Northeast Greenland
Greenland or "Kalaallit Nunaat" ("Land of the People") in the Greenlandic language, is the largest island in the world, it stretches from 60º to 83º north latitude. Kap Farvel, its southern tip, is located at almost the same latitude as the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The extreme north of Greenland is the northernmost point of land on our planet. Greenland is dominated by the second largest ice-sheet in the world; more than 80% of its surface area is covered by ice reaching a thickness of over 3000 meters (10,000 feet) in the interior. Although huge in size (2,166,000 km²), it is inhabited by less than 60.000 people. Greenland is geographically a part of the North American continent but has more social and political ties with Europe.
The coastline of Greenland is spectacular. Heavily indented with numerous fjords, the coastline consists of spectacular high mountains, 2000 meters (6500 feet) high cliffs and innumerable glaciers. The large glaciers produce the huge, cathedral-like ice-bergs that are abundant in Greenlandic waters. The largest fjord is Scoresby Sund and is more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) long. Our voyages focus on East and North-East Greenland, among the most isolated, sparsely populated and scenically superb parts of the island.
The name Greenland was given by Eric the Red, a Norwegian-born Icelandic settler who was banished from Iceland around the year 982 after committing a murder. He found refuge in Greenland. When his exile was over, he returned to Iceland with stories of a green and fertile land to the north-west to lure potential settlers, hence the name Greenland. Although initially flourishing, the Icelandic settlements disappeared from Greenland around 1400, probably due to a climatic change, the Little Ice-Age. But the Norwegian settlers were certainly not the first humans to have lived on Greenland. For thousands of years Palaeo-Eskimos (the Dorset culture) had been living on the coasts of Greenland: they were finally replaced by Inuit (or Kalaallit as they call themselves in Greenland) around 1300 A.D. The Inuit now make up the majority of the Greenlandic population. The Inuit, the word means "men" in the Inuit language, are nowadays seen as the indigenous people of the North American Arctic. Inuit are traditionally subsistence hunters, living primarily from whales, walruses, Caribou, Musk Oxen, Arctic Foxes, Polar Bears and seals.
Climate
Our expeditions in North-East Greenland are planned in August and September. The reason is that access to this wild coast is dependent on the ice conditions. For much of the year the region is locked in by pack-ice, which only by late summer has broken up sufficiently to allow vessels such as ours to reach land.
Please note; although we expect to be able to reach Greenland, nature does not give us a guarantee. Pack-ice is unpredictable and may prevent our ships to complete the planned itinerary.
The Greenlandic weather varies enormously depending on where you are on this vast island. Influenced by its high latitude, the gigantic ice-cap and the surrounding oceans and seas, Greenland has an Arctic to High Arctic climate. Still, East Greenland has on average 300 days of sunshine in the year. In August we can expect surprisingly warm daytime temperatures. In Scoresby Sund the average daytime temperatures are between 5 and 9ºC (41 and 48ºF) with the highest observed temperature being 21ºC (70ºF). On a sunny, windless day even 9ºC feels quite warm. By September, autumn rapidly begins to take a hold. Temperatures drop below zero, the sea in sheltered fjords begins to freeze, the winds strengthen and snow can be expected. Still, the low sun gives spectacular sunsets and the snow adds to the Arctic feeling.
The coastline of Greenland is spectacular. Heavily indented with numerous fjords, the coastline consists of spectacular high mountains, 2000 meters (6500 feet) high cliffs and innumerable glaciers. The large glaciers produce the huge, cathedral-like ice-bergs that are abundant in Greenlandic waters. The largest fjord is Scoresby Sund and is more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) long. Our voyages focus on East and North-East Greenland, among the most isolated, sparsely populated and scenically superb parts of the island.
The name Greenland was given by Eric the Red, a Norwegian-born Icelandic settler who was banished from Iceland around the year 982 after committing a murder. He found refuge in Greenland. When his exile was over, he returned to Iceland with stories of a green and fertile land to the north-west to lure potential settlers, hence the name Greenland. Although initially flourishing, the Icelandic settlements disappeared from Greenland around 1400, probably due to a climatic change, the Little Ice-Age. But the Norwegian settlers were certainly not the first humans to have lived on Greenland. For thousands of years Palaeo-Eskimos (the Dorset culture) had been living on the coasts of Greenland: they were finally replaced by Inuit (or Kalaallit as they call themselves in Greenland) around 1300 A.D. The Inuit now make up the majority of the Greenlandic population. The Inuit, the word means "men" in the Inuit language, are nowadays seen as the indigenous people of the North American Arctic. Inuit are traditionally subsistence hunters, living primarily from whales, walruses, Caribou, Musk Oxen, Arctic Foxes, Polar Bears and seals.
