Arctic Express: Greenland s Northern Lights (Fly North, Fly South)

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1 Arctic Express: Greenland s Northern Lights (Fly North, Fly South) For those short on time, the benefits of this expedition are many. You ll witness the delights of the world s largest fjord system of Scoresbysund, discover the fascinating Inuit settlements and people of Ittoqqortoormiit, and have the possibility of viewing some of the world s most vivid displays of Northern Lights. As one of our more active adventures, you ll have the chance to trek along the tundra and at Greenland National Park, climb mountains and watch grazing musk ox and other arctic wildlife on the horizon. EXPEDITION IN BRIEF: The stunning and unique vistas of Greenland World s largest fjord system The largest, most remote and northerly national park in the world Wildlife sightings may include whales, polar bears, and musk ox Zodiac cruising Tundra hiking Inuit community visit Optional kayak adventure opportunities DID YOU KNOW? Ice beer, pioneered by the Greenland Brewhouse in Narsaq, is made from 2,000-year-old natural arctic ice harvested from glaciers. Crowberries and angelica are sometimes also brewed into the beer. ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 1

2 Adventure Options Booking an Adventure Option on your expedition is a great way to enhance your polar experience. These options are subject to availability and fill up quickly, so be sure to book yours early. Please note, Adventure Options are weather dependent. KAYAKING Imagine gliding along the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers! Our kayaking adventures are the best way to feel at one with the sea. Taken in small groups of 10 people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures are only conducted during calm weather conditions. We recommend you have some prior kayaking experience, including the capability to do a wet exit. More information about Adventure Options, including necessary experience, physical requirements and cost available by contacting your Polar Travel Adviser. INCLUDED OPTIONS (VARY BY DEPARTURE) HIKING Hiking is a great way to appreciate the immense windswept landscapes of the Arctic. The tundra comes alive during the brief arctic summer, with bursts of color from shrubs and plants that eke out a living in this polar environment. You ll find each hike is different - exploring communities, shorelines or glaciated landscapes, often on the lookout for wildlife. Hiking participation is optional and your Expedition Team will advise you of what levels of activity you can expect prior to each excursion. ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 2

3 Itinerary DAY 1 Reykjavik, Iceland Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in thoroughly-modern Reykjavik, the world s northernmost capital city. Constable Point DAY 2 Embarkation Day at Constable Point You ll fly from Reykjavik to Constable Point to board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead! DAY 3 Alpefjord You ll cruise through breathtaking Alpefjord. Fjords punctuate the scenery all around. Your day will be spent exploring and Zodiac cruising through a multitude of dazzling icebergs, fjords and sounds in all shapes and sizes. Be on the lookout for arctic fox and musk ox, which roam free here. DAY 4 Brogetdal and Watershausen Glacier Multi-hued mountains surround lovely Brogetdal, which was originally called painted valley, and later translated to mean multicolored valley. You ll view colorful vistas, and fascinating geology. Later, you ll travel to the impressive Embarkation and Disembarkation: Return group charter flight from Reykjavik, Iceland to Constable Point, Greenland Actual itinerary may vary based on weather conditions. and rarely visited Waltershausen Glacier, an imposing ice floe at the head of Nordfjord, named after German explorer Baron Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen, after his failed 1869 attempt to reach the North Pole via East Greenland. DAY 5 Blomsterbugten and Renbugten Blomsterbugten, the Bay of Flowers, is home to beautiful purple and gold colored rocks that we ll explore in the distance, or on a hike for those who wish. Later we ll continue to Renbugten, called Reindeer Bay for the herd of 12 reindeer seen on one of the first expeditions to the area. Artic hare are a common and delightful sight in this area. REYKJAVIK DAY 6 Ella Oya (Ella Island) Ella Oya is a hiker s paradise. The area is surrounded by ice-choked waters, rugged cliffs and sky-blue icebergs. Challenge yourself with a climb to the top of the Island - the views are worth it. DAY 7 Ittoqqortoormiit and Hall Bredning At the start of the sound, Itoqqortoormiit is East Greenland s most northerly community and boasts a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. With clear skies, you ll have a great opportunity to see the Northern Lights. You can also support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts. Our time here is spent ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 3

