HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy
thrilling Zodiac cruises and keep an eye out for whales, caribou, and
nesting bird colonies
- Hike
through remote Inuit land while looking out for polar bears
- Experience
dramatic scenery of Torngat Mountains National Park
- At
L’anse Aux Meadows, visit the remains of 11th-century Viking
settlement
- Kayak
amongst South Greenland’s most spectacular fjords and glaciers
- Maybe
spot Aurora Borealis in South Greenland and northeast Canada!
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Stateroom Triple | Stateroom Twin | Balcony Stateroom C | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom A | Balcony Suite | Junior Suite | Captains Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Stateroom Triple | (Mid-range)
Balcony Stateroom A | (High-end)
Captains Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Reykjavik, Iceland
In
Reykjavik, make your own way to our group hotel. The remainder of the
day is at leisure.
Day
2: Reykjavik, Iceland
Drive
to Thingvellir National Park, a historical area where the Icelandic
Parliament was founded in the 10th century. After enjoying a walk
amongst the unique landscape of Thingvellir, continue to Gullfoss, a
magnificent waterfall, considered to be one of the most beautiful in
Iceland before transferring to the pier to board the Greg Mortimer in
the late afternoon.
Day
3: Westman Islands, Iceland
The
Westman Islands are situated just off the south coast of Iceland. The
main island, Heimaey, has a population of about 4,000.
Heimaey’s main attractions are accessible on foot and you
have the option of a guided walking tour including a visit to Eldfell
volcano. Alternatively, discover the main attractions of the island on
a city tour including Herjólfsdalur valley, to see the ruins
of old Viking houses, drive Helgafell and ldfell volcanoes, and visit
the Eldheimar museum that features specific exhibitions dedicated to
the volcanic eruption that created Surtsey Island, a UNESCO
world-heritage site.
Days
4 and 5: At Sea
As
we cross the Greenland Sea, our series of informative onboard lectures
continues. Enjoy presentations about volcanology and geothermal
activity, Greenland’s massive ice shelf, sea ice, glaciers
and icebergs. Sea days also offer a great opportunity to get to know
your fellow travellers and expedition team.
Day
6: Prince Christian Sound, Southeast Greenland
We
enter magnificent Prince Christian Sound - a famous channel in Southern
Greenland connecting the Labrador Sea with the Irminger Sea. It is
around 100 km (60 miles) long and can be as narrow as only 500 meters
(1,600 ft) wide. The fjord is surrounded by steep mountains, reaching
over 2,200 meters (7,200 ft) high. Many glaciers go straight into its
waters where they calve icebergs. Enjoy a slow ship cruise through the
sound soaking in the splendid scenery, great for photography. At
Kangersuneq Qinngorleq fjord, weather permitting, we may take a Zodiac
cruise and kayak at the glacier. At the southern part of the sound,
pass Appilatoq, a tiny settlement famed for the extraordinary sharp
mountain peaks that surround it, a delight for photographers.
Day
7: Tasermiut Fjord, Klosterdal, Nanortalik, South Greenland
Tasermiut
fjord is known as one of the most beautiful fjords in Greenland for its
majestic mountains and lush valleys. At Klosterdal, we find ourselves
amongst the three giant mountains of the area: Napasorsuaq, Ketil, and
Nalumasortoq, where we may go ashore for a hike into the valley or
explore the area by kayak. Sail through the fjord towards Nanortalik,
an area with a landscape unlike other areas in the country featuring
deep fjords, small woodlands and grasslands, and rugged mountainside
cliffs. Receive a very warm welcome from the local community who have
opened up their town for you to explore. Visit Nanortalik Church, a
wooden, Danish Lutheran church built in 1916, and Nanortalik Museum
with exhibits featuring summer tents, kayaks and the oldest cargo boat
ever discovered.
Day
8: Narsarsuaq and Uunartoq, South Greenland
Narsarsuaq
offers easy walks, which include Norse ruins, Inuit graves, and old
farm houses. Paddlers may also have the opportunity to explore the
little peninsular on kayaks. Uunartoq island is located halfway between
Qaqortoq and Nanortalik. Hot springs are abundant in South and West
Greenland, but Uunartoq island is home to the only hot springs in the
country that are warm enough to bathe in. What’s unique about
Uunartoq is that the hot springs are in a completely natural
environment in the middle of a grassy field. People have appreciated
Uunartoq's remedial springs for more than 1,000 years and now you can
too. Aside from soaking in the thermal springs, there are plenty of
opportunities to explore the remnants of 500 years of different
building styles and communal graves in the area.
