The desire for adventure is genetically coded into us humans. Now is your chance to follow in the footsteps of the adventurous Vikings to expand your horizons. On an unforgettable voyage among the islands of the North Atlantic: Iceland – Faroe Islands – Scotland.
This is an exciting expedition combining ocean crossing from Svalbard to Greenland, and exploration and discoveries along the coast of East-Greenland. One of the world’s most inaccessible places! During the crossings, we really get to experience the open ocean, and we sail into waters where we often encounter sea ice, even in late summer. Arriving in Greenland we will get close to huge icebergs, ice floes and glaciers. It takes us a short week of sea crossing to get to the east coast of Greenland, 4-6 days depending on weather and wind.
From Longyearbyen to East-Greenland and Iceland
This trip starts in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and ends in Isafjordur in Iceland. During the expedition we get to experience Greenland’s greatness. Among fjords, mountains and glaciers on the east coast. We’ll get close to the huge inland ice cap that calves icebergs as big as skyscrapers right in the fjord. And 2000 meter high granite walls towering up to alpine peaks straight out of the sea.
Among the world’s most inaccessible places
Greenland’s east coast is a very inaccessible area, only visited by very few before us. The inland ice blocks access from the west, and for up to 10 months a year the sea ice blocks access from the east. We are vulnerable, far from civilization and quite alone. So we’ll have to be careful and manoeuvre slowly, but get to experience some of the most spectacular landscapes our planet has to offer.
Exploring together
Along the way, we’ll go ashore and explore. Hike some of the mountains surrounding us where perhaps nobody has set foot before us. And have bonfires on the beach in deserted bays in this majestic landscape. We will visit the small Inuit settlements, their hunting cabins and cultural monuments we sail past. In addition to learning about the indigenous culture. We will sail a lot and learn a lot. About ocean sailing, sea ice, the sun and the stars, whales and the seabirds that fill the days on the high seas. Not least, we will explore the fjords on Liverpool land and the world’s largest fjord system Scoresbysound (Kangertittivaq)!
Scoresbysound and Ittoqqortoormiit
At the entrance to Scoresby we are firstly met by a disturbingly isolated settlement. The village is called Ittoqqortoormiit, and has just over 400 inhabitants. We go ashore in this settlement, which rarely gets visitors, – a big event both for us and the local population. In Greenland their settlements and villages are not connected by any roads, so all transport takes place by ship only in the summer, or by small aircrafts and helicopter. Everyone lives in small wooden houses in bright, cheerful colours. We arrive on the warmest days of the year, when the inhabitants are out enjoying the sun, before the harsh winter returns.
After a couple of days exploring along the east coast and inside Scoresbysound, we again set sails heading for Ísafjörður in Iceland. The crossing takes around 2 days, before we arrive in the Westfjords on Iceland’s north-west coast and can celebrate a successful and unforgettable expedition!
Be part of the crew on board
From SeilNorge we will provide skipper, co-skipper and crew/guide. All good sailors, of whom at least one of us will have solid sailing time and experience from similar expeditions. The guide and remaining crew on board also take responsibility for being polar bear watch on land. En route for sail or motor, we include everyone in the sailing and all tasks onboard. From standing behind the helm and hoisting sails, to cooking, cleaning and planning the sailing legs. We mostly sail around the clock and divide everyone into watch teams. Where we rotate with 4 hours on and 8 hours off. In addition, we add a few shorter shifts each afternoon, so that the night shifts also rotate between the watch teams throughout the expedition.
This expedition is primarily a great voyage of discovery, but also an excellent opportunity to learn about sailing and navigation. Not least about using the boat as our base for discoveries and experiences on land. We are all adventurers – and we explore together. Are you ready for your lifetime sailing adventure to Greenland and Iceland?
Our expedition vessel, Valiente
It’s not just any sailboat we use on this trip, but our 70-foot expedition boat Valiente. She is a very sturdy and comfortable boat built in steel for sailing in arctic waters. The boat is amply equipped and has large outdoor areas, a wheelhouse, and a saloon with a 360-degree view. Here you can see pictures and read more about Valiente.
Environment & Sustainability
The Arctic is a vulnerable area under pressure from people and the climate. In SeilNorge we are committed to taking care of the environment to the greatest extent possible. We believe that small boats with few people and little pollution and waste are significantly less harmful to the environment, climate and local wildlife than larger vessels and cruise ships. Along the way at the places we visit, we try to clean up rubbish. We only take memories and pictures home, and avoid leaving any traces behind.
Keeping the lowest possible carbon footprint is important to us. Therefore we sail as long as there is wind, and we work purposely with food, purchasing and waste management. Even if we have to use our engine for propulsion when there is no wind, our trips are among the most sustainable ways to experience the Arctic.
Day 1: Welcome on board in Longyearbyen
Days 2-6: From Svalbard to East Greenland
Day 7-8: Exploration of uncharted fjords on Liverpool Land
Day 9-11: Scoresbysund
Day 12-14: Sail from Scoresby to Isafjordur in Iceland
Changes to the program
What is included?
• A trip experience with sailboat – experienced skipper with local knowledge on board
• Co-skipper and crew/guide on board
• All food we eat on board during the trip
• Our Comfort Package, which consists of accommodation on board in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!)
• An environmentally friendly, local, sustainable, unique, exotic and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
• A shared experience and friendship with like-minded adventurers from around the world
• A lot of time outdoors – raw and honest nature experiences
• Use of our shared equipment if available: dinghies, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc.
• All boat-related costs such as diesel, propane and harbor fees
• Personal safety equipment; Helly Hansen inflatable lifejacket
• Survival suit and Search and Rescue (SAR) Insurance for everyone on board
• Instruction, advice, guidance and practical training in boating and sailing
What is not included?
• Travel to and from the start/end location
• Optional meals at a cafes/restaurants during the trip
• Entrance to galleries, museums, or other alternative activities that you/we may come up with
• Rental of equipment and/or activities from external operators, ex. kayak, glacier hiking or surfing where possible
• Drinks such as wine, beer or exclusive apple juice and other luxuries (yes, we drink beer and wine on board, bring your own)
• Travel insurance and/or cancellation insurance – (up to you, but recommended!)