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Glaciers &
icebergs of Greenland
8
day voyage from €
4420 pp in an inside cabin on twin sharing basis
DEPARTURES:
29 July 2010, 05 Aug 2010 and 12 Aug 2010 |
Return to Hurtigruten's
2010 Greenland Voyages
Call toll free 1
-800 - 345 - 3324 (India)
for special Early booking Rates |
Day and port of call:
Day 1: Kangerlussuaq
Day 2: Sisimiut
Day 3: Qeqertarsuaq
Day 4: Uummannaq/ Ukkusissat
Day 5: Eqip Sermia
Day 6: Ilulissat
Day 7: Itilleq
Day 8: Kangerlussuaq
Greenland’s arctic wilderness offers us some of the most
spectacular and unspoilt scenery anywhere on earth. The largest
island on the planet, its frozen coastline has witnessed the birth
of some of nature’s most breathtaking creations. Here the struggle
for survival has engendered mankind with a healthy respect for his
environment and we witness the quite unique interaction of man and
nature as we sail through a landscape rich in culture, history and
spectacular wildlife, into the northern lands of the midnight sun.
Day 1, Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is the main gateway to Greenland and a settlement in
the Sisimiut community. Slightly less than 600 people live and
work in Kangerlussuaq (the long fjord). The airport was built by
the Americans during World War II and was operative as an American
base until 1992. Today, Kangerlussuaq is a commercial airport.
The Kangerlussuaq dock is about 12 kilometres from the airport,
and transport to the docks is by bus. There is no harbour in
Kangerlussuaq that can accommodate the MS Fram and therefore
embarking the ship requires the use of the ship's shuttle boats (PolarCirkel
boats). At Kangerlussuaq Airport our Expedition Team will be at
your disposal. It is advisable to bring rainproof jackets,
trousers and mosquito repellent in your hand luggage to wear
during the transfer to the MS Fram.
Day 2, Sisimiut
Sisimiut has a population of about 5.200 inhabitants and is the
second largest town in Greenland. The main trade is fishing, and
the town accommodates a large fleet of trawlers, a shipyard and a
fish factory. Sisimiut is the southernmost of the towns on the
western coast of Greenland where sleigh dogs can be found. It is
set in rolling countryside and the town centre lies at the foot of
a steep hill. Participation in excursions in Sisimiut requires
reasonably good physical condition apart from the boat trip. The
settlement visit will focus largely on the old part of the town
down by the harbour, and on the local centre of activity, the
harbour itself. Our Expedition Team will be at your disposal at
different locations of the settlement. The MS Fram normally docks
at the quayside in Sisimiut.
Day 3, Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is situated on the old volcanic island of Disko,
and is the only town on the island. The population is around 1
100, about 60 whom live in the town’s only settlement, Kangerluk.
Qeqertarsuaq means “The Big Island”, and the most important
industry in the town is fishing and sealing though whaling once
used to play an important role. The town is set in wonderful
surroundings at the foot of impressive Basalt Mountains. The
Arctic Station is situated here, which is a part of the Copenhagen
University studying Flora and Fauna in Greenland.
There will be PolarCirkel boat transfer from the ship to
Qeqertarsuaq and our Expedition Team will be at your disposal at
different locations of the walk. A small local café is open for
you during the stay.
Day 4, Uummannaq/ Ukkusissat
Uummannaq
The town of Uummannaq is situated in scenic surroundings at the
foot of the 1 170 meter tall, heart-shaped mountain. The municipal
borough of Uummannaq has a population of about 2 650 of whom 1.400
lives in the town and the rest in the remaining 7 Settlements in
the borough. Hunting and fishing are the main trades in the town,
and the most important species of fish is the halibut. The
halibut-processing factory is the town's major source of
employment. You may visit the town with amongst other things, the
magnificent church and the old turf house that was lived in until
1989. There will be PolarCirkel boat transfer from the ship to
Uummannaq.
Ukkusissat
We will be calling Ukkusissat in the evening. This settlement is
set in wonderful scenery nestling between the magnificent
mountains of the municipal borough of Uummannaq. There are about
190 inhabitants in the settlement, all of whom make a living from
hunting and fishing. Ukkusissat (soapstone), was named after a
nearby soapstone deposit which has been mined by Inuit craftsman
for centuries, using the much sought-after soft stone to produce
oil lamps, pots and pans. Ukkusissat was also a starting point of
Alfred Wegeners expedition with horses.
Life in a small village is the topic for the walk. Going ashore in
Ukkusissat requires the use of the ship's PolarCirkel boats.
Day 5, Eqip Sermia
The glacier Eqip Sermia has a front edge about five km long
that calve icebergs into the open ocean. Today you have an
outstanding possibility to experience a glacier and sense the
greatness of the nature.
We will use the ship's tender boats to go ashore in this beautiful
area near by the glacier. Passengers in relatively good physical
condition will be able to hike in the area.
All who want to go ashore are welcome to join us for a BBQ dinner
with a terrific view over the glacier.
Day 6, Ilulissat
Icebergs are called Ilulissat in Greenlandic, and it comes as
no surprise to anyone who has been here that this is the town’s
name. This is the third largest town in Greenland with a
population of about 5000. Ilulissat is set in marvellous
surroundings at Ilulissat Isfjord that in 2004 was inscribed to
the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here enormous icebergs run aground
at the mouth of the fjord, just outside of town. They originate
from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers
in the northern hemisphere. Ilulissat is the metropolitan centre
of the Disko Bay area and this aspect will be the theme of the
settlement visit, together with the town's long-standing history.
The most important trades in Ilulissat are fishing and tourism.
The conditions will decide if MS Fram will dock at the quayside in
Ilulissat or shuttle with the PolarCirkel boats. Our Expedition
team will be at your disposal at the points of interest.
Day 7, Itilleq
In the early afternoon we reach the small settlement Itilleq.
Itilleq means “the hollow” and was founded in 1847 on another
island, but was later moved one kilometer east to its present
location. The village is located about 50km south of Sisimiut in
the head of the Itilleq Fjord. Around 130 people live here, who
are mainly engaged in hunting and fishing. The island has no
freshwater, and for this reason Itilleq makes use of a facility
for forming freshwater from seawater. The church here has and
interesting history: It was built in Thule (Umanak- North
Greenland) in 1930 and was moved to Itilleq in 1963.
As its name suggests, the village is situated in a hollow,
majestically surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, and it can
truthfully be called the Arctic Circle Village as the Arctic
Circle is indeed found only 200 metres to the south.
Day 8, Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is situated in the end of the Kangerlussuaq fjord.
The settlement/airport lies just north of the Arctic Circle and is
one of the best places to observe native wildlife. In the early
1960’s musk oxen were introduced to Kangerlussuaq from North East
Greenland, and today they count over 5 000. You will leave the MS
Fram in the morning to discover Kangerlussuaq and participate on
an included bus tour to the ice cap.
Prices are from and per person in €s based
on two people travelling together sharing a twin cabin.
Price includes: Economy class return flights from
Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq including applicable taxes and
surcharges, 7 night voyage Kangerlussuaq to Kangerlussuaq in cabin
grade of your choice (full board), excursions as described,
transfers as applicable.
Not included: travel insurance, international flights,
luggage handling, optional excursions, gratuities, fuel surcharges
Call
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