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Scoresby Sund (East Greenland)

« Antarctic Dream (OW)
Polar bear enjoying the warm sunTriple CabinArctic viewsLone Reindeer looking for the herd|^|Rinie van MeursWalrus on ice floe|^|Rinie van Meurs
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Days Dates Deck + Cabin Type
Twin Private Inside Twin Private - Amundsen Deck Superior - Shackleton Deck Suite
10 Sep 5 '10
$5,000 $6,100 $6,800 $7,600
Bilingual services available (German & English)
Destinations : Arctic, Iceland, Greenland
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Day 1 Akureyri / Embark

Arrive at Akureyri airport and make the short journey to the small port of the same name to join the ship. In the early evening we leave Iceland and sail north towards the Denmark Strait.

Day 2 Across the Arctic Circle

At sea, sailing north through the Denmark Strait. We may see Orcas (Killer Whales), and are almost certain to see Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Gannets and rafts of Common Guillemots and Razorbills. We cross the Arctic Circle and continue north, perhaps seeing White-beaked Dolphins, Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. In the evening we will spot our first icebergs appear as we approach the east coast of Greenland near Kap Brewster.

Day 3 Volquart Boons Coast

In the morning we sail along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near a glacier, like Maanegletsjer or in Vikingebugt. Later we land on Danmarks Ø where there are the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular ‘tent rings’ of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are excellently preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. In the evening we continue our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with ice-bergs.

Day 4 Cape Hofmann Halvø / Scoresby Land

We go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigans and at sea Great Northern Divers. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch change colour. Arctic Blueberry and Crowberry add their own colourful touch - the berries are tasty too! Later, during a Zodiac cruise, we will come close to huge icebergs and may also see Ringed Seals, as well as distant views of Musk Oxen on shore. In the evening we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, hoping to see Narwhals and enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal colours of the vegetation on shore, backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.

Day 5 Scoresby Land / Jameson Land

On our way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400 m deep here. We land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland Whales and using their vertebrae to build the houses. We may also land at Gurreholm on Jameson Land. The landscape here is gently undulating, but the climate is harsh - sometimes snow lies throughout the summer - but some animals - Musk Oxen and Collared Lemmings - survive on the meagre vegetation. The lemmings are preyed upon by Long-tailed Skua, Snowy Owl and Arctic Fox.

Day 6 Illoqqortoormiut

We land in Illoqqortoormiut, the biggest settlement near Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, Musk Ox and Polar Bear. After lunch we will sail south, passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast where groups of Harp Seals can be spotted among the ice floes.

Day 7 Blosseville Coast / Mikis Fjord

We continue along the Blosseville Coast with wonderful views of snow covered peaks - these are the highest mountains of Greenland, some of them reaching over 3000m. At the mouth of Nansen Fjord we spot Gunnbjørns Fjeld, at 3700m: it is both the highest peak in Greenland and also the highest mountain north of the Arctic Circle. Next we sail into Mikis Fjord, bounded by steep cliffs. The fjord is a good place to spot Narwhal, Polar Bear, Ringed Seals and Harp Seals. At Södalen at the head of Mikis Fjord we land in a marshy delta. There are good populations of both Common and Arctic Redpolls, as well as a chance of seeing flocks of Barnacle Geese and Pink-footed Geese.

Day 8 Kangerlussuaq Fjord

In the morning, we head south for Kangerlussuaq Fjord where glaciers reach the sea creating a fabulous landscape of glacier fronts, icebergs and cliffs. On shore there are the remains of dwellings of Thule culture people. The fjord is also a good place to see Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls. We conclude the day with a Zodiac trip to Skaergårdshalvø, a popular summer hunting ground for the people of Ammassalik. Most years a number of families arrive here in early summer and stay until the end of the hunting season and we might be able to meet them. In the afternoon we will sail south-east towards the Denmark Strait.

Day 9 At Sea

The whole day at sea offers excellent opportunities to see large whales and seabird migration and, at night the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Day 10 Keflavik / Disembark / Fly Home

Arrive at Keflavik, and transfer for the airport for the flight home.

Itinerary Notes

DISCLAIMER !

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife.
Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

Deposit & Payment

Initial deposit is 15% total trip cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: http://www.alvoyages.com/four-ways/

Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.

Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.

Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.

Cancellation Policy

Days Prior to departure Fee
60 days or more 15% deposit
30-59 days 35% trip cost
0-29 Days 100% trip cost

Antarctic Dream (OW)

Antarctic Dream Ship in Antarctica
    Ship Highlights
  • Passengers : 84

The Antarctic Dream (OW) is a Dutch built ice-reinforced vessel, that was completely refurbished in July 2005 for Arctic cruising. It features a spacious dining room, library, auditorium, gym, sauna, laundry, and boutique. Cabins all have private baths, queen or twin beds, closed circuit TV, and inter-cabin phone service. Satellite email and phone service is available in the library as well.

The Antarctic Dream's expeditions offer you the ideal introduction to the Great White Continent. Departing from and finishing in the port of Ushuaia, we take in the most exciting sights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Our program is orientated to the viewing of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery of narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and the rugged mountains. The Captain and the expedition leader will assess conditions daily with the intention of maximizing your time ashore. This means taking full advantage of opportunities to land passengers with our zodiacs and making best use of the light of the long summer days.

On board lectures are offered by geologists, historians, naturalists, expedition leaders, and the captain himself. Join the captain and the rest of our 40 crew members for an awe-inspiring journey of discovery and adventure.

- 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.

Cabins
Twin Private Inside
2 cabins with single beds, no porthole or window
Amundsen Twin CabinTwin Private - Amundsen Deck
12 cabins with queen beds, 8 with two single beds, and a small porthole.
Shackleton Twin CabinSuperior - Shackleton Deck
9 cabins with queen beds, 11 with two single beds, and a large window.
Piloto PardoSuite
3 cabins with queen beds, 1 with two single beds, large windows to 2 sides, and a bath.

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