Greenland
The east coast of Greenland is an awesome wilderness. More than 2.600 kilometers of coastline are inhabited by only 3.500 people in two towns and a few small settlements. This is the Arctic with all it's breathtaking beauty and striking scenery. Isafjordur, Iceland is the nearest port to east Greenland, less than 200 nautical miles away.
We are doing three trips in 2010:
The first two trips are sold out but we have added an extra trip... On the third trip (seven days) we´ll leave from Isafjordur on September 2nd, sail across the Denmark Strait and explore the Kangerdlugssuaq area before returning back to Isafjordur.
In 2011 we are also doing three trips to East Greenland. The first trip is already sold out but the other two are available for bookings. See descriptions below.
Ice conditions dictate that the itinerary must be flexible. The following is indicative and subject to change. Please contact us for further details.
Further reading:
Travel report from the summer of 2008 here and photos here.
Travel report from 2009 here and here and photos here.
Trip itinerary
Trip 2010265
Thursday 2. September 2010
Departure from Isafjordur at 19:00. Weather permitting we will start the crossing of Denmark Strait which should take approximately 32 hours. If the weather is rough on the strait we will stay in the beautiful sheltered fjords of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and do some hiking or kayaking there. This late in the season there is always a bit higher risk of storms on the Strait.
Saturday 4.September 2010
Arrival in Greenland in the early morning. Landfall in Mikis fjord and anchor there. Here is an option to hike into the flower-filled Sødalen valley and perhaps visit a working camp of researchers looking for gold and platinum in the Skærgård intrusion. In Mikis fjord are also long-abandoned Inuit ruins that allude to a time when the Dorset culture populated the NE coast.
Sunday 5. September 2010
We´ll stay in Mikis Fjord, perhaps move to another anchorage in the fjord. Great oportunities for hiking or kayaking in the fjord.
Monday 6. September 2010
Move to the great Kangerdlugssuaq fjord ("Big fjord"). It is an option to kayak over or sail with the boat. The AURORA will anchor in Suhaili bugt. This is a very sheltered anchorage where sir Robin Knox-Johnston and sir Chris Bonington anchored the Suhaili when they attempted to climb the Cathedral peak in 1991.
To the Ammassalik people, Kangerdlugssuaq apparently has always been regarded as an especially rich hunting ground - a kind of Shangri-La, that can be reached only with difficulty but where life can be expected to be good. Recent endeavours to colonize Kangerdlugssuaq date from 1966 when a number of families from Ammassalik (Tasiilaq) overwintered in the remains of an old American weather station and expedition houses from the 30s. They had a very good season (35 polarbears, 62 narwhales and about 2100 seals) and returned most years afterwards.
Tuesday 7. September 2010
Spend time at the anchorage at Suhaili bugt. We can take the kayaks out and paddle over to the abandoned Skærgård Inuit village or hike along the granite cliffs of the area or to neighbouring calving glaciers.
Wednesday 8. September 2010
Departure from the Kangerdlugssuaq fjord and set sail across the Denmark Strait back to Iceland. We´ll keep a keen lookout for whales and dolphins on the way,as well as for the ever-present icebergs (!)
Thursday 9. September 2010
Arrival back in Isafjordur in the late afternoon.
Trip #2011240 - Sold out!
Day 1 - Friday July 29th 2011
Departure from Isafjordur at 19:00. Weather permitting we will start the crossing of Denmark Strait which should take approximately 32 hours. If the weather is rough on the strait we will stay in the beautiful sheltered fjords of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and do some kayaking there.
Day 2 - Saturday July 30th
Arrival in Greenland in the early morning. Landfall at Søkongen island. There it will be possible to kayak around the island from JAD Jensen fjord over to Nansen fjord. The great Christian IV glacier calves into Nansen fjord and it is quite often full of ice bergs. The Watkins mountains and the highest peak in the arctic, Gunnbjornsfjeld (3693 m) line the horizon. Depending on the ice conditions we will try to find an anchorage there for the night.
