EAST GREENLAND 2024
EXPEDITION ARCTIC FJORDSCAPES
DESIGNED, CURATED and HOSTED BY JOE SHUTTER & DREW SIMMS
23 - 30 August 2024
Berths available: 9. Very small group experience.
On the far-flung shores of the East coast of Greenland, we find perhaps the most barren areas of the whole island. As we traverse south along the East coast and into the mystical fjords, these features metamorphose into an increasingly unforgiving landscape. This expedition will take you on an invigorating and disconnected exploration far away from the stresses of the modern world. This slice of simplicity and proximity to nature brings a much-needed restoration for the spirit that is weary of modernity.
Watch Greenland transform into a barren wilderness over the course of 7 night and 8 days with us on our bespoke expedition to East Greenland.
We call this an expedition because an expedition involves a constant assessment of the conditions. This is the Arctic, after all, and we are sailing, after all. We have to be able to respond to local conditions and wildlife sightings. This is one of the biggest benefits to being on a small ship like ours.
We undertake to explore the secrets of this mysterious land, places where very few have set foot or sailed.
APPLY TO JOIN DREW IN GREENLAND!
The Arctic Fjoordscapes Expedition is applied for scheduled Zoom call with the expedition hosts. This is an absolutely essential part of the process for choosing the right and the best group to take with us to Greenland.
Here’s what you need to do:
Read through the information on this page, all the way down!
Find the Zoom call scheduling window at the bottom of the page
Choose a date and time and Book a call with Drew and Joe
Next steps follow on from the Zoom call
Greenland has the power to inspire wonder in the imagination.
WHAT WILL GREENLAND MEAN FOR YOU?
To book a call to apply for the East Greenland Expedition, head to the bottom of this page where you will find the Zoom Call scheduling window.
GREENLAND MEMORIES
JOINING YOU ON BOARD
We have no back-office. Joe & Drew prefer to imagine, prepare and lead all adventures from the front, alongside you.
Joe Shutter
Founder, Expedition Leader & Explorer
Welcome, curious explorer! Joe here. British-Brazilian, I have called Iceland my home for the past 10 years.
Greenland has been my boldest adventure so far. There are moments in life that cry out to be fulfilled. For me, seducing the spirits of fellow explorers and sharing in the wonders of Greenland is my repeatable aim. Bringing people together with a common passion has always been my favourite thing: there’s a special energy in this that I have never found anywhere else.
My affinity for the Arctic regions has no limits. Through my lens and many years of exploration I have honed the artful skill of curating positive and purposeful experiences which I take great joy in sharing with fellow explorers.
With humility and respect for the natural world, I am committed to sharing these vast and barely traversed regions with others, using my expertise to help you discover your own connections with the boundless wonderment of Greenland and the surrounding Arctic.
Expedition Co-Host & Adventurer Extraordinaire
Hey there, I'm Drew Simms—an avid photographer and filmmaker, with a passion for adventure and exploration.
For the past 8 years, I've been on a endless journey of seeking out breathtaking landscapes and fleeting moments of wonder. There is something truly special about getting out of your comfort zone and taking on new and challenging adventures.
That's why I'm thrilled to invite you to join me on an unforgettable expedition through Greenland’s pristine landscapes.
Together, we'll witness glaciers, icebergs, fjords, and wildlife—a journey that promises to be as awe-inspiring as it is transformative. Come, join me on this adventure, and let's uncover the hidden wonders of Greenland together—one frame at a time.
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
The expedition will start in Iceland. From there, a private charter flight will take us to Constable Point. From Constable Point, we sail down the channel, briefly to the village of Ittoqqortoormiit, and then into the fjord system for the rest of the week. If you’re wondering what the rest of the days have on store for you, you will find a brief description below.
Reykjavik
Pop: 135,688
Reykjavik will very likely feel very small (unless you’ve come from somewhere smaller).
Kulusuk Airport (IATA Code: KUS)
Less of an asphalt operation and more of a wet (and sometimes dry) dirt operation. No jets, just turbo props.
Expedition Overview
Arctic Fjordscapes of East Greenland
Pop: 0, just us
Area: 100,000s sq.kms. Hundreds of miles of coastline. Vast, untouched Arctic wilderness.
Expedition Details
DAY 1 - August 23rd
We meet at Reykjavik Domestic Airport in the morning for our flight to Kulusuk. Flight time 1 hours 30 minutes.
Board Byr and get an introduction from the Captain and crew before setting sailing through the channels and fjords of East Greenland. We will leave our anchorage and sail out of the Torssut Sound and into Ammassalik Fjord where we will immediately view our first large icebergs. Continuing on to Kong Oscar ́s Harbour and the town of Tasiilaq. We will go ashore and explore the colourful town and perhaps hike into ‘Flower Valley’ and the stunning hills surrounding Tasiilaq.
In the late afternoon we will move to our first anchorage a short distance from Tasiilaq for a satisfying dinner and our first night onboard the Arktika.
DAY 2 - August 24th
We continue our journey past Ammassalik Island and into the great Sermilik Fjord passing the abandoned village of Ikateq and the Erit Skerries (made famous when Bill Tilman lost his boat Sea Breeze there in 1972). We sail across Sermilik and into Johan Petersen Fjord where we will anchor. This majestic landscape offers numerous calving glaciers which cascade directly off the inland icecap creating gigantic icebergs that fill the fjords.
Option for a paddle or hike in the afternoon.
DAY 3 - August 25th
A day spent hiking and/or kayaking in Johan Petersen Fjord with captivating views over the inland icecap from the nearby mountains. We hope to see whales and seals, frequent visitors to this fjord. Second night will be spent at the same anchorage.
