trip specifics

price

In 2013 the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, will be experienced at a maximum intensity. This special M/V Plancius small ship cruise in September 2013 is to the Scoresby Sund, East Greenland, the longest fjord in the world, where conditions will be optimal to experience this phenomenon.

The voyage begins in Reykjavik, Iceland, where you'll be picked up and transfered by scenic bus through North Iceland. Set off on the 114-guest Plancius from Akureyri, cross the Arctic Circle and continue north to East Greenland and back. Time at sea is perfect for witnessing the Aurora Borealis, and shore and zodiac excursions focus on wildlife, culture and iceberg viewing. Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to an impressive array of wildlife. There are about 50 bird species on the island such as gyrfalcon, snowy owl, and barnacle and pink-footed goose. If you've ever wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, the time is right for this September 2013 Northern Lights cruise.

Day 1 - Reykjavik to Embark Akureyri

Transfer by bus from Reykjavik hotels in the morning to the ship in Akureyri, where you arrive in the afternoon after a six hour's drive through North Iceland. Passengers can buy lunch at a stop en route. In the early evening, embark the Plancius and enjoy dinner on board as you leave Iceland and sail north toward the Denmark Strait.

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Cross the Arctic Circle

At sea, sailing north through the Denmark Strait, you are almost certain to see fulmar, kittiwake, gannet and rafts of common guillemot. Cross the Arctic Circle and continue north, perhaps seeing whales. In the evening the first icebergs appear as you approach the east coast of Greenland near Kap Brewster.

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Volquart Boons Coast & Danmarksø

In the morning sail along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here there may be a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and a first landing near a glacier, like Maanegletsjer or in Vikingebugt. Later land on Danmarksø 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 well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. In the evening continue sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with icebergs.

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Cape Hofmann Halvø

Go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing musk oxen. Look for rock ptarmigan and at sea great northern diver. 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 sail through the fjord toward 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.

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Iceberg Exploration & Sydkap

On the way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, encounter huge icebergs, some over 300 feet high and more than 3,000 feet in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 1,000 feet deep here. 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 whale and using their vertebrae to build the houses. The landscape here is gently undulating. Musk oxen and collared lemming survive on the meagre vegetation.

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Jameson Land & Ittoqqortoormiit

In the morning land at a lagoon at the south coast of Jameson Land, an area with waders and geese collecting for the autumn migration. In the afternoon visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement near Scoresby Sund with about 400 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sled dogs and the drying skins of seals, Musk oxen and polar bear.

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - At Sea

The whole day at sea offers excellent opportunities to see large whales, seabird migration and, at night, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Accommodations: Plancius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Disembark Akureyri to Reykjavik

Arrive at Akureyri, and transfer by chartered bus to hotels in Reykjavik. A packed lunch is provided on the drive.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch



Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, local ice, wildlife, environmental regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Included: All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; 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; AECO fees and governmental taxes; Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Onboard Plancius and Ortelius, all passengers are entitled to use a pair of sturdy rubber boots for free. Sizes need to be preordered at the latest 8 weeks prior to departure. Requesting equipment items without pre-order and voucher is not possible when boarding the vessel. Boots will need to be returned to the expedition team at the end of the voyage. The rubber boots are of high quality, keeping your feet dry, warm and comfortable for all landings. Expedition jackets can also be pre-ordered for a special price.

Exclusions: Airfare; Pre- and post land arrangements; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Meals ashore; Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, including mandatory emergency evacuation insurance; Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided); Possible fuel surcharges; It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 120 per Barrel Brent, 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per passenger per night.

Room Configurations: Cabins can be booked at single occupancy for 1.7 times the shared rate. If you are traveling alone, but would like to share the cabin with another passenger, no extra costs will be involved should you end up alone in the cabin.

Families & Children: Children under 16 years old in Superior, Family Triple and/or Family Quadruple cabins receive a 40% discount. Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.

Arrival & Departure: The voyage begins in Reykjavik, Iceland, where you'll be picked up and transfered by scenic bus through North Iceland. The ship embarks and disembarks in Akureyri, Iceland. Please plan flights to arrive Reykjavik at least one day prior to departure, and flights to depart Reykjavik anytime on day 9.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% the trip total is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 60 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days - 20% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days - 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: Guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting and zodiac cruises are included in the fare for the Scoresby Sund Aurora Borealis cruise.


return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us