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Greenland

with Justin Black, Frans Lanting, Chris Eckstrom
September 22 - October 4, 2016 Expedition
Limited to 18 Participants. From $15,995  
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  • Overview
  • Instructors
  • Gallery
  • Pricing
  • Highlights
  • Accommodations
  • Travel
  • Outcomes

Overview

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


THIS UNIQUE ADVENTURE MAY NOT BE REPEATED, AS OUR SHIP’S CHARTER COMPANY WILL REPOSITION HER FOLLOWING OUR VOYAGE AND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

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 – Frans Lanting, Christine Eckstrom, and Justin Black – for this exclusive expedition to Greenland’s east and west coasts, 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 on the east coast – aboard the three-masted expedition vessel Rembrandt van Rijn, followed by a four-night stay on Greenland’s west coast at Ilulissat, where the massive Jakobshavn Glacier calves some 35 billion tons of icebergs into the sheltered waters of Ilulissat Icefjord, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on the world’s largest island. Excursions by helicopter for doors-off aerials, and by boat to get in among the massive bergs, yield extraordinary photographic opportunities.


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 elegant Hotel Holt, conveniently located in the city center. 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 for the first eight days in Greenland: 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. 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. 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. While underway, in the ship’s common area Frans, Justin, and the ship’s expedition staff will make inspiring and instructive presentations, and offer constructive feedback on participants’ photographs during group critique sessions, with the aid of the ship’s four large LCD screens.

To make this special itinerary possible, we have arranged three private charter flights aboard modern twin-engine turboprop airliners (Dash-8 and Bombardier Q200). After disembarking Rembrandt, a private charter flight whisks us across the world’s second largest icecap to the west coast and the small fishing port of Ilulissat, home to 5,000 Greenlanders and an equivalent number of sled dogs. There, our base will be Hotel Hvide Falk (White Falcon). One of the highlights there will be a series of helicopter excursions (one hour of flight time per participant, each with a window seat) to do aerial photography of icebergs, Jakobshavn Glacier and Ilulissat Icefjord, and to access the Greenland Ice Sheet itself. We will also make excursions on a local charter boats to approach towering icebergs, and hikes on the autumn tundra with stunning views of Disko Bay and the coastal mountains.

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

ITINERARY:

Sept 22 – Arrival day in Reykjavik: Transfers to Hotel Holt will be arranged for inbound guests from Keflavik International Airport (KEF). During the afternoon, there will be group introductions and orientation at the hotel’s library with wine and coffee served. 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 23 – Fly to eastern Greenland: Early breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport to catch our Air Iceland flight to Nerlerit Inaat Airport at Constable Point to board the S/V Rembrandt van Rijn. We then cruise on the S/V Rembrandt van Rijn to Scoresbysund.

Sept 24-29 – Aboard Rembrandt: Cruise around Scoresbysund and eastern Greenland coast 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. All meals and accommodations aboard ship.

Sept 30 – On to Ilulissat: Disembark at Constable Point and fly an Air Greenland private charter flight to Ilulissat in western Greenland. Check in to Hvide Falk Hotel, explore and photograph in town, and enjoy our first dinner on Greenland itself.

Oct 1-3 – Ilulissat and environs: Daily excursions around Ilulissat area: one helicopter flight per participant, with an hour of flight time at a window seat to do aerial photography of Jakobshavn Glacier,  the Ilulissat Icefjord and icebergs, plus a landing to photograph the calving face the Greenland ice sheet, the second largest ice cap on Earth; outings aboard local charter fishing boat (accommodates whole group if necessary); hikes to photograph autumn color on the tundra. Overnights at Hvide Falk, and meals at Hvide Falk and local restaurants.

Oct 4 – Fly home: After early morning photography in Ilulissat and breakfast at Hvide Falk, we will transfer to Ilulissat airport to board our exclusive charter flight to Keflavik International Airport, Iceland (including a refueling stop in Kangerlussuaq). Our itinerary ends with disembarkation at Keflavik.

The cost of the all-inclusive package (including all charter flights from Reykjavik) is $17,995 per person based on single-occupancy, or $15,995 per person double-occupancy.

INCLUSIONS:

  • Exclusive charter of the expedition vessel Rembrandt van Rijn, 8 days, 7 nights.
  • Three exclusive group charter flights aboard spacious and modern Dash-8 aircraft: Reykjavik, Iceland – Constable Point, Greenland; Constable Point – Ilulissat; Ilulissat – Reykjavik
  • Exclusive charter helicopter excursions in Ilulissat (one hour of flight time per guest, weather permitting)
  • Exclusive charter boat excursions among the icebergs in Ilulissat (at least two three-hour excursions per guest, weather permitting)
  • Accommodations in Reykjavik (one night) and Ilulissat (four nights)
  • All meals, including wine or beer with dinners
  • All ground transfers from arrival in Reykjavik to departure from Greenland.