DAY 4 - August 26th
Sail back across Sermilik Fjord and anchor in a good sheltered spot with a great view of this spectacular ice-fjord. Again there are good options for hikes ashore or paddle on sea kayaks. Note that none of our hikes are on established trails. We may follow traditional routes but we will be walking on un-marked terrain. It’s the Greenlandic way.
DAY 5 - August 27th
We will continue onwards to the village of Tiniteqilaq. This tiny settlement with approximately 120 inhabitants is situated on a small promontory with spectacular views over Sermilik Fjord.
Hunting, fishing and tourism are the main sources of income for the population of Tiniteqilaq. We ́ll visit the village and hike in the neighbouring hills before spending the night at anchor adjacent to the village.
Our expedition continues through the stunning Ikasagtivaq Sound to Ammassalik Fjord. Here we have a an option of heading inland towards the village of Kummiut and the Ikasak sound or to continue exploring Ammassalik island.
Option for hiking and/or kayaking in the afternoon.
DAY 6 - August 28th
Today we explore the Sammileq, Tasiilaq or Imiilaa fjords with great hiking along mountain lakes with small calving glaciers and abundance of wild flowers. Another option may be to sail into Ikasak Sound and continue onwards to Ikateq Sound where we visit the abandoned US airbase - Bluie East 2. The remains from the US operations during WWII are still there to be seen and explored.
DAY 7 - August 29th
Our last full day will be spent exploring in the Ammassalik fjord with options of hiking or paddling. The day will end when we return to the neighbourhood of Kulusuk where we will anchore for our last night.
DAY 8 - August 30th
Our journey concludes as we return by sail to Kulusuk for our return flight to Iceland. We will go ashore in the village in the morning to have a little walk around before making our way to the airport.
OUR VESSEL: SCHOONER BYR
BYR
The Arctic Schooner
Passengers: 9
This two-masted schooner has sailed all over the world, completing several trans-Atlantic crossings. Ópal has since undergone restoration and had interior work done to better fit her for the new purpose as an expedition ship.
DETAILS:
Dates: 23-30 August 2024
Price: €7,995 with a 20% deposit payable
Total berths: 9
Available berths: 9
We fly to Greenland from Iceland
We fly back from Greenland to Iceland
INCLUDED:
Sailing expedition on board Schooner Byr
Your flight from Iceland to Greenland on Day 1
Your flight to Iceland form Greenland on Day 8
Champagne reception on board.
All meals on board (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Accommodation on board, incl. bedding & towels
Guided zodiac excursions to shore
Guided hikes
Paddling boarding
EXCLUDED:
Your flights to and from Iceland
Personal travel & health insurance
Additional beer and wine for meals
Crew gratuities (discretionary)
We recommend that you arrive at least one day before we depart for Greenland, and book your journey home at least one day after we return
FAQ’s
Below are some answers to a few commonly asked questions, with some additional suggestions. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, then you can raise it with us via a Zoom call.
-
What level of photography do I require?
This is not expressively a photography workshop, but Joe will be happy to assist and guide you as you wish. You can be as creatively active or as inactive as you like!
How fit do I need to be?
You can engage in as much or as little physical exertion as you like, but you do need to be able to get into and out of the ship and zodiac, and manoeuvre the stairs and bunkbeds.
What & where will we eat?
All meals will be prepared and served by a chef on board Linden, and dietary requirements can be supported.
Will we see the Northern Lights?
It’s possible! Mother Nature works in mysterious ways, but we have enjoyed the light show of the Aurora Borealis many times in Greenland between August-September.
What will the weather be like during August in Greenland?
The weather in June will be near 5 °C / 40 °F throughout the day, dropping to 0 °C / 30 °F at night. With this said, windchill may decrease the temperature - please see the ‘Clothing’ FAQ section.
-
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes! It’s essential to dress appropriately for arctic conditions. Below are our recommendations:
Sturdy hiking boots for getting off the boat and exploring land (if you wish to)
Comfy and warm shoes for below deck, such as slippers
1st layer: base layer, like merino wool or bamboo long-sleeve & leggings
2nd layer: mid-layer, like a wool jumper, fleece, or packable puffy jacket.
Main outer layer: like a down-filled coat. We will be sailing in “summer”, but the Arctic does not follow any usual weather rules, so you must come prepared
Waterproof layer: GORE-TEX zip-up coat or similar, and ideally it’s also windproof to tolerate any windchill.
-
If you enjoy reading then definitely bring a book or two. You’ll likely cherish that book in the future, knowing where you read it
If you like journaling and writing then bring along a pen & notebook
Sunblock! The Arctic sun has no mercy, and reflects strongly off the snow, ice and sea water
In the same vein as sunblock, bring lip balm, as the Artic summer is drying
A water bottle. It’s much easier to use on board than a regular cup
Finally, don’t forget to bring your expeditionary spirit!
APPLY TO JOIN US!
WHO ARE YOU?
A proper expedition is always comprised of an elaborate mosaic of characters, each with their own story and each with something to offer to the expedition group. Our job is to put together an incredible group of people: similar enough to embrace the spirit of adventure in the Arctic, different enough to introduce healthy diversity and counterpoint in the individual and shared experience of the Arctic.
We need to ensure that everyone who seeks to join us on our expeditions are a positive, forthcoming and interesting individual, hence why The Great Expedition Company follows a curation protocol when selecting guests to join us. This is why our selection process is curated.
Having “what it takes” simply means you’re open to new places, new people and unforgettable sights. We’re all smart in different ways, and it’s up to team leading the expedition to put together a truly excellent group for a truly exceptional experience.
Find the Zoom call scheduling window below, tell us something about yourself and then book a call with us to discuss your participation.