GREENLAND DISKO BAY EXPEDITION

Traveling by sea is a magnificent way to experience . The places most worth seeing are situated along the dramatic coast line: small and colourful houses situated on the steep mountains sides down to a fjord, giant glaciers producing enormous icebergs, whilst and seals play in the sea. The people of Greenland live along the coast in small towns and settlements – at summer only accessible from the sea. Their culture, architecture and living conditions are enriched and limited by the harsh nature of the . On our town visits, you will have opportunities to meet the hospitable Greenlanders and learn more about the culture. Flying in from Keflavík to the airport of , we embark the ship and head for the colourful town of . Then further to the small settlement of on . Here we can experience the age-old “Kaffemik” tradition in the community house. On the ITINERARY southward voyage we visit the calving glacier at Eqip Sermia, the town of , Iceberg Capital of the World, and the DAY 1 - KANGERLUSSUAQ. EMBARKATION. settlement Itelleq to experience Inuit hunting culture. Back in We board our charter flight in Keflavík bound for Kangerlussuaq. Upon arrival Kangerlussuaq we disembark Ocean Atlantic and enjoy a bus in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, we will be transported to the small port tour to the Icecap before flying back to Keflavík and Iceland. located west of the airport, where our ship, Ocean Atlantic, will be anchored. Zodiacs will transfer us the short distance to the ship, where you will be Unforgettable experiences await you in Greenland! checked in to your outside cabin. After the safety drill, you will enjoy a dinner as Ocean Atlantic ‘sets sail’ through the 160-kilometre Kangerlussuaq fjord.

DAY 2 SISIMIUT, GREENLAND'S SECOND-LARGEST CITY. After breakfast, we arrive to the colourful town of Sisimiut, where we will get an idea of what modern Greenland looks like. With 5,400 inhabitants, it is considered Greenland’s second ‘city’. People have lived around Sisimiut on and off since 2,500 BC. In 1756, Count Johan Ludvig Holstein, established a colony here and called it “Holsteinsborg”. The oldest part of Sisimiut’s historic quarter features town houses from this “Holsteinsborg” era, and the oldest house in town dates back to 1756. One of the most culturally significant buildings is the Blue Church, built in 1775. Nowadays, Sisimiut is an

