In the Footsteps of the Pioneers of the Arctic
18th August – 10th September 2020
From AU24,832 per person
Travel with us to the Arctic Wilderness on this tour to Greenland, Baffin Bay and as far north as the ice conditions allow.
On this fully escorted tour you will encounter Inuit culture, view the mighty Greenland Ice Shield, thousands of icebergs and travel to places very few people have seen.
The tour price includes return airfares in your chosen class between Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane and Kangerlussuaq in Greenland via Germany, a 17-day cruise on HANSEATIC nature, 2 nights’ accommodation on the way over and one on the return in Germany, all transfers in Germany and Greenland.
In Germany, breakfasts and a Welcome Dinner are included, full board on the ship.
Expedition Canadian Arctic – The Call of the Far North
Between Greenland and northern Canada lies a world of bizarre beauty: on this expedition, we follow in the footsteps of great pioneers into the white wilderness of the Arctic.
Tue, 18.08.2020:
Departure Australia
Wed, 19.08.2020:
Arrival Hamburg or Hannover airport
Transfer to our hotel in the historic town of Goslar
Afternoon at walking tour of the old town
Welcome Dinner in one of the local restaurants
Goslar is the only town with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the city limits: the old town for its overwhelming beauty and the salt mines which have been in operation from the bronze age till 1960
Stay: 2 nights
Thu, 20.08.2020:
Full day tour of the Harz Mountains and historic city of Quedlinburg
Fri, 21.08.2020:
Transfer to the airport for our
Charter flight from Germany* to Kangerlussuaq/Greenland
Transfer to our home for the next 17 days: MS HANSEATIC inspiration
Sat, 22.08.2020:
Relaxation at sea
Sun, 23.08.2020:
Western coast of Greenland (Uummannaq)
Continue the story of exploration in the far north as you set out on a breath taking adventure to the polar expanses on board the HANSEATIC inspiration. In Greenland, Uummannaq will greet you with colourful houses and the striking backdrop of a heart-shaped mountain shimmering red.
Mon, 24.08.2020:
Relaxation at sea
Tue, 25.08.2020 to Fri, 28.08.2020:
North Canadian Arctic (Baffin Island, Devon Island, Ellesmere Island, Jones Sound)
Experience Inuit culture and history in Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. Awaiting you is a warm welcome from the inhabitants of this traditional settlement surrounded by snow-covered mountain ranges on Eclipse Sound. Robust Zodiacs are the only way to explore this region, including Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island. Gleaming blue ice is reflected in the crystal-clear water, and with luck you will spot some mighty musk oxen and cute lemmings. The HANSEATIC inspiration continues further north, reaching Ellesmere Island and its abandoned outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In the clear polar air, cruising through Jones Sound presents unique Arctic panoramas. Finally, immerse yourself in the seldom-visited waters of Smith Sound.
Sat, 29.08.2020:
Relaxation at sea/sailing through Smith Sound
Sun, 30.08.2020:
Pim Island (Nares Strait)
A reverent silence hangs in the air, broken only by an isolated crack of glacier ice or the call of a kittiwake. Your expedition ship reaches red-rocked Pim Island, which is highly popular with polar bears and Arctic foxes. From here on in, the ice determines the course. Following the call of the north, the HANSEATIC inspiration cruises through the icy waters of the Nares Strait, where expedition history was made.
Mon, 31.08.2020 to Thu, 03.09.2020:
North-west coast of Greenland (Cape Constitution, Siorapaluk, Qaanaq, Cape York)
Greenland’s Cape Constitution, where Elisha Kane proudly raised the American flag in 1854, is also of historical significance. Siorapaluk, Greenland’s most northerly settlement, is a remote place on the strait of Smith Sound. The approximately 80 inhabitants earn their living from hunting and fishing. Further south, the colourful houses of the young settlement of Qaanaaq form a beautiful chessboard pattern. Named Old Thule before the Cold War, it was moved to make way for a military base and given a new name. Pioneers such as Robert Edwin Peary set out from Old Thule for the North Pole. Cape York, where you will board Zodiacs to explore the icy landscape, still has a memorial to the great American explorer.
Fri, 04.09.2020:
Relaxation at sea
Sat, 05.09.2020 to Sun, 06.09.2020:
Western coast of Greenland (Ilulissat, Disko Bay, Sisimiut)
Passing through the Vaigat Strait, you will head for Ilulissat, closing in on another highlight of your expedition: even well-travelled visitors are left speechless by the imposing ice fjord. Experience gigantic ice formations in the famous Disko Bay: massive blocks of ice which have broken off the glacier drift in the sea – one of the most impressive spectacles in Greenland. A magical world of blue and white for you to discover on the HANSEATIC inspiration and in the Zodiacs, depending on the ice. In the old town of Sisimiut, historic houses cling to steep cliffs, while a museum and two churches reflect the city’s exciting history as a missionary station and trading post. Together with the experts, you can hike to Tele Island.
Mon, 07.09.2020:
Kangerlussuaq/Greenland, arrival 6.00 hrs
Charter flight from Kangerlussuaq to Germany*
Your expedition days in the Canadian Arctic then end back in Kangerlussuaq – but your memories of this time will stay with you forever.
On arrival we will transfer to our hotel for the night
Tue, 08.09.2020:
Transfer to the airport for our flight home
Thu, 10.09.2020:
Arrival in Australia
Cruise Price per person, sharing twin AU$24,832
Single AU$32,041
Includes in the Tour Price:
• Return airfares Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane to Hamburg including taxes and surcharges
• Return charter flight between Hannover* and Kangerlussuaq
• Group transfer from Hamburg airport to Goslar
• 2 nights accommodation in a 3*+ hotel with breakfast
• Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
• Half day walking tour of the old town with a local guide
• Group transfer to Hannover* airport
• 17-day cruise in Category 1 (single Cat 2) cabin
• Airport transfers and 1 night accommodation when returning from the cruise
* Details of the charter flights will only be available about 6 months before departure. In the past, the flights left from and arrived back at Hannover which is about one hour away from Goslar. Occasionally Düsseldorf (about 4 hours from Goslar) has been used.
Surcharges for higher category cabin:
Category 3 French Balcony $1,931
Category 4 Balcony $2,882
Category 5 French Balcony $2,882
Category 6 Balcony $3,848
Category 6 single Balcony $4,797
Category 7 Balcony $4,813
Category 8 Balcony $5,762
Category 9 Junior Suite $9,610
Category 10 Grand Suite $21,118
Payment:
• Deposit of 20% of the tour price within 7 days of booking
• Interim payment for air fares due on 20th August, 2019
• $2,000 for Economy Class
• $4,000 for Premium Economy
• $6,500 for Business Class
• Once air tickets are issued this payment is subject to cancellation and amendment penalties determined by the airlines
• Balance due on 20th June, 2020
Cancellation Fees per person in addition to air ticket penalties
• Until 10th January, 2020 $500
• 20th March, 2020 20% of the tour price
• 19th May, 2020 45%
• 04th July, 2020 70%
•Then (includes air)100%
The Ship:
MS HANSEATIC inspiration will launch in October 2019 and will be owned and operated by Hapag Lloyd Cruises, part of TUI
• Launch in October 2019
• Aim for 5* Berlitz Rating
• 15,650 GT
• 230 passengers – 199 in Antarctica
• 175 crew
• Highest Polar Class for passenger vessels PC6
• All cruises on HANSEATIC inspiration will be bi-lingual
This is a Balcony Cabin. Standard cabins are the same interior size, layout and décor.