Greenland & Wild Labrador – 13 Nights / 14 Days

Starts: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (YYP)

Finishes: St. John’s, NL (YYT)

2012 Departure Date: September 18 to October 1

Included

• All entry & park fees
• Your complete itinerary
• Team of resource specialists
• Educational program and pre-departure materials
• All shipboard meals
• All Zodiac excursions
• Service charges and port fees

Overview:

Beginning in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland we cross the Arctic Circle as we journey south to Kangaamiut, where we’ll visit the community and enjoy a Zodiac cruise among the icebergs. Before crossing Davis Strait into Canada, we’ll visit Nuuk, the political and cultural centre of Greenland and one of the smallest capitals in the world. Here we can see the famous mummies, explore the markets, and sample local cuisine.

As we enter Canadian waters we hope to be greeted by whales and walrus as we make our way to Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik.

Entering Nunatsiavut, the home of the Labrador Inuit, we’ll spend the next three days sailing south, the view dominated by the awe-inspiring scenery of the Torngat Mountains National Park. “Torngat” comes from the Inuktitut word “turngait”, meaning “spirits”. Inuit legend holds that in these mountains the spirit world overlaps our own.

This unique voyage features three days among the spectacular, rugged beauty of northern Labrador. We visit important historical and archaeological sites, and leisurely explore the fjords and narrow channels formed where the Torngat Mountain Range falls into the North Atlantic.

Day 1:Kangerlussuaq

Kangerlussuaq, which means ‘The Big Fjord’ in Greenlandic, is appropriately named, as it’s 168km long and is the start of our voyage.

Day 2: Kangaamiut

Nestled between the Kangerlussuaq and Kangerluarsuat Fjords, you will find the small fishing town of Kangaamiut, population 350.  We’ll walk past colourful houses, be treated to an official community welcome and explore the nearby Evigheds Glacier.

Day 3: Nuuk

Greenland’s capital and biggest town is a wonderful mix of modern and tradition. Here we’ll set out on foot to explore the town. Nuuk’s National Museum houses the 500-year-old Qilakitsoq mummies, a visit to the museum is highly recommended.

Day 4: Monumental Island

Returning to Canada, we’ll set out in our fleet of Zodiacs as we cruise around Monumental Island -a well known walrus haul-out. Like the polar bear who are also drawn to the Island, we will “catch wind” of them before having them in our sights!

Day 5: Kangiqsualujjuaq  

Forty kilometres upstream from Ungava Bay, Arctic flora and fauna thrive in this protected valley. After our welcome back to Canada, we will have the freedom to explore the community and meet with locals.

Day 6-8: Torngat Mountains

The fjords here reach well back into the depths of the Torngats as we are overshadowed by cliffs rising straight up from the sea. This is one of the most dramatic and unknown coastlines in Canada. Our intention is to make expeditionary stops in the northern reaches of Labrador.

Day 8 & 9: Hebron & Okak

Both Hebron and Okak were once inhabited by indigenous peoples before the expansion by Moravian missionaries from Nain. Today, both sites are abandoned and only ruins of the former missions remain. We explore both areas by Zodiac and foot.

Day 10: Hopedale

Originally called Agvituk meaning ‘place of whales’, Hopedale was first established in 1782 by Moravian Missionaries. The Hopedale Mission is considered to be the oldest wooden-frame building east of Quebec and has been declared a National Historic Site.

Day 11: Mealy Mountains

The proposed site of the new National Park area boasts a boreal ecosystem and abundant wildlife. We will seek to explore a small portion of this vast new protected area while keeping an eye out for the six species of seal and sixteen species of whales and dolphins known to frequent these waters.

Day 12: L’Anse aux Meadows

L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Located at the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, it is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally.

Day 13: Fogo Island

Located 15km off Newfoundland’s northeast coast, Fogo Island was originally named ‘fuego’ or ‘fire’ by the Portuguese, after fires set by early fishermen were seen burning on the island. It supports 11 communities and has been named by the Flat Earth Society as one of the four corners of the Earth.

Day 14: St. John’s    

We finish in St. John’s, Newfoundland’s historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, since 1498, it boasts the designation of North America’s oldest European settlement. We will leave the Clipper Adventurer here.

Not included:

Please note: Rate subject to change based on current exchange rate at time of booking.

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