Northeast Greenland Extreme - Aurora Borealis

Remote Greenland off the beaten path

Title: Northeast Greenland Extreme - Aurora Borealis
Dates:
Tripcode: HDS13-26
Duration: 13 nights
Ship: m/v Hondius
Embarkation: Longyearbyen
Disembarkation: Akureyri
Language: English speaking voyage
More about:
 
Itinerary
PLEASE NOTE:

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availability, permissions, and environmental concerns per State and AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader will determine the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Our vessel's average cruising speed is 10.5 knots. The probability of reaching Isle de France in the second week of September with m/v Hondius is about 70% (based on ice charts from the last 12 years).

Explore the northern extremes of Northeast Greenland and sail deep into the loose sea ice, searching for whales, seabirds, and polar bears on this voyage into remote Greenland. With plenty of landing opportunities, wildlife encounters, historical sites, and the wonders of the Northern Lights to be found along the coastline, fjord systems, and tundra, this is a true Arctic experience.

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island

You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.

Day 2: At sea to Greenland

At open sea, we sail toward Greenland and meet migrating seabirds and whales. The waters here can sometimes be dramatic - the scent of adventure is in the air!

Day 3: Among the sea ice

Sailing westward, we see the jagged edge of the sea ice flashing ahead of us. Keep watch for whales, migrating seabirds, and seals here. If you're lucky, you may even spot a polar bear.

Day 4: Isle de France

If ice and weather conditions are favorable, we land at Isle de France, which was first reached by the Duke of Orleans on the Belgica in 1905. We aim to go ashore at Kap St. Jacques, where, under the guidance of an archeologist from the National Greenland Museum, we can see the remains of the Independence II culture. If we don't make it to Isle de France, we will spend a day on the ice or on the west coast of Germania Land, an area with musk oxen and sometimes lonely, ranging wolves.

Day 5: Dove Bugt

When sailing into Dove Bugt, we have landing possibilities at the south coast of Germania Land, a mostly unglaciated area west of the Danmarkshavn station. Alternatively we land at Store Koldewey, named by the second German Polar Expedition of Koldewey 1869-'70, at Kap Ahrend or Kap Alf Trolle.

Day 6: A historic past, a beautiful present

Sir Edward Sabine performed his pendulum experiments on Sabine Ø (formerly Inner Pendulum Island) in 1823. Koldewey built a station at Germaniahavn. On its south side is Hvalros Island, where the population of walruses is increasing again. From this date onward, sailing south, we will experience darkness at night and have increasing opportunities to see the Aurora Borealis.

Day 7: First and last Inuit

On the south side of Clavering Ø, the English Explorer Douglas Clavering met the local Inuit in 1823. It was the first and last time Europeans met these people in Northeast Greenland, but the material remains of their culture are frequently seen. We hope to make a landing near Eskimonaes.

Day 8: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs

We may sail into Foster Bugt and land at Margrethedal, where there are remains of Thule culture from some centuries ago on the east side of the river. Musk oxen populate the lower tundra areas near the shores. From there, we sail through Sophia Sund, surrounded by mountain slopes where musk oxen graze.

Day 9: Alpine landscapes

You enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the banded slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. You will land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right at your feet. A hike takes you close to a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans.

Alternatively, you land in Blomsterdal (Flower Valley) near Antarctic Havn, where we often spot groups of musk oxen. In the evening, we sail along the strait between the island of Isikaja and the mainland. Until 30 years ago, Isikaja was connected to the mainland by a glacier, but it has now disappeared.

Day 10: Settlement Ittoqqortoormiit

The morning stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the only settlement in Scoresby Sund at about four hundred inhabitants. At the post office, you can buy stamps for your postcards or stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen.

If time allows, you may land at a beautiful lagoon a few km west of Kap Stewart, where migratory birds gather, and you will have an opportunity for a stroll on the autumnal tundra of Jameson Land.

Day 11: Enormous icebergs & Arctic hares

In the morning, you will likely encounter icebergs, some over 100 meters high and a km long. Most of them are grounded as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep. You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and Arctic hares. Today's walk may go from Sydkap to Nordöstbugt (12 km to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. We can walk south along the shore to Satakajik and see whale vertebrae in the construction of the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the long walking group will join again at this location. In the evening, we will sail south by Kap Brewster near the southern entrance of the fjord.

Day 12: Leaving from Earth's largest fjord

In the early morning, we will sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. After a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt, where we now and then have met polar bears, you may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts on the Volquart Boons Coast. In the early evening, we leave Greenland, sailing south by Kap Brewster.

Day 13: Sea life beneath the Northern Lights

We will sail southward in the cold East Greenland Current and later in the warm Gulfstream Current with a multitude of sea life (whales, seals, seabirds) at the mixing zones of these waters. A sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and, at night, the magical Northern Lights.

Day 14: At journey's end in Akureyri

You disembark in Akureyri, where, on request, you can transfer by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík.

m/v Hondius

Cabins & Prices

Quadruple Porthole

  • Cabin size between 15,3 m² and 16 m²
  • 2 portholes
  • 2 upper & lower berths
  • Small sofa
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe
  • This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin

Complete cabin

31000 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Sharing berth

7750 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Triple Porthole

  • Cabin size between 15,9 m² and 16 m²
  • 2 portholes
  • 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
  • Small sofa
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe
  • This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin

Complete cabin

28050 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Sharing berth

9350 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Twin Porthole

  • Cabin size between 13,3 m² and 16 m²
  • 2 portholes
  • 2 single beds
  • Small sofa
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe
  • Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos

Complete cabin

21700 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

18445 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Sharing berth

10850 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Twin Window

  • Cabin size between 12,1 m² and 14,3 m²
  • 1 window
  • 2 single beds
  • Small sofa
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe
  • Please be aware that the view from some windows might be partially obstructed due to the design requirements of the ship
  • Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos

Complete cabin

23900 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

20315 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Sharing berth

11950 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Twin Deluxe

  • Cabin size between 19,4 m² and 21,3 m²
  • 2 windows
  • 2 single beds
  • Sofa
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee & tea maker
  • Bathrobe
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe

Complete cabin

25300 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

21505 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Sharing berth

12650 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Superior

  • Cabin size between 20,7 m² and 21,3 m²
  • 2 windows
  • 1 double bed
  • Sofa
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee & tea maker
  • Bathrobe
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe

Complete cabin

28100 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

23885 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Junior Suite

  • Cabin size between 19,2 m² and 20 m²
  • 1 double window
  • 1 double bed
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee & tea maker
  • Bathrobe
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe

Complete cabin

32300 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

27455 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Grand Suite with private balcony

  • Cabin size 26,7 m²
  • 1 double window
  • 1 double bed
  • Sofa
  • Private balcony
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Desk & chair
  • Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee & tea maker
  • Bathrobe
  • Hair dryer
  • Cabinet
  • Safe deposit box
  • Wardrobe

Complete cabin

34800 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

29580 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).