature.
Modern
history of Greenland began in 1721, when the Norse missionary Hans
Egede founded a permanent colony and trading station near Nuuk. In
fact, Egede's main purpose to return to Greenland was to convert the
Catholic northerners to Lutherans, but soon after his arrival he
realized the Norse had disappeared, a mystery yet unresolved.
In
1979, the Landsting (Parliament) was established in Nuuk, and the town
was finally recognized as the country's capital.
In
the afternoon, we will leave the capital and continue our southbound
journey.
DAY
7: IVITTUUT; FORMER CRYOLITE MINE AND POSSIBLE MUSCOX SIGTHING
We
reach South Greenland and expect the reach Arsuk Fjord with the small
settlement of the same name. But the important call here is the former
cryolite mine at Ivituut, the only place in the world where this very
special mineral was mined until depleted 30 years ago. Used in aluminum
melting, the mineral became strategically important, and forced the
Americans to set up bases in South Greenland to protect the supply
during WW 2.
DAY
8: QASSIARSUK, ERIC THE RED SETTLEMENT
Early
in the morning we sailed into Eriksfjord, which in Tunisia is called
Tunulliarfik. We throw anchor off Erik the Red's
Brattahlíð settlement, where the Qassiarssuk village
is today. Here we see, among other things, a reconstruction of
Tjodhildur's church, which was the first church on the North American
continent. There are also other ruins after the Norse people, which
disappeared in the 1400s. Here one can really sense the path of history
and wonder why the Norse people suddenly disappeared from Greenland.
It
was from Brattahlíð that Erik and Tjodhildur's son
Leif Eriksson, about 1000, went west and discovered Baffin Island, the
Labrador coast and Newfoundland, before returning to South Greenland a
few years later. In the afternoon we sail out of Eriksfjord close to
Qooroq Isfjord.
DAY
9: PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND, WEST ENTRANCE CRUISSING
Kap
Farvel, or Cape Farewell, is renowned not only as Greenland's
southernmost point, but also for its infamous, although mostly
seasonal, gale-force winds.
We
deliberately opt for a far more comfortable but at the same time more
spectacular route, cruising via the inside passage through the Prince
Christian Sound. This 60 km long waterway, from the settlement
Aapilattoq in the heart of the fjordlands of South West Greenland to
the Atlantic in the east.
DAY
10: SKJOLDUNGEN, SOUTH ENTRANCE / MARIEDAL
The
island of Skjoldungen is without doubt one of most beautiful areas in
East Greenland. Situated at 63° N, the island is surrounded by
narrow, steep fjords and glaciers, and with plenty of the cool, crisp
and clean air of the ever present and nearby ice sheet. Still, we will
find and experience a lush landscape and a milder climate than most
would expect. Acclaimed Norwegian explorer Fridjof Nansen came here in
late summer 1888 in search of a suitable ascension point for the first
inland ice crossing.
Skjoldungen
is also the name of an abandoned settlement, located on the southwest
side of the island. Up to 100 people lived here until 1965, and some
houses remain. We continue our journey to Dronning Marie Dal in the
area's northwestern corner to get a closer view of its interesting
flora.
DAY
11: AT SEA. CROSSING THE DENMARK STRAIT
Our
lecturers onboard will make inspiring and enriching presentations about
both Iceland's and Greenland's history, nature, wildlife and
climatology. A captain's farewell drink and a slideshow of our voyage
will also be presented this evening.
DAY
12: REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND. DISEMBARKATION
As
our time in Greenland concludes, we slowly approach the Icelandic
Capitol, Reykjavík, and your Arctic adventure will have
concluded.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Flight
Keflavik, Iceland or Copenhagen, Denmark - Kangerlussuaq
- English-speaking
guides
- Church
visit and ‘kaffemik’ in Qeqertarsuaq
- Town
and settlement walks in Qeqertarsuaq, Ilulissat, Nuuk & Kuumiit
- Museum
visits in Qeqertarsuaq and Ilulissat, Nuuk
- Slow-crusing
in Zodiacs in fjords
- Inspiring
and enriching lectures onboard by qualified lecturers
- Full
board on the ship
- Coffee,
tea and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Taxes,
tariffs, and AECO fees
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- Special
photo workshop
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
EXCLUSIONS
- Travel
Insurance
- Senior
Travel Insurance
- Single
cabin supplement and stateroom upgrade
- Any
meals and drinks on land
- Beverages
in addition to coffee and tea around the clock as well as juices and
the like included for breakfast
- Flightseeing
with Airzafari in Ilulissat, day 4
- Sailing
between icebergs in Ilulissat, day 4
- Other
purchase excursions and extra events
- Ocean
Atlantic crew allowance (approximately $ 14 per day per participant)
- Expenses
for medicines and other personal necessities
- Anything
else not mentioned under "Price includes"
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
Cruises
- Hiking
- Lectures
