HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
Scoresby Sund, the grandest fjord of them all
- Visit
the Inuit settlement of Ittiqqortoormiit before venturing into the
fjord for the island of Milne
- See
some of the abundant wildlife: Narwhals, polar bears and muskoxen. And
the elusive Northern Lights!
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVE BY FLIGHT TO KANGERLUSSUAQ - EMBARKATION
In
the afternoon we board from Keflavik, Iceland, bound for Kangerlussuaq
in Greenland.
Upon
arrival in Kangerlussuaq, we will be transported to the small port
located west of the airport, where our ship Ocean Diamond, will be
anchored. Zodiacs will transfer us the short distance to the ship,
where you will be checked in to your outside cabin. After the safety
drill, you will enjoy a dinner as Ocean Diamond ‘sets
sail’ through the 160-kilometer Kangerlussuaq fjord.
DAY
2: AT SEA; LECTURES ON GREENLAND CULTURE
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
3: NUUK, CAPITAL OF GREENLAND
During
the night, we have cruised north to reach Nuuk in the morning. As we
enter the fjord Nuup Kangerlua 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
4: 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
5: THROUGH PRINCE CHRISTIAN SOUND TO EAST GREENLAND
Kap
Farvel (Ummannarsuaq), 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 (Ikerasassuaq). 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
6: SKJOLDUNGEN, ZODIAC LANDING AND NATURE HIKE
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
Greenland Icecap 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
7: TASIILAQ, INUIT TOWN IN EAST GREENLAND
This
morning, we will approach the Island of Ammassalik and enter King
Oskar's harbor with the Polhem Mountain (1003 m/3300 feet) to
starboard. In front of us, we will see East Greenland's largest town,
or Tasiilaq (2,000 inhabitants), which is the name used today, formerly
it was known as Ammassalik (like the island). Although massive ice
floes surround Tasiilaq making shipping traffic impossible most of the
year, it has well-functioning educational institutions and health
services.
Ammassalik
was established as a colony in 1894, 10 years after the famed Gustav
Holm's Umiaq expedition (open skin boat). The place where the town is
located originally had no permanent settlement, but it turned out to be
a perfect place to live because of its natural harbor and easy access
to open waters. We visit
the beautiful local museum with the old turf hut, which undoubtedly is
the place with the very best opportunities to buy some of Greenland's
best crafts. From
Tasiilaq, we spend the rest of the day exploring the dramatic fjords
and landscapes of the Ammassalik district.
DAY
8: EAST GREENLAND’S KANGERLUSSUAQ FJORD
The
coastline from the Ammassalik area to Scoresbysund Fjord is among the
most dramatic in the world. 2-3000 meter mountains rise directly from
the sea in Denmark Strait, which is often filled with pack ice from the
Arctic Ocean. The coast was inaccessible to both Inuit and European
whalers, and it was not until 1899 that a small group of Danes led by
Captain Amdrup managed to cover the 500 dangerous miles in a rowing
boat.
Ocean
Diamond will pass the coast towards Scoresbysund in approximately
2½ days. Local wind and ice conditions determine route and
possible landings. We hope to visit the abandoned settlement at the
Kangerlussuaq fjord and go ashore at the dramatic Nansen Fjord.
DAY
9: AT SEA ALONG BLOSSEVILLE COAST
Possibly
the most dramatic coast outside of Antarctica, the Blosseville is
guarded by Greenland’s highest mountains and steepest fjords
– and a belt of pack ice which before global warming would
keep out any adventurous sailor for years. The recent decade has had
warmer summers and much less ice which enables ice strengthened vessels
such as the Ocean Diamond to venture along the coast, on lookout for
stunning wildlife, abandoned Inuit settlements and otherworldly
landscapes. After
passing Blosseville Coast, we navigate the pointed Cape Brewster and
arrive at the world's largest fjord, Scoresbysund.
DAY
10: INUIT TOWN OF ITTOQQORTOORMIIT, KONG OSCARS FJORD
We
cross the huge entrance of Scoresbysund during the night and arrive at
the Inuit community Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund) in the morning.
About 500 people live here, most of whom base a large portion of their
households on hunting. Seal, muskoxen and polar bear skins hang to dry
outside many of the houses, and the sled dogs are waiting for sea ice
to be safe for the first hunts of the fall. The town is extremely
isolated, and the inhabitants only receive ship supplies twice a year.
We have established good contacts with the local residents during our
earlier visits and can go ashore to experience this unique little
community.
Tomorrow
we cruise further into the fjord and hope to do a landing before
returning to the Denmark Strait and the open sea.
DAY
11: SCORESBY SUND FJORD; LARGEST IN THE WORLD
The
amazing visual menu of the day is nothing less than the longest fjord
in the world, Scoresby Sund. We will explore this fjord and hope to be
able to offer kayaking and landings weather and ice conditions
permitting.
Please
note that all the outings and landings rely on weather, sea and ice
conditions being favorable both for the ship to access the areas, as
for the zodiacs and kayaks to maneuver under adequate conditions,
ensuring the safety of all our passengers and staff.
For
this reason, during moments of harsh weather and throughout the entire
trip, Ocean Diamond has excellent public areas, such as
wellness/sauna, restaurant, bar and a library for our passengers to
spend their spare time. Our ship is staffed by experts in the
field who will also share great lectures along the way, ranging from
exploration history to biology, geology, ice and wildlife.
DAY
12: AT SEA; LECTURES AND BIRD WATCHING
The
last day will be at sea getting glimpses of sea birds migrating
south. 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
13: REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND. DEPARTURE.
As
our time in Greenland concludes, we slowly approach the Icelandic
capital, Reykjavík, and your Arctic adventure will have
concluded. We enter Reykjavík in the morning and bid
farewell to the vessel and crew.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUSIONS
- 13-day/12-night
cruise with Ocean Diamond in a shared outside/inside double cabin with
private bathroom/toilet in the category chosen
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
- Near-port
town walks with expedition team
- Guided
walks in Ivittut, Tasiilaq and?Ittiqqortoormiit
- City
tour in Nuuk
- Information
briefings and lectures by expedition team
- Full
board on ship
- Free
coffee, tea and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Taxes,
tariffs and AECO fees
- Special
photo workshop
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
EXCLUSIONS
- Hotel
accommodations pre and post cruise
- Travel
insurance
- Cancellation
insurance
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement
- Meals
not on board the ship.
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea).
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day).
- Personal
expenses.
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Price includes'.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Boat
Trips
- Bus
Excursions
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- USD 235
- Lectures
- Northern
Lights
- Photography
- Wildlife
Observations
- Zodiac
Cruises