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com important place for education and industry, and local factories process the closing, Ocean Atlantic will set a north-easterly course bound for a magnificent bulk of Royal Greenland's fishing. The fish processing plant is one of the natural highlight – the enormous Eqip Sermia Glacier. Situated approximately largest of its kind in Greenland, and one of the most modern in the world. Our 50 nautical miles north of Ilulissat, the Eqip Sermia Glacier is renowned for its city tour highlights include the historic colonial quarter, as well as the museum jaw-dropping beauty. Legendary arctic explorers selected this location as a and the beautiful church. Additionally, we will pay a visit to the busy city base for their studies. One such explorer, the acclaimed Swiss glaciologist, centre for a glimpse of what daily life is like in 21st century Greenland. In the Alfred de Quervain, used the location as a base for his expeditions onto afternoon, our voyage will continue northward. As evening falls, we will pass Greenland’s inland ice sheet over a century ago. We will sail as close as the Sisimiut Isortuat Fjord, the Nordre Strømfjord settlements of Attu and possible to the ice’s edge – but at a safe distance to avoid plunging blocks of , and the small town of . During the course of the ice and violent waves that often result from the calving glacier. bright night, we will pass and proceed into the southern waters of Disko Bay. Next, the ship’s heading will be set for Disko Island, known for its DAY 4 ILULISSAT, CAPITAL OF THE ICEBERGS. distinctive 1,000-meter/3,280 feet layered crags. At this point, we will be north of the ! Here, the nights are bright and early risers can enjoy Ilulissat is possibly the most well located town in Greenland. The name simply the sight of the icebergs on Disko Bay as they squeeze out of the Ilulissat means ‘icebergs’ in Greenlandic, and the town’s nickname is rightly ‘the Icefjord and dance into the frigid ocean waters. Iceberg Capital’. In Disko Bay, which is located just off the coast of Ilulissat, gigantic icebergs linger in the freezing waters. These icebergs come from the DAY 3 QEQERTARSUAQ ON DISKO ISLAND, 'KAFFEMIK' IN A Icefjord, which is located a half hour’s hike south of Ilulissat. These impressive frozen structures are born some 70km/43,5 miles deeper into the fjord by the COMMUNITY CENTRE AND EQIP SERMIA GLACIER. enormous Sermeq glacier. This 10km/6 miles-wide glacier is the Our next sojourn lies on the southern tip of the Disko Island, where Ocean most productive glacier outside of Antarctica; Whereas most glaciers only Atlantic will anchor in a protected natural harbour, which is named Godhavn calve at a rate of approximately a metre/three feet a day, the Ilulissat glacier (‘Good Harbour’) in Danish, while its Greenlandic name, Qeqertarsuaq, means calves at a rate of 25m/82 feet per day. The icebergs produced by the glacier ‘The Big Island’. Although topographically quite different from mainland represent more than 10% of all icebergs in Greenland, corresponding to 20 Greenland due to the basalt characteristics of the Disko Island’s mountains, million tonnes/22 million us tons of ice per day! These facts, together with the Qeqertarsuaq maintains a long, rich history and once served as one of the fjord’s unforgettable scenery, have secured the Icefjord a place on UNESCO’s country’s important economic centres. From the 16th century, the community World Heritage List. During the more than 250 years that have passed since was relatively prosperous and, in fact, considered the most important town the establishment of Ilulissat, the town has steadily flourished. Today, Ilulissat north of until the mid-1900s, due in part to the area’s sizeable is Greenland’s third largest town, with more than 4,500 inhabitants. The town hunting population. During our visit, we will wander through town, paying a is very vibrant, welcoming and lively with a wide range of cultural attractions, visit to the characteristic octagonal church, nicknamed “God’s Inkpot”, as well according to Greenlandic standards. The legendary polar explorer, Knud as to a local community center that will be hosting a traditional Greenlandic Rasmussen, and his good friend, Jørgen Brønlund, were both born in Ilulissat. “kaffemik”, which can be best described as a friendly gathering with coffee, On this day, you will also have the opportunity to join a boat trip to the cake and traditional dances and music. Musicians from Greenland originally Icefjord (not included). The journey takes about two and a half hours in total, played on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the a great opportunity to take a closer look at the amazing ice-sculpted scenery. bladder of a polar bear. Unlike other drums, the qilaat was played by hitting The trip is definitely something out of the ordinary and a great natural the frame with a stick, not the skin itself. This modest instrument was used for experience that you will remember for years to come – but be sure to have a variety of purposes, including entertainment, exorcism and witchcraft. After warm clothing on! If a hike or a trip by boat does not present enough the missionaries arrived, drum dancing was prohibited and later replaced by excitement, there is also an opportunity to arrange a helicopter ride over the part-singing of psalms and choral works, which today are renowned for their Icefjord (not included). Please note the boat and helicopter excursions to the particular Greenlandic sound. Today, drum dance is used as entertainment in Icefjord are not included in the general tour price. Furthermore, the helicopter cultural events and on festive occasions. Greenlandic music is inspired and excursion must be booked in advance. Refer to Price Information for more influenced by music from other cultures, like the Danish and Inuit cultures, details. In the evening, we will cruise southward from “the Iceberg Capital”, and more specifically, Dutch and Scottish polka, American country and rock leaving lovely Disko Bay behind us as we part. ‘n’ roll and even Hawaiian music, which inspired the so-called Vaigat-musicians in Greenland in the 1950s and 60s. As the day draws to a DAY 5 A VISIT TO .

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com In the morning, we will wake up to a picturesque sight — the settlement of for more details. We do not recommend the excursion for people who suffer Itilleq, which translates to ‘the hollow’ or ‘the flatlands’, quite an appropriate from bad necks or backs, as the gravel road to the ice sheet is occasionally name for a settlement nestled at the foothills of mountains and glaciers in the bumpy and uneven. As our time in Greenland concludes, after breakfast and distant backcountry to the east. The settlement’s slightly more than 100 checkout, your arctic adventure will have concluded. We hope to see you residents live off hunting, trapping and fishing, most often in pursuit of arctic again soon! We fly from Kangerlussuaq to Keflavik Airport, Iceland. char, reindeer and musk oxen. Although Itilleq is quite remote, it lies within a few hours via dinghy sail from Sisimiut, the second-largest town in Greenland. Please note: The accessibility to such a large town provides an indispensable economic benefit to a small community like Itilleq’s. A stroll through the settlement Itineraries are subject to change. offers insight into rural life in today’s Greenland, where modern conveniences and technological advancements, such as internet and smart phones have become commonplace, yet locals still place great value on important customs and preserving their traditions and Inuit heritage. Before lunch, we will return to Ocean Atlantic and continue our journey toward the fjord of Kangerlussuaq, also known as Sondrestromfjord. Especially the first part of the fjord gives a great opportunity to enjoy an impressive passage with panoramic views of high mountains and deep valleys.

