GREENLAND & WILD LABRADOR CRUISE
ITINERARY
DAY 1 ~ KANGERLUSSUAQ
Kangerlussuaq is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. Here we will be bused along Greenland’s longest road—less than twenty kilometres—to the port. Zodiacs will be waiting to transfer us to the Ocean Endeavour.
Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometres of superb scenery. We begin our adventure by sailing down this dramatic fjord, crossing the Arctic Circle as we go.
DAY 2 ~ QEQQATA KOMMUNIA
The west Greenland coastline is a rich mixture of fishing communities, many islands and complex coastal waterways. The waters are relatively warm here, due to the West Greenland Current and the sub-Arctic location. This makes for lusher vegetation.
As we enter the Arctic autumn, the tundra foliage will be turning colours beautifully. We will be making an expedition stop here to explore the wild landscape of Greenland.
DAY 3 ~ NUUK
Welcome to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland and one of the world’s northernmost capitals. The old harbour region of town includes many buildings dating from the Danish colonial days. The modern downtown core includes shopping, cafes, and restaurants—as well as public institutions with a European flair.
The Greenland National Museum is one of Nuuk’s many outstanding features; the world-famous Greenland mummies are housed here. The museum’s exhibits also offer in-depth information about colonial, Norse, and Inuit presence in Greenland—a must-see.
DAY 4 ~ AT SEA – DAVIS STRAIT
Sailing ever-westward, like the Vikings, we cross the Davis Strait—the mouth of the Northwest Passage. Narrower and shallower than Baffin Bay to the north, Davis Strait is a haven for marine mammals and seabirds. We’ll be on the watch!
Our presentation schedule will be a flurry of learning opportunities. We’ll immerse ourselves in the archaeology, history, and culture of Greenland, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, and Newfoundland.
DAY 5 ~ KANGIQSUALUJJUAQ (GEORGE RIVER)
We make landfall on the Arctic coast of Québec’s Inuit region, Nunavik. Twenty-five kilometres upstream from Ungava Bay lies the Inuit community of Kangiqsualujjuaq. The tides here are nearly a match for those of the Bay of Fundy.
Arctic flora thrives in the protected valley. The George River caribou herd, which is in critical decline, has its calving grounds nearby. A community welcome here gives us a chance to mingle with local folks and explore the hamlet.
DAY 6 – 8 ~ TORNGAT MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Canada’s highest peaks east of the Rockies are found in Torngat Mountains National Park. Here, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut will be our guides in their spiritual homeland.
Polar bears, caribou, falcons, and eagles are among the species we hope to spot on land. We’ll also be on the lookout for marine mammals! We’ll spend our time on guided hikes, searching for wildlife, visiting archaeological sites, and Zodiac cruising.
DAY 9 ~ HEBRON
This haunting site preserves a Moravian Mission station dating from the 1830s. The mission was abandoned in 1959, forcing the relocation of the Inuit who resided there. In 2005, Newfoundland & Labrador issued an apology to people affected by the relocations.
Former Hebron residents and their kin continue to visit the site, and to hunt and fish nearby. With their help, some of Hebron’s buildings are now being repurposed as a cultural interpretation centre.
DAY 10 ~ NAIN
The administrative capital of Nunatsiavut, Nain is the most northerly community in Labrador. A busy harbour in a gorgeous location is the centre of this bustling village. We'll visit the beautiful Moravian Church and the Nunatsiavut Building.
Adventure Canada has many close ties here. Working with local experts, we pioneered expedition cruising in Nunatsiavut. We always enjoy a warm cultural welcome. Expect music, food, and handicrafts at this dynamic visit.
DAY 11-12 ~ LABRADOR COAST
Labrador’s coast in this region is much more varied than you might expect. Here we find coastal barrens, high subarctic tundra, high boreal forest, mid-boreal forest, and string bog—as well as the Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve.
DAY 13 ~ L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS
L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic site. The archaeological remains found here in 1960 date to approximately 1000 AD.
Amazingly, the location of the ruins was first established by a close reading of the Viking sagas. Today, a superb interpretive centre and reconstructions of the several Norse-style sod buildings make L’Anse aux Meadows a must-see for any visitor to Newfoundland.
DAY 14 ~ TERRA NOVA NATIONAL PARK
Terra Nova Provincial Park's amazing natural resources and location have attracted people for at least five thousand years prior to its establishment as a park in 1957. Newman Sound's unique interaction between the Atlantic Ocean and the boreal forest have made it a hotbed of activity; in the twentieth century, the land that is now encompassed by the park contained several communities with bustling sawmills.
DAY 15 ~ ST. JOHN’S
Sailing into the port of St. John’s has to be experienced to be believed. Signal Hill keeps watch as we take on our pilot and enter the world-famous Narrows. The charming houses of The Battery are always a hit with shutterbugs.
The bustling capital city of Newfoundland & Labrador makes a spectacular backdrop. High on the hill sits The Rooms, a cultural museum dedicated to more than five hundred years of history surrounding St. John’s harbour.
END OF CRUISE
CRUISE COST FROM: $5,995 per person
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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Sail into St. John’s historic harbour for a spectacular finale
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Visit the restored Viking habitation at L’Anse-aux-Meadows
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Enjoy a warm Inuit welcome in Nain, administrative capital of Nunatsiavut
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Hike among the peaks and fjords of Torngat Mountains National Park
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Visit Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, on Québec’s Arctic coast
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Cross the Davis Strait to Ungava Bay, watching for whales
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Enjoy shopping, dining and sightseeing in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital
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Cross the Arctic Circle by ship via glorious Sondre Stromfjord
INCLUDES:
ONBOARD
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Pre-departure materials
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The expertise and company of our expedition staff
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Onboard educational programming
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Interactive workshops
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Evening entertainment
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All shipboard meals, including on deck barbecues & afternoon tea, 24-hour coffee, tea and snacks
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Hors d’ouevres & snacks during evening recaps
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24-hour documentary and film programming
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Fully stocked library
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Nikon Camera Trial Program
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$250 USD Discovery Fund Fee
ASHORE
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Introductions to local people and customs
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Sightseeing
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Museum entries, park accesses, port taxes
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Access to pristine wilderness areas
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Zodiac tours and cruises
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On-site archaeology workshops
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Community programming: local performances, presentations, and demonstrations
EXCLUDES:
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Commercial and charter flight costs
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Gratuities (suggested at $15 USD per person per day)
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Bicycle rentals
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Personal expenses
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Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
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Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
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Possible fuel surcharges
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Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
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Program enhancements
VESSEL INFORMATION
The Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for expedition cruising. Outfitted with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges, and a top deck observation room, she is purpose-built for passenger experiences in remote environments.
The Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice class, enabling her to freely explore throughout the Arctic summer. Launched in 1982, she has had numerous upgrades, most recently in 2016. At 137 metres in length, the Ocean Endeavour has plenty of interior and exterior space. Ample deck space offers comfortable lounge chairs, a swimming pool, two saunas, and even a hot tub!
The spacious interior allows for varied workshops and presentations to occur simultaneously. The three lounges aboard the Ocean Endeavour are optimal locations for seminars, events, parties, and conversation.
The Ocean Endeavour’s crew is experienced and friendly. The ship’s shallow draft and manoeuvrability allow her to access isolated fjords, bays, and secluded communities. Enjoy the class and comfort of a boutique hotel while venturing to some of the world’s last great frontiers aboard the Ocean Endeavour! More