Greenland to Newfoundland: Mountains, Wildlife and Viking History

The adventure

Take an incredible 14-day polar cruise from Greenland to Newfoundland and explore both Arctic and boreal environments. This means you’ll experience boreal biomes – cold, dense forests dominated by coniferous trees, boreal woodlands and boreal wildlife – while looking out for caribou, black bears, red and Arctic foxes and peregrine falcons. This is a sharp contrast to what you’ll experience in Arctic biomes – home to treeless regions marked by extreme winters, low vegetation and wildlife like polar bears, seals and migratory birds. Learn about Greenlandic culture, Inuit and Nunatsiavut culture and Viking history. Experience East Coast hospitality in St. John’s, famously steeped in Celtic music thanks to its vast population of Irish descendants, and visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites – Ilulissat Icefjord, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station and the 11th century Viking ruins at l’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. This exploration really is the trip of a lifetime!

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Iceland

Showing Days 1-7

11-day itinerary

Day 1Reykjavik, IcelandWelcome to Iceland! When you arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, make your way to your hotel for a free afternoon and evening. You can arrive at any time, as you have the full day at leisure to settle in and explore the city at your own pace.

Reykjavik

Welcome to Iceland! When you arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, make your way to your hotel for a free afternoon and evening. You can arrive at any time, as you have the full day at leisure to settle in and explore the city at your own pace.

Day 2Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and embarkThis morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition! Get ready for great adventures ahead. When you’re aboard, you’ll have a welcome and safety briefing from your Expedition Leader, meet your Expedition Team and explore the ship.

This morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition! Get ready for great adventures ahead. When you’re aboard, you’ll have a welcome and safety briefing from your Expedition Leader, meet your Expedition Team and explore the ship.

Day 3Sisimiut and Maniitsoq, West GreenlandToday you’ll explore two towns in the Qeqqata Municipality on the west coast of Greenland along the Davis Strait – Maniitsoq, which translates to ‘the place of rugged, uneven terrain’ and the historic town of Sisimiut. First, see mountains, rivers, endless glaciers and deep fjords on the way to Eternity Fjord – 75 km (47 mi) long and 1200 m (3937 ft) deep. Later, you’ll have time to wander through Sisimiut, where several 18th-century buildings still stand, including Bethel Church. Watch a demonstration of the traditional art of kayak making. Experiencing a cultural resurgence, the kayak is a symbol of Greenland and can be traced back over 4000 years to the Inuit, who used the vessels for hunting and transportation. For those inclined to other modes of transport, mountain biking is another option.

Today you’ll explore two towns in the Qeqqata Municipality on the west coast of Greenland along the Davis Strait – Maniitsoq, which translates to ‘the place of rugged, uneven terrain’ and the historic town of Sisimiut. First, see mountains, rivers, endless glaciers and deep fjords on the way to Eternity Fjord – 75 km (47 mi) long and 1200 m (3937 ft) deep. Later, you’ll have time to wander through Sisimiut, where several 18th-century buildings still stand, including Bethel Church. Watch a demonstration of the traditional art of kayak making. Experiencing a cultural resurgence, the kayak is a symbol of Greenland and can be traced back over 4000 years to the Inuit, who used the vessels for hunting and transportation. For those inclined to other modes of transport, mountain biking is another option.

Day 4Ilulissat, West GreenlandToday you’ll visit Ilulissat (Greenlandic for icebergs) – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, Ilulissat Icefjord gives birth to countless icebergs. In fact, it’s home to one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq (also known as Jakobshavn Glacier). A Zodiac excursion is a unique way to enjoy the spectacle of enormous ice floating out to Disko Bay. You’ll also visit the nearby town of Ilulissat and hike to the icefjord, where you can view this incredible parade of icebergs from the rocky shore. Expect to see a lot of dogs while you’re in town! There was a time when sled dogs actually outnumbered citizens in Ilulissat, which is the birthplace of the first European to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled (explorer Knud Rasmussen). If time allows, you can visit a local museum dedicated to his memory.

Today you’ll visit Ilulissat (Greenlandic for icebergs) – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, Ilulissat Icefjord gives birth to countless icebergs. In fact, it’s home to one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq (also known as Jakobshavn Glacier). A Zodiac excursion is a unique way to enjoy the spectacle of enormous ice floating out to Disko Bay. You’ll also visit the nearby town of Ilulissat and hike to the icefjord, where you can view this incredible parade of icebergs from the rocky shore. Expect to see a lot of dogs while you’re in town! There was a time when sled dogs actually outnumbered citizens in Ilulissat, which is the birthplace of the first European to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled (explorer Knud Rasmussen). If time allows, you can visit a local museum dedicated to his memory.