4 Itinerary bonding with the Inuit people and gaining an appreciation of their way of life. Later, we ll see huge icebergs - larger than football fields, taller than apartment buildings - crossing Hall Bredning, part of Scoresbysund. DAY 8 Frederiksdal and Sydkapp Sailing on, deeper into Scoresbysund you ll encounter massive icebergs and an ancient Thule settlement as we approach Sydkap. The scenery here is unforgettable, with towering mountain sides and hundreds of monumental icebergs playing tricks with your sense of perception. IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. DAY 9 Disembarkation at Constable Point Arrive at Constable Point. Sit back and enjoy your charter flight from Constable Point to Reykjavik, the vibrant and artistic capital of Iceland. Overnight in your comfortable Reykjavik hotel. DAY 10 Depart Reykjavik Make your own way to the airport for your return flight home, or spend some extra time in Reykjavik - you ll be amazed at the variety of attractions and must-see places of interests Reykjavik has to offer. ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 4

5 Inclusions THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on board All shore landings per the daily program Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled Photographic journal documenting the expedition Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep Coffee, tea and 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 to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik with breakfast Group transfer from Reykjavik hotel to domestic airport on embarkation day Charter flight from Reykjavik to Constable Point on embarkation day Group transfers to and from ship Charter flight from Constable Point to Reykjavik domestic airport on disembarkation day Group transfer from domestic airport to Reykjavik hotel One night post-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik with breakfast THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES International airfare Passport and applicable visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above Meals ashore unless otherwise specified Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance Excess baggage charges Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified Phone and internet charges Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew Additional overnight accommodation Optional kayaking activities Arrival and departure transfers between Reykjavik international airport and hotel on arrival and departure days Note: Baggage allowance on charter flight is 44 lbs (20 kg) checked and 11 lbs (5 kg) carry-on. ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 5

6 Dates & Rates ARCTIC EXPRESS Greenland s Northern Lights (Fly North, Fly South) Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship OCEAN NOVA Dates Days Start/End Quad Triple Upper/Lower Upper Deck Bridge Deck Sep 6 Sep 15, Reykjavik $5,995 $6,495 $6,995 $7,595 $7,995 Sep 13 Sep 22, Reykjavik $5,995 $6,495 $6,995 $7,595 $7,995 All rates per person in USD. HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONS To book your cabin or inquire about the availability of Adventure Options, contact a Polar Travel Adviser ( ) ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 6

7 Eastern Greenland POSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS BLOMSTERBUGTEN, YMER ISLAND Known as the Bay of Flowers, Blomsterbugten is a colorful and lush landscape quite different from other Arctic regions like Spitsbergen. Expect a range of flora and fauna here with a possible hike to Noa Lake. CAPE HOFMANN HALVØ This is often the best location for getting close to musk oxen. The Cape is also home to wheatears and snow buntings, while you may also spot northern divers while at sea. DENMARK ISLAND Near FØn Fjord, some of the most stunning icebergs are to be encountered before taking a hike across Denmark Island, which offers stupendous views of the Scoresbysund and FØn Fjord. HOLM BAY AND ELLA ISLAND Towards the northern end of Scoresby Land is King Oscar Fjord. Holm Bay is a common landing site here, allowing for panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding area. Within the fjord, and hence within Northeast Greenland National Park, lies Ella Island. The Danish navy unit Sirius Sledge Patrol trains here in the summer. Musk ox may be spotted from here. ITTOQQORTOORMIIT Around 500 people call this northern settlement home. Traditional hunting and fishing ways are alive and well here, as are the Northern Lights! This is known as one of the best places to have a chance at seeing the mysterious Aurora Borealis. While walking around the community of Itoqqortoormiit you ll be immersed the local Greenlandic culture. IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. RØDEFJORDEN The Red Fjord, or Rypefjord, is named for the colorful sandstone located on its western side. The stone has been stained red by hematite, creating an oddity in this part of Greenland. SCORESBYSUND Revered by many as the most beautiful fjord system in the world, Scoresbysund is definitely the longest and largest. The sound was named after William Scoresby, a whaler, scientist and man of the cloth, who was famed for mapping more than 400 miles (644 km) of Greenland coastline. SYDKAP Icebergs and early history are front stage here, as remains from an ancient Thule settlement may be seen. The Thule often used Greenland whale bones in building their structures. Be on the watch for lemmings and musk ox in this area. UUNARTOQ QEQERTAQ Discovered in 2005, this small island is called a warming island as it was uncovered as the result of climate change and the melting of ice. Last updated March 13, 2015 ARCTIC EXPRESS: GREENLAND S NORTHERN LIGHTS (FLY NORTH, FLY SOUTH) EXPEDITION DOSSIER 7