HIGHLIGHTS
- Walk
on tundra colored with wildflowers and Musk oxen
- Visit
an old trappers’ hut and small lakes with geese
- Sail
through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord with towering mountains and huge
icebergs
- Cruise
the front of glaciers in Scoresby Sund
- Explore
the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned 200 years ago
- Land
near Sydkap to see remains of Thule winter houses
- Visit
a post office and watch sled dogs at Ittoqqortoormiut
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
The
Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with
breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are
home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with
nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.
Day
1: Largest town, biggest island
You
touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around
this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make
for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more
than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early
evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first
minke whale of your voyage.
Day
2: Route to Raudfjorden
Sailing
to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an
expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even
visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this
fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the
possibility of polar bears.
Day
3 – 4: Onward to east Greenland
You
may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice
flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for
whales and migrating seabirds here.
Day
5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
As
you approach Greenland, you may sail through the sea ice into Foster
Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters' hut (where
Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first
half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by
musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. From here you sail
through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and
bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower
waterway.
Day
6: The islands of Antarctic Sound
You
arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil's Castle), a mountain with layered
geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the
intended landing site. In the afternoon you head into Antarctic Sound,
where you find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most
likely spot for a landing.
Day
7: Alpefjord's lofty peaks
In
the morning you enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the
streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side.
You land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie
right at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good
chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the
afternoon the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the
spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. You may then embark on a
Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the
interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, you
experience a definitive Greenland adventure.
Day
8: Sights of the Arctic autumn
The
first half of the day you spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley
where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the
sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.
Day
9: 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
10: 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
11: 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
12: 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
13: 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
14: 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 (T) by
chartered bus (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.
(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.
- Transfers
and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to 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 Radhus
Reykjavikur / city hall in Vonarstraeti (6 hours).
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Zodiac Cruising & Shore Program
- Shore-Based Walking
