plancius greenland norther lights cruise

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

  • Overview

    The East Greenland – Scoresby Sund cruise crosses the Arctic Circle into the home waters of multiple species of whale. The expedition will spot huge icebergs as it journeys into the largest and deepest fjord system in the world. Along the way the Northern Lights is guiding our way.

    Duration: 9 days
    Passengers: 116 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Akureyi, Iceland
    Disembarkation Point: Akureyi, Iceland
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 1.7x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - On the Iceland road

      Your journey begins in the morning, where by request you can transfer via chartered bus (T) from the city hall of Reykjavik (the meeting point) to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). You arrive in the afternoon after a six-hour drive through northern Iceland.

      PLEASE NOTE: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening, the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the Denmark Strait.

    • Day 2 - Sailing to east Greenland

      While sailing north you’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots. You then cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with your approach to the east Greenland coast, near Brewster.

    • Day 3 - Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear

      Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches, and grave sites. In the evening, you continue sailing the berg-crowded fjords to the west.

    • Day 4 - Colors of the cape

      The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the world’s most cherished iceberg attractions: The austere blue-white of the icebergs sets sharp against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

    • Day 5 - Enormous bergs, Arctic hares

      In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.

    • Day 6 - Settlement at Scoresbysund

      Today you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon you sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

    • Day 7 - Remote shores

      Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord grant you the opportunity to sail far inland, as they have no glacier front at the head and are not clogged with ice. In this location, you may get the opportunity to spot narwhals.

    • Day 8 - Sea life under the northern lights

      A sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and at night, the magical northern lights.

    • Day 9 - Journey’s end at Akureyri

      Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer (T) by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Photo Workshop

    Photography workshops will help you add incredible photos to your poetic descriptions. Our professional photographers will help you get the best pictures out of your personal camera equipment with our free photo workshop activity.
    The workshop must be pre-booked prior to departure.

    Included
  • Inclusions
    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen
    - AECO fees and governmental taxes
    - All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
    - Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
    - Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
    - All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
    - All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
    - Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
    - Comprehensive pre-departure material

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Transfer supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and Radhus Reykjavikur / city hall in Vonarstraeti (6 hours).
    - The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)
    - Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
    - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended)
    - Pre- and post- land arrangements
    - Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
    - Government arrival and departure taxes
    - Meals ashore
    - Passport and Visa expenses
  • Map
    Pla12 24 east greenland scoresby sund %e2%80%93 aurora borealis 2024 %c2%a9 oceanwide expeditions v2.jpg oceanwide expeditions
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    MV PLANCIUS

    The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 116-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v “Plancius” is classed by Lloyd’s Register and flies the Dutch flag. M/v “Plancius” accommodates 116 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, all (ca. 12,5 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).

    Features & Facilities
    • Comfortable and recently refurbished
    • Large Observation Decks
    • Open Bridge
    • Spacious observation lounge (with bar)
    • Restaurant
    • Lecture Room
    • Internet/Wifi
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 116
    Crew #: 47
    Ice Class: 1D
    Speed: 12
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 89m
    Width: 14
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 3434
    Registry: Netherlands
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
All available dates
Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.
plancius oceanwide

Quadruple Porthole

31 Aug 2024 - 08 Sep 2024
- 1 porthole - 2 upper & lower berths - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Hair dryer - Ample storage space - Safe deposit box This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
USD$ 4,600pp
USD$ 3,700pp
plancius oceanwide

Twin Porthole

31 Aug 2024 - 08 Sep 2024
- 1 porthole - 2 lower berths - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Hair dryer - Ample storage space - Safe deposit box
USD$ 6,400pp
USD$ 6,400pp
plancius oceanwide

Twin Window

31 Aug 2024 - 08 Sep 2024
- 1 window - 2 lower berths - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Hair dryer - Ample storage space - Safe deposit box
USD$ 6,900pp
USD$ 6,900pp
plancius oceanwide

Twin Deluxe

31 Aug 2024 - 08 Sep 2024
- 2 window - 2 lower berths - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Hair dryer - Ample storage space - Safe deposit box These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
USD$ 7,300pp
USD$ 7,300pp
plancius oceanwide

Superior

31 Aug 2024 - 08 Sep 2024
- 2 window - 1 double bed - 1 sofa bed - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Refrigerator - Coffee & tea maker - Hair dryer - Ample storage space - Safe deposit box
USD$ 8,300pp
USD$ 8,300pp