The charm of Newfoundland meets the splendor of Greenland on this 13-day voyage! Beginning in St.John's in Newfoundland, journey through northern Canadian history, exploring French, Basque, and Viking influences. In Labrador, visit the Inuit homeland, Nunatsiavut, as you follow the trail of the explorers northward along Canada's wild East coast. All along the way icebergs, whales, polar bears, and seals will have you scanning the horizon!
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet your fellow ship mates in St. John's, Newfoundland's historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, with a world-famous harbor, St. John’s has been continuously fished since 1498, allowing it to boast the designation of North America's oldest European settlement.
After you settle in, enjoy an optional city tour and afterwards, rendezvous at the docks and board the Ocean Endeavour to begin the adventure proper. Sailing out of St. John’s has to be experienced to be believed; Signal Hill keeps watch over the world-famous narrows as we head for open water, passing Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America.
Notre Dame Bay is known for the dozens of quaint villages that dot its rocky shores. The bay itself is home to a plethora of islands and, seasonally, ice bergs that drift in from the Atlantic. The Ocean Endeavour will chart a scenic course through these beautiful obstacles.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, L'Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America. The archaeological remains found here in 1960 date to approximately 1000 AD. Amazingly, the location of the ruins was first established by a close reading of the Viking sagas.
Day 4: Wonderstrands, Mealy Mountains Park Reserve
When you think of Labrador, you may not think ‘beaches’ — but the Vikings did. Two long trackless crescents of sand, washed by the cold Labrador Sea and backed by the Mealy Mountains, were given the name “Wunderstrand” by the Norse seafarers, and earned a place in their Sagas. Hunted, traveled, and occupied over thousands of years by various peoples, the Wonderstrands are still largely unknown and rarely visited by non-Labradorians.
The Mealy Mountains encompass five of Labrador’s ten provincial eco-regions, including coastal barrens, high subarctic tundra, high boreal forest, mid boreal forest, and string bog. The mountain range reaches heights of more than 1,000 meters. A significant portion of the mountain range and surrounding area has been recently designated a potential National Park Reserve, a move which follows lobbying for the preservation of the area since the early 1970s.
The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have agreed to pursue creation of a National Park Reserve, which would see the area managed as if it were a national park, pending settlement of Native land claims.
Today finds us entering Nunatsiavut, the first Inuit region in Canada to achieve self-governance. Spend your time in Hopedale, founded as an Inuit settlement named Agvituk, or “place of the whales”. In the late eighteenth century, Moravian missionaries from Germany arrived in the settlement to convert the population — a population with a long history of traditional nomadic Inuit occupation. The Hopedale Mission is still standing and is thought to be the oldest wooden-frame building in Canada east of Québec. It was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1970.
Today, Hopedale is the legislative capital of the Nunatsiavut Government. A new assembly building has recently been opened with local Labradorite stone tiling and sealskin seats. An important historical location for Labrador is thus enjoying continued vitality in the modern lives of its Inuit population.
In the afternoon, meet with locals in the community to learn about the mission and its history. There will be ample time for walking and exploration — a nearby abandoned American radar station affords spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Long-abandoned Hebron was once one of the most northerly communities on the north Labrador coast. A Moravian Mission station was constructed here from 1829 to 1831, but in a highly controversial move, the station was abandoned in 1959, forcing the relocation of the Inuit who resided there. In August of 2009, the provincial government unveiled a monument at the site of Hebron with an inscribed apology for the site closure. Visit this site of Canadian First Nation history.
The Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for millennia, with archaeological evidence reaching back almost 7,000 years. The fjords here reach deep into the heart of the mountains, bounded by cliffs peaking at 1,700 meters, the highest point of land in Labrador. The rugged, spectacular beauty and inimitable spirit of the Torngat Mountains has led to their acting as the spiritual homeland of Nunatsiavut, both historically and into the present day.
The Torngat Mountains comprise some of the oldest rocks on the planet and provide some of the best exposure of geological history. Polar bears, caribou, falcons, and eagles are among the species hardy enough to make their homes here.
Enjoy a presentations series prepared by the crew as the ship sails across the Davis Strait towards landfall in Greenland. While out on deck keep your eyes peeled for minke, humpback and other marine mammals, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.
This morning, arrive in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Nuuk means 'the headland' and is situated at the mouth of a gigantic fjord system. Established as the very first Greenlandic town in 1728, Nuuk remains the bustling center of the country today. We have the chance to spot humpback whales in the fjord, reindeer roaming the land, and birds soaring in the sky. The town itself is home to Greenland's University, a cathedral dating back to 1849 and Greenland's National Museum. Visit some of the city's most important sites, and then have some free time to explore on your own.
There are a number of charming fishing villages along the west coast of Greenland. Depending on timing and sea conditions, the crew will call in at one of these communities to experience small town Greenlandic life, or navigate into the stunning fjords that line the coast.
Day 13: Disembark in Kangerlussuaq
1 Breakfast
We will make our way down spectacular Sondre Stromfjord, and early risers (or late-nighters) will have a chance to experience its beauty. Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometers of magnificent scenery! Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern mouth, means 'the big fjord’. Although the fjord crosses the Arctic Circle, like the oceans here, it does not freeze. Locals can thank ocean currents for this, making this part of Greenland a center for whaling and fishing all year.
The area is distinguished by fantastic nature and rich biodiversity. There is nowhere else in Greenland where it is so easy to go so far into the interior, and the world’s largest ice cap can be reached in less than an hour. The landscape features enormous glacier formations, which have ploughed deep into the dramatic tundra. On the plain between the fjord and the inland ice you may find Greenland's biggest herds of musk ox, reindeer, arctic foxes as well as the highest concentration of peregrine falcons in Greenland and more than 250 species of plants.
Disembark and take a charter flight to Toronto, ON, where you begin your journey home or onward to your next adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,995
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $1000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.