DAY 6 KANGERLUSSUAQ. AIR TO ICELAND. During the night, we will have completed our passage through the 160-kilometer/100 mile Kangerlussuaq Fjord. After breakfast aboard the ship, we will bid farewell to the ship's staff and the Zodiac boats will shuttle us to shore. Due to Kangerlussuaq’s military history and present-day role as an important air travel hub, Kangerlussuaq remains fairly isolated from Greenland’s rich cultural traditions, in comparison to other regions. While you still find cultural experiences when visiting Kangerlussuaq, the most impressive attraction is the surrounding nature, which is just beckoning to be explored. It is not difficult for one to see that Kangerlussuaq’s landscape has largely been shaped by the last glaciation period, often known simply as the “Ice Age,” some 18,000 years ago. The mountains are rounded and soft, and many meltwater lakes remain. From the inland ice sheet, best known as the Greenland Ice Sheet, the meltwater cuts its way through the porous moraine landscape and flows into Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Kangerlussuaq’s present-day climate is largely influenced by its well-sheltered location between Greenland’s Ice Sheet, the fjord and mountains. This contributes to its stable conditions, minimal cloud cover and roughly 300 clear nights per year. This close proximity to the Ice Sheet, combined with the continental climate, is also of great significance to the local conditions. The dry climate, combined with warm winds that “fall” from the Ice Sheet, can result in temperatures that jump up to 30°C (86°F) in the summer, but then fall to an extreme -40°C (-40°F) in winter, making it the coldest inhabited area in Greenland. In Kangerlussuaq, we offer an optional excursion to the beautiful Reindeer Glacier. The duration of the excursion is about four hours. Please note that the excursion is not included in the general tour price. Refer to Price Information

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: OCEAN ATLANTIC

YOUR SHIP: Ocean Atlantic

Ice-class small expedition cruise VESSEL TYPE: ship

LENGTH: 140 meters

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 198

BUILT/REFURBISHED: lounges. All private cabins are stylish appointed and feature individual bathroom facilities, phone for internal calls, individual Built / rebuilt / renovated: 1985 / 2010 / 2016 temperature controls and TV. Ideal for relaxation, the vessels' Ocean Atlantic is the perfect vessel for expedition cruising in accommodation ranges in size from 11 - 35 m2 and are Antarctic waters! Newly renovated in 2016 and with an designed with either portholes or windows. international ice class rating of 1B, she is one of the strongest Daily shore landings at penguin rookeries, research stations and ships operating in Antarctica. Her high maneuverability, shallow other Antarctic wonders are made possible by her fleet of 20 draft and strong engines allow for extended voyages into Zodiacs. isolated fjords, creating exciting adventures for any Antarctica Restaurant & Bar traveler. The bright, spacious restaurant prepares 4-star international Ocean Atlantic is newly renovated (2016) with elegant common cuisine. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your tour areas and accommodation for 198 passengers. price. All meals are served in the restaurant where you can The ship was built in 1985 and underwent an extensive rebuild enjoy the spectacular views. You have free seating at all meals. in 2010. With a length of 140m she has ample space on the Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, while dinner is a la multiple decks for several lecture halls, a relaxed restaurant carte. Meals, including daily snacks, are prepared by a serving 4-star international cuisine, professionally staffed bars professional chef. Coffee, tea and water are free during the and observation platforms - and even a pool. entire cruise; other drinks can be purchased in the restaurant All common areas on the Erickson Deck feature large panel and at the bar. In the event you are not onboard at lunch time windows, enabling passengers to quickly spot passing whales we will prepare a lunch bag for you in the morning, which you and photographic sights from the comfort of indoor can take ashore. In the afternoon, we offer tea and coffee in the lounge. We also offer a midnight snack between 22:00 h and