Day
9: Hvalsey church ruin and Oaqortoq, South Greenland
Hvalsey
Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland.
‘Hvalsey’ is old Norse for Whale Island.
Christianity arrived in Greenland around 1,000 and gradually churches
began to be built. Hvalsey itself was built in the early 14th century,
but it was not the first church built on this site. The overall Hvalsey
site comprises farm and church buildings. The church might have been
built by Scots-Norse stonemasons, as similar structures are found in
Norway and Orkney. After exploring Hvalsey ruins, we continue to
Qaqortoq, where our Zodiacs take us ashore. Qaqortoq is the capital of
South Greenland, and the town offers many cultural activities and just
walking around, you will experience the “Man and
Stone” art project, designed to transform the town into an
open-air art gallery. Other activities may include a walking tour
guided by local students, watch a kayak performance, sample local
delicacies, or simply stroll around the picturesque lake.
Days
10 and 11: At Sea
After
a busy first week, enjoy some down time to attend informative and
entertaining lectures ahead of our arrival into Canada’s
spectacular and remote East Coast. Our team of experts may present on
the incredible geology or the rich wildlife found in the Torngat
Mountains National Park.
Day
12: George River (Kangiqsualujjuaq), Newfoundland and Labrador, East
Coast Canada
Kangiqsualujjuaq
(George River) is the easternmost village of Nunavik region in Quebec
province. For adventure and nature lovers, the surroundings of
Kangiqsualujjuaq are full of natural attractions and common wildlife
found of the area include Caribou, black bear, fox and wolf. About 100
km to the east of Kangiqsualujjuaq are the Torngat Mountains. We are
privileged to visit Kangiqsualujjuaq community, where you will meet
with friendly locals who are proud to show you their home and introduce
you to the distinctive characteristics of their cultural and linguistic
heritage, art and stories. Discover the splendid Autumn tundra on a
short hike. The world's largest caribou herds roam freely in Nunavik.
Days
13 and 14: Torngat Mountains National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador,
East Coast Canada
Torngat
Mountains National Park is a mysteriously beautiful landscape
reminiscent of Earth a million years ago. It takes its name from the
Inuktitut word ‘Tongait’, meaning place of spirits.
It is 9,700 square kilometers of spectacular wilderness, a land of
mountains and polar bears, small glaciers, and caribou, where the Inuit
hunt, fish, and travel, as their predecessors did for thousands of
years. The Torngat Mountains are also home to some rock formations
about 3.92 billion years old, making them the second oldest in the
world! Over the next two days, we’ll explore the deep fjords
and channels by ship, Zodiac cruising through some of the most
spectacular and dramatic landscapes found anywhere in the world, and
getting out for hikes, searching for wildlife, visiting archaeological
sites. Weather conditions and tides will determine our itinerary and
landings during our time exploring Torngat Mountains National Park. We
may sail through Eclipse Channel or Nachvak Fjord, a deep and narrow
fjord stretching more than 20 kilometers with rocky walls of the fjord
soaring almost 900 meters above us at several points. Around the
southern part of the national park in places such as Saglek Fjord,
we’ll attempt look for polar bears roaming the rocky shores
of the outlying islands of the park on their hunt for food. Autumn
brings shorter days and when the sun goes down, look up. Chances are,
you’ll see something to take your breath away –
bright green ribbons of light dancing and swirling across the night
sky. You are in the zone of the Aurora Borealis. Brilliant,
exhilarating and utterly unforgettable, the Northern Lights are the
crowning glory to the dramatically beautiful Torngats.
Day
15: At Sea
As
we sail south to Nain, our onboard lecture series continues and
you’ll learn about the history of Moravian missionaries as we
sail south to Nain. Spend your free time catching up on editing photos
and relaxing in the various public areas, stay active in the fitness
center or unwind in the wellness center.
Day
16: Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador, East Coast Canada
Nain
is the most northern and largest community in Nunatsiavut. Founded in
1771 by Moravian Missionaries, Nain was an important outpost for the
missionizing efforts of the Moravians. Beautiful artefacts and
buildings built by the Moravians remain in the community to this day.
