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GLACIERS & ICEBERGS
Disko Bay Sailing Dates: June 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 2012
The Disko Bay expedition along Greenland’s west coast is a fascinating exploration of the Inuit culture and the remarkable land that they inhabit. Accessible only by boat, these small settlements evoke the very essence of Greenlandic culture and, set against a spectacular natural landscape that is bathed in the light of the Midnight Sun, they provide you with a truly unforgettable journey. The Greenland voyage will provide travelers with Arctic nature and cultural experiences and the opportunity to take advantage of the many excursions and lectures.
DAY 1: KANGERLUSSUAQ
Fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, our main gateway into Greenland. Consisting of less than 600 hardy souls, who live and work in this remote desert-like landscape, the settlement is situated close to the majestic inland ice sheet that covers more than 80 percent of the country.
DAY 2: SISIMIUT
The second largest community in Greenland, Sisimiut’s bounty comes from the sea, with a modern fishing fleet, a shipyard and a fish processing factory all contributing to the town’s prosperity. We recommend a visit to the local Arts and Crafts workshop close to the pier, where you can watch artisans create traditional jewelry and perhaps purchase a local souvenir or two.
DAY 3: QEQERTARSUAQ
Situated on the old volcanic island of Disko, Qeqertarsuaq is home to an Arctic research station that is part of a Copenhagen University study into flora and fauna. You can spend the time here strolling along the beach, enjoying the spectacle of towering icebergs that lie grounded on the shore, or you might like to join a highly recommended walking tour to Blæsedalen, a place rich in Arctic flora.
DAY 4: UUMMANNAQ/UKKUSISSAT
The town of Uummannaq is situated among a scenic landscape that lies at the foot of a 3,800 ft tall, heart-shaped mountain. You can join a walking tour of the area, or just stroll around this beautiful town taking in its genteel ambience at your own pace. We will be calling into Ukkusissat later this evening, a traditional settlement of less than 200 people which continues to survive on the riches harvested from hunting and fishing.
DAY 5: EQIP SERMIA
Three miles long and constantly calving off icebergs, the glacier front of Eqip Sermia is one of nature’s most impressive creations and one of the best opportunities that you will ever have to truly appreciate the sheer majesty of the natural world.
DAY 6: ILULISSAT
Ilulissat means iceberg in Greenlandic and this is a town that certainly lives up to its name. Sermeq Kujalleq is the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere, feeding enormous icebergs into the Icefjord. Little wonder then that this stunning setting is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
DAY 7: ITILLEQ
Small and isolated, with only around 130 inhabitants, Itilleq is close to the Arctic Circle. Existing on hunting and fishing, the local community provides you with a rare insight into Greenlandic culture and life amongst these harsh and unforgiving landscapes.
DAY 8: KANGERLUSSUAQ
During the early 1960s, 27 musk oxen were introduced into Kangerlussuaq from northeastern Greenland. Today those herds number over 10,000. You have some time to explore the area more closely today before your overnight flight back to Copenhagen.
DAY 9: COPENHAGEN/RETURN HOME
Arrive Copenhagen early in the morning for your connection back home.
DISKO BAY SAILINGS:
June 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 2012
VACATION PRICE INCLUDES
- Voyage in cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis (Suites include a selection of drinks with meals on board).
- Roundtrip economy class flights between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq, including current taxes and surcharges.
- Transfers and excursion in Kangerlussuaq
- Wind and water proof jacket
- Landings in Polarcirkel boats
- Lectures by Expedition Team
- Tee and Coffee
- CD Log
EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS
Rates from US$ 5795 per person in an inside cabin based on double occupancy
For rates, please call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to the form How to Book.
Click here for MS Fram's deck plan (pdf file)
DISKO BAY & SOUTHERN FJORDS
July 8-19, 2012
This is a voyage taking you through the highlights of Disko Bay and to the less visited southern parts of Greenland. En route you will visit traditional Inuit settlements and historic places from the Viking era, the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, and the impressive alpine landscape of the south.
DAY 1 COPENHAGEN/KANGERLUSSUAQ
Join our charter flight in Copenhagen and fly to Kangerlussuaq, the main gateway to Greenland. The town is situated close to the majestic inland ice that covers more than 80% of Greenland.
DAY 2 QEQERTARSUAQ
Qeqertarsuaq is situated on the old volcanic island of Disko. Witness the grounded icebergs as you take a stroll along the beach or join the highly-recommended walking tour to Blæsedalen.
DAY 3 ILULISSAT
Ilulissat means ‘iceberg’ in Greenlandic, and this town lives up to its name. The most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq, feeds enormous bergs into the Ilulissat Icefjord. As a result this area is on UNE SCO’s list of World Heritage sites.
DAY 4 SISIMIUT
Sisimiut is the second largest community in Greenland. Here you’ll find fishing trawlers, a shipyard and a busy fish processing factory. We recommend a visit to the arts and crafts workshop close to the pier. Here you may watch the local craftsmen create traditional jewellery and purchase local souvenirs.
DAY 5 NUUK
Nuuk is the capital and the oldest town in Greenland founded by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede in 1728. Today old and new traditions meet here, from picturesque old buildings in ”Kolonihaven” to the modern building of the Greenland Home Rule.
DAY 6 IVITTUUT
Ivittuut is an old abandoned mining village, once a production centre of cryolite. In summertime, however, some people return to inhabit the old houses by the sea.
DAY 7 NARSAQ AND QASSIARSUK
Narsaq is located in a huge complex of fjords. The glaciers close by scatter icebergs into the waters which are rich in seals, salmon, trout and minke whales. Qassiarsuk is known for the nearby settlement of Brattalid which was home to Erik the Red, Greenland’s Viking founder in 982.
DAY 8 HVALSEY AND QAQORTOQ
In Hvalsey some of the best preserved ruins from the Norse period are found including the former ‘Austurbygd’ which was abandoned in 1408. From here we continue to Qaqortoq, founded by thNorwegian trader Anders Olsen in 1775, and today home to 3,400 people.
DAY 9 PRINCE CHRISTIAN SOUND
This 45 km long channel-like sound is often full of icebergs and its impressive granite rock faces on each side create a spectacular transit.
DAY 10 DENMARK STRAIT
While crossing the Denmark Strait we take the reverse route of the great Norse settlers who left the shores of Iceland and Norway more than 900 years ago to travel to the “Green Land”.
DAY 11 GRUNDARFJÖRÐUR, ICELAND
Grundarfjörður is a fishing village on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is also often called “Iceland in a nutshell” because of the diversity of its landscape; lava and rock formations, glaciers and volcanic activity, as well as a wealth of bird life and picturesque scenery.
DAY 12 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
The world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik is an exciting, vibrant city surrounded by incredible scenery. Here is where your voyage ends.
SAILING: July 8-19, 2012
EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS
Rates from US$ 5,785 per person in an inside cabin
VACATION PRICE INCLUDES
- Voyage in cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis (suites include a selection of drinks with meals on board)
- Business class (if booked in a suite) or economy class flights between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq, including current taxes and surcharges.
- Transfer in Kangerlussuaq
- Wind and water proof jacket
- Landings in Polarcirkel boats
- Lectures by Expedition Team
- Tee and Coffee
- CD log
Click here for MS Fram's deck plan (pdf file)
For rates, please call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to the form How to Book.
Click here to view Greenland video: http://www.cruisenorway.tv/hurtigruten-greenland
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