Sail by the enormous Greenlandic icecap on a route through Melville Bay on this epic 18-day adventure. The coast in this region is dominated by the vast icecap that reaches into the sea in the form of a series of enormous glacier fronts - the largest outside of Antarctica!
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Aasiaat from Kangerlussuaq by chartered plane. Aasiaat is a settlement founded in the 17th century to support whaling at the mouth of Disko Bay. Its port is ice-free from late spring to early winter. Embark your ship and depart this evening.
Cape York is where Royal Navy ships under John Ross arrived in 1818, introducing the Inuit and Westerner Europeans for the first time. Today the small settlements on the eastern side of the cape are deserted. Just east of Parker Snow Bugt, cruise below the spectacular ice-capped Crimson Cliffs.
At North Star Bugt, visit the old Thule settlement where you can see Umanak and Thule Mountain (the American Base is off limits). Later land at Umivik at the northeast of Saunders ø, with beautiful geological formations.
Call at Thule (Qaanaaq), the main settlement of the area. In the 1950s the inhabitants of Old Thule were forced to move to Qaanaaq when NATO created an air base at their former village. The ship's crew hopes to sail some way to the east into the Inglefield Bredning. Later cruise to Siorapaluk, the northernmost Greenlandic village. Behind it is a mountain with little auks. In Atikerdluq, a valley more to the west, we see Thule dwellings, graves and again little auks.
Qeqertarssuaq, on Herbert Ø, is one of the many deserted settlements in Greenland. At the Missumassoq Glacier (south of Hvalsund) you can take a zodiac glacier cruise, which brings you quite close to the formation.
On Meteor Island, land at Savigsivik, the southernmost Thule settlement. It was on this island that the famous York meteorite provided the Inuit with a source of iron - until Peary removed it and sold it to an American museum. A visit to the site at the east side of the island is planned if there is enough time.
Sail by the enormous Greenlandic icecap through Melville Bay south of the perimeter of the Nature reserve. Land at N.E. Balles Ø, Depot Øer. Cape Seddon and Red Head, areas completely surrounded by glacier ice, are other possibilities.
In the maze of channels and straits between Melville Bay and Upernavik, plan to make some landings and zodiac cruises. Qavdlunat (8 miles south of Cape Shackleton) offers a colorful landscape. The settlement Tasisusaq is surrounded by icebergs and is nice for zodiac cruising, as is the Upernavik Isfjord. At Kingigtorsuaq, where 14th century Viking ruins were found, go ashore and try to walk to the top of the island. On your way, try to imagine how these Norsemen stood on the same island seven centuries ago. From there sail to Upernavik, the main town in North Greenland.
Depending on the weather, sail through Vaigat into Disko Bugt with a landing at Flakkerhuk, a tundra with a rich birdlife. Alternatively, sail west by Disko Island and land in Fortune Bay (Kitdlit, or "whale bay" in Greenlandic) and Engkelsmanshavn near some warm springs. Here there is a good opportunity to see humpback whales when you sail south of Godhavn.
Day 18: Disembark in Aasiaat, Greenland
1 Breakfast
Arrive in Aasiaat. In the morning fly from Aasiaat to Kangerlussuaq by chartered flight, and onward by scheduled flight to Copenhagen (flights not included in the voyage cost).
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$2,890
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Triple Private Porthole
Main deck, upper and lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.
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Twin Private Inside
Lower deck, upper and lower berths, inside cabins with private bath facilities.
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Twin Private Porthole
Lower deck, upper and lower berths or two lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate.
- Children between the ages of 3-15 receive a 40% discount in triple cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Rembrandt Van Rijn - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 25% cruise cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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