HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross
the Arctic circle while sailing a spectacular Greenlandic fjord
- Hike
the pristine wilds of the Torngat Mountains National Park
- Search
for polar bear and black bear along the rugged Labrador coast
- Enjoy
a community welcome at the Torngâsok Cultural Centre in Nain
- Follow
in the wake of the Vikings at L'Anse aux Meadows and the Wonderstrands
- Search
for marine life in the rich waters of Newman Sound and Terra Nova
National Park
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package
Cost: USD 1,375
per person
- Northbound
Charter Flight: Toronto, ON to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (early morning
departure)
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package
Cost: USD 1,375
per person
- Northbound
Charter Flight: Toronto, ON to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (early morning
departure)
ITINERARY
DAY
1: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Our
flight from Toronto will land at the former US air base of
Kangerlussuaq. From there, we follow the longest road in Greenland (at
twenty kilometres!) to our disembarkation point, where Zodiacs await to
take us to the Ocean Endeavour. From there, 168 kilometres of superb
scenery await us as we sail spectacular Sondre Stromfjord, one of the
longest fjords in the world.
DAY
2: Qeqqata Kommunia
There
are a number of charming fishing villages along the west coast of
Greenland. Depending on timing and sea conditions, we way call in at
one of these communities to experience small town Greenlandic life or
explore the stunning fjords that line the coast. This is a day in the
true spirit of expedition travel and we will avail ourselves of any and
all opportunities that present themselves.
DAY
3: Nuuk
Welcome
to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland and the world’s
northernmost capital city! Nuuk, meaning ‘the
headland’ is situated at the mouth of a gigantic fjord
system. Established as Greenland’s first town in 1728, Nuuk
remains the bustling centre of the country today. The town is home to
the University of Greenland, a cathedral dating back to 1849, and
Greenland’s National Museum. We’ll have a guided
orientation of this bustling metropolis and an opportunity to visit the
National Museum—where the Qilakitsoq mummies are
housed—before free time to explore on your own.
DAY
4: At Sea – Davis Strait
Our
presentation series takes centre stage as we head across the Davis
Strait towards landfall in Canada. Time spent on deck can be rewarding
as well: keep your eyes peeled for minke and humpback whales (and other
marine mammals), as well as the seabirds that are sure to accompany our
passage.
DAY
5: Kangiqsualujjuaq (George River)
Twenty-five
kilometers upstream from Ungava Bay, In the shelter of a commanding
granite rock outcrop, we find the community of Kangiqsualujjuaq. The
ebb and flow of the tremendous tides define the summer lives of the
people and wildlife of this area. Arctic flora thrives in the protected
valley. The traditional calving grounds of the critically declining
George River caribou herd are nearby. After our community welcome, we
will have the freedom to explore, meet with locals and strike out of
town for a hike on the tundra.
DAYS
6-8: Torngat Mountains National Park
The
Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for
millennia, with archaeological evidence reaching back almost 7,000
years. The fjords here reach deep into the heart of the mountains,
bounded by cliffs peaking at 1,700 metres—the highest point
of land in Labrador. The rugged, spectacular beauty of the Torngat
Mountains underscores their role as the spiritual homeland of
Nunatsiavut. Polar bears, caribou, falcons, and eagles are among the
species hardy enough to make their homes here. We’ll spend
our time here getting out on the land for hikes, searching for
wildlife, visiting archaeological sites, and Zodiac cruising through
some of Canada’s most dramatic landscapes.
DAY
9: Hebron
In
a highly controversial move, the former Moravian Mission station dating
from the 1830s was abandoned in 1959 with the departure of the
Moravians, forcing the relocation of the Inuit who resided there. In
2005, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams apologized to
people affected by the relocations, and in August of 2009, the
provincial government unveiled a monument at the site. Today, some of
the buildings at Hebron are being repurposed as a cultural
interpretation centre. They form a lonely monument to the cultural past
of the area, with hopes for the future of Nunatsiavut.
DAY
10: Nain
Today
we explore the vibrant Inuit community of Nain. The administrative
capital of Nunatsiavut, Nain is the most northerly community in
Labrador. We'll visit the beautiful Moravian Church, the Nunatsiavut
Building with its Labradorite stone and the newly finished
Torngâsok Cultural Centre. Local leaders will share the
fascinating history of the township, and we will have a chance to visit
with the community.
DAYS
11-12: Labrador Coast
The
lower Labrador coast boasts five of Labrador’s ten provincial
eco-regions, including coastal barrens, high subarctic tundra, high
boreal forest, mid-boreal forest, and string bog. The Mealy Mountain
range in this area reaches heights of more than 1,000 metres. A
significant portion of the mountain range and surrounding area has been
designated a National Park Reserve, a move which followed lobbying for
the preservation of the area since the early 1970s. We plan to visit
the Wonderstands, a stunning fifty-six-kilometer stretch of beach,
referenced in Viking sagas.
DAY
13: L’Anse aux Meadows
A
UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic site, L’Anse
aux Meadows is the only authenticated Norse settlement in North
America. 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
Today
we call in at Newfoundland and Labrador's first national park, Terra
Nova, located in beautiful Bonavista Bay. Our approach course will wind
through the scenic small islands that dot the route. Once ashore, we
have a variety of hiking opportunities in the park, where we hope to
observe some of the black bears, osprey, and moose that call the park
home.
DAY
15: St. John’s NL
Sailing
into the port of St. John’s has to be experienced to be
believed; Signal Hill keeps watch over the world-famous Narrows and the
charming houses of The Battery will have cameras whirring! The bustling
city of St. John's with its colourful houses and steep streets makes a
spectacular backdrop to the legendary harbour where we will bring our
journey to a close.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
ABOARD
- The
expertise and company of our expedition staff
- Onboard
educational presentations
- Interactive
workshops, evening entertainment
- All
shipboard meals, including on deck barbeques & afternoon tea,
24-hour coffee, tea and snacks
- Hors
d’oeuvres & snacks during evening recaps
- 24-hour
documentary and film programming
- Fully
stocked library
ASHORE
- Introductions
to local people and customs
- Sightseeing
- Museum
entries, park accesses, port taxes
- Access
to pristine wilderness areas
- Zodiac
tours and cruises
- On-site
archaeology workshops
- Community
programming: local performances, presentations, and demonstrations
Not
Included:
- Commercial
flights
- Mandatory
medical/evacuation insurance
- Personal
expenses
- Additional
expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
- Discretionary
gratuities to ship's crew (approximately $15 per passenger per day)
- Visas
(if required)
- Physician's
fees confirming you are fit to travel
- Any
medical charges incurred while aboard
- Possible
fuel surcharges
- $250
USD Discovery Fund Fee
