Day 1- Reykjavik to Ammassalik: Embarkation
Day 2- Denmark Strait
Day 3- Denmark Island and Hall Bredning
Day 4- Rypefjord and Rodefjord
Day 5- Fredriksdal and Sydkap
Day 6- Ittoqqortoormiit
Day 7- Denmark Strait
Day 8- Ammassalik: disembarkation and flight to Reykjavik

Join adventurers from around the world at the Reykjavik airport (RKV) and board our group flight to Kulusuk, Ammassalik’s airport, in Greenland. The Polar Adventure Ship Akademik Shokalskiy, equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, lies at anchor in the harbor ready for embarkation. The compact vessel is your floating base camp for seven nights under the midnight sun.

As Akademik Shokalskiy sets sail, linger on deck with a camera or binoculars to scan the sky for seabirds, and the horizon for whales.

This expedition takes you to a remote area. The sea, the ice, and the weather will determine our exact route and no specific itinerary can be guaranteed in advance.

As we sail towards Denmark Island, the Expedition Team delivers illustrated presentations about Greenland’s wildlife, history or geography. A number of important safety and operational briefings are conducted.

From the deck and from the bridge you have good chances of seeing White-beaked dolphins, Humpback or Minke whales, and birds such as the kittiwake, gannet, guillemot, fulmar and razorbill.

If we are fortunate, at night you will be entertained by the Northern Lights.

The Denmark Island landing offers beautiful, lush tundra with excellent hiking and fantastic views over Scoresbysund and Fohn Fjord. There are excellent photographic opportunities for Arctic flora and fauna. Our historian will lead a visit to the archeological site of Inuit homes.

In the afternoon we proceed to Hall Bredning, the largest and deepest fjord complex in the world. The ship is the best platform from which to enjoy the splendor of this “iceberg alley.” We navigate among majestic icebergs, some over 100 meters high and 1 kilometer long.

The tundra of Rypefjord is habitat for musk oxen. Birders can watch for wheatears, snow buntings and ravens.

Proceeding through Rodefjord, we will lower the Zodiacs and cruise among the grounded icebergs, surrounded by towering mountains. One the western edge of the fjord you can see the geological wonder of sandstone colored by hematite, resulting in the name Rodefjord, or “red fjord”.

The route to Fredriksdal could offer the most spectacular ice and mountain scenery of the voyage.

We are at the southern entrance of the East Greenland National Park, the largest park in the world. We hike up the dry valley, exploring the tundra and looking for musk ox. If you prefer, you can opt to join a Zodiac cruise among the massive icebergs that are packed into the fjord.

We board our Zodiacs and cruise to Sydkap, weaving around massive icebergs. We land at a small point, an old Thule site that was used as a winter camp. Subterrainian homes and tent rings from that period still exists. The area was chosen by the early hunters for the abundant wildlife that existed here, as indicated by the whale bones and middens filled with other marine mammal remains. The surrounding vistas are extraordinary: Hundreds of icebergs as large of apartment buildfings fill your field of vision. The rich tundra supports herds of musk ox that we hope to seen.

Ittoqqortoormiit is the most northerly community on East Greenland. There are approximately 500 inhabitants in this village that rarely receives visitors. Local guides will introduce us to the area and offer us a glimpse into the lifestyle of the residents of this remote outpost.

From Ittoqqortoormiit you can send mail home and purchase handicrafts made by indigenous artisans from locally harvested materials. We expect to see sledge dog demonstrations and we hope to visit the “women’s house” where crafts are made by hand and skins are stretched.

Sailing south on our way back to Ammassalik, the Expedition Team continues the lectures program. Undoubtedly, you will spend time in the bar and on the bridge, exchanging impressions on the voyage with you fellow travelers.

We disembark in the morning and transfer to the Kulusuk airport where you board our group flight back to Reykjavik.

• Group transfers to embark the ship and upon disembarkation
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage.
• All shore landings per the daily program.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
• Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• A Expedition parka – yours to keep.
• Coffee, tea , cocoa available around the clock.
• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• All luggage handling aboard ship.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.

• Any airfare.
• Optional kayaking.
• Passport and visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Any meals ashore.
• Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges.
• Telecommunications charges.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for Hospitality Team members, ship’s crew and Expedition Team members.