Climate
Our expeditions in North-East Greenland are planned in August and September. The reason is that access to this wild coast is dependent on the ice conditions. For much of the year the region is locked in by pack-ice, which only by late summer has broken up sufficiently to allow vessels such as ours to reach land.
Please note; although we expect to be able to reach Greenland, nature does not give us a guarantee. Pack-ice is unpredictable and may prevent our ships to complete the planned itinerary.
The Greenlandic weather varies enormously depending on where you are on this vast island. Influenced by its high latitude, the gigantic ice-cap and the surrounding oceans and seas, Greenland has an Arctic to High Arctic climate. Still, East Greenland has on average 300 days of sunshine in the year. In August we can expect surprisingly warm daytime temperatures. In Scoresby Sund the average daytime temperatures are between 5 and 9ºC (41 and 48ºF) with the highest observed temperature being 21ºC (70ºF). On a sunny, windless day even 9ºC feels quite warm. By September, autumn rapidly begins to take a hold. Temperatures drop below zero, the sea in sheltered fjords begins to freeze, the winds strengthen and snow can be expected. Still, the low sun gives spectacular sunsets and the snow adds to the Arctic feeling.
Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen by mid day in time to explore, the former mining village, the Parrish Church and Polar Museum. In the early evening, the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Day 2: As we sail into Raudfjord, on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, there are beautiful fjords, spectacular glaciers with seabird colonies, ringed and bearded seals, and rich vegetation. There are good chances to spot polar bears near Hamilton Glacier. From there we continue to Moffen Island where walrus haul out.
Day 3 & 4: At sea, on our way to Greenland, we watch for whales and migrating seabirds. As we get closer to Greenland, the sea ice appears.
Day 5: As we approach Greenland, we will attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten. There is an old hunter's hut that in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted the area for polar bears and Arctic fox. Beyond the shack, there is an area populated by musk ox and the small lakes are home to geese and other water fowl. We sail on through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches are choked with huge icebergs. If the weather and ice permits us from going into Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, an alternative is Sofia Sund, which is much narrower, but where we can often see musk ox from the ship.
Day 6: We will land at Blomster Bugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic hare are usually seen here, and there is a lake with great northern divers and their chicks. In the afternoon, we sail along Teufelschloss and Ella Ø and may land to enjoy this beautiful area in the early evening light.
Day 7: We will spend the morning in Antarcticahavn, a wide and extensive valley where we may see more musk ox. The tundra is generally in peak fall color at this time of year making the landscape even more stunning.
Day 8: Reaching the Scoresby Sund in the morning, we will sail along the ragged, glaciated Volquart Boons. If weather permits, we will take a zodiac cruise along the glacier front of this coastal area with our first landing near Maane Glacier. Later in the day, we plan to land on Danmark,Ø where the remains of an Inuit settlement are located. The settlement was abandoned around 200 years ago. The ancient circular tent rings of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to the small cape. The sites are excellently preserved, allowing us entrance and even bear-proof meat caches can be identified. The old grave sites can still be seen. In the evening, we continue our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with ice-bergs.
Day 9: Today we will go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, a good spot for viewing musk ox. This is a good area for spotting rock ptarmigans, and great northern divers at sea. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the dwarf willow, dwarf birch, Arctic blueberry and crowberry are in full fall color. The berries are tasty too! In the evening, we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, enjoying the contrast between the warm autumn colors of the tundra against the huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.
Day 10: Near northwest fjord in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100m high and more than a kilometer 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 plan to land at Gurreholm on Jameson Land. The landscape here is gently rolling.
Day 11: After sailing all night, we land at Illoqqortoormiut, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants living the way they have for hundreds of years. 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. After dinner we will sail south passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast.
Day 12: We will spend the day at sea watching for whales and migrating seabirds. In the night, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) may be seen in full splendor in the wide open skies away from city lights.
Day 13: We disembark in the morning, in Akureyri and are taken by a 6 hour chartered bus ride through North Iceland to our individual hotels in Reykjavik. Hotels need to be booked on your own or you can depart in the evening depending on your flight departure times.
