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| Fabled Lands of the North: Greenland, Baffin Island, Labrador and Newfoundland
A 15-Day tour starting from $9,190
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The ice fields of Western Greenland, the legendary whale-rich seas of Davis Strait, and magnificent Inuit art fill our first week. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, including the icons of the Arctic: polar bear and walrus. Further south, we explore the deep fjords and remote villages of Labrador, and two of Newfoundland’s most special places: L’Anse aux Meadows, site of the earliest known Viking settlement in the New World, and Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO site noted for it alpine scenery, waterfalls and pristine lakes. |
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Costs Include
All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff. Not Included Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.
DAY 1 — U.S./Ottawa, Canada
Arrive in Ottawa and check in to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel. This evening we gather for cocktails and a welcome dinner. (D) DAY 2 — Ottawa/Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland/Embark Ship Arrive by chartered aircraft in the land of the midnight sun. Embark National Geographic Explorer at the head of picturesque Kangerlussuaq Fjord, the aptly named “long fjord” at over 100 miles long, and begin our explorations. (L,D) DAY 3 — Exploring the West Coast of Greenland & Sisimuit Greenland’s west coast has dozens of long, deep fjords, many with glaciers fed by the ice cap that covers most of this country—the largest non-continental island on earth. We search for blue whales, the world’s largest mammal, humpbacks and minke whales. Zodiacs may take us ashore to walk on the tundra and perhaps spot caribou. At Sisimuit, a former trading post and whaling port, we stroll amid a jumble of wooden 18th-century buildings and visit the museum, with its collection of Greenlandic fishing boats. (B,L,D) DAY 4 — Ilulissat, Disko Bay This morning we sail into Disko Bay to explore the Ilulissat Glacier, a tongue of the Greenland Ice Cap. We have an extraordinary cruise among the towering icebergs—a highlight of our journey. At the Inuit fishing village of Ilulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we walk around the tiny village and across wildflower meadows to view the Ilulissat Glacier. There’s time for a visit to the museum of Knud Rassmussen, Greenland’s most famous explorer. (B,L,D) DAY 5 — Exploring the Davis Strait Today is spent cruising across the Davis Strait towards Baffin Island. Sailing in the company of massive icebergs and whales, we learn about Greenlandic wildlife and people during our on board presentations. Join us on deck or on the bridge as we search for the whales which spend the summer feeding in the rich waters, and keep an eye out for polar bears on the ice floes. (B,L,D) DAY 6 — Exploring the Cumberland Peninsula: Pangnirtung & Our landfall on Baffin Island is the tiny town of Pangnirtung, set on Cumberland Sound. We’re welcomed at the Craft Center, perhaps with a taste of traditional bannock bread, to see the weavings, soapstone carvings and prints depicting Arctic life for which this region is renowned. A hike along a riverside trail gives wonderful views of Autyuittuaq National Park, “the land that never melts.” On Kekerten Island we see the remains of a bygone era as we wander between cast iron pots once used to render oil from the blubber of the mighty bowhead whale. (B,L,D) DAY 7 — Exploring the Hall Peninsula: Monumental & Lady Fr We spend today in true expedition style, exploring the wild and unspoiled Hall Peninsula of Baffin Island. We may hike the tundra in search of caribou and arctic fox, or follow our botanist to learn more about the hardy arctic plants. The exposed rocky cliffs of Monumental and Lady Franklin islands are used as haul-outs by walrus, and we cruise the coastline in search of these icons of the Canadian Arctic. (B,L,D) DAY 8 — Exploring South Baffin Island The southeastern tip of Baffin Island forms the mouth of the Hudson Strait and is dotted with islands. Lower Savage and Resolution Island are often summer home to polar bears stranded by the retreating pack ice; our plans are kept flexible to make the most of wildlife sightings. We may cruise in our Zodiacs between the ice and weather-beaten rocks, searching for harbor seals, the prey of hungry polar bears. (B,L,D) DAY 9 — Button Islands, Newfoundland, Canada Newfoundland has been called “North America’s only remaining unexplored wilderness.” Rugged and remote, it has some of Canada’s most dramatic scenery: towering mountains, isolated bays, spectacular fjords and stark tundra. We make our first landfall at the Button Islands, set at the entrance to Hudson Strait. Named after Thomas Button who explored the area in 1612, the islands are in the middle of the upwelling of nutrients of the edge of the continental shelf. These nutrients attract thousands of seabirds and other marine mammals. (B,L,D) DAY 10 — Hebron & Mugford Tickle Today we hope to visit Hebron, once the northernmost settlement in Labrador established by the Moravian missionaries in 1831. The Mission was closed and the Inuit families relocated in 1959 but the buildings still stand today. Our next stop is the area round Mugford Tickle, yet another scenic highlight. The Kaumajet Mountains rise over 4,000 feet straight from the sea and they seem higher because you are so close to them. We find a suitable anchorage to explore via Zodiac and kayak. (B,L,D) DAY 11 — Quaker Hat & Exploring Indian Harbor Shaped like a broad-brimmed hat, complete with a black band around the base of the crown, the island of Quaker Hat is known for its vast colonies of common murres. (B,L,D) DAY 12 — Battle Harbour Set on a small island, Battle Harbour was for two centuries the economic center of the southeastern Labrador coast. The fishery established here in the 1770s developed into a thriving community, and through the efforts of the Battle Harbour Historic Trust, the village is now a living commemoration of the life and society created there. We explore the restored fishing and whaling buildings of this historic region, amid the backdrop of breathtaking coastal views. (B,L,D) DAY 13 — L’anse aux Meadow L'Anse aux Meadows is situated on the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland, where the remains of a Viking village were discovered in 1960. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is where Norseman Leif Erikson founded “Vinland” in 1000 AD. Step back in time to the first transatlantic voyages and marvel at these hardy explorers as we explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins, we’ll see evidence that the Vikings discovered North America five hundred years before Columbus arrived. (B,L,D) DAY 14 — Gros Morne National Park Gros Morne National Park is an area of great natural beauty with towering cliffs, freshwater fjords carved out by glaciers, waterfalls, sea stacks, sandy beaches, and colorful nearby fishing villages. On our walk today our geologist will tell us a story set in stone: the ancient serpentine rock formations here are world-renowned for the light they shed on the concept of plate tectonics and are one of the main reasons why the park has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. (B,L,D) DAY 15 — Corner Brook, Newfoundland/Disembark/Home After breakfast, we disembark in Corner Brook, a charming little town nestled between mountains and sea, and proceed to the airport for flights home. (B)
Sightseeing as noted under itinerary
All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.
Pricing above reflects category 01, please call for other categories. Single pricing available for categories 2S & 3S |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||