Day 3&4 - Sunday July 31st to Monday August 1st
Move to Mikis fjord and anchor there. Here is an option to hike into the flower-filled Sødalen valley and perhaps visit a working camp of researchers looking for gold and platinum in the Skærgård intrusion. In Mikis fjord are also long-abandoned Inuit ruins that allude to a time when the Dorset culture populated the NE coast.
Day 5 - Tuesday August 2nd
Move to the great Kangerdlugssuaq fjord ("Big fjord"). It is an option to kayak over or sail with the boat. The AURORA will anchor in Suhaili bugt. This is a very sheltered anchorage where sir Robin Knox-Johnston and sir Chris Bonington anchored the Suhaili when they attempted to climb the Cathedral peak in 1991. This will be our basecamp for the next few days.
Day 6 - Wednesday August 3rd
The kayakers will head into Kangerdlugssuaq fjord for a three night exploratory trip with camping ashore. First day we will paddle over to the abandoned Skærgård Inuit settlement and from there continue along the Uttendal sound over to Watkins fjord and camp under Keglebjerg mountain at Spækpynten.
Day 7 - Thursday August 4th
Continue paddling further into Kangerdlugssuaq fjord to the Courtauld side fjord and camp at a point on it´s western entrance.
Day 8 - Friday August 5th
Paddling and exploring further into the fjords. Possibly all the way to the Kangerdlugssuaq fjord itself and then camp again under Kærven mountain at Kartografvig cove.
Day 9 - Saturday August 6th
Today we will paddle out to Suhaili bugt again and board AURORA for some well earned dinner and shower. Spend the night there.
Day 10 - Sunday August 7th
Leave in the early morning and sail (or motor) out of Kangerdlugssuaq fjord. We will head south along the coast. We may do a short stop on the Aputiteq island and visit the old weather station but will otherwise spend all this day and the next night on the boat.
Day 11 - Monday August 8th
Arrive at Kangertigtivatsiaq fjord in the morning and anchor in the side fjord of Nordfjord (Séraq). Kayakers can paddle into the Kangertigtivatsiaq fjord which has been thus described by Chapman of the British Arctic Air Route expedition of 1930-1931: „The scenery here was magnificent. A short branch fjord to the N terminated in a huge glacier, while the longer main fjord was flanked by great needle-peaked mountains, between 1800 - 2000 m high. There are hanging glaciers precariously balanced on the steep hillsides and other glaciers coming right down to the sea. At the head of the fjord, away in the distance, was a superb pinnacled mountain, reminiscent of St. Paul´s Cathedral; this was Ingolfs fjeld."
Day 12. Tuesday August 9th
Another day spent paddling in this area. This time over to the Storø island where there are are many Inuit ruins and more recent hunting cabins. Kayakers will meet the AURORA again where she will be anchored in the lagoon on the south tip of the island.
Day 13. Wednesday August 10th
A full day (12 hours) of sailing down to Sermiligaq fjord where we will anchor at the head, close to the two great calving glaciers of Kerale and Knud Rassmusen. Option for a short paddle in the evening.
Day 14. Thursday August 11th
We'll spend out last whole day exploring this great area with lot's of narrow sounds and passes and find a good anchorage to spend our last night.
Day 15. Friday August 12th
Sail through the Ikateq and Ikasak sounds over to Angmagssalik fjord and to Kulusuk where the trip ends in the afternoon.
Trip #2011250
Day 1 - Monday August 15th 2011
Arriving onboard AURORA at 12.00 noon in Kulusuk, guests arriving on the morning flight from Reykjavik will land at 9:30 am. Leave anchorage around 14:00, sail out the Torssut sound and into Angmagssalik fjord. Sail past Qernertivartivit then turn east and arrive in an unnamed fjord running SSW from Ikasak sound. After about three hours sailing from Kulusuk anchor there to spend the first night.
