Trip Details

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1 - We arrive in Ilulissat from Reykjavik by chartered plane. Ilulissat (5000 inhabitants) is an important West Greenland town, with museums, institutes, bookstores, etc.

Day 2 - Today we sail along the large Jakobshavn Glacier with its enormous ice-bergs. South of it we climb the hill at Avangnardlit from which we have a fantastic view across the Jakobshavn Isfjord, which is a World Heritage site.

Day 3 - At the north side of Disko Island we land at Kugangup Innarta, a seabird cliff at the east side of a valley with a row of Pingo's (periglacial phenomena), and take a walk into the valley.

Day 4 - At Uummannaq, we approach High Arctic waters. Seal hunting is still an important source of income for the local people and they also have many dogs which haul their sledges in winter. We will also visit the nearby Qilakitsoq site, on the north coast of the Nuussuaq Peninsula, where some years ago a family of mummified Thule culture people from the 15th Century was found.

Day 5 - We sail to Akugdleq with its fantastic geological formations creating a desert like image. Along the west side of Qaqugdlugssuit with a Fulmar colony we reach the huge glacier Sermeq Sikardleq, where we plan a zodiac excursion along the front.

Day 6 - In the settlement of Uvkusigssat, Alfred Wegener, the great German explorer had his base from where he ventured to the Greenlandic ice-cap. Later that day we will land at the head of the fjord, where he began his ascent of the ice-cap. The Scheideck Glacier which 80 years ago ended at the coast has retreated about 10 km inland. In the same area we will see Marmorilik with Black Angel zinc and lead mine high in the mountains.

Day 7 - Sermeq Avanggardleq in the Perdlerfiup Kangerdlua is another glacier which has retreated considerably. It is about a half an hour walk before you come to a stunning lake in which ice-bergs drift around and where you see huge ice - grottos.

Day 8 - Today we circumnavigate Upernivik ø and sail through narrow fjords surrounded by mountains of over 2000m and glaciers at all sides. We land in Illorsuit on Ubekendt Ejland, where the American artist Rockwell Kent made his famous painting of Greenlandic life, a century ago.

Day 9 - We land at Schades øer in the mouth of the Karrats Fjord. The mouth of this fjord is a good area for spotting whales. Later we land on the southern tip of Svartenhuk in a valley with low Arctic tundra full of lakes and geese. Muskoxen have been transferred to this area and have adapted very well.

Day 10 - In the early morning we land at Bjørnefaelden, a Norse ruin at the western tip of Nuussuaq Peninsula.

Day 11 - At Naajat, on the north side of Oqaatsut, we sail with zodiacs along a Kittiwake colony of more than 10,000 breeding pairs. Near Antlagia we have a fine opportunity to land and watch the Kittiwakes from land. In the afternoon we sail toward Ilulissat.

Day 12 - Ilulissat from where we fly to Reykjavik by chartered plane.

Vessel s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’  was  built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations.

The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of  7 persons on board including 2 tour guides.

The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The 2 inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.

Ice class:
The s/v Rembrandt van Rijn has no ice class. During her refit, the bow of the vessel was enforced and is therefore suitable to sail in the Greenlandic waters.

The ship can accommodate a maximum of 34 passengers in 17 twin cabins in (1 twin shared with porthole (shared shower and toilet), 6 twin private inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 10 twin private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole).

Public Areas

A spacious restaurant on board the vessel allows all passengers to have their meals (buffet style). The vessel furthermore consists of a separate bar including a reading table.

Age range & Nationality onboard
Passengers on a typical voyage range between 30 - 55. Our expeditions attract independent-minded travellers from around the world. They are characterised by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie and spirit that develops aboard is an important part of the expedition experience. Many departures have several nationalities on board.

Catering
Three meals of international cuisine per day are served buffet style in the restaurant and is prepared by our cook.

Combating sea sickness
Anticipate some rough water on the voyage. Should you be prone to motion or sea sickness, please consult your personal physician which medication is appropriate and its side effects. On board s/v Rembrandt van Rijn there is no phycisian available. To avert motion sickness, avoid alcohol, tobacco, excess liquids, and confined spaces. Most people feel better sitting on deck looking at the horizon or prone with eyes shut. Oddly, you will feel better with some food, such as crackers or dry toast in your stomach. Many people eat to avoid feeling sick. Remember, once you start to experience motion sickness, medications are of little help.

Dress code
In keeping with our expeditions atmosphere, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery can be appreciated from deck, which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles and make sure the parka is never far away in case of the call "Whales!" comes over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside. Wear layers since it is comfortably warm aboard the ship - and often cold on deck.

Electric Current
The electrical supply aboard the ship is 220 volt 50hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins. U.S. passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.

Excursions & Landings
Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take three to six hours per day over untracked area. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice-situation or the passengers´ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography and history.

Gratuities
The customary gratuity to the ship's crew and expedition leader is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage. You will receive detailed guidelines aboard. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. We suggest to give cash in Euros, US Dollars or Danish kroner.

Non-smoking policy
On board our vessels we have a non-smoking policy. It is prohibited to smoke inside the ship. You can smoke on deck but do not throw your cigarette filter overboard ! Do not smoke on the aft deck in the proximity of zodiacs, engines and fuel. Please respect the wishes of non-smokers.

The crew
The crew of the ´Rembrandt van Rijn´ consists of 7 experienced crew and 2 tour guides and a cook. The sailors are in charge during sailing and will bring us ashore. Whilst sailing the assistance of the passengers is appreciated for handling the sails and taking the helm. This includes being on watch during nightly sailing.

Your physical condition
You must be in good general health and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. This will become progressively easier with practice. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. You are travelling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.

Deck Plan

EUR Rates 2012 per person in 1/2 Twin Room:

Fares include:

• Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
• On Rembrandt voyages: Transfers and baggage handling between airport and ship in Greenland harbours on the chartered group flights.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
• AECO fees and governmental taxes.
• Comprehensive pre-departure material

Not included:
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Charter Flight Rates (non commissionable):

Reykjavik-Ilulissat 21.06.12 /  02.07.12 = EUR 296 p.p. incl airport tax

Ilulissat-Reykjavik 02.07.12 /  13.07.12 = EUR 344 p.p. incl. airport tax