Greenland Explorer
Valleys & Fjords
Aboard Sea Spirit
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Arctic Departures
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of Spitsbergen Departures aboard Sea Spirit - all cabins except triple share - Ends 30 Sept 2012
Picture yourself in Greenland, home to the world’s great fjords and most active glaciers outside of Antarctica. You’ll be dwarfed by the sheer size and scale of nature in Greenland, where wildlife and the forces of nature still reign supreme. Places like the Fjord of Eternity and Cape Farewell hint at the grandeur that lies ahead. From herds of Musk Oxen to towns that use dogsleds for transportation, a voyage to Greenland is unlike any other.
Itinary for August 28 Departure
(Itinary for Aug 16 departure is reversed)
Day 1
Ottawa, Canada
Arrive at any time in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. Give yourself some free time to check out ByWard Market and enjoy a night in the city.
Day 2
Embarkation Day in Kangerlussuaq
Today you’ll board your charter flight to Greenland and begin your Arctic adventure. Our Expeditions representative will assist you with the transfer to the airport in Ottawa and to the ship upon arrival in Greenland.
Days 3-8
West Greenland
The coast of Greenland provides many dramatic, mountainous landscapes where fjords open up into the sea. Your first fjord to explore is Ilulissat Icefjord, home to one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers. Moving approximately 19m per day, the glacier here provides you with a great opportunity to capture ice crashing into the sea, as it calves more than 35 cubic km of ice each year.
Continuing along, the Amerdloq Fjord provides you with a chance to stretch your legs, by exploring abandoned villages and ancient Thule sites. The nearby town of Sisimiut is an interesting place to visit as there are more dog sleds here than humans.
Evighedsfjorden, meaning Fjord of Eternity is a favored place for us to take you out on some Zodiac cruises. This long, deep fjord has very few settlements, helping you to appreciate nature in its rawest form. Hiking among the towering mountains, you’ll have plenty of chances to photograph the vegetation and dramatic landscapes of Greenland.
We’ll also visit Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, yet home to fewer than 16,000 people. You’ll have time to wander the streets and see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede Statue near the waterfront, named after the missionary who founded the settlement. You’ll also visit the museum to see the famous Greenland Mummies. From Nuuk, we’ll pass Cape Farewell and head on to Southern Greenland.
Day 9
South Greenland
Climbers and mountaineers around the world know this area well, as Tasermiut Fjord is famous as one of the world’s most prolific big wall playgrounds. This part of Greenland is one of the most dramatic, being nicknamed the “Arctic Patagonia”. A bit of a history lesson will be provided here, as you learn about the settlements of the area, founded by Erik the Red.
Day 10-12
East Greenland
Get a feel of what an Arctic ghost town is like, as you’ll visit the abandoned Skoldungen settlement, where inhabitants were forced to move to larger, more accessible towns in 1961. The narrow part of Skoldungenfjord is a great place to explore by Zodiac and kayak, allowing you to glide past icebergs and get some great photographs.
Before your Greenland journey ends, we’ll aim to visit Tasiilaq and the Ammassalik fjord. It is the largest community in East Greenland, where the inhabitants may put on a cultural show for us and you’ll also have time to take a scenic hike to the Valley of Flowers. Time and weather permitting, we may go on a search for whales in Ammassalik Fjord.
Day 13
At sea
Bid farewell to Greenland, as your expedition turns east towards Iceland.
Day 14
Disembarkation Day in Reykjavik
Your Greenland adventure comes to an end as you enter port in Reykjavik. Head to the airport, or if you have time, stick around to explore this great city.
Note: That the reverse departure on August 16 includes a pre-night in Reykjavik and a post-expedition night in Ottawa.
Important Reminder
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy –and excitement – of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this cruise – please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