Day 2 - Tuesday August 16th
Today we will explore new routes over to Sermiligaq fjord. Either we will continue through Ikasak sound or go through Angmagssalik fjord and Italip Ikasa sound. We will arrive in Sermiligaq fjord between Pusissaraq and Erik den Rode's islands and continue north past the village of Sermiligaq to our anchorage at the islands of Ingmikerteq. This is a perfect base to explore the two great calving glaciers of Karale and Knud Rasmussen.
Day 3 - Wednesday August 17th
We'll spend the morning with further exploring of the glaciers and then head over to the Ikateq sound. We'll stop and take a look at the abandoned WW2 airbase and then continue to the fjord of Tuno. There we have an option of dropping off the kayakers for a paddle through the narrow pass into Torssukatak fjord and to the village of Kungmiut. AURORA will sail through Ikasak. Anchorage will be behind Griseoen (Pig-island).
Day 4 - Thursday August 18th
Sail further north along Angmagssalik fjord and through the narrow pass to Tasilaq fjord. This fjord is ringed by mountains from 1000-2000 meter high with Tvillingerne (Twins), Storebror and Pikkehuen the most notable. Many options for great hiking, climbing or kayaking.
Day 5 - Friday August 19th
We will spend a second day at the same anchorage in Tasilaq fjord. Option to spend a night in a tent in the mountains or even in a small mountain hut.
Day 6 - Saturday August 20th
Sail back down Tasilaq fjord and into Angmagssalik fjord. Enter the Ikasagtivaq sound and follow that to our anchorage behind the village of Tiniteqilaq. Options to kayak part of the way.
Day 7 - Sunday August 21st
If ice conditions allow we will explore the great Sermilik fjord. We will cross the fjord and attempt to enter Johan Petersen fjord and anchor in Sangmieq fjord. Many options for great kayaking or hiking.
Day 8 - Monday August 22nd
Sail out of Sermilik fjord, passing the abandoned village of Ikateq and the Erit Skerries (made famous when Bill Tilman lost his boat Sea Breeze there in 1972). We will continue to Kong Oskars Havn and the town of Tasiilaq and tie up at the local wharf. This is the largest community in East Greenland with a population of around 1800 people. After a quick sightseeing in Tasiilaq we will sail across the Ammassalik fjord to Kulusuk where the trip will end in the afternoon.
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Trip #2011260
Day 1 - Thursday August 25th 2011
Arriving onboard AURORA at 12.00 noon in Kulusuk, guests arriving on the morning flight from Reykjavik will land at 9:30 am. Leave anchorage around 14:00, sail out the Torssut sound and into Angmagssalik fjord. Sail past Qernertivartivit then turn east and arrive in an unnamed fjord running SSW from Ikasak sound. After about three hours sailing from Kulusuk anchor there to spend the first night.
Day 2 - Friday August 26th
Today we will explore new routes over to Sermiligaq fjord. Either we will continue through Ikasak sound or go through Angmagssalik fjord and Italip Ikasa sound. We will arrive in Sermiligaq fjord between Pusissaraq and Erik den Rode's islands and continue north past the village of Sermiligaq to our anchorage at the islands of Ingmikerteq. This is a perfect base to explore the two great calving glaciers of Karale and Knud Rasmussen.
Day 3 - Saturday August 27th
We'll spend the morning with further exploring of the glaciers and then head over to the Ikateq sound. We'll stop and take a look at the abandoned WW2 airbase and then continue to the fjord of Tuno. There we have an option of dropping off the kayakers for a paddle through the narrow pass into Torssukatak fjord and to the village of Kungmiut. AURORA will sail through Ikasak. Anchorage will be behind Griseoen (Pig-island).
Day 4 - Sunday August 28th
Sail further north along Angmagssalik fjord and through the narrow pass to Tasilaq fjord. This fjord is ringed by mountains from 1000-2000 meter high with Tvillingerne (Twins), Storebror and Pikkehuen the most notable. Many options for great hiking, climbing or kayaking.
