HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
remote ports and local communities along the coast of Labrador and
Greenland
- Inuit
and Greenlandic history and culture plus early Viking settlements
- Towering
mountains, wildlife and wilderness of the Torngat National Park
- Experience
the fascinating transition from the Atlantic provinces into the north
- INCLUDED
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Main Deck Triple | Twin Private | Superior | Superior Plus | Shackleton Suite | One Ocean Suite |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Mandatory
Charter Flight: USD 995
In
the Canadian Arctic, charter flights are required to get to the start
and finish points of the voyage
All
bookings on voyages that operate domestically within Canada, are
subject to a compulsory 5% goods and services tax (GST)
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Main Deck Triple | (Mid-range)
Superior Plus | (High-end)
One Ocean Suite |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Mandatory
Charter Flight: USD 995
In
the Canadian Arctic, charter flights are required to get to the start
and finish points of the voyage
All
bookings on voyages that operate domestically within Canada, are
subject to a compulsory 5% goods and services tax (GST)
ITINERARY
Day
1: Sydney/Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
Our
adventure begins in Sydney, Nova Scotia. We transfer to the historic
port town of Louisbourg. During the 18th century, Louisbourg was the
third busiest seaport in North America. We board the ship in the late
afternoon and sail out past the lighthouse, across the Gulf of St
Lawrence towards Newfoundland, Labrador and eventually - Greenland.
Day
2: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
This
morning we are anchored off the coastal hamlet of Trout River, the
access point into Gros Morne National Park. The Zodiacs take us ashore
and we are transferred by bus for a visit to the World Heritage-listed
Tablelands. This incredible location is noted for its unique geology
and exceptional scenery. Here, the Earth’s mantle is exposed
on the surface – pushed up over millions of years by the
movement of tectonic plates. We explore the boreal wetland landscape,
featuring dramatic rock ridges, pitcher plants, fascinating birdlife
and may encounter the iconic moose in the park. We visit the Discovery
Centre, before arriving at Woody Point, located in Bonne Bay. We meet
the ship here and continue our voyage northwards.
Day
3: L’Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland
Today
tells a story a thousand years in the making. A millennium ago, Viking
long-ships would have been found along this same beach.
L’Anse aux Meadows is one of Canada’s UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. This is where Norseman, Leif Erikson, (son of Eric the
Red) - is thought to have founded “Vinland”. As we
explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins with the resident
archaeologist, we see evidence that the Vikings discovered North
America some five hundred years prior to the arrival of Columbus.
Tonight we leave the coastline of Newfoundland, crossing the Strait of
Belle Isle towards Labrador.
Day
4: Wonderstrands, Labrador
Overnight,
we have arrived along a historic stretch of coastline, named the
Wonderstrands. The location appears in the Viking saga of Eric the Red
– which calls the location
‘furdustrandir’ - the Wonder Strands. Other than
one rocky promontory, the beach is almost 50km long – a
rarity on the famously rocky east coast of Canada. There are some
excellent hiking options along the shoreline and hinterland while
Zodiac cruising and exploring in the sea kayaks provides additional
means of discovering the area. Resident wildlife includes black bear
and timberwolf – it is not uncommon to see their paw prints
when walking on shore. Puffin, razorbill, guillemot and gannets are
also local inhabitants.
Day
5: Hopedale, Labrador
Today
we venture ashore by Zodiac to visit the Hopedale Moravian Mission
– built in 1782 and said to be the oldest building east of
Quebec. It’s a fascinating place and we learn of the
influence of the early Christian missionaries on the Inuit people of
Northern Labrador. This location has been designated a Canadian
National Historic Site. We plan a visit to the local museum for a
deeper insight. The local Inuit produce ornate carvings and other
crafts which make for wonderful souvenirs.
Day
6: Torngat Mountains National Park, Saglek Fjord, Labrador
As
we sail into Saglek Fjord, we arrive at the southern gateway to the
Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve. The Park covers almost 10,000
square kilometres of Northern Labrador. It is bordered by Quebec on one
side, and the Labrador Coast on the other. It is home to
Canada’s highest mountains east of the Rockies, and features
breathtaking fjords, remnant glacial systems and stunning landscapes.
The Inuktitut word Torngat means “place of spirits”
and the Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their
predecessors for over 7500 years. This place represents a deeply
spiritual connection for the Inuit. Polar bears hunt seals along the
coast, and both the Torngat Mountains and George River caribou herds
cross paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds. Inuit
continue to use this area for hunting, fishing, and are present in the
park throughout the year. We explore the area on foot with both various
hiking options, and along the shoreline in the Zodiacs and sea kayaks.
Wildflowers are spectacular when in bloom and bears feast on local
berries found among the sedges and grasses on the raised beaches along
the shores of the fjords.
Day
7: Torngat Mountains National Park, Nachvak Fjord, Labrador
Nachvak
Fjord is exceptionally beautiful. The fjord is deep and narrow and
stretches more than 20 kilometers. The rocky walls of the fjord soar
almost 900 meters above us at several points. Many species migrate
through the area during the short boreal summer. Numerous seal species
may be encountered including ring, hooded, harp and harbor seals. Minke
whales have been known to linger in the fjords, while larger species,
including fin and humpback, tend to stay offshore. This is an
outstanding location for landscape photography with endless subjects, a
dynamic color range and interesting lighting.
