East Greenland Explorer Voyage

Overview:

Holiday price is from £2,875 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard double/twin hotel room and a twin inside cabin on the voyage.

Single supplement, shared cabin with co-guest of the same gender and triple cabin prices upon request.

Max 33 guests onboard

2016 Departure Dates:

Departure	Return
22 Aug SOLD OUT	31 Aug
29 Aug SOLD OUT	07 Sep

.

 

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Iceland

Arrival in Iceland and transfer by airport shuttle to your hotel in Reykjavik. According to your flight, we can assist you in pre-booking guided tours and excursions during your first day in Iceland.

Overnight at 3* Hotel Fron incl. breakfast.

Day 2: Welcome to Greenland

Breakfast at Hotel Fron and make your way to Reykjavik domestic airport for your late morning flight to Kulusuk. We arrive at the airport of Kulusuk by scheduled plane from Reykjavik. At Kulusuk airport you will be met by your tour guide. The Rembrandt Voyager will be at a quai about 1,5 km from the airport. We walk the short route to the ship, but the luggage will be transported with a small vehicle. Kulusuk is the very first area where the Europeans in the 10th century made contact with the Inuit people of East Greenland, who had lived here in isolation for many centuries. Today lunch is at your own expense. Board the ship between 16:00 and 17:00. We will sail around 18:00 and dinner is served onboard shortly after departure. The flight schedule is as following: Reykjavik domestic airport 10:45 - Kulusuk 10:25.

Days 3-7: The Journey of Nansen, Isortoq Settlement & Polar Bears

After sailing parallel to the magnificent coast of East Greenland, not to distinguish from Antarctica, we reach Umivik, where Nansen began his crossing of the Greenland ice-cap in 1888. There is a small monument dedicated to this achievement. We will follow a very short distance in his steps towards and on the Greenland ice-cap. From there we work our way in inshore waters into some fjords back to the north sailing into Køge Bugt a landscape which is similar to Antarctica. We will also sail into Unartoq, where we find warm springs and land at Husryggen, a vegetated area. In this extremely remote area there are chances that we can meet Polar Bears. Isortoq is an East Greenland outpost, where the people still live a traditional life on an island near the foot of the Greenlandic ice-cap, which descends here to the sea. We will see how far we can get into the famous Sermilik Fjord and Johan Petersen Fjord with its steep glaciers.

Day 8: Tasiilaq Settlement

Today we will continue our journey to Tasiilaq Settlement (about 2000 inhabitants) which is located in the center of East Greenland, and has a museum. In this area the Europeans first met the Inuits of East Greenland at the end of the 19th century.

Day 9: Return to Iceland

Disembarkation is after breakfast around 09:00. We will bring the luggage to the airport and passengers have free time to explore Kulusuk. Excursions and lunch is at your own expense. From the island of Kulusuk we take the scheduled flight to Reykjavik. Upon arrival back in Reykjavik, make your way to Hotel Fron for your last night in Iceland. The flight schedule is as following: Kulusuk 14:25 - Reykjavik domestic airport 18:05.

Day 10: Farewell Iceland

Breakfast at Hotel Fron and the rest of the day to explore more of the Icelandic capital or countryside. Transfer to the airport by shuttle bus according to your return flight.

Optional pre- and post nights in Iceland:

We will be happy to tailor this once in a lifetime voyage with extra nights in Iceland and assist with pre-booking tours and excursions during your stay in Greenland and Iceland.

S/V Rembrandt van Rijn

 

History:
S/V 'Rembrandt Van Rijn' was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations.

Perfect for expedition cruising among small islands:
The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The 2 inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas. The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). See pictures of the ship and cabins under the tab "photos".

Comfort and Character:
The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole).

Age range & Nationality onboard:
Passengers on a typical voyage range from their 30s to their 80s - with a majority usually from 45 - 65, but a little younger on the Rembrandt van Rijn, between 30 - 55. Our expeditions attract independent-minded travellers from around the world. They are characterised by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie and spirit that develops aboard is an important part of the expedition experience. Many departures have several nationalities on board.

Electric Current:
The electrical supply aboard the ship is 220 volt 50hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins. U.S. passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.

Excursions & Landings:
Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take three to six hours per day over untracked area. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice-situation or the passengers´ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography and history.

Gratuities:
The customary gratuity to the ship's crew and expedition leader is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage. You will receive detailed guidelines aboard. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. We suggest to give cash in Euros, US Dollars or Danish kroner.

Non-smoking policy:
On board our vessels we have a non-smoking policy. It is prohibited to smoke inside the ship. You can smoke on deck but do not throw your cigarette filter overboard ! Do not smoke on the aft deck in the proximity of zodiacs, engines and fuel. Please respect the wishes of non-smokers.

The crew:
The crew of the ´Rembrandt van Rijn´ consists of 9 experienced crew and 2 tour guides and a cook. The sailors are in charge during sailing and will bring us ashore. Whilst sailing the assistance of the passengers is appreciated for handling the sails and taking the helm. This includes being on watch during nightly sailing.

Your physical condition:
You must be in good general health and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. This will become progressively easier with practice. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. You are travelling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.

Specifications:

• Passengers: 33 in 16 cabins
• Staff & crew: 12
• Length: 56 meters (168 ft)
• Width: 7 meters (22,9 ft)
• Draft: 2,5 meters (8 ft)
• Ice class: The bow of the vessel is enforced and is therefore suitable to sail in the Greenlandic waters.
• Displacement: 451 Ts
• Propulsion: 2 cummins engines together 550 KW
• Speed: 9 knots maximum

Package Includes:

• Return flights from the UK to Iceland (London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Ediburgh other airports upon request)
• Direct return flights Iceland - Greenland - Iceland
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 20 kg)
• Airport transfers by shuttlebus
• 2 nights' accommodation in Iceland incl. breakfast

• 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 snow shoes

• Transfers and baggage handling between airport and ship in Greenland harbours on the chartered group flights

• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme

• Comprehensive pre-departure material
• 24-hour emergency service
• ATOL protection
• All taxes

 

Not included in the holiday price:

• Passport and visa expenses (if appliccable)

• Meals ashore

• Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory)

• 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 are about USD 10 p.p. per night)

Enquire now »