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

​

​

​

​