Tasiilaq to Scoresby Sound – gems of the remote east 2024
Join us on an expedition cruise with M/S Balto along the east coast of Greenland, a wild, beautiful and uncharted coastline. We begin our voyage exploring the grand but still rather unknown Sermilik fjord system, treating us with the aftermath of an ice explosion and icebergs in all shapes and sizes. The area is also known for its stories and myths of the local Tunumiit culture. As we continue our trip north, we enter some of the wildest coastal landscapes in Greenland and sail into deep and unexplored fjords. We visit places like the ice choked Tuttilik fjord and and Watkins fjord, both offering good hiking opportunities with splendid views.
Travelling with a small group of merely 12 passengers gives us more flexibility, more unique itineraries and more time ashore. Also, the footprints we leave behind are a lot smaller! We get to visit remote settlements, meet the welcoming people living here and in a personal way learn more about their fascinating culture. The M/S Balto has a lot of experience of and is designed to explore the most remote fjord systems and find secret anchorages.
- Small group of 12 passengers
- The large Sermilik fjord system
- Magnificent icebergs
- Chance of seeing whales
- The wild and unchartered eastern coast
- Stories and myths from the Tunumiit culture
Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik
We arrive individually to Reykjavik and check into our hotel (included in the flight and hotel package described below).
Day 2: Embarkation day
We fly from Reykjavik into Kulusuk airport. In the afternoon we board M/S Balto and begin our great exploration. On an expedition of this kind the exact route will be decided by weather and ice.
Day 3 – 11: Expedition cruising
We visit the town of Tasiilaq. With its 2000 inhabitants it is the largest settlement in East Greenland. It is home to an older and different Inuit culture, where shamanism and native culture is much more vibrant and alive than in other parts of Greenland. During our expedition here, we will learn more of local myths and legends, as the one about tupilaqs. In Greenlandic Inuit religion, a tupilaq was an avenging monster fabricated by a practitioner of witchcraft or shamanism by using various objects such as animal bone, skin, hair or sinew. If lucky we get to witness some ritual or singing.
We continue to explore the impressive Sermilik fjord system. We navigate amongst a myriad of icebergs of all shapes and sizes, in a never-ending spectrum of blue. These fjords are awe-inspiring and could be explored for days. We make several remote anchorages, visit a hunting village and are constantly on the lookout for whales, which are sometimes seen in the fjords.
As we sail north we get to experience the eastern wild, beautiful and unchartered coastline.
The strong currents are carrying a parade of icebergs south. Glacier faces goes straight into the ocean and there are many unexplored fjords. The following are just examples of places we might stop at along our way:
In the ice choked Tuttilik fjord, meaning the place where the reindeer live, we hope to go ashore and explore some abandoned Inuit winter houses.
As we continue north, we enter some of the wildest coastal landscapes in Greenland. In favourable conditions we enter Kangerlussuaq fjord and Watkins fjord with beautiful hiking possibilities.
A little bit further up the coast is Nansen fjord, which lies directly south from the impressive Gunnbjørn fjeld, Greenland’s (and the Arctic’s) highest mountain, measuring 3694 meters. We have now entered the area where we are most likely to see polar bears and we intensify our scouting! Polar bear sightings are rare and not an everyday thing in Greenland, but if you wish to see one, the leg from here to Scoresby Sound offers the best chances.
We pass Kap Vedel en route to the Barclay Bugt area and are thus officially sailing along the Blosseville Coast. This is arguably one of the most perilous coastlines in the Arctic in terms of ice, current and tide. This stretch of coast was discovered by Jules de Blosseville in 1833 aboard La Lilloise. Høst Havn provides a good anchorage and hiking opportunities. We continue and explore the area of Rømer fjord, Deichmann fjord and Steward Ø. On rare occasions Narwahls have been spotted here.
On our final day we aim to venture into Scoresby Sound. Here we are surrounded by breath-taking nature, icebergs in all shapes and the fascinating and uniquely flowing basalt columns.
Day 12: Disembarkation
In the morning we disembark in Constable Point and fly to Reykjavik and check in to our hotel (included in the flight and hotel package described below).
Day 13: Homeward bound
Fly back home from Reykjavik.
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites this region of Greenland has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
The Package Travel Directive – protects the traveller’s rights
When you have booked a trip with PolarQuest, you are protected by the Package Travel Directive. This includes that you have the right to rebook your trip or cancel and receive a full refund, if your Government, or other relevant authorities, have implemented restrictions against travelling. This includes documented quarantine requirements in the country you are travelling to. However, free cancellation is only possible when it is less than 30 days to departure, provided the travel restrictions are still in place and clearly will affect your trip. You are also entitled to a full refund, should PolarQuest cancel the trip for any reason whatsoever.
Why mandatory flight and hotel package?
