Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland 2013
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 14 days | PPIC13 |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 112 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard (Spitsbergen) | |
Start City |
End City |
| Longyearbyen | Reykjavik |
Three countries, three versions of the Arctic – this is the expedition to choose if you want to immerse yourself in four centuries of Arctic exploration. Spitsbergen, Norway is the archetypal Arctic, a paradise of tundra and ice inhabited by polar bears, walrus and seabirds. When you reach eastern Greenland, you’ll encounter the Arctic on a grander scale, as this is home to the world’s highest concentration of musk oxen, the largest ice sheet in the Northern Hemisphere, and the largest fjord complex in the world! Your exploration of the Westman Islands (Vestmanaeyjar) of Iceland will be as shrouded in the mists of time as a Norse Saga. The land of fire and ice provides a sharp contrast to Greenland and Spitsbergen, ensuring that you enjoy a well-rounded Arctic odyssey.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation from Longyearbyen
Meals included: 1 dinner
Your expedition begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement.
Day 2-3: Exploring Spitsbergen
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Largest of the Norwegian-ruled Svalbard islands, Spitsbergen is famed for its abundant wildlife and austere beauty. Here you'll visit spectacular glacier fronts and steep-walled fjords. Wildlife-viewing opportunities include walrus, polar bear and the unique Spitsbergen reindeer. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, long-tailed ducks, kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. As an added bonus, when conditions are right, you could sail within 10° of the North Pole!
Day 4-5: Greenland Sea
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
While sailing the historic Greenland Sea you'll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. There’s also plenty of time to share photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar, watch a movie and take in the spectacular sights surrounding your ship.
Day 6-10: Scoresbysund – Eastern Greenland
Meals included: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, birthplace of many icebergs, and – some say – the most beautiful fjord system in the world. During your tour of Greenland's remote eastern coast, you'll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore excursions to several locations. Sail the ice edge searching for walrus and polar bear. Visit the remains of ancient Thule settlements, and keep an eye out for grazing musk oxen – 40% of the world's population of this fascinating mammal lives on the east coast of Greenland.
Day 11-12: At Sea in the Denmark Strait
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Sail through the Denmark Strait en route to the Westman Islands. Your onboard Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about Arctic wildlife – especially the seabirds you'll see soaring above your ship.
Day 13: Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Named long ago for Irishmen (Westmen) enslaved by the medieval Norse-Gaels, this small archipelago is one of Iceland's gems. Here you'll learn of the area's fascinating history and famed volcanic geology while touring the town of Heimaey. There's also a good chance you'll spot large colonies of puffins on one of the outlying islands.
Day 14: Disembarkation in Reykjavik
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Your adventure ends at the port of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. From the port we'll transfer you to the city centre.
Your Trip
What's Included
On all ships, rates include: •Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. •All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.) •All shore landings per the daily program. •Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities. •A daily program of lectures by noted naturalists •All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program. •Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled. •Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage. •A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings. •An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep. •Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock. •A selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. •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. •On disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport or other local designated drop-off location. •Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Accommodation
- 13 nights Expedition Voyage
Meals
- 13 breakfasts
- 12 lunches
- 13 dinners
Not Included
•For some specified departures, the purchase of arrival transfer packages and charter or domestic flights in conjunction with the expedition is mandatory. The applicable per-person cost is indicated on the Dates and Rates summary. •Passport and any applicable visa expenses. •Government arrival and departure taxes. •Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation, when applicable. •Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance. •Excess baggage charges. •Laundry and other personal charges. •Telecommunications charges. •The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew. •On icebreakers, any private helicopter flying time that may be available for optional flights can be purchased at an hourly rate to be announced on board.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Greenland
Visa not required for stays up to 90 days, need onward flight ticket and sufficient funds during stay. This applies to Australians, New Zealanders, Brits, Canadians and Americans.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
Greenlandwww.lonelyplanet.com
www.greenland.com
Lonely Planet Greenland and the Arctic
The Greenlanders – Jane Smiley
This Cold Heaven, Seven Seasons in Greenland – Gretel Ehrlich
Lonely Planet – Scandinavian Europe
Independent People - Halldór Laxness´s – The Harvell Press, London 1999
Important Information
These Trip Notes should be read in conjunction with Peregrine’s Arctic pre-departure information that is provided to you shortly after booking. A second information manual dealing with Arctic history, geology, geography, marine and bird life will also be provided.
1. Itinerary:
Please note that due to the exploratory nature of this expedition, weather, ice, wildlife or other conditions may require changes be made to the itinerary and/or cancellation of certain shore excursions. Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary, within the limits of safety and time constraints. We shall fit in as many stops as is practical along the way allowing you to experience as much as possible of this wonderful area. The locations mentioned in this itinerary are just some of the highlights of our fascinating expedition of discovery and exploration and we shall attempt further landings wherever and whenever time and local conditions permit.
2. Budgeting:
In addition to funds for on-board expenses, it is possible to purchase souvenirs in some locations such as books, t-shirts, windcheaters, stamps, postcards, caps and some really good knitwear on many of the shore excursions that include visits to villages or towns. In addition some museums and sites charge entry fees and in some locations you may wish to buy some food and drink (although the meals on the ship are very good and plentiful!). Visa and MasterCard are accepted on board our ship, but elsewhere they are of limited use. Icelandic krónurs (ISK) cash are accepted in Iceland, although some businesses may accept credit cards. However, please note that there is almost nowhere in Greenland that will take credit cards and very, very few places are willing to accept foreign currency. Danish Kroner are a must for Greenland and they should be purchased before your trip starts. Credit cards again are of limited use. Please remember that all on board services are charged in US dollars and your on-board account (bar, gift shop, medical, gratuities) can be paid for by either US dollars cash, US dollars travellers cheques and the above-mentioned credit cards.
3. Clothes:
Please read our Arctic pre-departure information carefully. Although you don’t need to make expensive, specialist-clothing purchases for this trip, you will need clothes that adequately protect against cold and wet conditions. (Sea spray is common on board Zodiacs). It is recommended that you have warm, waterproof clothing available for use upon arrival to protect yourself against the inclement weather. A Zodiac transfer from the pier to the ship is likely to take place, so please be prepared with appropriate clothing.
4. Motion sickness:
Although our vessels are among the most stable ships in their class, we will still inevitably encounter motion. Unless you are certain you are impervious to the problem, you should take precautions against seasickness. Your doctor can advise you as to the best methods for avoiding this uncomfortable condition.
5. Gratuities:
We suggest you allow the equivalent of US$11-13 a day for gratuities for the crew and expedition staff. This is usually collected just prior to the end of the cruise. If you wish, the amount can be paid by Visa or MasterCard.
6. Sea kayaking:
There are separate Trip Notes for the sea kayaking option. Some of the fjords of Svalbard and Greenland in particular are outstanding and unique locations for this activity. Please note that this option must be booked prior to your departure from home and it cannot be booked on the ship. Some prior experience is required.
Peregrine Voyage Documentation
Once you have booked your voyage to the Polar regions with Peregrine, you will be required to complete a series of online forms. You will be sent a link via email (my polar forms) which will take you to an enrolment form, cruise contract, medical form, arrival/departure information form and expedition parka size order form. These forms must be completed.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
5 June 2012