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Day 1 AKUREYRI
Arrive at Akureyri airport and make the short journey to the
small port of the same name to join the ship. In the early
evening we leave Iceland and sail north towards the Denmark
Strait.
Day 2 DENMARK STRAIT
At sea, sailing north through the Denmark Strait. We may see
Orcas (Killer Whales), and are almost certain to see
Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Gannets and rafts of Common Guillemots
and Razorbills. We cross the Arctic Circle and continue
north, perhaps seeing White-beaked Dolphins, Humpback Whales
and Minke Whales. In the evening we will spot our first
icebergs appear as we approach the east coast of Greenland
near Kap Brewster.
Day 3 DANMARKS ØY
In the morning we sail along the ragged and glaciated
Volquart Boons Coast, Here we may organize a zodiac cruise
along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our
first landing near a glacier, like Maanegletsjer or in
Vikingebugt. Later we land on Danmarks Ø 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 excellently preserved, allowing
entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified.
There are also grave sites. In the evening we continue our
sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked
with ice-bergs.
Day 4 CAPE HOFMANN HALVØ
We go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, a reliable spot for
viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigans and at
sea Great Northern Divers. The landscape here is
particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the
Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch change color. Arctic Blueberry
and Crowberry add their own colorful touch - the berries are
tasty too! Later, during a Zodiac cruise, we will come close
to huge icebergs and may also see Ringed Seals, as well as
distant views of Musk Oxen on shore. In the evening we sail
through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, hoping to see
Narwhals and enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal
colors of the vegetation on shore, backed by huge dark
mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.
Day 5 SCORESBY SUND - SYDCAP
On our way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, we
encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m high and more than
a kilometer in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the
fjord is only about 400 m deep here. We 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
Whales and using their vertebrae to build the houses. We may
also land at Gurreholm on Jameson Land. The landscape here
is gently undulating, but the climate is harsh - sometimes
snow lies throughout the summer - but some animals - Musk
Oxen and Collared Lemmings - survive on the meager
vegetation. The lemmings are preyed upon by Long-tailed
Skua, Snowy Owl and Arctic Fox.
Day 6 ILLOQQORTOORMIUT
We land in Illoqqortoormiut, the biggest settlement
near Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants. At the post
office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander
around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals,
Musk Ox and Polar Bear. After lunch we will sail south,
passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast where
groups of Harp Seals can be spotted among the ice floes.
Day 7 BLOSSEVILLE COAST - NANSEN FJORD -
MIKIS FJORD
We continue along the Blosseville Coast with wonderful views
of snow covered peaks - these are the highest mountains of
Greenland, some of them reaching over 3000m. At the mouth of
Nansen Fjord we spot Gunnbjørns Fjeld, at 3700m: it is both
the highest peak in Greenland and also the highest mountain
north of the Arctic Circle. Next we sail into Mikis Fjord,
bounded by steep cliffs. The fjord is a good place to spot
Narwhal, Polar Bear, Ringed Seals and Harp Seals. At Södalen
at the head of Mikis Fjord we land in a marshy delta. There
are good populations of both Common and Arctic Redpolls, as
well as a chance of seeing flocks of Barnacle Geese and
Pink-footed Geese.
Day 8 KANGERLUSSUAQ - DENMARK STRAIT
In the morning, we head south for Kangerlussuaq fjord where
glaciers reach the sea creating a fabulous landscape of
glacier fronts, icebergs and cliffs. On shore there are the
remains of dwellings of Thule culture people. The fjord is
also a good place to see Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls. We
conclude the day with a Zodiac trip to Skaergårdshalvø, a
popular summer hunting ground for the people of Ammassalik.
Most years a number of families arrive here in early summer
and stay until the end of the hunting season and we might be
able to meet them. In the afternoon we will sail south-east
towards the Denmark Strait.
Day 9 AT SEA
The whole day at sea offers excellent opportunities to see
large whales and seabird migration and, at night the Aurora
Borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 10 KEFLAVIK
Arrive and Keflavik, and transfer for the airport for the
flight home.
OCN
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