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In The Wake of Eric The Red

11 days
10 nights

Rates

Dates

Rates:

USD
EUR

PER PERSON:

$ 9,990.00 (Cat. G)
$ 6,590.00 (Cat. F )
$ 8,790.00 (Cat. E)
$ 8,490.00 (Cat. D)
$ 9,490.00 (Cat. C)
$10,590.00 (Cat. B2)
$12,490.00 (Cat. B1)
$13,990.00 (Cat. A)
$16,990.00 (Premium Suite)

CATEGORIES' DESCRIPTION:
Category G - Single Stateroom Porthole 14 sq. m
Category F - Triple Stateroom Porthole 22 sq. m
Category E - French Balcony Suite 16 sq. m
Category D - Balcony Stateroom 22 sq. m
Category C - Balcony Stateroom 24 sq. m
Category B2 - Balcony Suite 28 sq. m
Category B1 - Balcony Suite 35 sq. m
Category A - Junior Suite 42 sq. m
Premium Suite - Premium Suite 45 sq. m

Dates:

Jul 29, 2023 - Aug 08, 2023 

Cabin Description:

Included:

  • 11-day/10-night cruise in a shared outside double stateroom with bathroom/toilet
  • Flight Kangerlussuaq - Reykjavik
  • Slow-cruising in Zodiacs in fjords
  • Briefings and guided walks by tour leaders
  • English-speaking guides
  • Inspiring and enriching presentations onboard by qualified lecturers
  • Town and settlement tours in Qassiarsuk, Nuuk, Qeqertarsuaq, Ilulissat & Sarfannguit
  • Church visit and ‘kaffemik’ in Qeqertarsuaq
  • Full board on the ship
  • Free coffee, tea and afternoon snacks on the ship
  • Taxes and tariffs

Optional Services:

TRIP TO THE RUSSEL GLACIER, KANGERLUSSUAQ - $125
The Ice Sheet Is one of Greenland’s biggest attractions. It covers 80% of the surface of the country, but the size of this mass of ice is reduced every year, because it melts more than it rebuilds. At Kangerlussuaq, clear signs have been found that the ice is receding. Our adventure to the area’s most remarkable glacier requires transport with a tundra coach, a 4WD vehicle, which is designed to take on the rocky, changeable terrain and gravel roads.
This leg of our journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. On the way, we will be on the lookout for wildlife, such as reindeer and musk oxen, and listen to stories from our guide about the area’s history. After arriving to Russell Glacier, you can hike along the glacier’s edge, and simply enjoy its immensity. Here, the roar of melting and morphing ice structures are the only sounds that disrupt the peaceful silence. You will find many excellent locations for close-up photography and panoramas. Due to the melting of ice during the warmer summer months, glacial thinning and instability within the colossal walls of ice can result.
These structures can calve and break suddenly; therefore, it is important to maintain a safe distance. As the ice slowly moves across the mountain landscapes, its unseen power crushes the rock below, thereby producing an accumulation of stony deposits and fine, gray silt. The silt is actually fine sand, clay and gravel that resulted from the ice’s crushing weight. These moraines and silt serve as a true testament to the great forces that nature can exert. They also help explain the steely gray color of the 160- kilometer (199-mile) long Kangerlussuaq Fjord. After an hour spent enjoying the fantastic glacial surroundings and nature’s might, we will leave Russell Glacier behind, just as we found it – pristine, magnificent and unforgettable. The Russell Glacier is located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aasivissuit - Nipisat.

TRIP TO THE REINDEER GLACIER, KANGERLUSSUAQ - $125
The Ice Sheet Is one of Greenland’s biggest attractions. It covers 80% of the surface of the country, but the size of this mass of ice is reduced every year, because it melts more than it rebuilds. Our destination is a place we call Reindeer Glacier, which stands tall like an ice wall – in some places up to 60 meters high – displaying a clear contrast between land and ice.
The name is due to the frequent sight of reindeers here, but even without the presence of the animals, this location is a world-class spectacle, with a myriad of motives for the camera and calmness that brings to our thoughts nature’s pristine, immaculate beauty. Our journey to one of the area’s most remarkable glaciers requires transport via a tundra coach, a 4WD vehicle, which is designed to take on the rocky, changeable terrain and gravel roads. Along the way, keep your eyes open for the wildlife that resides in the area, namely reindeer and musk oxen, while you let your mind wander while listening to the history and stories of the area narrated by our guide.
During the warm summer months, glacial thinning and instability within the colossal walls of ice happens more often. These structures can calve and break suddenly; therefore, it is important to maintain a safe distance from the ice giants. After approx. 90 minutes of driving, we will reach the resplendent Reindeer Glacier, where one can walk parallel to the glacier edge up from the waterfall, and there is the opportunity to photograph the scenery from many different good angles, or just enjoy the greatness and silence, interrupted only by the roaring sound of the melting ice water.
The area where we spend most of the time is equipped with about twenty benches with tables and primitive but practical mobile toilets for those in need. After an appropriate amount of time in front of the fascinating glacier, we leave the unique nature as it was when we got to it: Untouched, magnificent and unforgettable.