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. Personal items including gifts or other purchases, any paid communications, hotel room service or minibar charges, travel insurance (required), etc. Optional activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary, e.g. additional helicopter flights, additional boat excursions.

 

Instructors

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    • 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 ...
    • Frans Lanting

    • FRANS LANTING has been hailed as one of the great nature photographers of our time.  His influential work appears in books, magazines, and exhibitions around the world.  Born in ...
    • Chris Eckstrom

    • Christine Eckstrom is a writer, editor, and videographer whose ...

Gallery

Pricing

Single Occupancy $17,995 (Limited)

Deposit $8,997.50
Full $17,995
Register

Double Occupancy $15,995 (Limited)

Deposit $7,997.50
Full $15,995
Register

Highlights

  • World-class team of leaders: Frans Lanting, Christine Eckstrom, and Justin Black.
  • Private charter exploration of Scoresbysund and Ilulissat Icefjord (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the fjords, islands, glaciers, and massive icebergs of Greenland’s east and west coasts, aboard the comfortable and capable Dutch-crewed schooner Rembrandt van Rijn.
  • Frequent landings by Zodiac to make the most of photographic opportunities along the coast and on the islands
  • Helicopter tour of Jakobshavn Glacier and icebergs with the doors open and ample time for aerial photography (we’re making four flights, so everyone gets a window seat) and a landing at the face of the ice sheet.
  • From Ilulissat, excursions by local fishing boat to venture close to huge icebergs at the mouth of the fjord, photo walks on the autumn tundra overlooking the bay, and experience of native Greenlander culture.
  • Autumn provides excellent potential to photograph the Aurora Borealis.
  • Includes three private charter flights aboard modern and spacious twin-turboprop aircraft (Dash-8 and : Reykjavik to Constable Point on Greenland’s east coast (RKV-CNP); Constable Point to Ilulissat on the west coast at Jakobshavn Ice Fjord and Disko Bay (CNP-JAV); return from Ilulissat to Keflavik Airport at Reykjavik Iceland (JAV–SFJ–KEF), including a refueling stop at Kangerlussuaq.

 

Accommodations

  • In Reykjavik, Sept 22: Hotel Holt, an elegant four-star boutique hotel on a quiet street in the historic city center that houses Iceland’s largest private art collection and is close to embassies, shops, and the Hallgrímskirkja Church Tower.
  • Scoresbysund, east coast of Greenland, Sept 23-30: 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 zodiacs for landings, a large restaurant that accommodates our entire group with room to spare, and comfortable common areas including a lounge and bar.
  • Ilulissat and west coast of Greenland, Sept 30-Oct 4: Hotel Hvide Falk, a cozy, clean, and comfortable hotel in the small, colorful coastal Greenlandic fishing and dog-sledding town.

 

Travel

airplane icon
Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF) for our initial group meeting. All flights from Reykjavik to Greenland and back are included.
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All ground transfers are included.
boat icon
We will set sail on S/V Rembrandt van Rijn for an 8-day/7-night private charter to explore Scoresbysund and Greenland's west coast. We will also make excursions from Ilulissat by local fishing boat to explore the coast and approach the large Jakobshavn Glacier icebergs that accumulate in the area.
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Hikes during our shore excursions will be easy to moderate.
weather icon
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. Weather in the Ilulissat area in September is generally good for Greenland, with highs ranging from 30º–40ºF and overnight lows ranging from 15º–30ºF, with a small chance of occasional light rain or light snow.

Outcomes

outcomes

Outdoor Photographer Magazine Publishes Participant Photos from our 2015 Greenland Expedition!

Outdoor Photographer has selected three photos from three separate participants on Visionary Wild’s 2015 Greenland expedition — Srdjan Mitrovic, Dan Warbrick, and Barbara Wrubel — for a feature article that will be published in their July 2016 issue. The article will spotlight the combined elements that make this trip so unique and will commemorate the experience as a rare opportunity that may not be repeated after this September. The Outdoor Photographer website has a page displaying those photos along with selections from Frans Lanting and Justin Black; click here to view the webpage. The July 2016 print edition will appear on newsstands in late June. We are proud to have been able to connect these expedition participants with such an acclaimed showcase for their photography!

Greenland

with Justin Black, Frans Lanting, Chris Eckstrom
September 22 - October 4, 2016 Expedition
Limited to 18 Participants. From $15,995  
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