Northeast Greenland is a true and very remote wilderness. To get here with ship from Iceland takes at least three or four sea days on the Denmark strait, a passage that can be quite rough for a small ship like M/S Balto. To be able to offer you a more comfortable experience with focus on Greenland’s spectacular nature, we have therefore chosen to book flights between Reykjavik (Iceland) to Kulusuk (Greenland) and from Constable Point (Greenland) to Reykjavik. We have also included two hotel nights in Reykjavik, one before the expedition and one after. This is to allow for potential flight delays.
Be inspired by our digital polar lectures!
To sail along Greenland’s spectacular coastline offers some of the most remarkable nature experiences. But what is it like to be on an expedition cruise in Greenland with a small, unique 12-passenger ship? Maybe you are wondering which places you can visit or what separates the east coast from the west coast? We believe that this digital polar lecture will give you a lot of answers and inspiration about our expeditions to Greenland. The presentation is be given by one of our Greenland expert and expedition leader, Gunilla Lindh.
The ship M/S Balto
M/S Balto is named after the leading sled dog of 1925 Nome serum run. She was built for the highest ice class in Rauma, Finland, to serve as a government service vessel in the Baltic sea. During 2019-2022, she has been totally refurbished and is now one of the roomiest and most elegant small polar expedition yachts in service. M/S Balto offers a relaxed luxury accommodation for 12 guests in 7 outside cabins, all with private facilities and lower beds. The spacious cabins include 1 Owner’s cabin, 1 superior cabin, 3 double cabins and 2 single cabins. The Owner’s cabin is 30m2, has 6 windows and a queen bed, the superior cabin has two twin beds while the three double cabins has a queen bed (in 2024 one of the double cabins will be refitted to a double cabin with twin beds). The Owner's and superior cabin also offer a separate seating area. In all cabins you find a desk with a chair and a closet for storage.
On the guest deck you also find a ceder lined sauna with a cold shower and a small changing room. The richly appointed saloon and the beautiful dining messroom feature crotch-mahogany panelling, a bar, a card table, a library, coffee and tea stations. She offers a large restaurant style open galley, where you can check on the marvels of our chefs and sample freshly baked bread.
There are several open and semi enclosed deck spaces from where you can enjoy the stunning Arctic sceneries. You are welcomed by an international crew and the bridge is open for visitors.
The ship has been fitted with an electric diesel propulsion capable of maintaining versatile manoeuvring and survey speeds with no vibration. It is therefore ideal as film and photo platform. There is also a mud room for expedition gear and two Zodiacs for wilderness cruises and offshore experiences. M/S Balto is truly one of a kind when it comes to small polar expedition ships. Travelling with this unique 12-passenger ship offers a completely different and much more intimate experience of Greenland compared to a larger expedition ship.
A small group of merely 12 passengers gives us more flexibility, unique itineraries and more time ashore. Also, the footprints we leave behind are a lot smaller!
The M/S Balto is designed to explore the most remote fjord systems, visit isolated Inuit settlements, take you to secret anchorages and maximise each guest’s experience in the unspoiled wilderness. This is true micro cruising.
Cabins & prices
Cabin category | Price per person | ||
---|---|---|---|
Double cabin | Double bed | USD 12 890 | |
Double cabin | Twin beds | USD 12 890 | |
Superior cabin | Twin beds | USD 13 790 | |
Owner's cabin | Double bed | USD 15 590 | |
Single cabin | Single bed | USD 16 190 |
MANDATORY FLIGHT & HOTEL PACKAGE
This mandatory package includes:
- Flight from Reykjavik (Island) to Kulsuk (Greenland) and from Constable Point (Greenland) to Reykjavik (Island)
- Two hotel nights in Reykjavik, one night prior to the expedition and one night after
- Transfers in connection with flight mentioned above, between hotel and airport in Reykjavik
Preliminary price is USD 2 590 per person (prices for the flights will be confirmed approx. 10 months prior to departure and this price is therefore subject to change). Please note that this cost will be added to the cabin prices listed above.
Price includes
- 10 nights on board M/S Balto
- All meals on board
- Coffee and tea 24 hours
- 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
- Guiding ashore and talks on board
- All excursions and activities
- Comprehensive information material before the expedition
Not included
- Mandatory flight & hotel package (Flight from Reykjavik (Island) to Kulsuk (Greenland) and from Constable Point (Greenland) to Reykjavik (Island), pre and post expedition hotel night in Reykjavik, transfers in connection with flight mentioned above, between hotel and airport in Reykjavik)
- International flights to and from Iceland
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Gratuity to the ship’s crew
- Personal expenses such as bar charges
Departures & booking
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make a reservation.
Booking requestDeparture | Return |
---|---|
28 July 2024 | 9 August 2024 |
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