Date & Rate Information
2012 & 2013 Prices (US Dollars)
M/V Plancius
| Trip Code |
Voyage | Date | N/D | Quad with porthole |
Twin with porthole |
Twin with windows |
Twin Deluxe |
Superior | |
| PLA13 KBP |
Northeast Greenland |
Aug 26-07 Sept |
12/ 13 |
$6,250 | $8,000 | $8,350 | $8,950 | $9,950 | |
| Trip Code |
Voyage | Date | N/D | Quad porthole |
Triple porthole |
Twin porthole |
Twin window |
Twin Deluxe |
Superior |
| PLA13 B P |
Northeast Greenland |
Aug 25-06 Sept |
12/ 13 |
$6,550 | $7,450 | $8,400 | $8,750 | $9,400 | $10,400 |
M/V Ortelius 2013
| Trip Code |
Voyage | Date | N/D | Quad Non Private |
Twin non Private |
Twin Porthole |
Twin Window |
Superior | Suite |
| OTL13 | Northeast Greenland |
Aug 23-04 Sept |
12/ 13 |
$6,150 | $7,200 | $8,400 | $8,750 | $10,400 | $11,850 |
Single supplement: 1.7 times the shared rate in any cabin style.
LEGEND
K: Kayaking. Group size: min. 4 – max. 14 kayakers. Supplement: US Dollar 350 per person.
B: Bilingual: English/German
P: Photo workshop. Group size max. 14 photographers and minimum of 5. Supplement is $420 pp.
Registration
To confirm your space on these tours, please contact our office. 1.800.808.4492 or 206.463.1943
Deposit: 25% of trip cost can be paid by check or credit card. Balance is due by check.
Cancellation Policy
In the event you must cancel your reservation, refunds will be made according to the following schedule: Deposit is nonrefundable. 90 to 61 days prior to departure, 50% of total is nonrefundable; less than 60 days prior to departure, 100% nonrefundable.
Fuel surcharge: If world fuel prices reach or exceed US Dollar 90 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure then the boat operator reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of $25 USD per night per passenger to be paid prior to travel.
Insurance
Because many advance logistical arrangements have been made prior to the running of this trip, we must adhere to the above policy. In light of this, we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance. An application form will be sent to you upon request, or you may purchase it on your own. Because of the remote location, emergency medical evacuation insurance is required. Please check your personal insurance coverage and make sure it is applicable in foreign countries. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is a component of the insurance program IWA offers.
The Plancius
M/V Plancius started her life in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. In June 2004, the vessel was taken out of active service as a research vessel and was purchased for refitting as a polar expedition vessel in December 2006.
Rebuilt in 2009 as a 114-passenger vessel, it complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea), is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
The Plancius is comfortable and attractively decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are and will still be primarily defined by a top-quality exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel fully meets our demands to achieve this and provide comfortable accomodations during our days at sea.
M/v “Plancius” was named after the Dutch astronomer, cartographer, geologist and vicar Petrus Plancius (1552 – 1622). Plancius theorised the existence of an accessible northern passage to Asia and his theory encouraged several northern discovery voyages at the end of the 16th century. A Dutch expedition - under the command of Willem Barentsz - discovered Spitsbergen, but got stuck in the pack-ice of Novaya Semlya (now Russian territory). Those discoveries gave rise of the 17th century whaling industry in Spitsbergen.
M/V Plancius can accommodate 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 5 quadruple porthole private cabins, 10 twin porthole private cabins, 26 twin cabins with windows, 2 deluxe cabins with 2 windows, all (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters) with windows double beds and sofas.
All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen size bed excpet for the quads which have 2 bunk beds each.
The vessel is manned by 30 international crew members (inc. 10 stewardesses/cabin cleaners), 6 hotel staff (4 chefs, 1 purser and 1 steward-barman), 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
Plancius Interior
Superior Cabin
Twin Private Cabin
Quadruple Cabin
Dining & Lecture Room
Buffet
Plancius's Deck Plan
M/V Ortelius
The ice-strengthened vessel "Ortelius" is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic
"Ortelius" was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named "Marina Svetaeva", and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and renamed "Ortelius". As Plancius, Ortelius was a Dutch / Flemish cartographer. Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598) published the first modern world atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theatre of the World in 1570. At that time, the atlas was the most expensive book ever printed.
The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. "Ortelius" is a great expedition vessel for 100 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces and a very large bridge which is accessible to the passengers. The vessel is manned by 34 highly experienced Russian nautical crew, 15 international catering staff, including stewardesses, 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor.
"Ortelius" offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 100 on the "Ortelius", flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.
Length: 91.25 meters
Breadth: 17.61 meters
Draft: 5.8 meters
Ice class: UL1 (equivalent to 1A)
Displacement: 4575 tonnes
Engines: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
Speed: 12 knots (14.3 knots max)
Passengers: 100
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