HIGHLIGHTS
- Learn
about the history of the Inuit, Dorset and Thule people from our
experts on board
- Marvel
at the glistening icebergs that crack and calve spectacularly off
glaciers into the meltwater
- Get
your camera ready for large pods of narwhal, playful seal, mighty
muskox, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons
- Dig
into the tumultuous history of the Vikings who made west Greenland
their home
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 26, 2023 | Sep 05, 2023 | 10,256 |
11,153 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 26, 2023 | Sep 05, 2023 | 10,256 |
11,153 |
Dr.
Pablo Sobron
SETI
Institute Research Scientist
Accompanying:
SH Vega, Greenland in Depth, 26 August - 5 September 2023
Pablo
is a research scientist with a PhD in Physics and Technology Materials
who worked at the European Space Agency, the Spanish Space Agency and
the Universities of Oslo and Valladolid before dedicating himself to
developing new technologies at Washington University, McGill
University, the Canadian Space Agency, the SETI Institute and NASA. The
technologies include all the laser tools we use to explore Mars today.
Since 2016, Pablo has led teams of scientists and engineers in projects
to deliver solutions to explore and study the deep sea and deep space.
Pablo’s lecture will be “Arctic resources and their
role in space sciences and the energy transition”.
ITINERARY
Reykjavik
Day 1
Despite
its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do in
this diminutive but dramatic city. To get your bearings, take the
elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church,
designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is
one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to
earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert
Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated
harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of
cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland
from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an
impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by
Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city
lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s
original Viking parliament.
At
Sea Day 2
You
can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head
to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in
the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you
prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an
informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board
experts.
Skjoldungen
Day 3
On
the craggy east coast of Greenland, the stunningly scenic, U-shaped
Skjoldungen Fjord is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains, dwarf
birch, Arctic wildflowers and willow forests with the Thrym Glacier at
one end. High rock walls, serpentine rivers and large crevasses of ice
pillars known as seracs give way to carved icebergs in the fjord that
gleam in a white to blue spectrum. You also have the opportunity to see
whales under pure blue skies.
Prins
Christian Sound & Aappilattoq Day 4
The
small, colourful and pretty Nordic homes of Aappilattoq, the only
settlement in Prins Christian Sund, stand stark against snow-tipped
mountain ridges in this icy wilderness. A beautifully dramatic fjord in
the south of Greenland, in Prins Christian Sund we move among fin, blue
and minke whales, while you may also see muskox, polar bears and
bearded seals. Enjoy these unspoilt, picturesque waterways where
magnificent glaciers tower and granite cliffs yield to crystal-clear
waterfalls.
Ivigtut
Day 5
Today,
explore Ivigtut's deserted buildings, enormous cryolite hole and
above-ground cemetery. This settlement played a crucial role in WWII as
cryolite was used to produce Aluminium to build fighter planes. Walk
around the abandoned houses and learn about the history of the Ivigtut.
Nuuk
(Godthab) Day 6
Home
to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk can easily
deceive you that you’re travelling through such a wild and
secluded country. Also known by its Danish name of Godthåb
(Good Hope), you’ll see the busy old Colonial Harbour with
Nuuk Cathedral prominent, colourful wooden houses, avant-garde
architecture and a wonderful array of fjords with clear ice waters and
an unspoiled mountain backdrop. Look out for whales and on land arctic
foxes, arctic hares and reindeer.
Sisimiut
Day 7
Just
north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in Greenland,
Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports
hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then
Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport and we have a
chance to see abandoned settlements but it also has a cool, modern
side. Watch out for humpback whales and walrus between Sisimiut and the
Thule district in the north.
Ilulissat
Day 8
Sailing
through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat
Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage
Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination,
and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of
gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The
city of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is home to as
many sled-dogs as people.
Disko
Bay Day 9
Qeqertarsuaq
is the largest town on Disko Island, the largest island in Greenland,
on the west coast and part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Lyngmark Glacier rises above the town and the area’s lush
hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic
origin. The area is very fertile and home to diverse species not found
elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as we move
through floating icebergs and whales.
Kangerlussuaq,
Greenland Day 10-11
At
the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland,
Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the
60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland
ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater.
Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife
tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic
foxes and gyrfalcons.
SH Vega (Luxury Expedition, 152-guests)
Making her maiden voyage in April 2022, our 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.
Our brand new ship has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation
(where specified)
- Group
return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included
accommodation where applicable)
- One
night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or
onboard
- All
meals onboard
- Onboard
accommodation in a stateroom selected category
- 24-hour
room service
- Coffee,
tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours
per day
- Lecture
programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- One
selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
- Branded
Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Standard
WiFi
- Onboard
gratuities & port taxes