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com 24:00 h. The professionally staffed bar offers a selection of soft drinks, juices, wines, liquors, spirits and beer that can be charged to your shipboard account. Observation Deck / Pool Enjoy the time on our observation deck while relaxing in a deckchair, take a swim in the pool or soak in the jaccuzi. Activities Library: Our board library offers a wide range of multilingual books ranging from fiction to travel literature. Curl up with a book, watch a DVD and broaden your understanding of the region's history, flora, fauna, climate, scientific contributions and more. Entertainment: During all Albatros Expedition cruises, the focus is placed on exploration and education. From the ship's well-equipped, onboard lecture theatres, the expedition team will host a series of presentations and workshops on various topics. Shore Excursions & Landings: The expedition team will organize a series of Zodiac excursions and shore landing activities to bring you closer in touch with your natural surroundings. Gym & Wellness Gym facilities and a sauna are available onboard the ship. Panoramic Lounges Large windows, comfortable seating and even binoculars create the ideal lookout to enjoy the ever-changing landscapes.

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

Category A Category B

Category C Category D

Category E Category F

Category G Premium Suite

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com PRICING

14-Aug-2022 to 19-Aug-2022 Category F 4490 AUD pp Category F 4490 AUD pp Category E 4790 AUD pp Category E 4790 AUD pp Category D 5790 AUD pp Category D 5790 AUD pp Category C 6290 AUD pp Category C 6290 AUD pp Category G 7490 AUD pp Category G 7490 AUD pp Category B 9290 AUD pp Category B 9290 AUD pp Category A 10490 AUD pp Category A 10490 AUD pp Premium Suite 11290 AUD pp Premium Suite 11290 AUD pp Optional extras & upgrades 19-Aug-2022 to 24-Aug-2022 Icefjord Flight Sightseeing Category F 4490 AUD pp Discover huge iceberg pushing towards the mouth of the Kangia Icefjord, and Category E 4790 AUD pp breaching their way into the Disko Bay. Get to see the very small settlement of just south of the icefjord, and if you are lucky, you might get a Category D 5790 AUD pp glimpse of the many whales in the bay on your way back to Ilulissat. We fly Category C 6290 AUD pp Vulcanair Partenavia P68 airplanes. These airplanes are ideal for the purpose of sightseeing flights. Being high wing mounted with large windows at each Category G 7490 AUD pp seat, you have the perfect conditions for taking pictures and bringing your memories back home, as well as giving you a clear view of the landscape. The Category B 9290 AUD pp Partenavia, can carry up to 5 passengers plus the pilotDuration: approx. 40 Category A 10490 AUD pp min. *Price correct for 2020 departures - subject to change Premium Suite 11290 AUD pp Boat trip to the Icefjord Join a boat trip to the Icefjord. The journey takes about two and a half hours in 24-Aug-2022 to 29-Aug-2022 total, and presents an opportunity to gain a closer look at the amazing ice-sculpted scenery. The trip is definitely something out of the ordinary and a great natural experience that you will remember for years to come- but be sure to remember warm clothes! *Price correct for 2020 departures - subject to change

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com Snowshoeing Snowshoeing is an activity that allows you to hike across soft, powdery snow up gentle slopes to reach to unique vantage points without the hassle of sinking into deep snow. Snowshoeing is as basic as hiking and you do not need to have previous experience. The snowshoe program is not intended to take place during all landing activities, but rather when the weather, terrain and snow conditions are appropriate. The Snowshoe Master will present an introduction to the snowshoe program and the equipment for all guests with interest, on a workshop before introduction of this activity. The duration is approximately 2 - 3 hours. This adventure activity will run separate from, though simultaneous to, Zodiac cruising and landing activities. This activity is dependent on suitable snow conditions and appropriate terrain as agreed upon by our expedition team. The snowshoe program is conducted and supervised by Albatros Expeditions experienced mountain guides who dictate the route based on site guidelines and conditions at the time of each outing. All guests are welcome to participate, and no previous experience is necessary. However, physical fitness levels should be average. Snowshoeing activities take place from October to December

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com