East Greenland on Wind Dancer
9 DAYS
8 PEOPLE
3790 EURO
For many years in a row, we have been conducting yacht expeditions in Greenland. In 2014, the Paganels visited East Greenland for the first time and immediately fell in love with these incredible places.
It has everything: incredible glaciers and huge icebergs; mountains similar to those we saw in Patagonia; whales circling; Inuit; local colorful villages; crazy fishing; abandoned American military bases; deep fjords and most importantly, these places are very little explored.
There are not many tourists, ships or yachts in East Greenland. Here we will be almost completely alone among the incredible splendor of summer Greenland. Now it is worth a lot ;)
There are very few such rarely visited places left on Earth. If in Western Greenland, civilization has already reached those places. A huge number of hotels, bases, airfields and ports have been built there. In the summer, huge cruise ships with Chinese tourists and dozens of assorted ships from all over the world dock, but in East Greenland the infrastructure is still in its infancy. A couple of hotels and a small airfield is all that is there to receive travelers.
Welcome to our adventure expedition to East Greenland on our large, comfortable 71-foot yacht, Wind Dancer.
ROUTE
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yacht charter for 9 days
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2-bed separate accommodation in cabins
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3 meals a day on board
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fuel according to the route
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rental of weapons and necessary equipment
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yacht cleaning
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parking in marinas
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transfer from the airport to the marina and back
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services of skippers and professional yacht crew
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coke services
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services of Paganel Studio team guides
IMPORTANT!
Due to the fact that our expeditions do not include international flights to the starting point of the program, we cannot be held responsible for changes in flight conditions by airlines or airport requirements. Since our travelers fly from many different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air travel and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services in the selection of flights. Air agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase and technical support.
ITINERARY
Day 1
(07.07)(18.07)(29.07)(11.08)(22.08)(02.09)
Flight Reykjavik - Kulusuk.
We arrive in East Greenland in the village of Kulusuk. Meeting at the airport with our first mate and captain, who will take you on an organized transfer to the yacht.
Settling into cabins. Meeting the boat and yacht crew. Briefing from the captain on the rules of behavior on board, safety precautions, instructions on using yacht toilets, etc.
First acquaintance with East Greenland. We walk around the small Inuit settlement of Kulusuk. There is a lot here that is unusual and unusual for us.
As a rule, you will find about 16 huskies near each Inuit home. This is a complete set of winter dog harnesses, which with the arrival of winter becomes the only means of transportation in these parts. Usually, not far from the huskies and the house, you can see Inuit sleighs waiting for the cold weather.
Lunch on the yacht. We go out to sea. Heading to the island of Ammassalik, where the largest settlement in East Greenland, Angmagssalik, also known as Tasilak, is located.
On the way to the settlement, beautiful icebergs appear, and there are also sperm whales and humpback whales. There is a small port in the settlement, but, as a rule, all arriving yachts are located in a convenient anchorage overlooking the city.
Towards evening, it arrives at Tasilaka Bay. We stop for the night. We are holding a traditional dating evening, presenting expedition T-shirts and badges.
Summer days in Greenland are very long, so those who wish can go in the evening to admire the incredible colors of the polar summer.
Dinner upon return. Rest.
Day 2
(08.07)(19.07)(30.07)(12.08)(23.08)(03.09)
We spend the day in the capital of the region - Tasilak. The name "Tasiilaq", meaning "Like a lake", refers to the fjord, which is accessible through a narrow entrance only from the sea. The city is located in a picturesque fjord, surrounded by high mountains, on the slopes and peaks of which there is always snow and fog.
Here we relax, walk around the city, contact family and friends, buy more provisions, water and fuel as needed.
The population of the city is no more than 2000 people. This is mainly the authentic population of Greenland - the Inuit. The Inuit are an Eskimo people indigenous to the island of Greenland.
Traditional activities for the Inuit are hunting sea animals and bears, and fishing. In the field of culture, there is a strong influence of the Danes; however, the local population tries to preserve their myths and legends.
