19 Days Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland , Experience one of the most remote places on the top of the world

You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago.

Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions.

Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it.

In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.

In the evening you sail for Trygghamna, where you see the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of which you can visit the next morning. 

From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places.

Below the cliffs is a common place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.

You sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding places for great skuas as well as likely spots to spy a polar bear.

Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine area for gazing over the glaciers.

It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed and bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale.

You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions.

Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.

The goal is to sail into Foster Bay, making your first landing at Myggbukta in the late afternoon or evening.

Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where, in the first half of the 20th century, Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox) there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes.

You sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, enjoying its lofty mountains and bright interior icebergs.

In the evening you reach Teufelsschloss, a prominent mountain that comprises part of the Eleonora Bay Supergroup: sedimentary rock created between 950 – 610 million years ago to a depth of 16 km (10 miles).

This rust-red multi-layered unique geology defines the scenery over the coming days. 

Landing at Blomsterbugten, you have a good chance of spotting Arctic hare and musk oxen.

Noah Lake is home to great northern divers as well as their young, and the hiking opportunities here are numerous.

In the afternoon you venture deeper into Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, finding shelter in Renbugten. Colossal icebergs and quintessential Arctic scenery accompany you while passing through this narrow fjord system. 

Today the aim is to land in Renbugten in search of musk oxen and Arctic hares.

Around lunch you head east into the inversely named Antarctic Sound, enjoying views of the ancient sedimentary rock.

You should arrive at Maria Island before nightfall.

You cut into Kong Oscars Fjord for an attempted landing near Menander Øer, a location with lively walking opportunities.

Continuing east, you land in Antarctic Havn.

You spend the afternoon in this expansive valley, where you can see groups of musk oxen.

At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is colored with golden fire.

Your guide may be able to tell you about the intriguing geopolitics that played out here in the early 1930s between Norway and Denmark.

Spending the day at sea, you make for the largest fjord system in the world: Scoresbysund.

Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst.

You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt.

The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago.

The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape.

The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches, and grave sites.

During the afternoon, you sail along the east side of Milne Land amid a number of scattered icebergs.

You land near Sydkap, where Arctic hares are often seen, and during lunch you get a glimpse of the entrance to Nordvestfjord in Scoresby Land.

Here you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters high (328 feet) and more than a kilometer in length (.6 mile).

Most of these bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet).

You land near Sydkap, where Arctic hares are often seen, and during lunch you get a glimpse of the entrance to Nordvestfjord in Scoresby Land.

Here you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters high (328 feet) and more than a kilometer in length (.6 mile).

Most of these bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet).

Today you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet.

The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants.

At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen.

In the afternoon you sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

Extra information over one of the most remote places in the world where people are still living

Ittoqqortoormiit 

Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most remote places, where people are living, in the world. The population is sometimes going up and sometimes down. There used to be two settlements more, one to west-northwest further inside the fjord. Once when it was inhabited it was a place with good hunting possibilities. In the old days there were a lot of hunting animals. The other settlement was at the mouth of the huge fjord’s north side, where there used to be a weather station. Now it is abandoned. But these places are still used by hunters, for seal, polar bear and, in the spring time, narwhal hunting.

Ittoqqortoormiit (in Westgreenlandic: Ittoqqortoormiut) is situated in East Greenland at 70 degrees North and is a hunting society. Some people work in the service sector. The summer is only two months long. The fjord gets free of sea ice from June or July. The sea ice comes back in October or November. So soon the whole fjord will be covered with ice. There is sea ice most of the year.

As mentioned before, the hunting of seals, polar bears, narwhals and musk-oxen is the most important way of living. The musk-oxen are hunted two times a year, in the months of March and August. The hunt of musk-oxen is restricted, so by drawing lots some hunters get licenses to hunt them. Not only full time hunters but also “free time hunters” can apply. In August, the musk-oxen hunt is done by use of speedboats. The winter hunt is done from dogsleds. 

The town is situated in a spectacular nature and in the longest fjord in the world. It is a huge fjord with a lot of hunting animals. In spring a lot of birds of many kinds are laying eggs, both sea and land birds. 

Will Ittoqqortoormiit always be inhabited?

This question rises often: “Will Ittoqqortoormiit always be inhabited?” That is something that politicians (in Nuuk) have to answer, sooner or later. There is very likely the potential of minerals. But will they start mining? The future of the town Ittoqqortoormiit is uncertain if it will live of hunting only.

Faces from the Scoresby Sund Exhibition

For those interested in experiencing the Inuit culture, the Faces from the Scoresby Sund Exhibition in Greenland provides you a winning option. The exhibition features a wide collection of intimate and moving Inuit portraits taken during the 1970s, granting visitors a closer look into the daily routines and hunting rituals of this indigenous Arctic people. Founded by Dutch biologist Ko de Korte, who took the photographs himself while finishing his doctoral thesis in Greenland, the exhibition presents the portraits in two locations: Two thirds of the photos are in the Uummannaq Children’s Home until September 2018, while the remaining third is in Ittoqqortoormiit without an end date. From August to October, Oceanwide Expeditions runs a variety of Scoresby Sund cruises that visit Faces of the Scoresby Sund. The exhibitions are free of charge, though only open by request. Please contact us for details.

In the morning you stop on the south coast of Jameson Land, at a lagoon near Kap Stewart.

Here the waders and geese are collecting for their autumn migration, and musk oxen and collared lemmings survive on the meager vegetation.

Further inside Hurry Inlet, you may take a walk near the head of the fjord as well as one of the rivers that terminate here.

There’s also the chance of a climb up the mountain of J.P. Koch Fjeld, near Hareelv.

In this remarkable area, scientists found fossils that linked fish and amphibians in the lower Cretaceous period.

You spend the night at anchor off Constable Pynt.

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.

You make your final landing at the airfield on Constable Pynt, flying by chartered plane to Reykjavik and beyond, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. 

• 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.
• Free use of snowshoes.
• Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to Longyearbyen.
• Transfer and baggage handling between ship and airport in Constable Pynt.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
• AECO fees and governmental taxes.
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.

• Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
• Pre- and post- land arrangements.
• 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.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

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

Age range & Nationality onboard

Passengers on a typical voyage range from their 30s to their 80s - with a majority usually from 45 - 65, but a little younger on the Rembrandt van Rijn, between 30 - 55. Our expeditions attract independent-minded travellers from around the world. They are characterised by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie and spirit that develops aboard is an important part of the expedition experience. Many departures have several nationalities on board.

Catering

Three simple but good meals of international cuisine per day are served buffet style in the restaurant and is prepared by our cook.

Dress code

In keeping with our expeditions atmosphere, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery can be appreciated from deck, which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles and make sure the parka is never far away in case of the call "Whales!" comes over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside. Wear layers since it is comfortably warm aboard the ship - and often cold on deck.

Electric Current

The electrical supply aboard the ship is 220 volt 50hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins. U.S. passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.

Excursions & Landings

Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take three to six hours per day over untracked area. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice-situation or the passengers´ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography and history.

Gratuities

The customary gratuity to the ship's crew and expedition leader is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. We suggest to give cash in Euros, US Dollars or Danish kroner.

Non-smoking policy

On board our vessels we have a non-smoking policy. It is prohibited to smoke inside the ship. You can smoke in designated ares. Please respect the wishes of non-smokers.

The crew

The crew of the ´Rembrandt van Rijn´ consists of  9 experienced crew and 2 expedition guides and a cook. The sailors are in charge during sailing and will bring us ashore. 

Your physical condition

You must be in good general health and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the ladder from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. This will become progressively easier with practice. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. You are travelling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.