In smaller groups accompanied by local guides, you will be taken on a
walking tour visiting the town’s key sites including the
Moravian church; Torngat Arts and Crafts Gift Shop; Illusuak Cultural
Centre and perhaps see a demonstration of stone carving by a local
carver. Time permitting, there may be a chance for a hike to Mount
Sophie, escorted by local Inuit bear guards as bears are frequent in
the area outside of town.
Day
17: Hopedale, Newfoundland and Labrador, East Coast Canada
Located
in the heart of Nunatsiavut, Hopedale is the legislative capital of the
Nunatsiavut Government. Originally known by its Inuktitut name
Arvertok, which translates to "the place of whales", the community was
renamed Hopedale by Moravian Missionaries arriving from Germany in
1782. Today, there remains an incredible legacy of structures and
artefacts from the Moravians in Hopedale. Some of the oldest
wooden-framed buildings in Canada still stand in Hopedale. Take a walk
through the Nunatsiavut Assembly Building and learn about the local
labradorite and seal skin materials found throughout. Browse through
the Moravian Mission Museum Interpretation Centre to view three stories
of artefacts and written materials collected since the late 1700's.
Day
18: Battle Harbor, Newfoundland and Labrador, East Coast Canada
Battle
Harbor is a restored, 19th-century fishing village on a small island in
the Labrador Sea. Regarded by generations as the unofficial capital of
Labrador, it was once the salt fish capital of the world and also a
government center bringing medicine and supplies to Indigenous
communities to the north. Welcome to a place without power lines or
cell towers, without cars or paved roads, you can walk footpaths worn
by fishermen and merchants centuries ago. Spend a few hours in Battle
Harbor exploring the buildings and walking the trails on this island
with local, knowledgeable hosts. Hiking the island reveals its Arctic
vegetation and rock formations. In this sub-Arctic region, the dark
Autumn night sky is full of bright, gigantic stars occasionally joined
by the northern lights.
Day
19: L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland and Labrador, East Coast
Canada
L’Anse
aux Meadows National Historic Site contains the excavated remains of a
complete 11th-century Viking settlement, the earliest evidence of
Europeans in North America. This and subsequent archaeological
discoveries proved Leif Erickson and crews of Norse explorers settled
here in Newfoundland and Labrador (or Vinland as they called it).
L’Anse aux Meadows was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 1978 and is the first authenticated Norse settlement in North
America. Wander the new world home of Leif Ericson and learn about the
sagas and technologies of the Norse that explored North America over 10
centuries ago. On today’s other shore excursion, learn the
fascinating story of Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, a young English doctor
renowned for bringing medicine and education to the Inuit and poor
European settlers along the harsh Labrador Coast.
Day
20: Twilingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, East Coast Canada
Twillingate
is known as the “Iceberg Capital of The World”
because of the many icebergs that flow past its shores from Greenland
in early spring and summer. Twillingate offers many features and
attractions that Newfoundland and Labrador outports are famous for:
stunning coastline, and historical and picturesque streets. Our shore
excursions today will use local guides and school buses (Long Point
Hike option available) to travel between the region’s most
popular attractions: the Auk Island Winery, the Prime Berth, the Long
Point Lighthouse and the Twillingate Museum.
Day
21: St John’s, Newfoundland
After
a leisurely breakfast, bid your fellow travelers, new friends and
expedition team a fond farewell before disembarking in St.
John’s. Since 1497, explorers, adventurers, pirates and all
manner of seafarers have found their way into the spectacular harbor of
St John’s. A legendary seaport on the edge of the continent
with a rich 500-year seafaring history. St. John's is North America's
oldest European-settled city and is the capital of Newfoundland and a
place well worth spending a few days at the end of your voyage. Wander
the colorful Victorian streets with plenty of heritage shops,
boutiques, art galleries, fine restaurants, bistros, and pubs
– just steps from dockside.
Greg Mortimer (Luxury Expedition, 120-guests)
Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards. It is designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of Auroras more than 25 years of experience.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- One
night’s pre-voyage hotel accommodation with breakfast in
Reykjavik on Day 1
- Tailor-made
Reykjavik city tour on Day 2
- Luggage
transfer from your hotel to ship in Reykjavik on Day 2
- Transfer
to downtown St. John’s or airport on Day 21
- Onboard
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Access
to our on board doctor and basic medical services
- A
3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- The
loan of Muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information
- A
printed photo book produced with photos from your voyage (one per
booking)
- Port
surcharges and landing fees
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 1,090 per person
