Embark on an incredible voyage as you are guided by one of the most stunning light shows in the world. On board the Hondius, you will depart on an incredible 9 day voyage through the Arctic Circle. Sail through Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system in the world, filled with giant icebergs and home to multiple species of whale. Encounter the unique and hardy residents of Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbylund, as sled dogs dash past colorful huts, bringing stark contrast to the dramatic surrounding landscape. Spot unique wildlife from arctic hares to narwhals and polar bears. Last but not least, you will undertake this incredible voyage all the while looking to the stars to witness one of the most incredible natural visual displays as you gaze upon the mystifying Northern Lights.
Optional Activities : Kayaking, Photography
Trip Code: ACOWSSAB
Travel Style: Expedition Cruise
Location: Arctic, Greenland
Ship: Hondius
Flights: We offer a range of flight options to meet your cruise. Contact us today to discuss.
You will have the opportunity to sail through Scoresbysund, the largest and most beautiful fjord system in the world.
Encounter unique wildlife from arctic hare, narwhal, polar bears and even multiple species of whale.
Pay visit to the unique settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, where a small and hardy population call home, unique for its colourful huts and deeply ingrained local heritage.
Witness the incredible and colourful display of the northern lights as they guide your journey, adding a unique touch of magic and mysticism.
Your journey begins in the morning, where by request you can transfer via chartered bus* from the city hall of Reykjavik (the meeting point) to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). You arrive in the afternoon after a six-hour drive through northern Iceland.
*Please Note: This transfer is not included and must be booked in advance. In the early evening, the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the Denmark Strait
While sailing north you’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots. You then cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with your approach to the east Greenland coast, near Brewster.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord grant you the opportunity to sail far inland, as they have no glacier front at the head and are not clogged with ice. In this location, you have your best shot at spotting narwhals and polar bears.
A sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and at night, the magical northern lights.
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer by chartered bus(a six-hour transfer that is not included, that you must book in advance) to the Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
East Greenland's Scoresby Sund & Aurora Borealis | Hondius from USD 4,600 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
12 Sep 2022 | 20 Sep 2022 | 9 |
09 Sep 2023 | 17 Sep 2023 | 9 |
Shipboard accommodation on board the Hondius
All meals on board
All scheduled landings and excursions
Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition team
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes throughout voyage
All port taxes
Exclusions
Airfares to and from embarkation/disembarkation city
Transfer Day 1 from Reykjavik city hall to ship in Akureyri
Transfer Day 9 Akureyri to Reykjavik city hall
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Beverages (other than tea and coffee)
Personal expenses such as laundry, on board communication (Telephone calls, faxes, email)
Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$ 15 per person per day)
Optional activities
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
* Please note the transfers on Day 1 and 9 must be booked in advance, and will incur an extra cost.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
Departure date, season and availability.
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Chimu Adventures undertakes a number of sustainability measures within its operations including:
1) Only using local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and minimise carbon footprints. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate knowledge, passion and culture of the country you’re visiting.
2) Where possible, using locally owned and operated boutique hotels to maximise the return to the local community.
3) Chimu’s “Pass it on” programme has provided funding to hundreds of local community projects in Latin America. Our aim is to empower local communities, helping them to develop their own infrastructure for the future. Since 2006, we have been working with Kiva (a well-known Non-Governmental Organisation), providing hundreds of loans to local businesses all over South America.
4) In our pre tour information we provide a range of tips and advice on how to minimise your impact on both local environments and communities.
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