E-mail a friendShip: Antarctic Dream - OW
Itinerary: Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland
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Walrus enjoying the warm sunlightPhoto by: Goran Ehlme
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| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type |
| Destinations : Arctic, Greenland Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Day 1 : Embark in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Embark in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergenre well worth visiting, while in the country around the village more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Day 2 : Ytre Norsk ya - Raudfjord Fjord
At Ytre Norsk ya we visit a 17th century Dutch whaling site, which has a large graveyard. The chief prey of the whalers was the Greenland Whale or Bowhead Whale, often called the Right Whale because it was the right one to pursue. The whalers hunted the whale almost to extinction. The island is a breeding place for many seabirds of which the Puffins are still on the ledges and the Arctic Skuas are still caring for their young on the tundra. We visit Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is home to Ringed and Bearded Seals, seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation.
Day 3 : Polar Bears of Monaco Glacier and Walruses on Moffen Island
We sail into Liefdefjord to the Monaco glacier, a magnificent glacier, where we have fair chances to meet Polar Bears. In the afternoon we land at Sordalsbukta to make a walk on the tundra. In World War II, the German Kriegsmarine employed a weather station at this spot. From there we continue to Moffen isl
Days 4-5 : Whalewatching Enroute to Greenland
At sea, on our way to Greenland, along the impressive East Greenland Ice. Keep watch for Fin Whales, Humpback Whales and Minke Whales, and also for migrating seabirds, especially the Brunnich's Guillemots, which swim with their small young from Spitsbergen, along the sea ice to South Greenland.
Days 6-14 : There are two alternatives for Days 6-14
Alternative One: When East Greenland ice conditions are light (about 70% chance each year)
Day 6 : Musk Oxen of Myggebugten, GreenlandApproaching Greenland we will attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters' hut (in the firs
Approaching Greenland we will attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters' hut (in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted here for Polar Bears and Arctic Foxes) there is an extensive tundra populated by Musk Oxen and Arctic Hares. The small lakes are home to geese.
Day 7 : Narwhal of Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Arctic Hares of Blomsterbugt
We sail through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches choked with huge icebergs and an excellent place to encounter Narwhal. We will land near Blomsterbugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic Hares are usually seen here.
Day 8 : World's Longest Fjord - Scoresby Sund
Today we reach the Scoresby Sund, probably making our first landing at Kap Brewster. Since the mouth of this, the world's longest fjord, remains ice-free almost all the winter, it is an excellent place for viewing seals. The area is also home to the only large seabird colonies on the eastern coast of Greenland. Serious hikers can cross the valley and climb on to the plateau of Kap Brewster from where they will have an excellent view over the fjord, Liverpool Land and the sea. On their way they may spot the white Gyr Falcon, Wheatears and Snow Buntings, and Arctic Hares. In the evening we sail further into the Scoresby Sund making our way along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast, a good place for seeing Narwhal.
Day 9 : Inuit Settlement along Scoresby Sund
We continue along Scoresby Sund, taking a Zodiac cruise along the glacier front in Vikingebugt, a bay surrounded by basaltic mountains. Later we land on Danmarks - 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.
Day 10 : Musk Oxen of Cape Hofmann Halv - Eielson Glacier
We go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halv, a reliable spot for viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigans, and Great Northern Divers at sea. 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 along the 3km wide face of the Eielson Glacier, 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 Narwhal again 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 11 : Icebergs and Thule Houses at Sydkap
On our way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400m 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.
Day 12 : Illoqqortoormiut
In the morning we land in Illoqqortoormiut, the biggest settlement in the 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 Seal, Musk Ox and Polar Bear. Before lunch we will sail south to Iceland, passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville
Day 13 : Whalewatching At Sea
We are the whole day at sea and will have splendid opportunities to see large whales and seabird migration and, in the night, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
Day 14 : Disembark in Keflavik
Arrive in Keflavik and transfer for the flight home.
Days 6-14 : Alternative Two for Days 6-14:
When East Greenland ice conditions are heavy (about 30% chance each year)
Days 6-7 : Whalewatching along East Greenland Ice
We continue to sail south along the East Greenland Ice, until we can reach the coast of East Greenland. As we continue sailing along the ice we will have good chances to observe seals, Polar Bears, Ivory Gulls, and large whales.
Day 8 : Nansen and Mikis Fjords
At the mouth of Nansen Fjord we spot Gunnbj rns Fjeld, at 3,700m: 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 place where we sometimes spot Narwhal, Polar Bear, Ringed Seals and Harp Seals. In the afternoon, we will land at S dalen in a marshy delta at the head of Mikis Fjord. This is a fine area for walking, both around the delta and further into the valley. There are good populations of both Common and Arctic Redpolls here, as well as a chance of seeing Migrating flock of Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese.
Day 9 : Thule Dwellings and Polar Bears of Kangerlussuaq Fjord
In the morning we sail into the 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 place to see sometimes Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls. After several landings we sail out of the fjord in the evening.
Day 10 : Tassilap and Kangertigtivatsiaq Fjords
Today we explore the Tassilap and Kangertigtivatsiaq fjords, both hemmed in by towering mountains. We land at Sangmilik, one of the few landing sites in these fjords. On shore there is a chance to pick delicious Arctic Blueberries and Crowberries. We then take a Zodiac trip along the impressive front of the Glacier de France in Schweizerland. This is an area packed with huge icebergs and frequented by hunters from the Ammassalik area.
Day 11 : Ammassalik Village
Ammassalik is the capital of East Greenland and the centre of an area of small hunting and fishing settlements, a population of about 3,000 living by hunting Walrus, Narwhal and Polar Bear, and fishing for Arctic Char. We will spend the whole day in and near this friendly village which offers an excellent opportunity to experience modern Greenlandic culture.
Day 12 : Greenland Ice Cap
In Koge Bugt (Ikeq) the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. Though a true glacier, the ice cap is not dangerous and easy to walk on. Those who have visited Antarctica will note the similarities of the landscape, with giant tabular icebergs calving from vast glacier fronts. We intend to land at Husryggen and abandoned settlement from the sixties. At Umivik we look for the place, where Nansen started his ascent of the Greenlandic ice-cap.
Day 13 : Whalewatching in the Denmark Strait
We return across the Denmark Strait, again keeping a sharp lookout for whales and, at this time of year, hoping to catch sight of the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights).
Day 14 : Disembark in Keflavik
Arrive in Keflavik and transfer to the airport for the flight home.
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.
Arctic Fuel Surcharge: $50/night for the 2009 season.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Antarctic Dream - OW
The Antarctic Dream is a Dutch built ice-reinforced vessel, that was completely refurbished in July 2005. 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.
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Twin Private Inside 1 cabin with two singe beds, 2 cabins with queen beds, no porthole or window |
Twin Private - Amundsen Deck 11 cabins with queen beds, 8 with two single beds, and a small porthole. |
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Superior - Shackleton Deck 6 cabins with queen beds, 10 with two single beds, and a large window. |
Suite 3 cabins with queen beds, 1 with two single beds, large windows to 2 sides, and a bath. |