KAYAKING - $310
Exercise your body while engaging your mind and heart in an unforgettable outing, safely guided by Kayak masters throughout the journey. Kayaking activities available on both Arctic and Antarctic voyages.
Although kayaking opportunities are possible in most locations during each excursion in the Antarctic region, weather, sea and ice conditions will dictate the when and where to ensure your safety and improve your experience.
In order to sign up for this activity you need to have previous kayaking experience and attend a mandatory safety briefing by the Kayak Master.

ICE-FJORD FLIGHT SIGHTSEEING - $450
Discover huge iceberg pushing towards the mouth of the Kangia Icefjord, and breaching their way into the Disko Bay. Get to see the very small settlement of Ilimanaq just south of the ice fjord, and if you are lucky, you might get a glimpse of the many whales in the bay on your way back to Ilulissat. We fly Vulcanair Partenavia P68 airplanes. These airplanes are ideal for the purpose of sightseeing flights. Being high wing mounted with large windows at each seat, you have the perfect conditions for taking pictures and bringing your memories back home, as well as giving you a clear view of the landscape. The Partenavia can carry up to 5 passengers plus the pilot Duration: approx. 40 min.

BOAT TRIP TO THE ICEFJORD - $125
The journey takes about 2,5 hours in total and presents an opportunity to gain a closer look at the amazing ice-sculpted scenery. The trip is definitely something out of the ordinary and a great natural experience that you will remember for years to come - but be sure to remember warm clothes!

Itinerary:

Day 1  : REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND, EMBARKATION AND OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

In the afternoon, we board our vessel in Reykjavík and set our course westbound for Greenland.

Day 2  : AT SEA, CROSSING THE DENMARK STRAIT AND CRUISING ALONG THE DRAMATIC GREENLANDIC EAST COAST

Our lecturers onboard will make inspiring and enriching presentations about both Iceland’s and Greenland’s past history and about nature, wildlife and climatology.

Day 3  : LUSH LANDSCAPES AROUND SKJOLDUNGEN / SAQQISIKUIK

The island of Skjoldungen is without doubt one of most beautiful areas in East Greenland. Situated at 63° N, the island is surrounded by narrow, steep fjords and glaciers, and with plenty of the cool, crisp and clean air of the ever present and nearby ice sheet. Still, we will find and experience a lush landscape and a milder climate than most would expect. Acclaimed Norwegian explorer Fridjof Nansen came here in late summer 1888 in search of a suitable ascension point for the first inland ice crossing.

Skjoldungen is also the name of an abandoned settlement, located on the southwest side of the island. Up to 100 people lived here until 1965, and some houses remain. We continue our journey to Dronning Marie Dal in the area's northwestern corner to get a closer view of its interesting flora.

After Skjoldungen and Ilertakajik fjord, the Alpine peaks and mountainous landscape diminish and from here, we will find that over large stretches, the ice sheet reaches all the way to the shoreline, forming cohesive ice shelfs, a type of icy landscape that some travelers who have been to Antarctica will probably recognize.

Bernstorff Icefjord: The most productive glacier on the SE coast, but we keep a good distance to big icebergs in these ice-infested waters.

Day 4  : PRINCE CHRISTIAN SOUND

Kap Farvel, or Cape Farewell, is renowned not only as Greenland's southernmost point, but also for its infamous, although mostly seasonal, gale-force winds.

We deliberately opt for a far more comfortable but at the same time more spectacular route, cruising via the inside passage through the Prince Christian Sound. This 60 km long waterway, from the Atlantic in the east, to the settlement Aapilattoq in the heart of the fjordlands of South West Greenland.

The sound has steep mountainsides, and many adventurous kayakers have had to turn around because of a very limited number of landing sites available. The old weather station of Prince Christian Sound, manned until a two years ago by sturdy meteorologists, is another classic point-of-interest along this itinerary.

