Photo by: Anders Laursen
Location: Nuuk Greenland
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Greenland the West Coast

2024 Dates to be announced

  • Accomplished photographer and tour leader Ron Rosenstock.
  • Tour limited to 10 passengers.
  • Six days to photograph icebergs, glaciers, and Inuit villages of Western Greenland.
  • Boat excursions with heated cabin and bathroom, to explore and photograph fjords, islands, and melting glaciers, calving before you into the sea.
  • One of these excursions will be an overnight camping experience (in heated tents), under the stars, and one of your best chances for Northern Lights.
  • Visit an Inuit village and learn about their indigenous history and hardy lifestyle.
  • Although viewing the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, the timing of the tour is set to capture this wonder close to your accommodations in Nuuk.
Region

Europe

Destination

Greenland

Dates

September 6-15, 2024

Duration

9 days

$TBA

per person, double occupancy*

*U.S. dollars based upon minimum of 6 participants. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested (subject to availability), or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, there is a single room surcharge of $895.

Tour Overview

Our tour to Nuuk, Greenland sold out in 2022 and Ron is excited to return next year with a group of like-minded fellow photographers who want to be at the right place at the right time. Ron took groups to Eastern Greenland for years but finds the accommodations in the West much more comfortable with ensuite hotel rooms, choice of restaurants to walk to, and boat excursions in heated cabin with bathroom on board.

The 2023 tour will include one evening of ‘Glamping’. Your private boat...

Our tour to Nuuk, Greenland sold out in 2022 and Ron is excited to return next year with a group of like-minded fellow photographers who want to be at the right place at the right time. Ron took groups to Eastern Greenland for years but finds the accommodations in the West much more comfortable with ensuite hotel rooms, choice of restaurants to walk to, and boat excursions in heated cabin with bathroom on board.

The 2023 tour will include one evening of ‘Glamping’. Your private boat will cruise along the fjords and end up at your glamping site in which you will overnight one evening under the stars. To get the most out of the experience and your photography you should be able to hike over rough terrain in order to traverse the immense rocks in the area. Anyone who is reasonably fit and able to handle their own gear will enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. Walking sticks are always recommended on uneven terrain.

What to Expect
Enjoy six evenings in Nuuk with three boat tours during your stay. Weather permitting, there will be two chances to photograph the Northern Lights, one from your Glamping overnight stay and the other in Nuuk (see Ron’s cover photo). All participants need to be able to get in and out of boats with their camera gear in hand (easily accessible via docks) and go out on various easy-to-moderate walks during your stay (walking sticks recommended). The group flight to Greenland departs from Keflavik, Iceland. Therefore, we have included Iceland hotel rooms for the first evening, and for your last evening, after the Greenland portion of the tour.

Be prepared for early morning and evening cold temps, with long hours outside each day. Given this information, you will be amazed by the landscape and imagery you capture in these beautiful, untamed settings. It’s a must see for all photographers.

Meals will be of the local variety, which will consist of seafood, and lamb, with limited meat and chicken while in Greenland. Notify Strabo Tours of any dietary restrictions. You may wish to pack specific snacks in your checked luggage. You may wish to purchase groceries in Greenland in order to pack snacks & lunch for one of the boat excursions.

The other thing to be aware of is that it is fairly common for flights (domestic and International) to be delayed or even canceled for a day or more due to the Arctic weather. The flights to Greenland are limited and do not take place every day. For these reasons, we strongly encourage you to take out travel insurance, as Strabo Tours cannot be held responsible for Airline changes or cancellations.

Photo Leader

Ron Rosenstock

Known as a land of fire and ice, Iceland’s topography is stark and diverse, with a light that seems to emanate from within.  In a land subject to violent forces of nature, Ron’s quiet, yet powerful, vision is able to capture the country’s pristine beauty.  Many of his images of snow patterns, broken ice, surf, and lava, tend to create abstract patterns that draw the viewer in. And, throughout the book, Ron evocatively captures the softness of waterfalls and swirling tides, as well as the power of lava formations and sea stacks. Even if you have been to Iceland, one is mysteriously touched by the haunting landscape.  And, if, like me, you haven’t been there – his captivating photographs make you long to visit this vast, unspoiled country

— S. Corbin

Ron was the perfect leader for this trip. He is organized, supportive and very generous with advice and his camera equipment. I would definitely do another trip with him.

— K. Marryat

WOW!  Our trip this summer with you to Greenland and Iceland was a trip to remember for a lifetime. Greenland was an adventure, we loved it! The Icebergs, boating, staying in an Inuit village.  and the scenery were fantastic. In Iceland, at each place we stayed and ate we were so well taken care of, thanks to all the planning done beforehand. We love traveling with you Ron, you calmly adjust to situations and you bring us to fantastic places. ‘Till next time…

— Mary & Rick Thayer

Bottom line: the trip was awesome! I think it was all & more than as advertised. We got what we went there fore…. outstanding photography & adventure. Ron has many repeat clients for his tours because he is a consummate photographer, a great organizer, and a great tour leader. Everything else was top noth. The accommodations & meals in Iceland were all any of us could expect. The local Danish chef who cooked all our meals in Greenland was extraordinary, we admired him and became good friends. 

