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, soaring coastal mountains, tundra in autumn color, the vast Greenland Ice Sheet, and the Aurora Borealis combine to form an incomparable landscape. Join a world-class team of leaders – Daisy Gilardini, Daniel Beltrá, and Jerry Dodrill – for this expedition to Greenland, photographing this arctic wilderness in all its glory. With generous photographic instruction and attentive support throughout, 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 as 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, Daniel, Daisy, Jerry, and the ship’s expedition staff will make instructive and inspiring 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.
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: 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 Hotel Holt await you.
Itinerary
Sept 3 – 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 library. 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 4 – 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 4-14 – 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 Daisy Gilardini, Daniel Beltrá, and Jerry Dodrill will take place aboard Rembrandt while we are underway from one location to another. All meals and accommodations aboard ship.
Sept 14 – 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 Hotel Holt, we will go out on the town for a celebratory final dinner. Overnight in Reykjavik.
Sept 15 – Fly Home: Airport transfers provided from the Hotel Holt to Keflavik International Airport.