Day 5  : SOUTH GREENLAND, ERIC THE RED’S BRATTAHLID AT QASSIARSUK

Early in the morning we sailed into Eriksfjord, which in Greenland is called Tunulliarfik. We throw anchor off Erik the Red's Brattahlíð settlement, where the Qassiarssuk village is today. Here we see, among other things, a reconstruction of Tjodhildur's church, which was the first church on the North American continent. There are also other ruins after the Norse people, which disappeared in the 1400s. Here one can really sense the path of history and wonder why the Norse people suddenly disappeared from Greenland.

It was from Brattahlíð that Erik and Tjodhildur's son Leif Eriksson, about 1000, went west and discovered Baffin Island, the Labrador coast and Newfoundland, before returning to South Greenland a few years later. Around lunch time we sail out of Eriksfjord close to Qooroq Isfjord.

Day 6  : VISITING THE GREENLAND CAPITAL CITY NUUK

During the morning and day, we cruise north to reach Nuuk in the afternoon. As we enter the Nuuk Fjord we have fair chances of encountering the area's seasonal visitors: the humpback whales.

The world's smallest capital is in Greenland considered by many a mighty metropolis - a total of 17,000 people live here today, almost a third of the country’s population.

The area has been inhabited back to 2200 BC by pre-Inuit hunters. From year 1000 to 1350 AD, the Icelandic Vikings and farmers settled in South Greenland and in the Nuuk Fjord, while at the same time Inuit hunters of the Thule culture moved south from North Greenland. The Nordic settlers disappeared around 1350 AD, but the Inuit stayed, being far better equipped to hunt and survive in the tough Arctic nature.

Modern history of Greenland began in 1721, when the Norse missionary Hans Egede founded a permanent colony and trading station near Nuuk. In fact, Egede’s main purpose to return to Greenland was to convert the Catholic northerners to Lutherans, but soon after his arrival he realized the Norse had disappeared, a mystery yet unresolved.

In 1979, the Landsting (Parliament) was established in Nuuk, and the town was finally recognized as the country's capital.

Late in the night, we will leave the capital and continue our northbound journey.

Day 7  : AT SEA ALONG THE GREENLANDIC WEST COAST

 

Day 8  : QEQERTARSUAQ ON DISKO ISLAND, 'KAFFEMIK' IN A COMMUNITY CENTRE AND EQIP SERMIA GLACIER.

Under Disko Island’s 1000-metre-high mountains we enter the protected natural habour that has the Danish name ‘Godhavn’ or Good Harbour and in Greenlandic ‘Qeqertarsuaq’ which means ‘The Big Island’.

Godhavn was until 1950 the most important town north of Nuuk, solely because of the large number of whales caught and landed here. This gave the town great wealth. Now it’s on the way to oblivion with declining job opportunities and connections to mainland.

The local community center hosts a traditional Greenlandic “kaffemik”, best described as a friendly gathering with coffee, cake and traditional dances and music.

Musicians from Greenland originally played on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear. Unlike other drums, the qilaat would be played by hitting the frame with a stick, and not the skin itself. This modest instrument was used for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, exorcism and witchcraft.

During the afternoon the ship heads east towards the giant glacier Eqip Sermia in the north-easterly corner of Disko Bay. This glacier is, without overstating, one of the most impressive in Greenland. Here you can experience a glacier calve up close, which is not possible in Ilulissat. Great crevasses, deep blue glacial streams, a landscape so unique and stunning that words are simply not sufficient. An outstanding opportunity to see, hear and smell this mighty ice world. In the evening, we will prepare for departure.

Day 9  : CAPITAL OF THE ICEBERGS, ILULISSAT

Ilulissat is possibly the most well located town in Greenland. The name simply means ‘icebergs’ in Greenlandic and the town’s nickname is rightly ‘The Iceberg Capital of the World’.

The icebergs come from the Icefjord, which is located a half hour’s hike south of Ilulissat. These impressive frozen structures are born some 70km deeper into the fjord by the enormous Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This 10km-wide glacier is the most productive glacier outside of Antarctica. Whereas most glaciers only calve at a rate of approximately a meter a day, the Ilulissat glacier calves at a rate of 25 meters per day. The icebergs produced by the glacier represent more than 10% of all icebergs in Greenland, corresponding to 20 million tons!

These facts, together with the fjord’s extreme beauty, have secured the Icefjord a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

During the more than 250 years that have passed since the establishment of Ilulissat, the town has steadily flourished. Today, Ilulissat is Greenland’s third largest town with more than 4,500 inhabitants. The town is very vibrant, welcoming and lively, with a wide range of cultural attractions, according to Greenlandic standards. The legendary polar explorer, Knud Rasmussen, and his good friend, Jørgen Brønlund, were both born in Ilulissat.