— R. Frederick

It is amazing what your local guide in Greenland is doing in Tasiilaq. His houses were great to stay in, a real taste of Greenland life. He is also an excellent captain, it ws a real treat being out on the water with him. Ron does a fantastic job. It is so comfortable going with him, and the places we get to and the experiences we have are fantastic. The group was great to.

— M Thayer

Many thanks for a wonderful trip. The photography has been most productive, but more importantly your insight into creativity will prove most helpful in the future. I hope to be making an other trip with you next year.Thanks again.

— F. Mertes

Tour Itinerary

September 6: Home

It is likely you will need to depart home today on an overnight flight to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) outside Reykjavik, Iceland. (Meals on plane)

September 7: Keflavik

Hotel rooms have been reserved for the group with an early check-in on September 7th (between 8-10AM), so that everyone can get to Iceland a day ahead of the Greenland flight. This will give you time to rest and relax on your own before your welcome dinner this evening. Overnight Keflavik (D)

The estimated cost of the round trip ticket between Iceland and Greenland has been INCLUDED in the land cost. The airline may change the flight time or the day of the week of departures. Strabo Tours will notify you via email if they make changes in the schedule or cost of the flight. The flight duration is approximately 3.5 hours.

September 8: Keflavik - Nuuk, Iceland

The group flight to Nuuk, Greenland is expected to be at 8AM this morning, landing approximately 10AM. You will be transferred to your accommodations and begin your Greenland photo tour. The hotel will do their best to have rooms ready upon arrival. If they are not, you can enjoy your group lunch at the hotel and enjoy your first photo walk with Ron to get acclimated to your environs. Return to the hotel for a bit of a rest and enjoy your welcome dinner. After dinner Ron will discuss what to expect when aboard the boat, photographing, and what to pack for the cruise outings. Overnight Nuuk (L, D)

September 9-13: Greenland

The day-by-day events can always change depending on weather, light, and the sea conditions. Your guides will take these factors into consideration as they plan the schedule for the next day. There will be three days with boat excursions planned, and two days around the capital city of Nuuk. On boat excursion days you may want to pack groceries from the local supermarket for snacks or lunch or grab something to go from a local restaurant.

One boat excursion will be to Kapisillit, a unique place in Greenland. The Greenlandic people often go on vacation with their families in this deep fiord, and you will understand why. The depth and the height of the mountains are awesome. It is believed to be the only place on the Greenland landmass where the salmon travel up-river to spawn. It is also the last native settlement in the region, as the others have been abandoned.

The next day will be spent on foot and/or with local transportation in and around photographic locations which Ron has previously scouted. Enjoy an extended walking tour photographing the architecture and scenes from the half mile long boardwalk along the sea. This evening you will need time to pack an overnight bag with all your essentials (camera gear, medicines, all important documents, etc.). Your large suitcase will be held by the front desk of the hotel until your return the following day. Ron will hold a photography discussion late this afternoon or early evening to discuss photographing the Northern Lights.

Since you were on land all day yesterday, today you return to the sea. As the terrain consists of uneven rocks on the island where you will be glamping, we suggest packing a collapsible walking stick. The destination is deep in the Nuuk fjord, with fantastic hiking opportunities, large tents with comfortable beds and a view you can enjoy. The place is completely out of internet range, so be prepared to be disconnected while enjoying nature and its silence. If you’d like, there will be an opportunity to get into a dry suit and go on a paddleboard or kayak in the fjord that often times has icebergs. The evening may be the best chance for Northern Lights as you will be far away from the city lights. There is a mess tent and bathroom tent close by.

Return to Nuuk the next day, checking back into the hotel for the next two evenings. There will be additional photography in town with Ron. He will show you the excellent Greenland National Museum in town should someone like to take an optional tour. Late this evening you will be transferred to an area outside of town, away from the city lights, in the hopes of capturing more Northern Lights.

On your last full day in Greenland you will enjoy a half-day boat trip to photograph icebergs and the surrounding fjords. You will photograph the immense landscape and may experience wildlife like whales, seals, birdlife, including white-tipped eagles. On your return to Nuuk harbor, you will walk back to the hotel and have additional time on your own before meeting for your farewell dinner. Take time to prepare for your flight back to Iceland tomorrow. Overnights Nuuk (B each day, all meals day of Glamping, and Farewell Dinner)

September 14: Greenland - Iceland

There will be a transfer back to the airport this morning, where you will take your return flight to Keflavik Iceland. The flight arrives in Iceland at approximately 4 PM (Iceland time). Prepare this evening for flights home tomorrow or take a lovely photo walk to the harbor for sunset. Overnight Keflavik (B)

September 15: Keflavik, Iceland - Home

You can depart at any time today, if you have a late afternoon flight the hotel can hold your luggage while you enjoy exploring the Keflavik harbor. (B given time)