Cruise the unique Disko Bay region of West Greenland in the search for whales and amazing landscape.

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 The Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program in 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely revamped according to the latest SOLAS regulations.

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 engine speed is 9 knots. She has an experienced crew of 10 on board including two tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 34 passengers in 17 twin cabins (1 Twin Shared cabin with porthole (shared shower and toilet), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 10 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). A spacious restaurant on board the vessel allows all passengers to have their meals at the same time. The vessel furthermore consists of a separate bar including a reading table. The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offers good open deck viewing areas, even when under sail. The two inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.

Deckplan
Click here to view deck plan for the Rembrandt Van Rijn

Countries visited

• Greenland

Places visited

• Ilulissat
• Diskobukta

Transportation

Aboard S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’

Included In Price

* 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.
* 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 program.
* AECO fees and governmental taxes.
* Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Meals Included

This tour includes 20 meals; 7 breakfasts 6 lunches 7 dinners

Not Included In Price

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; 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; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Note:It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 90 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US Dollar 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.

Day 1: Travel from Reykjavik to Ilulissat

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We arrive in Ilulissat from Reykjavik by chartered plane. Ilulissat (5000 inhabitants) is an important West Greenland town, with museums, institutes, bookstores and modern conveniences. You will have time to explore the town before boarding the boat.

Accommodation

S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’

Meals Included

1 x Dinners

Day 2: Sail along the Jakobshavn Glacier

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Today we sail along the large Jakobshavn Glacier with its enormous ice- bergs. South of it we climb the hill at Avangnardlit from where we have a fantastic view across the Jakobshavn Isfjord, which is a World Heritage site.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 3: Arrive to the mouth of Disko Bay to observe Greenland Whales

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The island groups of Hunde Ejland and Kronprinsens Ejland, in the mouth of Disko Bay, are surrounded by rich waters which attract both seabirds and whales. We intend to call at the small settlement on Hunde Eijland where old dwellings of Greenlands’s Thule culture (dating from the 11th Century) and graves from 18th Century Dutch whalers can be seen.

Later we will make Zodiac excursions in the beautiful narrows of the Kronprinsens Ejland archipelago. This day we will have good opportunities to observe foraging Greenland Whales in the mouth of Disko Bay.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 4: Visit the warm springs of Qeqertarsuaq

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Another day of opportunities to see Greenland Whales, when we sail to Disko Island and land at Engelskmandens Havn and Fortunebay near Qeqertarsuaq (Godhavn), where there are warm springs.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 5: Cruise or walk to Skansen

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Today we sail to Flakkerhuk, on the east side of Disko Island, making our way through waters dominated by huge icebergs. We intend to land at several points along the coast, like Narujuk and Modderbugt to observe a population of birds typical to the High Arctic, with species such as Long-tailed Skuas, Turnstones and Grey Phalaropes. The birds breed on a beautiful tundra landscape backed by basalt cliffs. Good walkers may walk to Skansen, where the ship will pick them up from.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 6: Zodiac along a Kittiwake colony of more than 10,000 breeding pairs

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At Naajat, on the north side of Oqaatsut, we sail with zodiacs along a Kittiwake colony of more than 10,000 breeding pairs. Near Anitdlagia we have a fine opportunity to land and watch the Kittiwakes from land. At Langebugt we land and make an excursion to a beautiful lake, Eqaluernerit Taserssuat.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 7: Return sail to Ilulissat

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Sailing through Ata Sund we reach the Eqip Sermia a great glacier front, where the French explorer De Quervain built his station and ascended to the ice-cap. In the evening we sail to Ilulissat.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 8: Departure day from Ilullisat

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Wake up for Breakfast in Ilulissat from where we fly to Reykjavik by chartered plane.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts