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DISKO BAY &
THULE 2008
EXPEDITION TO THE WEST COAST OF GREENLAND ON THE M/S FRAM
15 days / 14 nights, Kangerlussuaq - Sisimiut - Qeqertarsuaq
Uummannaq - Ukkusissat - Kullorsuaq -
Dundas - Siorapaluk -
Upernavik - Ilulissat - Kangerlussuaq
DEPARTURE DATES: Aug 14 - Aug 28; Aug
28 - Sep 11
GREENLAND SUITE OFFER:
BOOK an 15-day Disko Bay and Thule cruise
before March 15, 2008
and receive FREE air.
Offer is good for new suite bookings and
cannot be combined with other special
offers. Restrictions apply.
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Greenland
Our once-in-a-lifetime Expedition Voyages to
Greenland give you the opportunity to explore and
learn about the unspoiled nature and wildlife of
this incredible area of the world. The most
magnificent mountains, fjords, glaciers, a unique
flora, and an abundance of wildlife await the people
who are fortunate enough to visit.
Greenland, the largest island in the world, has 85%
of its area covered with ice, and here you'll find
some of the world's most active glaciers; and you
most probably will experience the calving of an
iceberg. The coastal landscape is dominated by
rugged mountains, waterfalls and icebergs, some
enormous in size. During this program on board the
brand new MS Fram, you'll come in close contact with
the local Inuit population, learning their customs
and interesting traditions while visiting by
Polar Circle boats the small villages and settlements
along the route. You'll have many opportunities to
see walruses, seals, a variety of whales and birds,
musk ox, wild reindeer, and some of the more than
500 species of plants.
With enriching on board lectures and fascinating and
unique shore excursions our passengers will have the
opportunity to experience nature and culture. Visits
to small settlements and town, meeting the local
Inuit population, will give our guests plenty of
opportunities to learn about the regions interesting
history, way of life, and spectacular flora and
fauna. The MS Fram carries a maximum of 350
passengers. The ship boasts Jacuzzis, saunas,
exercise rooms, an observer lounge, two flexible
lecture rooms, an Internet café and vast outside
observation terraces and decks.
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Day 1 DEPARTURE USA - KANGERLUSSUAQ -
EMBARKATION (B, L, D)
Depart from the U.S. on your
transatlantic flight to
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. The town
lies just north of the Arctic Circle
and is one of the best places to
observe native wildlife. In the
early 1960's musk oxen were
introduced to Kangerlussuaq from
North East Greenland, and today they
count over five thousand. Here
you'll be met by your guide.
Transfer to the MS Fram by
motorcoach and then Polar Circle
boats to start your Greenland
adventure. An informative welcome
meeting is held in the evening. Your
days on board will be filled with
opportunities to experience the
fascinating Inuit culture,
spectacular icebergs, numerous
species of whales and seals, an
abundant bird life including the
white-tailed eagle, the unique
Arctic flora, and, weather
permitting, the Midnight Sun.
Day 2 SISIMIUT (B, L, D)
Arrive in Sisimiut, the second
largest town in Greenland with a
population of about 5,200. The main
trade here is fishing, and the town
accommodates a large fleet of
trawlers, a shipyard and a fish
factory. This southernmost town on
the west coast of Greenland is set
in rolling countryside and the town
center lies at the foot of a steep
hill. Whether you partake in the
city walk or one of the optional
excursions, you'll be rewarded with
fantastic views of the town, sea,
and mountains. Worth seeing is the
museum, the old city town with the
oldest wooden church built in 1775.
After dinner, a lecture about the
old and new Greenland is held.