In the settlement of Tasilak itself there is a lot of unusual and unusual things for us. There is an interesting museum of the history of this region, where you will learn about the life of the Inuit, practice balancing on a kayak, and see the life of an Inuit home. Afterwards we will visit the workshop on making the legendary tupilaks (sacred spirits of the people) and take a walk around the surrounding area.
We will definitely go to the city’s church; it is notable for its unusual combination of Lutheranism brought by the Danes and pagan myths of the indigenous population.
Lunch and dinner on board the yacht. In the evening, if the weather is sunny, we can leave the bay to photograph icebergs at sunset.
Day 3
(09.07)(20.07)(31.07)(13.08)(24.08)(04.09)
In the morning, we weigh anchor and move to one of the most beautiful fjords in the region. Sermilik is the most ice-bearing fjord in the region, huge icebergs the size of an entire city descend from its glaciers, the famous Greenland ice sheet can be seen from the fjord, and whales can also often be seen there.
The fjord has 4 large outcrops of the main Greenland Ice Shell and is usually filled with huge icebergs of bizarre shapes. The main “suppliers” of icebergs are the Helheimgletscher, Isgletscher, and Midgardgletscher glaciers, located in the northern part of the Sermilik fjord.
We will try to get as close as possible to the nearest Harn glacier, look at the icefall, listen to the sound of melting ice and, if desired, we can swim from the side of the sailboat in the icy melt water.
Next, we will go up the incredibly beautiful Sermilik fjord as far as the ice conditions will allow. There are a huge number of beautiful icebergs here
all kinds of shapes that can be removed from the side of our sailboat.
You might even be able to see the upheavals of huge ice blocks. We spend the night in one of the wild bays of the fjord.
Day 4
(10.07)(21.07)(01.08)(14.08)(25.08)(05.09)
Today we visit an old Inuit village located on the shore of the Sermilik-Tinitekilaaq fjord.
The village is located on the “mainland” part of Greenland. You can take a walk and buy something tasty from local hunters and fishermen. As a rule, they dry river trout and cod.
This is one of the most interesting and beautiful places in East Greenland. Right from the shore we will be able to observe a majestic picture - giant icebergs of various bizarre shapes will float in front of us.
Depending on the tide and the ice conditions, we will have the opportunity to sail our motorboat among the huge ice masses.
Day 5
(11.07)(22.07)(02.08)(15.08)(26.08)(06.09)
We go through the beautiful Ikasagtivaq fjord towards the village of Kuummiut. We will have time to walk around the village, meet the locals, photograph small pieces of ice off the coast, and, if we're lucky, the Inuit who have returned from hunting and are sorting the slaughtered seals.
This village is home to the only fish factory in the region; there are no more production facilities in this wild area.
Next, we will go deep into the Iohanfiord fjord, to places that one would like to call “Greenland Patagonia”.
Huge jagged mountains loom over our yacht. Here you can make a beautiful trek to the glacier along the fjord, you can also fish in the rivers and there are many trout here at this time of year. We anchor at the mouth of a mountain river descending from glaciers.
Day 6
(12.07)(23.07)(03.08)(16.08)(27.08)(07.09)
Today we will go to the Ikassa fjord. Do not forget to watch the whales. In these places, you can often find sleeping humpback whales, resting after long wanderings in the quiet waters of the fjord. We try to watch them carefully so as not to wake them up.
The fjord is very narrow, and we will try to be in this place during low tide, when large ice lies on the shore.
Here is the abandoned American military base Ikateq - a very interesting place, a lot of details, which can be photographed against the backdrop of amazing landscapes.
During World War II, the Americans built a dozen military bases and airfields in Greenland to facilitate transatlantic communication between the United States and warring Europe. When the war ended, nothing was exported.
In 1947, all personnel were evacuated, and the rest were abandoned on the shore: buildings, barrels with remaining fuel, cars.
Now all this, more than 70 years later, looks very unusual.
Old army trucks and cars rooted into the ground against the backdrop of peaked mountains and floating icebergs. The airfield was codenamed "Blue East Two".
Day 7
(13.07)(24.07)(04.08)(17.08)(28.08)(08.09)
Today we cross another beautiful fjord, Sermiligaaq. Beautiful glaciers also descend into it, which often delight us with their icefalls.
