Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland – Encounters at the Edge

Explore the world’s northernmost capital, ReykjavíkYour adventure begins with an overnight stay in Reykjavík.  A laid-back city of art, culture and history, delightful Reykjavík is well worth exploring.  Take a stroll along Laugavegur with its boutiques and outdoor shops, gaze in awe at the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church, and drop in on the fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum.   If you have the time, we recommend booking a Pre-Program with us and discovering some of Iceland’s natural highlights before your cruise begins.

Welcome to the capital of GreenlandYou'll have an early start today as we depart Reykjavík and fly to Nuuk.  Nuuk is Greenland’s colorful and compact capital. With a population of fewer than 20,000, it’s a striking mix of old and modern buildings. If you’re more a fan of the former, head down to the old part of town by the waterfront, where you’ll find Nuuk Cathedral and the statue of Danish missionary Hans Egede standing on a hill. In the water below, look out for the beautiful Mother of the Sea statue for a striking juxtaposition of two cultures. Your expedition ship awaits you in the harbor. After being welcomed aboard and collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to settle into your cabin and then enjoy your first dinner on board.

Prepare for adventure as we head southWhile sailing toward South Greenland, you’ll have time to get acquainted with the AECO rules and recommendations regarding operations and landings in the fragile Arctic environment. Make sure you attend these fascinating and important presentations. You can also enjoy the state-of-the-art ship facilities and join the first lectures on topics such as ornithology, geology and culture. You’ll also learn about the Citizen Science projects we run on board the ship. The coast of Greenland is carved by many fjords. Depending on the conditions, in the afternoon we may be able to cruise deep into one of our favorites, Kuannersooq Fjord, as it’s known in Greenlandic, or Kvanerfjord in Danish.

Greenlandic life at the edge of the ice capSouth Greenland offers curious travellers an intriguing blend of Norse history, Inuit culture, and breathtaking landscapes.  Here you can explore Viking settler ruins, and discover colourful small towns, marvelling at awe-inspiring fjords, mountains, glaciers and icebergs along the way. Combining rich cultural experiences with thrilling outdoor adventures, both history enthusiasts and nature lovers will be enraptured. Over the next two days, our possible destinations and landing sites include: Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site Qassiarsuk Brattahlíð (Qassiarsuk) Hvalsey Qaqortoq For more detailed information about each of these, along with our explorer's guide to the Northwest Passage and Arctic Canada, see our Travel Guide here.

Northeast of Qaqortoq and at the end of a fjord, Hvalsey is one of the best examples of South Greenland’s many scattered ruins from the Norse period. Today the area is used for sheep-grazing, but until the 15th century the settlement at Hvalsey, and specifically Hvalsey’s church, played an important part. Christianity had spread its influence throughout Europe and eventually had reached remote Greenland, where it established itself in the country in 1000 AD. Hvalsey Church was built in the 14th century and is the best preserved of the churches in Greenland from that period. Apart from the church walls, historical ruins from the time of the Norse are just a few meters away.

The largest town in southern Greenland, Qaqortoq has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Upon arrival in this charming southern Greenland enclave, it's easy to see why. Qaqortoq rises quite steeply over the fjord system around the city, offering breath-taking panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains, deep, blue sea, Lake Tasersuag, icebergs in the bay, and pastoral backcountry. Although the earliest signs of ancient civilization in Qaqortoq date back 4,300 years, Qaqortoq is known to have been inhabited by Norse and Inuit settlers in the 10th and 12th centuries, and the present-day town was founded in 1774. In the years since, Qaqortoq has evolved into a seaport and trading hub for fish and shrimp processing, tanning, fur production, and ship maintenance and repair.

Witness the immense Torngat MountainsWelcome to Canada! After clearing customs, we’ll be joined by Park Rangers who’ll accompany us as we explore the Torngat Mountains National Park over the coming days. Meaning ‘place of spirits’ in Inuktitut, the national park spans some 6,000 miles, extending from Saglek Fjord to Labrador’s tip, and from the Atlantic coast to the Québec border. This wilderness is peppered with small glaciers and it’s home to polar bears and caribou. It also has rich Inuit heritage of hunting and fishing. While exploring this magnificent area, we hope to visit: Saglek Bay Nachvak Fiord Ramah For more detailed information about each of these, along with our explorer's guide to the Northwest Passage and Arctic Canada, see our Travel Guide here.

At 68 degrees North, Narvik lies 140 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Its history as a settlement began in the Stone Age, and Vikings are also known to have lived in the area. The modern town came into existence in the 1870s to serve the needs of the iron industry. Iron ore is mined in neighbouring Sweden and, as an ice-free port, Narvik was chosen as the ideal export location. The LKAB mining corporation is still a major employer and landowner in the area, shipping some 25,000,000 tons of iron ore from the port annually. This industrial heritage has shaped the town and now forms the basis of some of its most popular tourist attractions. In 1883 a co-owned British-Swedish company was given permission to build a railway connecting the Swedish iron mines in Kiruna to Narvik. It opened in 1902 and the town, then christened Victoriahavn, grew up around it. Unfortunately much of Narvik was destroyed in World War II. Invaded by the Nazis on 9 April 1940, it was later retaken by the Allies, representing the first military defeat of Hitler’s troops, but was evacuated as part of Operation Alphabet when it came under German occupation again. The local war museum documents the turbulent history of this period.

Head back in time and delve into the history of LabradorOver the next five days, we’ll cruise south, unearthing the fascinating history of coastal Labrador and discovering its rich cultural heritage.  This area is home to some of Labrador’s most important Moravian settlements, and a once busy fishing village that’s now a National Historic Site. There are also breathtaking waterways to transit and a whaling past to uncover. Over the next five days, our potential destinations may include: Hebron Mugford Tickle Hopedale Battle Harbour Red Bay For more detailed information about each of these, along with our explorer's guide to the Northwest Passage and Arctic Canada, see our Travel Guide here.

Relive the tales of Vikings, pioneers and early explorersYour cruise continues to the island of Newfoundland. With a coastline of towering mountains, peaceful bays and lush forests, and a heritage that’s colourful and diverse, Newfoundland is sure to enchant. As we explore, you can delve into the island’s past, from pioneering missionaries and early explorers to as far back as Viking settlers. Over the next two days, we hope to visit: St Anthony UNESCO-listed L’Anse aux Meadows & Norstead Bonavista For more detailed information about each of these, along with our explorer's guide to the Northwest Passage and Arctic Canada, see our Travel Guide here.

End your adventure on a colorful noteWe say a fond farewell to our ship as we end our expedition in St. John’s, Newfoundland’s capital.  As one of the oldest cities in North America, St. John’s is nothing but charming. Colorful houses are etched into the steep and rugged hillside along the coast, and proud Cabot Tower on Signal Hill watches over the city from above. It’s well worth exploring the city further if you have time before your onward journey. Whatever your next steps are, you’ll take with you a wealth of memories that will no doubt endure, along with experiences that will change the way you see the world.