Day 3 QEQERTARSUAQ (B, L, D)
Qeqertarsuaq ("largest island") is
your next stop, located on the
southern tip of the island with the
same name. This is the largest
island along the Greenland coast,
with the population around 1,100.
Guided walk through this small
fishing and hunting town, set in
wonderful surroundings at the foot
of the impressive Basalt Mountains
on you way to Blaesedalen ("the
valley of the winds"), starting
point of your hike is Rodeelv ("the
red river"), where you'll be
rewarded with spectacular views of
majestic mountains and cascading
waterfalls. For dog sledding
enthusiasts, today's optional
excursions taking place on the
Lygnmark Glacier, is a must. There
will be a lecture onboard about the
Arctic Station and about the flora
and fauna in Greenland.
Day 4 UUMMANNAQ - UKKUSISSAT (B,
L, D)
In the morning arrive in Uummannaq,
situated in beautiful surroundings
at the foot of the heart-shaped
mountain. Life in a small village is
the topic for the guided tour.
Hunting and fishing are the main
trades here, and the most important
species of fish is the halibut. The
halibut-processing factory is the
town's major source of employment.
Here, you may visit the magnificent
church and the old-turfed house.
You
can participate in an optional
hiking tour to Santa's summer cabin
or an optional excursion to
Qilakitsoq, where you can see the
famous graves of the 500-years old
mummies. In the afternoon arrive in Ukkusissat ("soapstone"), the most
northern point was named by a nearby
soapstone deposit. This village is
set in spectacular scenery nestling
between the magnificent mountains of
the municipal borough of Uummannaq.

Day 5 KULLORSUAQ (B, L, D)
Kullorsuaq, ("the devil's thumb"),
received its name from the view of
the mountain formation at arrival.
This small town only has a
population of 400 inhabitants, most
of them make their living from
fishing and hinting. Here you have
the possibility to interact with the
locals, and learn of their tradition
and culture- but the warmth and
welcoming atmosphere is not to be
mistaken.
Day 6 DUNDAS (B, L, D)
Uumannaq (Dundas) village is
protected by Denmark and
specifically excluded from areas
under US Air Force control. In 1963
the area was given official status
as Thule, the 17th municipality of
Greenland and the northernmost
community in the world. Dundas
Village, at the base of the mountain
Dundas closed down in 1985 and
nowadays nobody lives in this
settlement. You could still have an
opportunity to go ashore and take a
walk in the old settlement and see
the remaining from Knud Rasmussen's
old trading post.

Day 7 SIORAPALUK (B, L, D)
Siorapaluk, which means "little
Sands", was named after the small
sandy beach in front of the village,
is located on the north coast
of Robertson Fiord. It is the most
northerly natural community in the
World and is the northernmost
landing on this trip. Situated only
1,362 km from the North Pole, the
village was founded in 1933 and is
known for its beautiful surroundings
and geology. You can attend a
presentation on board, and hear the
lecture given by a Siorapaluk local.
Day 8 AT SEA (B, L, D)
We will sail as far north as
possible and hope to reach 80
degrees north. This will depend on
ice and weather conditions.
Day 9 QAANAAQ (THULE) (B, L, D)
Qaanaaq district was the first part
of Greenland to be colonized by
Inuits from the west. The district
is among the northernmost inhabited
places on earth and has a population
of around 1000. Here you may visit
the "Ultima Thule" souvenir shop
with genuine and original artwork
and crafts from the Qaanaaq district
on a town walk, hike up behind the
town and view the marvelous scenery,
or experience a drum-dance on board
the vessel to learn more on the
culture and traditions common in the
area.

Day 10 AT SEA (B, L, D)
A series of lectures will be held on
board on topics related to history
and wildlife in the area.
Day 11 UPERNAVIK (B, L, D)
Founded in 1722, is situated nearly
800 km north of the Arctic Circle.
Here the primary occupation is
fishing for Greenland halibut, but
hunting still plays a decisive role
for employment in the settlements. A
lecture on Eskimology will be held
on the ship, but first take walk
around the town and visit the
world's northernmost open-air
museum.
Day 12 EQIP SERMIA (B, L, D)
Today you'll reach the impressive
glacier Eqip Sermia with
possibility to experience calving of
the iceberg and the glacier up
close. With weather permitting, you
can take the PolarCirkel ashore and
join in on a BBQ dinner with a
terrific view over the glacier.