Day 5 - Monday August 29th
We will spend a second day at the same anchorage in Tasilaq fjord. Option to spend a night in a tent in the mountains or even in a small mountain hut.
Day 6 - Tuesday August 30th
Sail back down Tasilaq fjord and into Angmagssalik fjord. Enter the Ikasagtivaq sound and follow that to our anchorage behind the village of Tiniteqilaq. Options to kayak part of the way.
Day 7 - Wednesday August 31st
If ice conditions allow we will explore the great Sermilik fjord. We will cross the fjord and attempt to enter Johan Petersen fjord and anchor in Sangmieq fjord. Many options for great kayaking or hiking.
Day 8 - Thursday September 1st
Sail out of Sermilik fjord, passing the abandoned village of Ikateq and the Erit Skerries (made famous when Bill Tilman lost his boat Sea Breeze there in 1972). We will continue to Kong Oskars Havn and the town of Tasiilaq and tie up at the local wharf for the night. This is the largest community in East Greenland with a population of around 1800 people.
Day 9 - Friday September 2nd
Departure from Tasiilaq in the morning. Sail across the Angmagssalik fjord and around Kap Dan. We´ll explore the coast north of Kap Dan and anchor at Grusø island.
Day 10 - Saturday September 3rd
We´ll sail on north east along the coast and anchor in the lagoon on the south tip of the Storø island where there are are many Inuit ruins and more recent hunting cabins.
Day 11 - Sunday September 4th
Sails set for a 2-2.5 days sail across the Denmark Strait to Isafjordur, Iceland. We'll keep a sharp lookout for whales, dolphins and of course the numerous huge icebergs.
Day 12 - Monday September 5th
At sea on the Denmark Strait. We'll be seing icebergs almost all the way to the Icelandic coast. If the weather is clear we may see the Greenland mountains from almost 100 nautical miles away or from the Dorn Bank fishing banks.
Day 13 - Tuesday September 6th
In clear weather we may start seeing the Icelandic mountains in the morning. Arriving in Isafjordur in the evening.
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| Trip no | Dates | Days | Seats | Price | |
| 2010240 | Jul. 30 - Aug. 13, 2010 | 15 | 0 | 0 EUR | BOOK! |
| 2010250 | Aug. 16 - Aug. 26, 2010 | 11 | 0 | 2450 EUR | BOOK! |
| 2010265 | Sep. 02 - Sep. 09, 2010 | 8 | 2 | 1730 EUR | BOOK! |
| 2011240 | Jul. 29 - Aug. 12, 2011 | 15 | 0 | 0 EUR | BOOK! |
| 2011250 | Aug. 15 - Aug. 22, 2011 | 8 | 10 | 1950 EUR | BOOK! |
| 2011260 | Aug. 25 - Sep. 06, 2011 | 13 | 10 | 2950 EUR | BOOK! |
Included
- Yacht costs
- Services of guides and crew
- All food whilst onboard
- Use of wet weather sailing clothing
- Use of sea kayaks
Not included
- International and domestic flights to Iceland and Greenland
- Accommodation in Kulusuk
- Personal clothing & equipment as pr recommended equipment list.
- Personal insurance
- Any costs incurred through missed or delayed flights
Terms and conditions
The Borea Adventures trips/voyages are of an adventurous nature and to relatively remote locations in Iceland, Greenland and other places. Borea Adventures makes best effort to stick to the planned itinerary but participants must appreciate and acknowledge that the trip/voyage requires considerable flexibility. The company and captain of the vessel reserve the right to adjust the itinerary without notice for reasons beyond their control such as weather, ice-conditions or other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances. Once departed on the voyage the captain will have final say on all decisions affecting safety etc and this must be accepted by all participants.
Download full version of "terms and conditions" here.