HIGHLIGHTS
- Witness
the fjords and glaciers of coastal Greenland including fantastic
icebergs
- Experience
the rich history of Greenland and east coast Canada including
Newfoundland
- Diverse
activities on shore with daily excursions in the company of expert
guides
- Experience
two very unique destinations
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: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
We
depart Ottawa this morning on our charter flight to Kangerlussuaq,
situated on the west coast of Greenland. Upon arrival we enjoy a short
tour of the surrounding tundra and board the ship in the afternoon.
After settling in to our cabins and exploring the vessel, we meet our
expedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the air as we
cast off and enjoy a welcome cocktail while cruising along Sondre
Stromfjord, one of the longest fjords on the planet.
Day
2: Nuuk, Greenland
Overnight
we have navigated down the coast of western Greenland to arrive in
Nuuk, the small capital of Greenland. 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 an
interesting collection of artefacts, traditional costumes and textiles
and other items including 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
3: Paamiut, Greenland
The
small town of Paamiut has existed since the mid-17th century and the
name means 'the people who live at the mouth' referring to the nearby
fjord. The town is home to a beautiful and ornate wooden church
(Fredenskirche), all the more remarkable when you consider there are no
trees in Greenland to provide timber for construction. A circle of five
old structures make up the town museum. At the center is the former
Governor's House built in 1839 and local artisans offer textiles and
other traditional crafts for sale. The town and surrounding area are
best known for the resident population of white-tailed eagles which we
hope to see, while minke, fin, humpback and killer whales (orca) are
known to inhabit this stretch of coastline.
Day
4: Bredefjord and Narsaq
The
coast of western Greenland is famous for icebergs which are formed by
calving glaciers which snake their way towards the coast from the vast
ice sheet that covers 80% of the entire landmass. Today is our first
opportunity to observe glaciers at close quarters as we navigate the
ship along Bredefjord. At the end of a remote arm of the fjord are two
giant glaciers, known locally as ‘the twins’. We
navigate in the Zodiacs to get a better view of the glacial face and
delight at the endless photo opportunities the ice sculptures provide
us. This afternoon we visit the small community of Narsaq. What will
surprise many is that the town is a center for agriculture, including
sheep farming, though fishing is still the mainstay of the local
economy.
Day
5: Narsasuaq and Itelleq
This
is quintessential Greenland. As we navigate the ship further into the
fjord system, we are awestruck by the beauty. Not surprisingly, the
Vikings were just as impressed and Narsasuaq and surrounds are among
the most historically significant locations in the country. Local
farmers cultivate the very same land that Eric the Red chose for his
settlement more than 1,000 years ago. The Brattahlid open air museum is
a fascinating spot and features a reconstructed church and Viking
longhouse. Nearby is Igaliku, considered by many to be one of the most
beautiful villages in the country and home to the ruins of Gardar
– a church constructed in the 11th century. There's an
excellent hike which provides wonderful views of the colourful village,
ice filled fjords, green fields and mountainous backdrop.
Day
6: Tasermiut Fjord and Nanortalik
For
many, today may well be a highlight of the trip. Tasermiut Fjord has a
well-known reputation as 'the Patagonia of the North' due to the
towering rock formations that surround the narrow waters. At almost
70km long, the place to be is on the outer decks of the ship with your
camera. The highest peak is over 1800m and it has a sheer granite face
of more than a kilometer. This is nature at her most powerful. We
return to the small town of Nanortalik and venture into the pretty
harbor in the Zodiacs for one final stroll through the colorful houses
and town buildings. Tonight, we set sail for Canada.
Day
7: At Sea – Davis Strait – Towards Canada
We
awaken to the vast expanse of the Davis Strait, which separates
Greenland from Canada. Throughout the day our onboard experts educate
us with a series of presentations about the environment, the wildlife,
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. Enjoy the
wonderful facilities onboard the ship, spend time with the photography
guide or relax with a book or your journal. If atmospheric conditions
cooperate, there is a chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis this
evening.
Day
8: L’Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland
Having
arrived in Newfoundland, our excursion this afternoon tells a story a
thousand years in the making. We board the Zodiacs for a short cruise
to the rocky shoreline. 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” around 1000 AD. As we explore the
reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins with the site’s
resident archaeologist, we see evidence that the Vikings discovered
North America some five hundred years prior to the arrival of
Christopher Columbus.
Day
9: Red Bay, Labrador
Almost
500 years after the Vikings were known to have established their North
America presence, it was visitors from southern Europe who were to put
Red Bay on the map. Sailors from the Basque region of southern France
and northern Spain sailed across the Atlantic every season in pursuit
of the abundant right whale and bowhead whale populations. Today it is
considered an important underwater archaeological site and was
designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. There is an excellent
interpretive center to learn about the early whaling era and on nearby
Saddle Island, relics remain from the period. A hiking trail allows for
a complete exploration of the island, while the sheltered waters are
ideal for the sea kayakers.
Day
10: Woody Point – Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
This
morning we are anchored in majestic Bonne Bay, just offshore from the
small community of Woody Point. This is a Registered Historic District
with several significant structures along the waterfront. Gros Morne is
best known for the World Heritage-listed Tablelands and is celebrated
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 make a
visit to the excellent Discovery Centre before continuing through the
park. We explore the boreal wetland landscape, featuring dramatic rock
ridges, pitcher plants, white-throated sparrows and may encounter the
iconic moose as we explore the park. We meet the ship at Trout River
re-boarding in the afternoon.
Day
11: Ramea, Newfoundland
The
southern coastline of Newfoundland is dotted with small islands, home
to small communities known as outports and only accessible by boat.
Today we explore the historic town of Ramea providing a quintessential
Newfoundland experience. The islands were known to Europeans as early
as the 1500s and Captain James Cook charted the location in 1766. The
small town is best explored on foot and there are some great hikes in
the vicinity, including the high point of Man-O-War Hill, providing
sweeping views, or to the century old lighthouse. The protected waters
are best explored by Zodiac and this is a great location to explore by
sea kayak. This is an important migratory bird flyway and is home to a
variety of resident seabird species including two known puffin
colonies. The puffin is the mascot of the town. 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 as we sail south towards Cape Breton and our final port of
Sydney.
Day
12: Sydney, Nova Scotia
This
morning we enter the port of Sydney, situated on the north coast of
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Our fabulous trip comes to an end and we
reflect on the truly memorable journey. We disembark in the morning
and, while some of us will head to the airport, many will add a few
extra days in Nova Scotia to enjoy the hospitality, culture and
renowned seafood.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Comprehensive
pre-voyage information package including details to help you prepare
for your trip
- 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 (portholes in triple cabins)
- 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