Day 13
ILULISSAT (B, L, D)
Ilulissat is the third largest town
in Greenland and it is set in
marvelous surroundings at Jakobshavn
Isfjord. Enormous icebergs run
aground here at the mouth of the
fjord, originating from the
Jakobshavn Glacier, the most
productive glacier in the world.
Ilulissat is the metropolitan centre
of the Disko Bay area and this
aspect will be the theme of our
guided tour, together with the
town's long-standing history. The
most important trades in Ilulissat
are fishing and tourism.
You have the possibility to join
optional tours:
Boat trip to the Icefjord
Hiking to the glacier
Helicopter trip to the glacier of
Ilulissat.
Day 14 EVIGHEDSFJORDEN (B, L, D)
During the day we will sail into
this beautiful fjords, surrounded by
majestic mountains and glaciers.
Here you may see the highest peal in
West Greenland, Naparutaq, which
looms about the northern side of the
fjords. Evighedsfjorden ("the
eternity fiord") is one of these
majestic places on earth were you
really feel small in comparison to
nature itself. You are welcome to go
on a short excursion ashore and
actually touch the glacier.

Day 15 KANGERLUSSUAQ -
DISEMBARKATION - REYKJAVIK (B)
Return to Kangerlussuaq, situated in
the end of the Kangerlussuaq fjord
(big fjord). Transfer to the airport
for your return flight back to the
U.S.
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Related Cruises: |
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Disko
Bay |
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Reykjavik
- Kangerlussuaq |
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Cabin plan M/S
Fram |
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Back to Top |
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Departure Dates 2008 |
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Disko Bay & Thule, 15 days |
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Aug 14 - 28; Aug 28 - Sep 11 |
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Prices in US Dollar |
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Cabins |
Aug 14 - 28 &
Aug 28 -
Sep 11 |
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MG |
Grand Suite, two rooms, sitting group, TV
mini bar, double bed, shower/tlt. Deck 6 |
21,899 |
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M |
Suite, one room,
sitting group, TV mini bar, double
bed, shower/tlt. Some cabins with private
balcony, Deck 5 & 6 |
18,399 |
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Q |
Mini Suite, sitting group,
TV mini bar, double bed, shower/tlt., Deck 5
& 6 |
15,399 |
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QJ |
Mini Suite, obstructed view,
TV mini bar, double bed, shower/tlt., Deck 5
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13,499 |
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U |
Outside, Twin berths, one berth converts
into sofa, table, TV, refrigerator,
shower/tlt.,
Deck 6 |
12,699 |
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N |
Outside, Twin berths, one berth converts
into sofa, table, TV, refrigerator,
shower/tlt., Deck 3 |
10,699 |
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I |
Inside,
Twin berths, one berth converts into sofa,
table, TV, refrigerator, shower/tlt., Deck
3, 5 & 6 |
8,099 |
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H
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Outside, cabin for disabled,
one berth converts into sofa, table, TV,
refrigerator, shower/tlt., Deck
3 |
10,699 |
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Single and triple rates available on
request.
AARP members enjoy a discount of $ 150
per cabin.
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Included |
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Roundtrip Economy Class
transatlantic airfare from
Baltimore
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Accommodations on board the M/S
Fram in select cabin category
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Transfers as indicated in
itinerary
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Meals as indicated in itinerary
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Port charges
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Services of a tour director
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Shore Excursions as indicated
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Not Included |
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Airport taxes -
Add-on airfares for gateways
other than Baltimore -
Optional
shore excursions -
Gratuities -
Personal insurance / personal items -
$ 25 Service fee
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Please
note |
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Featuring lectures, expert guides,
Polar Circle boat
landings and
excursions.
Starting at $
8,099 per person.
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Add-ons: Tour Options |
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Shore
Excursions |
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