On this day, you will also have the opportunity to join a boat trip to the Icefjord. The journey takes about two and a half hours in total, and presents an opportunity to gain a closer look at the amazing ice-sculpted scenery. The trip is definitely something out of the ordinary and a great natural experience that you will remember for years to come - but be sure to remember warm clothes!

If a hike or a trip by boat does not present enough excitement, there is also an opportunity to arrange a flightseeing ride over the Icefjord (not included).

Please note the boat and flightseeing excursions to the Icefjord are not included in the general tour price. Furthermore, the flightseeing excursion must be booked in advance. Refer to Price Information for more details.

In the evening, we will cruise southward from “the Iceberg Capital”, leaving lovely Disko Bay in our wake.

Day 10  : THE SETTLEMENT OF SARFANNGUIT

The settlement of Sarfannguit, which translates into "the place of the little stream” an appropriate name for a settlement nestled at the foothills of the mountains and glaciers in the distant backcountry. The settlement’s slightly more than 100 residents live off hunting, trapping and fishing, most often in pursuit of arctic char, reindeer and musk oxen. 

Although Sarfannguit is quite remote, it lies within a few hours from Sisimiut, the second-largest town in Greenland. The accessibility to such a large town provides an indispensable economic benefit to a small community like Sarfannguit.

A stroll through the settlement offers insight into rural life in today’s Greenland, where modern conveniences and technological advancements, such as internet and smart phones have become commonplace, yet locals still place great value on important customs and preserving their traditions and their Inuit heritage.

We will continue our journey toward the fjord of Kangerlussuaq, also known as Sondre Stromfjord. Especially the first part of the fjord gives a great opportunity to enjoy an impressive passage with panoramic views of high mountains and deep valleys.

Day 11  : KANGERLUSSUAQ, DISEMBARKATION. REINDEER GLACIER (OPTIONAL). FLIGHT TO ICELAND.

During the night, we will have completed our passage through the 160-kilometer/100 mile Kangerlussuaq Fjord. After breakfast aboard the ship, we will bid farewell to the ship's staff and the Zodiac boats will shuttle us to shore.

Due to Kangerlussuaq’s military history and present-day role as an important air travel hub, Kangerlussuaq remains fairly isolated from Greenland’s rich cultural traditions in comparison to other regions. While you still find cultural experiences when visiting Kangerlussuaq, the most impressive attraction is the surrounding nature, which is just beckoning to be explored.

It is not difficult to see that Kangerlussuaq’s landscape has largely been shaped by the last glaciation period, often known simply as the “Ice Age,” some 18,000 years ago. The mountains are rounded and soft, and many meltwater lakes remain. From the inland ice sheet, best known as the Greenland Ice Sheet, the meltwater cuts its way through the porous moraine landscape and flows into Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

Kangerlussuaq’s present-day climate is largely impacted by its well-sheltered location between Greenland’s Ice Sheet, the fjord and mountains. This contributes to its stable conditions, minimal cloud presence and roughly 300 clear nights per year.

In Kangerlussuaq we offer an optional excursion to the beautiful Reindeer Glacier. The duration of the excursion is about four hours.

Please note the excursion is not included in the general tour price. Refer to Price Information for more details. We do not recommend this excursion for people who suffer from bad necks or backs, as the gravel road to the ice sheet is occasionally bumpy and uneven.

As our time in Greenland concludes, we will fly from Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavík Airport, Iceland, and your Arctic adventure will have concluded.

Options: Reindeer Glacier

Notes:

NOT INCLUDED:
Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Single room supplement and stateroom upgrades
Meals not on board the ship
Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
Travel & cancellation insurances
Personal expenses
Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’

Please keep in mind, the itinerary and outdoor activities during each voyage are solely dependent on weather and operational conditions to ensure the safety and quality of experience of our guests. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings. Albatros Expeditions reserves the right to modify the landings and locations visited during a voyage based on weather and local conditions and climate to ensure a safe and delightful experience for all our guests and staff. Our trips are expeditionary in nature, and thus changes to timings are common place due to the environment we operate in as well as wildlife opportunities and locations.

* Possible triple rooms; third person in the same room is at 50% off (Excl. Triple F rooms) // Possible shared rooms for same-gender, single travellers: Category C (BalconyStateroom) and Category F (Triple Porthole Cabin).

* 10% off on second room for family booking; only for two rooms with connecting doors (category B and C only)

Back to Back discount; 7% on the second trip (especially recommend to combine Baltic & Scotland voyages)

Single supplement 75%

VIP service included for categories B1, B2, A and Prem. suites; unlimited access to the specialty restaurant, Julius Meinl coffee machine, upgraded toiletries, stocked minibar, wine and fruit in-room at commencement of cruise, free laundry