Day
8: Button Islands, Nunavut
As
we reach the far northern stretches of coastal Labrador, we learn of
the remarkable events at Martin Bay. Here a German U-boat made the only
known armed landing in North America during WWII. In 1943, U-537 sat at
anchor here, while the crew manhandled ashore and established an
automated weather station. This station remained undiscovered until the
late 1970s when a German historian came across a reference to it in the
German naval archives. The equipment was collected by the Canadian
Coast Guard in the early 1980s and is on permanent display in the
Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Later in the day, we visit the Button
Islands, named after Thomas Button who explored the area in 1612. The
islands are in the middle of the upwelling of nutrients on the edge of
the continental shelf. This action makes it a magnet for thousands of
seabirds and other marine mammals.
Day
9: At Sea – Davis Strait towards Greenland
We
awaken to the vast expanse of the Davis Strait, which separates Canada
from Greenland. Throughout the day our onboard experts educate us with
a series of presentations about the environment, the wildlife and
history and the locations we hope to visit in the coming days. This is
an important migration corridor for birds and whales and we keep our
eyes out for signs of wildlife from the outer decks. Large icebergs of
all shapes drift on the currents of the Davis Strait. These icebergs
calve from the large glaciers that tumble down off the Greenland icecap
and out into Baffin Bay, where they drift on the currents. Be sure to
visit the ship’s bridge and watch the Captain and officers
navigate our modern expedition ship. Enjoy the wonderful facilities
onboard the ship, spend time with the photography guide or relax with a
book or your journal.
Day
10: Nuuk, Greenland
Nuuk
is the small capital of Greenland, and home to a population of around
18,000 - almost a third of the entire population of the country. Built
overlooking a beautiful fjord, the city was founded in 1728 by the
Danes and today many historic buildings can be seen around town. The
small city is a fascinating blend of both the historic and
contemporary. The National Museum of Greenland is located right by the
harbour and is home to a fascinating collection of artefacts,
traditional costumes and textiles and other items including traditional
boats, kayaks and dog sleds. Cafes and restaurants showcase local
cuisine and there is even an emerging craft beer scene to discover.
Nuuk is easily explored on foot and there will be plenty of options for
you to choose from today.
Day
11: Sondre Stromfjord and Greenland Icecap
By
morning we have navigated north and into one of the longest fjords on
the planet. At the head of the fjord sits the town of Kangerlussuaq
– a key outpost on the west coast of Greenland. An exciting
day lies ahead as experienced guides take us to view and experience the
vast expanse of the Greenland ice cap. Covering roughly 80% of the
surface of Greenland the ice sheet measures approximately 1.7 million
square kilometres. It’s the second largest ice mass on Earth
after Antarctica. Our trip takes us through fabulous scenery and
there’s a good chance of seeing musk ox, reindeer and local
birdlife. Our guides will take us walking on the actual icecap itself,
which is a major thrill. We return to the ship and tonight our chefs
have prepared a special farewell dinner attended by the Captain of the
ship. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate and reflect on a
memorable journey.
Day
12: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
This
morning we farewell our expedition team and make our way to the
airport. A special charter flight returns us to Canada’s
capital city of Ottawa where our journey comes to an end. A transfer is also provided from the airport to a downtown location for those staying
on.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Comprehensive
pre-voyage information package including details to help you prepare
for your trip in the Canadian Arctic
- Transfers
to the ship on embarkation day and from the ship to the airport or
local hotel on disembarkation
- Shipboard
accommodation in your selected cabin category with daily housekeeping.
Cabins feature outside views with windows or portholes that open on
each deck
- High
quality, eco-friendly, Canadian made natural amenities in every cabin
- All
breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage with
daily afternoon tea
- 24-hour
tea, coffee, hot chocolate in bar lounge plus in-cabin tea, coffee, hot
chocolate replenished daily
- Experienced
Expedition Leader and professional expedition team of marine
biologists, naturalists, historians, adventure guides and photographers
- Daily
off-ship excursions by Zodiac boat breaking into small groups for shore
landings
- Guided
hikes and walks on shore of various durations for guests of all
abilities
- Visits
to wildlife colonies, historic sites, places of outstanding natural
beauty and community visits
- Educational
presentations and talks by polar experts in their field (marine
biologists, naturalists, historians, etc). Onboard or on shore
- Resident
photography guide available to assist all guests
- Access
to computers in the multimedia lab for image downloads, file back up
and management
- An
emergency-trained medical physician onboard every voyage
- Dedicated
hospitality team including Hotel Manager, four chefs, professional bar
staff and Adventure Concierge staff
- Onboard
sauna, plunge pool, jacuzzi and fitness center including personal
trainer and massage options (charge applies for massage and spa
treatments)
- Access
to well-stocked library full of polar reference books
- End
of voyage slideshow and take home USB
- Port
fees and all permits to access visited areas
