RVR15 North Greenland - Umanak 2012

Trip Details

Voyage code: RVR15
Voyage: RVR15 North Greenland - Umanak 2012
Date: 06-09-2012 / 21-09-2012
Duration: 15 nights / 16 days
Language: English
Embarkation: Upernavik
Disembarkation: Ilulissat
Vessel: s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

 

RVR15 North Greenland - Umanak 2012

Day by day Itinerary for 06.-21.09.12

Day 1 - We arrive in Upernavik from Reykjavik by chartered plane. Upernavik (1500 inhabitants) is the main town in North Greenland, where the people still live from hunting seals.

Day 2
- At the southern end of Melville Bugt we land at Kuvdlorssuaq the northernmost settlement of the Upernavik district. Map of area

Day 3
- We land at Lille Renland, where Reindeer have been found. Here we can walk on the Greenland ice-cap. In this area we may encounter our first sea ice and, if so, there is a chance of spotting Polar Bears hunting seals at the ice edge. Later we land at Red Head. The coast here is dominated by the vast Greenland ice cap which reaches the sea as a series of enormous glacier fronts, the largest outside Antarctica. Alternatively we land on Cape Seddon near the remains of a Thule culture village.

Day 4 - Today we sail to the western side of Melville Bugt, calling at Cape Melville and then continuing into Meteor Bugt.

Day 5
- On Meteor Island we land at Savissivik, the southernmost Thule settlement. It was on this island that the famous York meteorite provided the Inuit with a source of iron. Peary removed a part and sold it to an American museum. We will put effort in landing near the meteor site and walk about 2 km inland to find it.

Day 6 - Between Saunders Island and the mainland we sail by the American Thule base from where the inhabitants were moved to Qaanaaq in the 1950s. We could land at Morusaq a recently deserted Greenlandic settlement, an illustration of the depopulation in the peripheral areas of Greenland.

Day 7 - Today we call at Thule (Qaanaaq) the main settlement of the area. In the 1950s the inhabitants of Old Thule (Dundas) were forced to move to Qaanaaq when NATO created an air base at their village.

Day 8
- In Booth Sound we make a trip inland to visit an area of High Arctic tundra. There are many lakes here, where snow geese collect for their winter migration.

Day 9
- Just east of Parker Snow Bugt we cruise below the spectacular, ice-capped Crimson Cliffs to reach Cape York where, in 1818, the Inuit and White Men first met when Royal Navy ships under John Ross arrived. Today the small settlements on the eastern side of the Cape are deserted.

Day 10
- At sea heading for the Ummannaq area. While in the Melville Bugt we again admire the awesome Greenland ice-cap to the east.

Day 11 - We reach Svartenhuk Halvø, where we land at Svartenhavn. We will walk on an extensive tundra, dotted with lakes, where we will encounter ducks, geese and Muskoxen.

Day 12 - Today we circumnavigate Upernivik ø and sail through narrow fjords surrounded by mountains of over 2000 m and glaciers and ice-bergs at all sides and land at the valley where Wegener ascended to the Greenlandice-cap 80 years ago. It is close to Marmorilik, a  Zinc and Lead Mine high in the mountains, the Black Angel.
 
Day 13 - In Uummannaq (about 1000 inhabitants) 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 Nugssuaq Peninsula, where some years ago a family of mummified Thule culture people from the 15th Century was found.

Day 14 - At the west side of Nuussuaq Peninsula we land at Bjørnefelden, a ruin attributed to the Vikings

Day 15 - In the afternoon we sail among the icebergs along the large Jakobshavn Glacier. Later we sail to Ilulissat (5000 inhabitants), an important West Greenland town, with museums, institutes, bookstores, etc. 

Day 16 - From Ilulissat we fly to Reykjavik by chartered plane.

 

RVR15 North Greenland - Umanak from 06.-21.09.12

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.


Length: 56 meters (168 ft)
Breadth: 7 meters (22,9 ft)
Draft: 2,5 meters (8 ft)
Ice class: -
Displacement: 451 Ts
Engines: 2 cummins engines together 550 KW
Speed: 9 knots maximum
Passengers: 34

The Cabins
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



RVR15 North Greenland - Umanak from 06.-21.09.12


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

Twin Shared Porthole: € 2960
Twin private Inside: € 3260
Twin Private Porthole: € 3600
Single occupancy: All cabin types at 1.7 times the share price


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-Upernavik 06.09.12 = EUR 376 p.p. incl airport tax

Ilulissat-Reykjavik 21.09.12 = EUR 344 p.p. incl. airport tax



Bar sitting area
Deck Plan Rembrandt
Bar sitting area at Rembrandt
Dining area
Dining area at Rembradt
Dining area Rembrandt
Dining deco
Twin porthole cabin shared facilities
Twin private inside cabin
Twin private inside cabin rembrandt
twin private inside cabin toilet
twin private porthole cabin
Twin private porthole cabin shower
    
 
 

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Guðmundur Jónasson Travel   |   Borgartún 34   |   105 Reykjavík   |   Iceland   |   Tel: +354-511 15 15 | Fax +354-511 15 11 | email: gjtravel@gjtravel.is | KT 410166-0389 | VSK # 12977 Inspired by Iceland