East Greenland Explorer:
Northern Lights

Aboard Sea Spirit

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Arctic Departures
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Sea Spirit - 14 Days Sep - OCT 2013
15% Discount on all 2013 Circumnavigation
of Spitsbergen Departures aboard Sea Spirit - all cabins except triple share - Ends 30 Sept 2012

2012 Itinerary

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If viewing the majestic Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights - is on your list of things to do, this is the tour for you. Nowhere on earth can nature's most spectacular light show be better seen than in the autumn and winter skies above Greenland's eastern coast. This tour is also perfect for those who enjoy plenty of walking and hiking with their adventure travel. One of the best ways to experience new landscapes and cultures is by getting out on the land and exploring it first-hand. This tour offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to hike some of the most pristine wilderness on the planet.

Day 1

Reykjavik

Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in thoroughly-modern Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital city. D

Day 2

Reykjavik - Embarkation

Explore Reykjavik at your own pace in the morning, In the afternoon, join our group transfer to the port and board the polar adventure ship Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs, the ship will be your floating base camp for 13 days of adventure under the midnight sun. As Akademik Sergey Vavilov sets sail, linger on deck with a camera or binoculars to scan the sky for seabirds, and the horizon for whales. If we are fortunate, at night you will be entertained by the Northern Lights. This expedition takes you to a remote area of Greenland. The sea, the ice, and the weather will determine our exact route and no specific itinerary can be guaranteed in advance. BLD

Days 3-4

At Sea

As we cross the Denmark Strait and sail towards Greenland, the Expedition Team delivers illustrated presentations about Greenland's wildlife, history or geography. A number of important safety and operational briefings are conducted. From the deck and from the bridge you have good chances of seeing White-beaked dolphins, Humpback or Minke whales, and birds such as the kittiwake, gannet, guillemot, fulmar and razorbill. BLD

Day 5

King Oscar Fjord - Ella Island

The impressive King Oscar Fjord presents the rare visitor with many possibilities. It is bounded by Traill Island and Royal Geographical Society Island to the east, and Scoresby Land and Lyell Land to the west. We may land at Holm Bay to gain elevation and spectacular views. But tread lightly, delicate flowers and edible berries lay underfoot. The Segelsallskapets Fjord opens to the west with Alepfjord splintering south offering the chance for Zodiac cruising. Be sure to pack both binoculars and camera: Ella Island offers spectacular views of five fjords, beyond which you may also spot musk oxen grazing. BLD

Day 6

Sofia Sound - Antarctic Sound - Western Ymer Island

Explore Sofia Sound and Antarctic Sound and all they have to offer. On the northern extremity of the former lies Ymer Island, with Antarctic Sound forming its western boundary. While the eastern part of Ymer is a barren place, the western area, particularly around Blomsterbugten (Bay of Flowers) and Noa So (Noa Lake), is rich in vegetation and wildlife. We may hike from the Bay of Flowers to Noa Lake and onwards, reaching a vantage point offering spectacular views of Dusens Fjord. BLD

Day 7

Liverpool Coast

The Liverpool Coast makes up the jagged coastline between King Oscar Fjord to the north and Scoresbysund to the south. It is riddled with promontories largely named during the William Scoresby expedition of 1822, famed for mapping some 400 miles of coastline with remarkable accuracy. We will let the opportunities and elements decide our activities for the day. We may board our Zodiacs for a cruise to Uunartoq Qeqertaq, meaning 'The Warming Island,' or we may insert ourselves into Storefjord. BLD

Day 8

Ittoqqortoormiit, Hurry Inlet

Ittoqqortoormiit is the most northerly community on East Greenland. There are approximately 500 inhabitants in this village that rarely receives visitors. Local guides will introduce us to the area and offer us a glimpse into the lifestyle of the residents of this remote outpost. From Ittoqqortoormiit you can send mail home and purchase handicrafts made by indigenous artisans from locally harvested materials. We expect to see sledge dog demonstrations and we hope to visit the 'women's house' where crafts are made by hand and skins are stretched. Hurry Inlet offers great hiking opportunities in magnificent surroundings dotted with arctic flowers. BLD

Day 9

Sydkap, Øfjord

We board our Zodiacs and cruise to Sydkap, weaving around massive icebergs. We land at a small point, an old Thule site that was used as a winter camp. Subterrainian homes and tent rings from that period still exists. The area was chosen by the early hunters for the abundant wildlife that existed here, as indicated by the whale bones and middens filled with other marine mammal remains. The surrounding vistas are extraordinary: Hundreds of icebergs as large of apartment buildfings fill your field of vision. The rich tundra supports herds of musk ox that we hope to see. As we sail through Øfjord, take in magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. This narrow fjord will make you feel tiny as every fold in the rock seems close enough to touch. If the weather cooperates, we plan to enjoy a barbeque on deck. BLD

Day 10

Rypefjord, Kap Hofmann Halvø

Sailing into Rypefjord we enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and deep blue icebergs. The tundra of Rypefjord is perfect habitat for musk oxen. Birders can watch for wheatears, snow buntings and ravens. At Cape Hofmann Halvø we have our best chances of seeing Musk Oxen. The extraordinary landscape is dotted with colorful Arctic flowers such as Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch. We'll also visit the archaeological site of Qilaqitsoq, where eight mummified bodies, dating back to the 15th century, were discovered in 1972. BLD

Day 11

Røde Island, Denmark Island

Proceeding through Rodefjord, we will lower the Zodiacs and cruise among the grounded icebergs. We will be surrounded by towering mountains as we plan our landing at the curiously coloured 'Red Island'. One the western edge of the fjord you can see the geological wonder of sandstone colored by hematite, resulting in the name Rodefjord, or 'red fjord'. The Denmark Island landing offers beautiful, lush tundra with excellent hiking and fantastic views over Scoresbysund and Fohn Fjord. There are excellent photographic opportunities for Arctic flora and fauna. Our historian will lead a visit to the archeological site of Inuit homes. BLD

Days 12-13

At sea

As we cross the Denmark Strait and sail back towards Iceland, keep an eye out for White-beaked dolphins, Humpback, Minke and even Blue whales. For the bird enthusiasts, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and razorbills are all likely to provide impressive displays. BLD