An amazing trip exploring the Disko Bay region of West Greenland, well known for it's sea life, sea birds and historic significance.

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 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 32 meals; 11 breakfasts 10 lunches 11 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: Arrive into Ilullisat

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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

aboard 'Rembrandt van Rijn'

Meals Included

1 x Dinners

Day 2: Cruise 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 which 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: Land at Kugangup Innarta, walk amongst the seabirds.

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At the north side of Disko Island we land at Kugangup Innarta, a seabird cliff at the east side of a valley with a row of Pingo's (periglacial phenomena), and take a walk into the valley.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 4: Approach the High Arctic Waters at Uummannaq

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At Uummannaq, we approach High Arctic waters. Seal hunting is still an important source of income for the local people and they also have many dogs which haul their sledges in winter. We will also visit the nearby Qilakitsoq site, on the north coast of the Nuussuaq Peninsula, where some years ago a family of mummified Thule culture people from the 15th Century was found.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 5: Sail to Akugdleq

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We sail to Akugdleq with its fantastic geological formations creating a desert like image. Along the west side of Qaqugdlugssuit with a Fulmar colony we reach the huge glacier Sermeq Sikardleq, where we plan a zodiac excursion along the front.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 6: Visit the settlement of Uvkusigssat

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In the settlement of Uvkusigssat, Alfred Wegener, the great German explorer had his base from where he ventured to the Greenlandic ice-cap. Later that day we will land at the head of the fjord, where he began his ascent of the ice-cap. The Scheideck Glacier which 80 years ago ended at the coast has retreated about 10 km inland. In the same area we will see Marmorilik with Black Angel zinc and lead mine high in the mountains.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 7: Visit a stunning lake with Icebergs drifting aimlessly

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Sermeq Avanggardleq in the Perdlerfiup Kangerdlua is another glacier which has retreated considerably. It is about a half an hour walk before you come to a stunning lake in which ice-bergs drift around and where you see huge ice - grottos.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 8: Circumnavigate Upernivik Island

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Today we circumnavigate Upernivik ø and sail through narrow fjords surrounded by mountains of over 2000m and glaciers at all sides. We land in Illorsuit on Ubekendt Ejland, where the American artist Rockwell Kent made his famous painting of Greenlandic life, a century ago.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 9: Land at Schades Island

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We land at Schades øer in the mouth of the Karrats Fjord. The mouth of this fjord is a good area for spotting whales. Later we land on the southern tip of Svartenhuk in a valley with low Arctic tundra full of lakes and geese. Muskoxen have been transferred to this area and have adapted very well.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 10: Land at Bjørnefaelden

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In the early morning we land at Bjørnefaelden, a Norse ruin at the western tip of Nuussuaq Peninsula.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 11: Sail towards Ilulissat

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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 Antlagia we have a fine opportunity to land and watch the Kittiwakes from land. In the afternoon we sail toward Ilulissat.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 12: Departure from Ilulissat

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Final breakfast before departing Ilulissat to Reykjavik by chartered plane.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts