East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail | RVR15-25

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Title

East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

Start – End

Tripcode

RVR15-25

Language

English speaking voyage

Ship

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

Embarkation / Disembarkation

Constable Pynt - Akureyri

Nights / Days

11 nights

More about

Arctic cruises

Greenland cruises

Iceland cruises

Cabins & Prices

Group request For reservations with more than 15 guests you can contact us directly

Itinerary

PLEASE NOTE:

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises, and willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on a historic sailing vessel. Important information about the use of sails: The vessel is equipped with sails to be used in good conditions (based on open sea, water depth, wind, and time allowance), but the use of sails is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or engine. If sails are used, the crew will operate them. Guests must follow the safety instructions of the team. The average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots.

Short description

Sail through Earth’s largest fjord system on a historic three-masted vessel, getting the chance to encounter exotic Arctic wildlife like musk oxen and Arctic hares under the enchanting aurora borealis. Greenland whales may also appear between landing sites, where we will enjoy enormous icebergs, ancient Thule settlements, and scenic shoreline hikes.

Please note: End of trip

This trip concludes with a crossing of the Denmark Strait. Since Northern Atlantic weather can be rough in October, the captain will decide when to depart East Greenland to make for the most pleasant crossing.

Day 1: Push-off at Constable Pynt

You arrive by chartered plane from Keflavik and land at Constable Pynt, the airfield at the head of Hurry Inlet. This area is known for its remarkably rich geological history.

Day 2: Sailing among the glaciers

Enjoy the sights as we sail the glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here you may set out on a Zodiac cruise along one of the shoreline glacier fronts, with your first activity near Månegletcher or Vikingebugt.

Day 3: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear

We sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to the Charcot Glacier before continuing by the Bjørneør and sail to Øfjord.

Day 4-7: Mountain-fringed fjord

Today marks a visit to the east entrance of one of the most impressive fjords in the world: Ø Fjord is almost 40 nautical miles long (74 km, 46 miles), with mountains on each side up to 2,000 meters high (6,562 feet), and icebergs that drift over depths of more than 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). The aim is to land at Jyttehavn and hike the tundra in mythic surroundings. We may also sail into Harefjord, Rypefjord, and Rödefjord, walking into C. Hoffmanhalvöya and on Storö. We will then land near Sydkap, where you can see colossal icebergs, some of them over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer long (.62 mile). Most of these bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). At Sakatajik we can also view the remains of Thule winter houses. As many as twenty people lived here once, hunting Greenland whales and building houses out of their vertebrae.

Day 8: The tundra of Jameson Land

At the western shores of Jameson Land lies a vast tundra with grazing musk oxen. We will try to make a landing on one of the areas, such as Tyskit Nunat, remembering Alfred Wegener’s efforts to cross Vandreblokken. We may also visit Kap Hooker or a lovely lagoon west of Kap Stewart.

Day 9: Settlement at Scoresbysund

Today’s 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.

Day 10-11: Under the northern lights

If there is not too much cloud cover, you might enjoy the magical lightshow of the aurora borealis today.

Day 12: Journey’s end in Akureyri

We disembark in the Icelandic town of Akureyri, taking home memories that will accompany us wherever the next adventure lies. If requested, you can take a chartered bus (six-hour drive) to Reykjavik.

Included in this voyage

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 snowshoes.
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
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 bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik (6 hours).
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Highlights you might experience

Scoresby Sund

Northern Lights

One of the great attractions in the Arctic are the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis.

Sydkap

An area of Scoresby Sund where wildlife, striking terrain, and ancient Thule culture converge

Arctic Hare

They can run like the wind, see everything around them without turning their heads, and sometimes eat animals instead of leaves – all while looking this cute

Minke Whale

Though the smallest of the fin whales, these migrating mammals can let out a cry as loud as a plane taking off

Musk Ox

Among the few hooved animals to survive the last ice age, these goat-like creatures have an underlayer of fur that is one of the world's warmest natural fibers

Bearded Seal

The largest of their kind to take up in the Arctic, these loud-singing sopranos sport whiskers so long they were named after them

Ringed Seal

These are the most populous seals in the Arctic, and though also the smallest are capable of boring through ice sheets thicker than their bodies are long