Compare Disko Bay - Bowhead Whales by Oceanwide Expeditions vs Icebergs, Fjords, Polar bears and Arctic wildlife: Svalbard & NE Greenland National Park by Poseidon Expeditions

Day 1: We will embark our vessel s/v Rembrandt van Rijn in Aasiaat, in the late afternoon

We arrive in Aasiaat from Kangerlussuaq by chartered plane. Aasiaat, is a settlement which as created in the 17th century to support the whaling at the mouth of Disko Bay. Its port is ice free from late spring to early winter.

Day 2: We expect to see our fist Greenland Whale in the Disko Bay area

Today we are at the mouth of the Disko Bay, surrounded by rich waters, which attract both seabirds and whales. We expect to see our fist Greenland Whale. In the evening we spend the night in Fortune Bay, where there are warm springs.

Day 3: When we sail south of Godhavn, gives us good opporunities to spot Greenland whales

Another day of opportunities to see Greenland Whales, when we sail south of Godhavn. In the afternoon we sail to the mouth of the Jakobshavn Isfjord with its enormous icebergs, where we will float for a few hours.

Day 4: We intend to land at Narujuk and Modderbugt to observe a population of birds typical to the High Arctic

In the morning we land at Flakkerhuk, on the east side of Disko Island, making our way through waters dominated by huge icebergs. We intend to land at several points along the coast, like Narujuk and Modderbugt to observe a population of birds typical to the High Arctic, with species such as Long-tailed Skua, Turnstone and Grey Phalarope. The birds breed on a beautiful tundra landscape backed by basalt cliffs. Later in the day we may also pay a visit to Saqqaq, famous because of the remains of dwellings of the Saqqaq Culture, 4000 years ago. Some miles to the west are cliffs with Cormorants and a beautiful hidden lagoon with remains of turf houses.  An alternative is to sail into Ata Sund to the glacier front of Eqip Sermia

Day 5: We will try some landings in Nordfjord and Qasigissat, in a lush tundra landscape

In the morning in Davis Strait we may catch a glimpse the edge of the Baffin Bay sea-ice, some tens of miles west of Disko Island. We will try some landings in Nordfjord and Qasigissat, in a lush tundra landscape near lakes in valleys surrounded by basalt cliffs. At Qasigissat there are accessible populations of ducks and geese.

Day 6: In the evening we cruise along Queqertaq Island (1000 m high) with the largest Northern Fulmar colony in Greenland

In Diskofjord we sail into the Kuanerssuit Fjord toward some warm springs. Near Sioraq settlement, where the people keep sledge dogs, we also visit a Thule dwelling site with large turfhuts in a great setting. In the evening we cruise along Queqertaq Island (1000 m high) with the largest Northern Fulmar colony in Greenland.

Day 7: Our last day of opportunities to see Greenland Whales when we sail south of Godhavn to Hunde Ejlands

Another day of opportunities to see Greenland Whales when we sail south of Godhavn to Hunde Ejlands, with a small Greenlandic settlement, old dwellings of Greenland’s Thule culture (dating from 11th century) and graves from 18th century European Whalers.

Day 8: Our final morning. We will disembark the ship in the morning in Aasiaat

We arrive in Aasiaat. In the morning we fly from Aasiaat to Kangerlussuaq by chartered flight, and onward by scheduled flight to Copenhagen (flights not included in the voyage cost).

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard (hotel night)

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the Arctic adventure capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of our expedition. After arriving via scheduled commercial flight, you are free to explore this small but fascinating settlement. Be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and enjoy the shops, cafes, and restaurants in the town center. Your hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in Longyearbyen

In the afternoon, we welcome you aboard the expedition ship Sea Spirit; transfers from the hotel are included. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home-away-from-home for the extraordinary adventure to come. The long days of summer sunlight illuminate our surroundings as we slip our moorings and sail into a true polar wilderness where wildlife abounds. The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal sightings.

Day 3-5: Exploration of Svalbard

Svalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and flexibility will be the key in our ability to maximize your experiences. Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic. We anticipate exploring the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing. We will try to reach the entrance of the Hinlopen Strait and see the beautiful fjords.

Jagged snowy mountain peaks flank deep fjords and narrow channels. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard.

Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with a museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole.

Day 6-7: Across the Greenland Sea

From Svalbard, we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes, it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way, we remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as seals, and the majestic polar bear. In previous eras, a large number of different species of whales, especially bowhead whales, lived in the Greenland Sea. But due to hunting which lasted into the 20th century, the whales were on the verge of extinction. Now, fortunately, the population is recovering, and sometimes we can see these majestic animals passing by.

Day 8-11: East Greenland Adventure

This is an expedition cruising at its most authentic and it brings us new opportunities to explore. We will go on a true arctic adventure and feel the real breath of the Arctic. Our itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland are dependent on weather and sea ice conditions. Again, you can be sure that our experienced captain and expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity so that you can experience excellent wildlife viewing, discover incredible scenery and go ashore wherever possible. The Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest and perhaps most remote. This whole area contains some of the Arctic’s most magnificent scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape — vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the beginning of time—is a hiker’s paradise. Throughout this area, we also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. To provide you with the best experience possible, Days 3-5 and 8-11 might be reversed. This allows our captain and expedition team to monitor the weather and sea conditions; remember: flexibility is the key to polar expedition cruising!

Day 12-13: Across the Greenland Sea

Following our exploration of the Northeast Greenland coastline and fjords, we head back across the Greenland Sea toward Svalbard. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent, but that’s up to you! Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

Day 14: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen

After you enjoy one final buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the polar world!