Day 5At Sea: Crossing the Davis StraitAs your ship navigates across the Davis Strait, onboard polar experts will present on a variety of topics to deepen your understanding of the places you’ll visit. Your experts include glaciologists, historians, wildlife specialists and other polar specialists.

As your ship navigates across the Davis Strait, onboard polar experts will present on a variety of topics to deepen your understanding of the places you’ll visit. Your experts include glaciologists, historians, wildlife specialists and other polar specialists.

Day 6Pangnirtung, Canadian ArcticToday is your first day exploring the Canadian Arctic as you arrive in Nunavut – Canada’s youngest territory. Nunavut means ‘our land’ in the Inuktitut language and stretches north of the Arctic Circle, covering over 1.8 million square kilometres. Spend time in Pangnirtung, located at the mouth of Pangnirtung Fjord, which merges with Cumberland Sound. It’s a stronghold of the Inuit community and an ideal place to learn about Inuit culture while admiring finely crafted traditional art. You may want to purchase a famous Pang toque – a must-have knit cap for anyone visiting the community.

Today is your first day exploring the Canadian Arctic as you arrive in Nunavut – Canada’s youngest territory. Nunavut means ‘our land’ in the Inuktitut language and stretches north of the Arctic Circle, covering over 1.8 million square kilometres. Spend time in Pangnirtung, located at the mouth of Pangnirtung Fjord, which merges with Cumberland Sound. It’s a stronghold of the Inuit community and an ideal place to learn about Inuit culture while admiring finely crafted traditional art. You may want to purchase a famous Pang toque – a must-have knit cap for anyone visiting the community.

Day 7Cape MercyVisit Cape Mercy – an isolated cove at the southern tip of Cumberland Sound in Nunavut. Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis, who sailed through this part of the Arctic in 1585. Fastforward several centuries to the 1950s when Cape Mercy was selected as the site of a Distant Early Warning Line (DEW) installation – a system of radar stations set up during the Cold War to detect nuclear attacks – but the Inuit hunted and fished in Cape Mercy and the surrounding area long before the arrival of European explorers. You can join a guided shore walk to enjoy incredible views of the vast Davis Strait, which connects Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea.

Cape Mercy

Visit Cape Mercy – an isolated cove at the southern tip of Cumberland Sound in Nunavut. Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis, who sailed through this part of the Arctic in 1585. Fastforward several centuries to the 1950s when Cape Mercy was selected as the site of a Distant Early Warning Line (DEW) installation – a system of radar stations set up during the Cold War to detect nuclear attacks – but the Inuit hunted and fished in Cape Mercy and the surrounding area long before the arrival of European explorers. You can join a guided shore walk to enjoy incredible views of the vast Davis Strait, which connects Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea.

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Your journey through

Canada

Day 12L’Anse aux MeadowsConsider the wooden longboats that transported the Vikings an incredible 2180 km from Greenland to Newfoundland in 1000 AD. Today, you’re going to visit the archaeological remains at the place they landed in their hand-hewn vessels. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (also a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the only confirmed Norse or Viking settlement in North America. Join a guided tour to see where Norseman Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, is believed to have founded ‘Vinland’ (the East Coast area including what would later be known as Newfoundland). Explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins throughout the historic site –proof that Vikings discovered North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus’ much-chronicled arrival.

L’Anse aux Meadows

Consider the wooden longboats that transported the Vikings an incredible 2180 km from Greenland to Newfoundland in 1000 AD. Today, you’re going to visit the archaeological remains at the place they landed in their hand-hewn vessels. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (also a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the only confirmed Norse or Viking settlement in North America. Join a guided tour to see where Norseman Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, is believed to have founded ‘Vinland’ (the East Coast area including what would later be known as Newfoundland). Explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins throughout the historic site –proof that Vikings discovered North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus’ much-chronicled arrival.

Day 13At SeaYour final at-sea day is a great opportunity for you to ask any lingering questions you have for your team of onboard experts, Maybe attend one last polar presentation, relax in Tundra Spa & Sauna or in one the outdoor Jacuzzis.

Your final at-sea day is a great opportunity for you to ask any lingering questions you have for your team of onboard experts, Maybe attend one last polar presentation, relax in Tundra Spa & Sauna or in one the outdoor Jacuzzis.

Day 14Disembark at St John's, CanadaYour ship arrives at the pier in St. John’s for a morning disembarkation. After breakfast, you may make your way to St. John’s International Airport to connect with your onward flight, or stay longer if you have booked additional accommodation.

Your ship arrives at the pier in St. John’s for a morning disembarkation. After breakfast, you may make your way to St. John’s International Airport to connect with your onward flight, or stay longer if you have booked additional accommodation.

What's included

Discover Canada

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

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