I feel very privileged to have participated in the Greenland expedition. It far exceeded my expectations. And, as someone who has traveled extensively, I would rate it as truly a trip of a lifetime. – Sid S., VW Greenland participant
Thank you for another fantastic VW expedition! What a privilege to experience and photograph this wild and remote area in comfort while accompanied by the best leaders offering a wealth of experience and a willingness to share their immense talents. Thanks to Justin’s meticulous advance planning, all the arrangements were perfect throughout. –David & Kathy R., VW Greenland participants
Greenland’s remote and little-visited ice fjords hold a wealth of arctic grandeur. Towers, arches, and walls of ancient blue ice thrust skyward from the water’s surface. Steep-walled fjords, dramatic coastal mountains, tundra in autumn color, the vast Greenland Ice Sheet, and the Aurora Borealis combine to form an incomparable landscape. Join this world-class team of leaders – Justin Black, Chris Linder, and Jerry Dodrill – for this exclusive expedition to Greenland, photographing this arctic wilderness in all its glory. With generous photographic instruction and attentive support along the way, explore the largest fjord system in the world – Scoresbysund, covering 14,700 square miles and penetrating over 200 miles into Greenland’s interior – aboard the three-masted expedition vessel Rembrandt van Rijn. We will make frequent landings by zodiac to photograph in morning and evening light, and as serendipity presents us with compelling opportunities along the way. In addition to the arctic landscape, we will photograph polar bears and whales if we encounter them, as well a variety of coastal and pelagic birds such as fulmars, kittiwakes, and gannets. Excursions by zodiac take us in among the icebergs. The ethereal glow of the Aurora Borealis dancing in the night sky over the iceberg-dotted fjords and bays will be the sight of a lifetime. One thing is for certain: this expedition will yield extraordinary photographic opportunities. This is of course a floating workshop as well, and while underway, Justin, Chris, and Jerry, will make inspiring and instructive presentations, offer guidance and answer questions in the field, and offer constructive feedback on participants’ photographs during group critique sessions, with the aid of four large LCD screens in the ship’s dining room.
Greenland was a trip of a lifetime. Imagine fog-shrouded icebergs, vibrant red/orange/yellow tundra, unreal sunsets, glistening ice and snow, colorful villages clinging to rocky headlands, Northern Lights and so much more under the generous guidance of world class instructors. I learned so much while having lots of fun. Thank you! –Ann L., VW Greenland participant
Our adventure begins in Reykjavik, Iceland, the world’s northernmost capital. Guests will be greeted upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport and transferred to Hotel Holt, conveniently located in the city center. After an introductory group meeting and dinner at one of Reykjavik’s fine restaurants, the next morning we board our private charter flight to Greenland’s east coast. Awaiting our arrival will be our private floating base camp: the 168-foot, three-masted schooner Rembrandt van Rijn (click here for more about RVR). We are booking the entire ship for our exclusive use to ensure ample space for our group both on the ship and in zodiacs – our group will consist of eighteen participants and three photo leaders (though Rembrandt normally sleeps up to 33 guests) in addition to her twelve-person crew and experienced expedition staff. She is exceptionally well-suited to exploration and photography along the Greenland coast, with a reinforced hull, expansive unobstructed sight lines even under sail, and comfortable accommodations.
To make this special itinerary possible, we have arranged private Air Iceland charter flights aboard modern twin-engine turboprop airliners (Bombardier Q200). After disembarking Rembrandt at Constable Point, we will be picked up by our aircraft and flown back to Reykjavik, where a celebratory group dinner and final restful night at Hotel Holt await you.
ITINERARY:
Sept 8 – Arrival day in Reykjavik: Transfers to Hotel Holt will be arranged for inbound guests from Keflavik International Airport (KEF). At 4pm in the afternoon, there will be group introductions and orientation in the hotel’s meeting room. Our first dinner as a group will be held at one of our favorite restaurants in Reykjavik. Overnight in Reykjavik at Hotel Holt.
Sept 9 – Fly to eastern Greenland: Early breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Reykjavik city airport to catch our Air Iceland flight to Nerlerit Inaat Airport at Constable Point, where we will meet our ship’s expedition leader and board the S/V Rembrandt van Rijn. We then cruise aboard S/V Rembrandt van Rijn into the expansive Scoresbysund fjord system.
Sept 9-20 – Aboard Rembrandt: Cruise through the incredible landscape that forms the vast Scoresbysund system aboard Rembrandt van Rijn, visiting icebergs and islands, following whales, making landings by zodiac to photograph the incredible landscape, and keeping an eye out for the aurora borealis at night. Instruction by Justin Black, Chris Linder, and Jerry Dodrill will take place aboard Rembrandt while we are underway from one location to another. All meals and accommodations aboard ship.
Sept 20 – Return to Reykjavik: After breakfast, we disembark at Constable Point to board our exclusive charter flight to Reykjavik City Airport, Iceland. After settling back into the Holt, we will go out on the town for a celebratory final dinner. Overnight in Reykjavik at Hotel Holt.
Sept 21 – Fly Home: Airport transfers provided from Hotel Holt to Keflavik International Airport.
The cost of the all-inclusive package (including both charter flights from Reykjavik) is $17,000 per person based on single-occupancy, or $16,000 per person double-occupancy.
Single-occupancy (both at Hotel Holt and aboard Rembrandt van Rijn): $17,000
Double-occupancy (both at Hotel Holt and aboard Rembrandt van Rijn): $16,000
Payment Schedule
Please note that due to the significant commitments involved in chartering the vessel for this expedition, deposits and all payments are non-refundable. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to enable recovery of deposits in the event of a need to cancel participation for medical or personal reasons covered by the policy. Other terms and conditions apply.
INCLUSIONS:
EXCLUSIONS:
All international air travel and domestic transportation within your home country, any other travel services required to arrive at the tour commencement location, along with all associated taxes, levies and insurances. Immigration, duty, passport and visa fees where applicable. Gratuities for ship’s crew and expedition staff. Personal items including gifts or other purchases, any paid communications, hotel room service or minibar charges, travel insurance, and emergency medical treatment and evacuation insurance (required), etc. Any activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary.
TESTIMONIAL
I found the leaders thoroughly approachable and generous with their time and expertise at every point in the trip. Amazing combination of leaders! Beyond being superb photographers, they’re amazing people who clearly care deeply about others and the craft of photography. Their attention to detail and constant push to bring in more experiences made the trip unique. They always sought to ensure equal opportunities for all photographers and videographers during the trip. Even going back around to ensure each photographer had a chance at unique encounters.
I learned A LOT on this expedition. The trip helped me see landscape photography differently, and I look forward to applying what I learned in the coming months and years. Hearing the opportunities that each of the photographers saw at a new location was invaluable – the elements that contribute to a great photograph and how one could put those elements together in a new location. The willingess of the leaders to change plans in response to prevailing conditions were also key to the trip’s success. Getting one-on-one time with the leaders to share their critique of photos and process was highly valuable.
The splendor of Greenland would have been far less memorable had I enjoyed it on my own – the group, the leaders, and the experienced crew made for a dramatically better journey than any I would have taken alone. Hotels were excellent and the accommodations on the boat were better than I expected – a top notch way to visit Greenland! Logistics were well-planned – enough time between events and smooth travel. Starting with the first amazing dinner, I did not suffer a bit for good food. Justin’s appreciation of food and wine made for a memorable trip.
I expected a lot, but was still surprised. The camaraderie was fantastic and the leaders excellent.
I can’t wait for the next trip!
– John F., VW Greenland Expedition Participant
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