Greenland to Newfoundland: Mountains, Wildlife and Viking History

Welcome to Iceland! When you arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, make your way to your hotel for a free afternoon and evening. You can arrive at any time, as you have the full day at leisure to settle in and explore the city at your own pace.

This morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition! Get ready for great adventures ahead. When you’re aboard, you’ll have a welcome and safety briefing from your Expedition Leader, meet your Expedition Team and explore the ship.

Today you’ll explore two towns in the Qeqqata Municipality on the west coast of Greenland along the Davis Strait – Maniitsoq, which translates to ‘the place of rugged, uneven terrain’ and the historic town of Sisimiut. First, see mountains, rivers, endless glaciers and deep fjords on the way to Eternity Fjord – 75 km (47 mi) long and 1200 m (3937 ft) deep. Later, you’ll have time to wander through Sisimiut, where several 18th-century buildings still stand, including Bethel Church. Watch a demonstration of the traditional art of kayak making. Experiencing a cultural resurgence, the kayak is a symbol of Greenland and can be traced back over 4000 years to the Inuit, who used the vessels for hunting and transportation. For those inclined to other modes of transport, mountain biking is another option.

Today you’ll visit Ilulissat (Greenlandic for icebergs) – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, Ilulissat Icefjord gives birth to countless icebergs. In fact, it’s home to one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq (also known as Jakobshavn Glacier). A Zodiac excursion is a unique way to enjoy the spectacle of enormous ice floating out to Disko Bay. You’ll also visit the nearby town of Ilulissat and hike to the icefjord, where you can view this incredible parade of icebergs from the rocky shore. Expect to see a lot of dogs while you’re in town! There was a time when sled dogs actually outnumbered citizens in Ilulissat, which is the birthplace of the first European to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled (explorer Knud Rasmussen). If time allows, you can visit a local museum dedicated to his memory.

As your ship navigates across the Davis Strait, onboard polar experts will present on a variety of topics to deepen your understanding of the places you’ll visit. Your experts include glaciologists, historians, wildlife specialists and other polar specialists.

Today is your first day exploring the Canadian Arctic as you arrive in Nunavut – Canada’s youngest territory. Nunavut means ‘our land’ in the Inuktitut language and stretches north of the Arctic Circle, covering over 1.8 million square kilometres. Spend time in Pangnirtung, located at the mouth of Pangnirtung Fjord, which merges with Cumberland Sound. It’s a stronghold of the Inuit community and an ideal place to learn about Inuit culture while admiring finely crafted traditional art. You may want to purchase a famous Pang toque – a must-have knit cap for anyone visiting the community.

Visit Cape Mercy – an isolated cove at the southern tip of Cumberland Sound in Nunavut. Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis, who sailed through this part of the Arctic in 1585. Fastforward several centuries to the 1950s when Cape Mercy was selected as the site of a Distant Early Warning Line (DEW) installation – a system of radar stations set up during the Cold War to detect nuclear attacks – but the Inuit hunted and fished in Cape Mercy and the surrounding area long before the arrival of European explorers. You can join a guided shore walk to enjoy incredible views of the vast Davis Strait, which connects Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea.

Today, you venture into Torngat Mountains National Park – the 10,000 square-kilometre national park was established in 2008 and is home to Canada’s highest mountains east of the Rockies as well as breathtaking fjords, glacial formations, boreal woodlands and wildlife. For students of Indigenous history, Torngat Mountain National Park is especially meaningful – the park is located at the northern edge of Nunatsiavut territory, which was recognised as the homeland of the Labrador Inuit in 2005. Torngat in Inuktitut means ‘place of the spirits,’ which reflects the spiritual significance of the region. As a national park, this wilderness domain offers protection to boreal woodland caribou, black bears, Labrador wolves, red and Arctic foxes, polar bears and peregrine falcons and you’ll explore this national wilderness area during Zodiac and kayaking excursions and guided hikes.

Today you’ll explore Nain – with a population of approximately 1200, this is the administrative capital of Nunatsiavut the semi-autonomous region in northern Labrador claimed by the Inuit. Learn about Labrador Inuit heritage through interactive exhibits, artwork and cultural programs at the Illusuak Cultural Centre. Then, stroll through town to discover the historic Moravian Mission complex, established in 1771. The white-painted church and mission house bear witness to centuries of cultural exchanges between the Inuit and European missionaries. You’ll have time to engage with friendly locals to hear stories passed down through the generations, and sample traditional foods like arctic char and cloudberries. There will be a guided hike to take in breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and sea.

As your ship heads south, enjoy the views of the southern coast of Baffin Island Labrador. While at sea for the day, join expedition staff out on deck as they look for whales and birdlife. This is also your chance to relax with a glass of wine or hot tea and simply take in the wondrous beauty around you.

Consider the wooden longboats that transported the Vikings an incredible 2180 km from Greenland to Newfoundland in 1000 AD. Today, you’re going to visit the archaeological remains at the place they landed in their hand-hewn vessels. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (also a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the only confirmed Norse or Viking settlement in North America. Join a guided tour to see where Norseman Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, is believed to have founded ‘Vinland’ (the East Coast area including what would later be known as Newfoundland). Explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins throughout the historic site –proof that Vikings discovered North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus’ much-chronicled arrival.

Your final at-sea day is a great opportunity for you to ask any lingering questions you have for your team of onboard experts, Maybe attend one last polar presentation, relax in Tundra Spa & Sauna or in one the outdoor Jacuzzis.

Your ship arrives at the pier in St. John’s for a morning disembarkation. After breakfast, you may make your way to St. John’s International Airport to connect with your onward flight, or stay longer if you have booked additional accommodation.