Overview

I feel very privileged to have participated in the 2016 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., 2016 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., 2015 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 – National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards, Justin Black, and Chris Linder – 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 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, Jason, Justin, Chris, and the ship’s expedition staff will make inspiring and instructive presentations, answer your questions, and offer constructive feedback on participants’ photographs during group critique sessions, with the aid of the ship’s four large LCD screens.


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., 2015 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 the Canopy by Hilton, conveniently located in the city center (please note change in accommodations from the Holt Hotel to Canopy by Hilton). After an introductory group meeting and dinner at Grillmarket, one of Reykjavik’s finer 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 sixteen to eighteen participants and three leaders (though Rembrandt normally sleeps up to 33 guests) in addition to her twelve-person crew and 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 very 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 the Canopy Hotel await you.

Click “read more” at below right for the detailed itinerary…

 

ITINERARY:

Sept 14 – Arrival day in Reykjavik: Transfers to Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre will be arranged for inbound guests from Keflavik International Airport (KEF). At 4pm in the afternoon, there will be group introductions and orientation at the hotel bar. Our first dinner as a group will be held at one of our favorite restaurants in Reykjavik, with a menu designed especially for us by the restaurant’s chefs. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Sept 15 – 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 massive Scoresbysund fjord system.

Sept 16-25 – 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 Jason Edwards, Justin Black, and Chris Linder will take place aboard Rembrandt while we are underway from one location to another. All meals and accommodations aboard ship.

Sept 26 – 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 Canopy, we will go out on the town for a celebratory final dinner. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Sept 27 – Fly Home: Airport transfers provided from the Canopy to Keflavik International Airport.

The cost of the all-inclusive package (including both charter flights from Reykjavik) is $14,950 per person based on single-occupancy, or $13,500 per person double-occupancy.

INCLUSIONS:

  • Exclusive charter of the expedition vessel Rembrandt van Rijn, 12 days, 11 nights.
  • Exclusive group charter flights aboard spacious and modern turboprop: Reykjavik, Iceland – Constable Point, Greenland – Reykjavik
  • Accommodations in Reykjavik (two nights)
  • All meals, including wine or beer with dinners
  • All ground transfers from arrival to departure at Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport
  • Some group gratuities, such as for restaurant and hotel staff, transfer drivers, etc.

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 (required), etc. Any activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary.

 

Instructors

    • Chris Linder

    • Chris Linder is an award-winning professional photographer, filmmaker, workshop leader, and lecturer. Chris earned a master’s degree in oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods ...
    • Justin Black

    • JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer, writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers (ILCW), a former executive director of the International ...
    • Jason Edwards

    • National Geographic's Jason Edwards has been at the forefront of natural history photography for more than three decades. His image ...

Pricing

Single Occupancy $14,950

Deposit $7,475
Full $14,950

Double Occupancy $13,500

Deposit $6,750
Full $13,500

Highlights

  • World-class team of leaders: Jason Edwards, Justin Black, and Chris Linder, offering generous instruction, guidance, and feedback throughout the expedition.
  • Private charter exploration of the dramatic mountainous fjords, glaciers, massive icebergs, and autumn of Scoresbysund on Greenland’s east coast, aboard the comfortable and capable Dutch-crewed schooner Rembrandt van Rijn.
  • Frequent landings to make the most of photographic opportunities along the coast and on the islands
  • Excursions by Zodiac among the icebergs
  • Autumn provides excellent potential to photograph the Aurora Borealis.
  • Includes private round-trip charter flights aboard modern and spacious twin-turboprop aircraft: Reykjavik to Constable Point on Greenland’s east coast (RKV-CNP-RKV).

Accommodations

  • In Reykjavik, nights of Sept 14 and 26: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre, a four-star hotel in the vibrant city center, close to embassies, shops, and the Hallgrímskirkja Church Tower.
  • Scoresbysund, east coast of Greenland, eleven nights from Sept 15-26: Private charter vessel S/V Rembrandt van Rijn, a 168-foot, three-masted schooner with 16 guest cabins, all with en suite bathroom (our group will be limited to no more than 18 participants, plus three leaders). The ship was rebuilt and renovated in 2011, and features two Cummins engines, a reinforced hull for operations in arctic waters, two large zodiacs for landings and iceberg cruises, a large restaurant that accommodates our entire group with room to spare, and comfortable common areas including a lounge and bar.

Travel

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Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF) for our initial group meeting. Flights from Reykjavik to Greenland and back are included.
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All ground transfers are included.
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We will set sail on S/V Rembrandt van Rijn for a 12-day/11-night private charter to explore Scoresbysund on Greenland's east coast.
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Hikes during our shore excursions will be easy to moderate.
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Weather in September in the Scoresbysund region has highs ranging from 20º–40ºF and overnight lows ranging from 15º–30ºF, with mostly clouds and little precipitation.

Expectations

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 that I look forward to applying in the coming months and years. Hearing what 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, 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 – top notch way to visit Greenland. Logistics were well-planned – enough time between events and smooth travel. Starting with the first amazing tasting dinner, I did not suffer a bit for good food. The leader’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., 2016 Greenland Expedition Participant