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Greenland - Scoresbysund

with Justin Black, Chris Linder, Jerry Dodrill
September 2 - 18, 2024 Expedition
Limited to 18 Participants. From $16,950  
Register Now
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  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Instructors
  • Gallery
  • Pricing
  • Highlights
  • Accommodations
  • Travel
  • Expectations

Overview

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 bus to Akureyri. 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. After disembarking Rembrandt at Akureyri, we will be picked up by our group bus and drive back to Reykjavik, where a celebratory group dinner and final restful night at Hotel Holt await you.

 

Itinerary

ITINERARY:

Sept 2 – 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 3 – Transfer to the harbor, and set sail to Greenland: Early breakfast at the hotel and transfer by comfortable bus through a scenic landscape to Akureyri, where we will meet our ship’s expedition leader and board the S/V Rembrandt van Rijn. We then set sail and cruise aboard S/V Rembrandt van Rijn into the expansive Scoresbysund fjord system.

Sept 4-17 – Aboard Rembrandt: Cruise through the incredible landscape that forms the vast Scoresbysund system aboard Rembrandt van Rijn, visiting icebergs and islands, following whales and polar bears, 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 17 – Return to Reykjavik: After breakfast, we disembark at Akureyri to board our bus to Reykjavik, Iceland. After settling back into the Hotel Holt, we will go out on the town for a celebratory final dinner. Overnight in Reykjavik at Hotel Holt.

Sept 18 – Fly Home: Airport transfers provided from Hotel Holt to Keflavik International Airport.

The cost of the all-inclusive package is $18,500 per person based on single-occupancy, or $16,000 per person double-occupancy.

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 ...
    • 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 ...
    • Jerry Dodrill

    • Jerry Dodrill has been an award-winning professional photographer and highly regarded photography teacher for more than two decades. A protégé of the late legendary adventure photographer Galen Rowell ...

Gallery

Pricing

Single Occupancy $18,500

Deposit $5,550
Full $18,500
Register

Double Occupancy $16,950

Deposit $5,085
Full $16,950
Register

Single-occupancy (both at Hotel Holt and aboard Rembrandt van Rijn): $18,500

Double-occupancy (both at Hotel Holt and aboard Rembrandt van Rijn): $16,950

Payment Schedule

  • 30% first deposit upon booking.
  • 30% payment due on December 2, 2023
  • 40% final payment due on March 2, 2024

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:

  • Exclusive charter of the expedition vessel Rembrandt van Rijn, 15 days, 14 nights.
  • Exclusive round-trip group charter bus to Akureyri to meet our ship, and back to 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, and emergency medical treatment and evacuation insurance (required), etc. Any activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary.

Highlights

  • World-class team of leaders: Justin Black, Chris Linder, and Jerry Dodrill, 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 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 bus from Reykjavik – Akureyri – Reykjavik

Accommodations

  • In Reykjavik, nights of Sept 8 and 20: Hotel Holt, 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 9-20: 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 plus one smaller one for landings and iceberg cruises, a large dining room / classroom space 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.
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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 15-day/14-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, 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

Greenland - Scoresbysund

with Justin Black, Chris Linder, Jerry Dodrill
September 2 - 18, 2024 Expedition
Limited to 18 Participants. From $16,950  
Register Now
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