East Greenland, Scoresby Sund  | Ortelius | IExpedition

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: 108 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Akureyri
    Disembarkation Point: Akureyri
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 1.7x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Akureyri

      Your journey begins in the morning, where by request you can transfer via chartered bus (T) from bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, 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 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 - Sailing along Greenland

      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.

      In the afternoon, we plan to sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to the Charcot Glacier. We will then continue by Bjørneør and sail into Øfjord.

    • Day 4 - Sailing along Greenland

      The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Sorte Ø, surrounded by icebergs. Their austere blue-white contrasts sharply with the sediment slopes nearby. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord and into Harefjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

    • Day 5 - Sailing along Greenland

      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.

      Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordøstbugt (12 km, 7.5 miles to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. We plan to walk south along the shore to Satakajik, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the long walking group will join us at this location for their second excursion of the day.

    • Day 6 - Sailing along Greenland

      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 - Sailing along Greenland

      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 - Sailing to Iceland

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

    • Day 9 - 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 bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík, 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

    Hiking

    Our long hikes activity allows you to immerse yourself deeply in the sensory experience of Greenland. Enjoy the vibrant surroundings of the Arctic summer far from the vessel as you embark on a full-day hike, crossing tundra, rivers, and ruggedly beautiful backcountry.

    Passengers who join this activity should have the willingness and ability to walk at least 15 km (9 miles) in semi-rough terrain. Walks will take around six hours from start to finish, rest times included.

    Included
  • Inclusions
    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Comprehensive pre-departure material
    - 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
    - Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
    - All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
    - AECO fees and governmental taxes

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Transfer supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik (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
    - Passport and visa expenses
    - Government arrival and departure taxes
    - Meals ashore
  • Map
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  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    ORTELIUS

    “Ortelius” was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named “Marina Svetaeva”, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and renamed “Ortelius”. “Ortelius” is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Cyprus flag. The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. “Ortelius” is a great expedition vessel for 116 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces. The vessel is manned by 22 highly experienced international nautical crew, 19 international hotel crew, 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader, 1 assistant expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), and 1 doctor. Ortelius offers a comfortable hotel standard, with a u-shaped, a bar and a lecture room. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 116 on the “Ortelius”, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. “Ortelius” carries 10 zodiacs. The zodiac engines are 60hp Yamaha.

    Features & Facilities
    • Comfotable hotel standard
    • Bar
    • Lecture Room
    • Spacious Observation Decks
    • Open Bridge
    • Helipad
    • Small gym
    • Internet/Wifi
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 3
    Guests #: 116
    Crew #: 52
    Ice Class: 1A
    Speed: 12
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 91m
    Width: 17
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 4575
    Registry: Cyprus
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
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  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.
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11 Sep 2024 - 19 Sep 2024
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- 3 windows - 2 lower berths - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Small sofa - Refrigerator - Coffee & tea maker - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Hair dryer - Safe deposit box - Ample storage space
USD$ 7,300pp
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11 Sep 2024 - 19 Sep 2024
- 2 windows (minimum) - 1 double bed - 1 single (sofa) bed - Private shower & toilet - Desk & chair - Refrigerator - Coffee & tea maker - Flatscreen TV - Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) - Hair dryer - Safe deposit box - Ample storage space
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