Cruise Greenland Labrador Coast

Categories Small Ship Cruises Arctic Cruises Adventure & Eco Travel Cruises

Follow in the footsteps of some of the most tenacious explorers and imagine their reaction as they reached the frozen land of Greenland - with Arctic wildlife, spectacular vistas, indigenous Inuit communities and the possibility to see the magical northern lights (aurora borealis). Birds abound with fulmar, kittiwake, Arctic tern and eider to be seen. Westward to the north of Canada, gain further insight into the Inuit and explore this Arctic wilderness watching for Polar Bear, whale and dolphin. Along the coast of Labrador and then eastern Newfoundland evidence has been found of the Inuit, Pre Dorset, Thule, Moravian Brethren, Vikings and early European settlers and fishermen. These coastlines are a true wilderness where you may find, flint, volcanic rock, striking fjords, Polar Bear, caribou, whales, the peregrine falcon, gannet and other birds.

We can assist with your travel planning by booking hotels, transfers and tours for you at our embarkation and disembarkation points..

Please note that the 2012 departure is an 18 day cruise

Itinerary

We board the M/V Polar Star in colorful Reykjavik to begin our Viking adventure.

DENMARK STRAIT As we head towards Greenland, we relax onboard and attend lectures. Our bridge and large deck areas are ideal lookouts for spotting whales, dolphins and seabirds.

This morning we navigate the narrow waters of Prins Christian Sund with its amazing array of glaciers, icebergs and melting rivers of ice. This is a scenic highlight of the cruise. In the picturesque town of Nanortalik, we visit the open air market and the local museum with Norse and Inuit relics.

We land at Brattahlid, where Erik the Reds wife established the first Christian church in Greenland and today we can see a reconstruction of the village. In the afternoon we walk to the ruins at Igaliku, once the religious epicentre of the local Viking settlement.

In Hvalsey, we see some of the best preserved Viking ruins (1300s) including the church where the last religious ceremony was performed in 1408 before the people mysteriously vanished from the area. We visit Qaqortoq to wander the streets lined with stoned sculptures and brilliantly painted houses.

DAVIS STRAIT We spend two days onboard as we cruise iceberg alley which separates Greenland from Baffin Island. Our lecture program continues as we look out for icebergs and wildlife.

We make landfall at the capital of Nunavut on Baffin Island to embark on a community tour which includes displays of beautiful Inuit art, and enjoy an arctic luncheon.

SAVAGE ISLANDS Today is a day in the wilderness with Zodiac cruising and perhaps a landing in Frobisher Bay. There is the possibility to see Polar Bears, seals and a variety of seabirds here.

A delight for geologists and naturalists alike, this limestone island is knows for its fossils, gigantic cliffs and a good opportunity for sightings of polar bear and peregrine falcon.

TORNGAT MOUNTAINS Known to the Inuit people as land of the spirits, these mountains were formed from rocks thought to be almost four billion years old. Black bear and Polar Bear live amongst the areas majestic network of fjords, cliffs and peaks. Zodiac landings are planned at Saglek and Nackvack, and Hebron.

CAPE MUGFORD & HEBRON In Hebron, we explore the buildings that Moravian Brethrens left behind after bringing their mission to the area. The settlement was abandoned in 1959. We also visit Cape Mugford, home to unique volcanic rock formations.

Greet the community of today in Hopedale with about 800 people and learn about their life and history including the Moravian Brethren influence. We explore the ruins and see what is thought to be the oldest building east of Quebec.

Groswater Bay abounds in archaeological sites dating back over at least 7,000 years and is home to a variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife.

BATTLE HARBOUR Battle Harbour, first settled by Europeans in 1770 was home to the Labrador Schooner Fishery. Today it is an excellent restoration giving insight into the rugged lifestyle of those days.

(Newfoundland, Canada) At the northern tip of this island province is St Anthony, home of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, honoured for his medical mission work. Nearby is Norstead and L'Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America and UNESCO site.

We spend the day exploring Bonavista, where Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) is said to have first glimpsed North America (1497). We visit a replica of Cabots ship the Matthew, the restored historic lighthouse (1843) and reconstructed fishing village.

We enter the beautiful natural harbour of St Johns, North America's oldest city, and disembark after breakfast.

Notes