Sailing gently in a traditional schooner and exploring the pristing fjords of East Greenland is a dream for many; join us this summer on board the schooner Hildur for an eight day exploration of this unique and moving voyage.
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer to your central hotel for an overnight stop.
Day 2: Depart Reykjavík for Constable Point, a small airfield on the west side of Hurry Fjord in Jameson Land. Embark and sail west between magnificent icebergs that drift down the Hall Basin after calving from the glaciers originating in the Inland Ice. Anchor at Hekla Havn, on Denmark Ø, the site of an old Inuit settlement and wintering camp of the first scientific expedition to Scoresby Sound over a hundred years ago.
Day 3: Explore Hekla Havn and its surroundings. Those wishing to trek across the island will be picked up by the ship on the western shore. Sail west to Ankervig through the narrow Føhnfjord with the magnificent basalt mountains of Gåseland on the port side and 2000 metres high sheer granite cliffs of Milne Land on the starboard side.
Day 4:Trek the Hjørnedal, a steep valley penetrating into Gåseland from Ankervig. This area, with some of the lushest vegetation of the whole eastern coast line, has a warm stable climate throughout the summer. There is a good chance of catching Arctic Char in the river and estuary using rod and tackle. Sail north through Rødefjord to anchor in Harefjord.
Day 5: Ashore in Harefjord scouting for Muskoxen, which normally graze on the south facing slopes. Then an easy hike to the top of the ridge between Harefjord and Rypefjord for a breathtaking view of Renland and the Inland Ice. Continue sailing, now eastwards through the awsome Øfjord to anchor at Bjørneøer.
Day 6: After a relatively short visit on shore in Bjørneøer, sail up Nordvestfjord (depending on the ice situation) for a short visit to an old Inuit settlement on the island of Mågetuen. Sail east to the abandoned trading post at Sydkap. Bonfire and BBQ at the rocky beach where a local hunter helps prepare musk ox meat.
Day 7: Departing early morning for the crossing of Hall Basin to Ittoqqortoormiit Village. Accommodation at the local guesthouse for 2 nights.
Day 8: Visit the small village of Ittoqqortoormiit, founded in the 1925s by people from Ammassalik. It is the most northerly settlement on the east coast of Greenland. The 500 inhabitants make their living mostly by subsistence hunting of seals, Narwhale, Muskoxen and Polar Bear. The quaint little houses dot the rocky slopes of south Liverpool Land with magnificent views of Kap Brewster and the Volquart Boons Coast to the south. Opportunity to visit the village's general store to purchase some local handicrafts of bone, soap stone and hides.
Day 9: Sail to Constable Point, disembark for the return flight to Reykjavík, Iceland. Overnight accommodation will be booked in Reykjavik.
Day 10: Transfer to Keflavik for the return flight to North America
The itinerary is subject to change for reasons beyond our control, such as changes in airline schedules, flight and ship delays, strikes, weather, sea and ice conditions, government restrictions or emergencies for which North Sailing cannot be held responsible. If pack-ice conditions do not permit the planned itinerary to be completed, the captain and expedition leaders will work out the best possible alternative. We reserve the right to change or alter the program if necessary.