Greenland glaciers are considered second only to Antarctica in terms of fresh water reserves. Glaciers are the very iceberg factories that we love to photograph and that still pose a danger to navigation in some latitudes, so the yacht is always located in a safe place.
Also, under favorable conditions, the team will definitely organize motorboat rides among the icebergs.
The most beautiful glacier in the fjord is the Knud Ramussen Glacier. The glacier is named after the Danish polar explorer who made nine scientific expeditions to Greenland. This glacier is amazing with the incredibly rich blue color of the ice that breaks off from its edge.
We will try to get closer to it so that you can smell the ozone up close and see all the splendor of this place.
Parking is expected in one of the wild bays of the fjord near the village of Sermilikaak of the same name.
If desired, everyone can go for a short walk near the Ilivtiartik hunting lodges on the shore of the fjord and admire the sunset.
Day 8
(14.07)(25.07)(05.08)(18.08)(29.08)(09.09)
Today we visit the village of Sermilikaaq. In Greenlandic, Sermiligaaq means "beautiful ice fjord". The village has a population of just over 200 people and is an active hunting and fishing community. There are many fishermen here, and the catch is sold to a factory in the nearby settlement of Kuumiut, where we were earlier.
As the name suggests, the village is close to several beautiful glaciers, including the Knud Rasmussen Glacier, where we visited yesterday, and the Kârale Glacier, which we will visit today.
Also today, we begin our journey back towards Kulusuk, which will allow us to observe the beautiful nature of Greenland, photograph whales and icebergs once again.
In the evening, we gather in the wardroom of our cozy yacht for a farewell dinner. Exchange of impressions, photographs. We make plans for the future, exchange contacts and are already sad in advance that we will soon part.
We spend the night at the anchorage near the village of Kulusuk, where our journey began.
Day 9
(15.07)(26.07)(06.08)(19.08)(30.08)(10.09)
In the morning, last breakfast from our chef. We say goodbye to our beloved team, crew, yacht and incredibly beautiful and unique East Greenland.
We take the last photos to say goodbye. We drag things into our motor boat and transport them to the shore. Transfer to the airport in the village of Kulusuk.
Check in at the airport and then fly to Reykjavik. Later flight home.
Wind Dancer
Yacht «Wind Dancer» a 21-meter steel sail-motor Bermuda sloop was built by Viking Marine-Rahmi H. Koc by Sciomachen – Naval Architects and Yacht. The metal hull with a long keel line has excellent seaworthiness.
The yacht's equipment allows sailing of any complexity, including difficult ice conditions.
Fuel supply 2100 liters in two tanks.
Freshwater supply 1000 liters + distiller.
For a comfortable stay of guests and crew on board, there are:
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4 toilets with showers;
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autonomous heating system for all residential interior spaces;
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independent air conditioning system for each room.
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television;
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modern audio system;
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washing machine with dryer;
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fully equipped kitchen with fridge and freezer,
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yacht library.
Two diesel generators, service batteries, and a powerful inverter provide all the premises of the yacht with 220 volts during long passages. An inflatable boat with an outboard motor allows for movement between ship and land.
The yacht can comfortably accommodate 12 people: 8 passengers and 4 crew members. Each cabin is comfortable and cozy with separate beds for 2 people.
The composition of the team is experienced professionals with the necessary experience of ice expeditions: Captain, First mate, Sailor, Cook.
Plan-scheme "Wind Dancer" (Dancing with the Wind")
1,2,3,4,5,6 - cabins
7,8,9,10 - toilet and shower
Each member of the expedition will be provided with a duvet, pillow, bed linen, towel.
A detailed video review of the Wind Dancer yacht can be viewed here:
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for organizing a trip – air tickets and travel documents for other modes of transportation, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. – are made by us in advance, long before the trip, the prepayment or payment for the trip is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
Please note that this itinerary is tentative. The weather always has the last word. The itinerary is designed to allow sufficient time at the end of the Expedition in case of any weather-related delays. If necessary, the captain can change the expedition route depending on external conditions!