Announcing - The Final Greenland Geo-Tour - GL11! (click for more details)

Join us this summer for 9 days of intense exploration and fluorescent mineral collecting in the famous Ilimaussaq Complex, South Greenland.   We have conducted these tours almost every year for the past ten years - and have decided that this summer will be the last.   It's been a great experience and has brought a whole new suite of fluorescent minerals to the forefront of the collector community; Greenland has earned a name as one of the finest fluorescent minerals localities in the world.   I know of at least a couple of folks who will be writing books based on these expeditions.

We will conduct two tours this summer. Each tour will have 7 people.   9 days will be spent in country, with one travel day to Greenland and two travel days returning (overnight in Iceland).  The cost will run about $5,500.00 depending on air fare at the time of booking, your personal spending habits and the exchange rate in effect at the time of travel.

Preliminary dates are:  7/12 to 7/21 for the 1st tour (seating limited), 7/28 to 8/6 for the 2nd tour.

Rough budgeting figures: (these are estimates)

• $2k for round trip airfare ($850 to/from Iceland, $1,150 to/from Greenland via Iceland)
• Hostel - $70*9 nights = $630 for hotel (double occupancy)
• $30/day for expenses (food, ice cream, drinks), $100 for misc expense
• $200 for your joyous Iceland experience (hostel, one night on return - "Fly Bus" to/from Keflavik international airport)
• This is a total of $3,100 for travel and lodging expenses
• $2,300 is paid directly to your tour guide in Greenland (Peter) - $500 deposit required now to reserve a seat.
• Total will be $5,500 for 9 days of collecting in Greenland - one last time.  (prices subject to change based on fluctuation of dollar, and availability of flights).
• Shipping cost: $300 for up to 45 kilos (plus UPS charges in the states)  

More details can be found here: http://www.minershop.com/2009tour/index.html.  This section of the web site was written for 2009 and a few things have changed (mainly prices due to air fare changes, exchange rates, etc).  But, in general, it is accurate and filled with information about the tour.  Since this is the last tour I'm won't spend time updating it.  It will become a part of MinerShop history.

I will go on the 1st tour and will not be going on the 2nd tour.  Folks on the 2nd tour will have a major advantage to those on the 1st tour.  Spots will have been already located and opened for collecting; all you will have to do is pick the one(s) you like.  The first group will consist of old-timers who all want to visit new localities (meaning the 2nd group gets to benefit from their experience without wasting time visiting unproductive spots).

In country (Greenland) all of your transportation is included, along with guide service and friendly chit-chat.  We will pick you up at the Narsarsuaq airport (by boat) and travel the 2 1/2 hours to Narsaq. You will settle into your "-1 star" hostel (shared facilities, common kitchen, 2 or 3 people to a room).  The balance of your time will be spent in the mountains finding beautiful rocks.  Travel will be either by boat or 4-wheel drive.  You will be able to ship back up to 45 kilos of specimens using our export license.  Your rocks will be included in MinerShop's boat shipment.  Once they arrive here I will mail them to you via UPS.  Shipping cost: $300 (paid in Greenland) plus the cost of UPS shipping.

Flights are already starting to fill up.  We must finalize these arrangements ASAP - please think about it and get back to me with questions and give me an idea if you are planning to go.  First come, first served - a $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a seat (paid directly to your tour guide in Greenland, via PayPal).   Remember - this is currently planned to be the last formal tour - if you've been thinking about it, the time to go is now!