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Spitsbergen to North-east Greenland

A High Arctic Adventure

© Rinie van Meurs/Oceanwide Expeditions
An encounter with an iceberg off Greenland
An encounter with an iceberg off Greenland

ATD13      25 August - 06 September 2009 (12 nights) aboard Antarctic Dream
MOL13      05 - 17 September 2009 (12 nights) aboard Professor Molchanov



An extraordinary journey along the pack-ice to some of the remotest parts of the arctic.



Map of Spitsbergen to Grenland Polar Cruise


Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to more than eight species of whales, two million seals, Walruses, Polar Bears, Reindeer, Musk Oxen, Arctic Hares, Arctic Wolves and a spectacular variety of seabirds. It is the largest island in the world, 90% covered by glaciers, and inhabited by less then 100,000 people, with a fascinating history.

This is an adventurous voyage along the pack ice of east Greenland. There is a good chance of favourable sea ice conditions so that we can find an entrance to Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord in the world with huge glaciers, icebergs, and impressive tundra together with a friendly Greenland hunting community (Itoqqortoormiit). Along the pack ice we shall see Fin Whales and Minke Whales, and in Greenland, Musk Oxen. Polar Bears sometimes come to south Greenland drifting on the ice.

Please note that the following itinerary is 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.

Please note that depending on Oslo/Longyearbyen flight schedules it may be necessary to fly to Longyearbyen the day before the cruise starts and an overnight stay in Longyearbyen will be needed. Alternatively the flights may leave Oslo very early in the morning, in which case an overnight in Oslo will be needed.

Itineraries

Day 1
Arrive in Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to visit this former mining village. The Parish Church and the Polar Museum are 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
We sail into 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. We have good chances to see Polar Bears, for instance near Hamilton Glacier, or more to the head of the fjord. From there we continue to Moffen island on which Walrus haul out.

Day 3 & 4
At sea, on our way to Greenland, we may see the edge of the East Greenland Ice. We keep watch for whales, and also for migrating seabirds.

Day 5
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. The small lakes are home to geese. We sail through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches choked with huge icebergs. An alternative is Sofia Sund, which is much narrower, and where we can see Muskoxen from the ship.

Day 6
We will land at Blomster Bugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic Hares are usually seen here, and there is a lake with Great Northern Divers with young. In the afternoon we sail along Teufelschloss and Ella Ö and may land at a beautiful spot in the early evening.

Day 7
The first half of the day we spend in Antarcticahavn, a wide and extensive valley where we also could see groups of Musk Oxen. At this time of year the autumnal colours of the sparse vegetation make the landscapes even more beautiful.

Day 8
Today we reach the Scoresby Sund and sail in the morning along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near for instance Maane Glacier. Later we land on Danmarks ø 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. In the evening we continue our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with ice-bergs.

Day 9
We go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, 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 ! In the evening we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, 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 10
In Northwest fjord 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.

Day 11
In the morning we land at 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. After dinner we will sail south passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast.

Day 12
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 13
Arrive in Akureyri (North Iceland) and transfer to Reykjavik by chartered bus.

M/v Professor Molchanov

  • Length 71,6 metres (236 feet)
  • Breadth 12,8 metres (42 feet)
  • Draft 4,5 metres (15 feet)
  • Speed 12,5 knots
  • Passengers capacity 52
  • 20 Russian crew
  • 3 international expedition staff
  • 3 international hotel & catering staff and 1 emergency doctor
'Professor Molchanov'
'Professor Molchanov'
The ships are modern, ice-strengthened research vessels, built in Finland for the Russian Academy of Science. They are under long-term contract to Oceanwide Expeditions and have been converted for passenger use and are ideally suited to expedition cruising in polar areas. They comply with the highest international safety and environmental regulations, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic shipping guidelines. The passengers are accommodated in triple, twin, superior cabins or a suite. All cabins are ‘outside’ and most cabins have private facilities. The public areas are comfortable and cosy and include a dining room which could also act as the lecture room, a bar with reference books, a small infirmary and a sauna. The best viewing places on board for spotting wildlife are the bridge (where passengers are welcome) and the open-deck areas. The ships carry a full complement of Zodiac crafts, for both cruising and landing ashore. Usually on our voyages the Chef will organize a Polar barbecue on deck. Surrounded by an impressive landscape and accompanied by your fellow-travellers, staff members and the Russian crew members, this event is one to remember.


'Professor Molchanov' deckplan


Antarctic Dream
  • Length: 83 metres (273,90 feet)
  • Breadth: 12 metres (39,27 feet)
  • Draft: 4,60 metres (15,00 feet)
  • Engines: Diesel-Electric
  • Speed: 10 - 12 knots
  • Flag: Panama
  • Capacity: 84 passengers
  • GRT: 2.180
© Oceanwide Expeditions
'Antarctic Dream'
'Antarctic Dream'
M/V 'Antarctic Dream' is a Dutch built ice-reinforced vessel and served under the name Piloto Pardo for the Chilean Navy. The vessel was rebuilt as an unrestricted, worldwide passenger vessel and was completely refurbished in July 2005. M/v 'Antarctic Dream' is registered in Panama. The vessel features a spacious dining room / observation lounge, bar, lecture room, fitness room plus sauna, boutique and passenger bridge. The vessel offers accommodation for 84 passengers in 42 twin cabins with private toilet and shower, 4 suites, 6 superior cabins and 29 twin private cabins have portholes or windows and either two separate lower beds or queen beds. 3 additional twin private cabins have no portholes / windows (inside cabins). All cabins have furthermore a desk, closed circuit TV, and inter-cabin phone service. Satellite email and phone service is available in the library. The vessel is manned by 18 well-trained Chilean crew members. The on board staff consists of 1 expedition leader, 4 guides / lecturers, 1 hotel manager, 1 barman, 1 doctor, 3 chefs and 6 waitresses / cabin cleaners. Our program is orientated to the viewing of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery, glaciers, icebergs and the brown white peaked mountains.


Antarctic Dream deckplan

Antarctic Dream Deckplan - click for larger image


Accommodation : Cabins as described above subject to availability.

Travel : Flights to Longyearbyen and return from Keflavik can be arranged, either from London, or some regional airports - please enquire for details. Overnight accommodation in Longyearbyen can also be arranged, please enquire for details. A taxi can be used for the short transfer from the airport to the vessel.

Leaders: Guides from Oceanwide Expeditions

Prices per person:
ATD13
Twin en suite (inside) £ 3,875
Twin en suite (outside) £ 4,665
Superior     £ 5,220
Suite £ 5,830
Deposit : £ 500 per person


MOL13
Triple not en suite£ 3,355
Twin not en suite £ 3,875
Twin en suite £ 4,665
Superior twin en suite £ 5,220
Twin Suite £ 5,830
Deposit : £ 500 per person


Please enquire for single supplements.

The prices are per person and are fully inclusive the cruise, meals during the voyage, shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage, lectures and leadership by expedition staff, taxes and port charges and pre-departure information

The prices exclude UK/Longyearbyen and Keflavik/UK flights, overnight accommodation and airport transfers in Longyearbyen and Keflavik, passport and visa expenses, Government arrival and departure taxes, travel insurance, meals ashore, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, excess baggage charges and other personal expenses.

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