Arctic Expedition: Greenland & Wild Labrador

Day 1 – Arrive in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland / Embark the Sea Adventurer
Arrive in Greenland from Toronto and board the Sea Adventurer via Zodiac boat. We then steam out of one of the longest fjords in the world featuring104 miles of superb scenery! Although the fjord crosses the Arctic Circle, the waters here do not freeze, making this part of Greenland a year-round center for fishing and hunting.
Accommodation: Selected stateroom aboard Sea Adventurer – 13 nights

Day 2 – Evighedsfjorden & Kangaamiut, Greenland
Today we arrive at Evighedsfjorden, known as the Eternity Fjord. As we cruise along this meandering fjord, we are surrounded by the highest mountains in West Greenland, reaching heights of over 6,500 feet. We’ll seek out the seals and whales that reside in the area and scan the cliffs for bird colonies. Kangaamiut is a small fishing community in the municipality of Qeqqata. During our visit to this colorful town, we'll be hosted by a local family and enjoy a presentation in the church before an optional hike.

Day 3 – Nuuk, Greenland
Welcome to 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 has a history that dates back over 4,200 years. Today, Nuuk is the world's smallest capital city with a population of only 15,000. Here we have a 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. We will visit some of the city's most important sites before free time to explore on your own.

Day 4 – Monumental Island
The tiny pile of rocks known as Monumental Island lies at the mouth of Frobisher Bay, where the mixing of ocean currents from Hudson Strait creates a rich environment for ocean life. The tides here are some of the strongest in the world; depending on ice and tide conditions we will explore the area in search of polar bear, walrus and whale.

Day 5 – Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
In the shelter of a commanding granite rock outcrop is the easternmost community of Kangiqsualujjuaq, or George River. Fifteen miles upstream from Ungava Bay, the ebb and flow of the tides define the summer lives of the people and fauna of this area. Arctic flora thrives in the protected valley. The calving grounds of the George River caribou herd are nearby; they are the largest ungulate population in the world estimated at several hundreds of thousands of head. After our welcome back to Canada, we will have the freedom to explore the community in Kangiqsualujjuaq, meet with locals and strike out of town for a hike on the tundra.

Days 6 & 7 – Torngat Mountains National Park, Labrador, Canada
From the Inuktitut word “torngait” meaning “place of spirits,” the Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence reaching back almost 7,000 years. The fjords here reach well back into the depths of the Torngats as we are overshadowed by cliffs rising straight up from the sea, peaking at 5,577 feet, the highest point of land in Labrador. The Torngat Mountains claim some of the oldest rocks on the planet and provide some of the best exposure of geological history. The rocky landscape is a challenge to life, and the species that make their home here are a resilient bunch with fascinating survival adaptations. We hope to see a number of species during our time in Northern Labrador. Our intention is to make expeditionary stops into Labrador’s northern regions, including the Eclipse Bay, Nackvak Fiord and Saglek Bay.

Day 8 – Torngat Mountains National Park & Hebron
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 the main buildings - the church, the mission house and the store - were not inhabited until 1837. The Moravian Mission has had a very strong influence on the history of northern Labrador. Originally known as the Unitas Fratrum, the Moravian Church traces its roots to 15th century central Europe, in what is now the Czech Republic. In 1751, a group of merchants attached to the Moravian congregation in London decided to outfit a trading and missionary voyage to the Labrador coast in order to convert the Inuit. In a highly controversial move, the station was abandoned in 1959, forcing the relocation of the Inuit who resided there. In 2005, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams apologized to people affected by the relocations. In August of 2009, the provincial government unveiled a monument at the site of Hebron with an inscribed apology for the site closure.

Day 9 – Okak, Labrador
The permanent settlement of Okak occurred during the first expansion of the Moravian missionaries from Nain. However, the region itself represents a microcosm of more than 5,000 years of prehistory. In 1776 when the Moravians settled, 250 Inuit inhabited the area and survived primarily on whale and seal hunting. Tragedy struck the village in 1918 when over 80% of the 263 residents died from the Spanish influenza. Many of the survivors endured in this pretty community, but in 1965 the residents were relocated to other coastal towns by the government. Today, what remains of Okak town is the graveyard and ruins of the former mission. Our morning will be spent on Zodiac and foot exploring the network of islands and the haunting remnants of Okak.

Day 10 – Hopedale, Labrador
Originally called Agvituk meaning “place of whales,” Hopedale was first established in 1782 by Moravian Missionaries. Today the community is a mix of Inuit and settler populations. Traditional Inuit practices remain strong and most of the 600 plus residents are members of the Labrador Inuit Association. The Hopedale Mission is considered to be the oldest wooden-frame building east of Québec and has been declared a National Historic Site. There is a wonderfully run museum located by the Mission.

Day 11 – Mealy Mountains
Infused in the Mealy Mountains in the traditional history of the first peoples of the land. The Labrador Inuit and Labrador Métis have binding subsistence, traditional and cultural bonds. The creation of the Mealy Mountain National Park was announced in early February 2010 and celebrated by all Canadians. Larger than Yellowstone and Yosemite combined, the new park will be the single largest conservation zone in Eastern Canada. The area boasts a boreal ecosystem and wildlife such as the threatened woodland caribou herd, along with moose, black bear, osprey, bald eagles and a species of special concern, the eastern population of the harlequin duck; all will now have a protected area. We will seek to explore a small portion of this vast new protected area while keeping an eye out for the six species of seal and sixteen species of whales and dolphins known to frequent these waters.

Day 12 – L'Anse aux Meadows and Conche, Newfoundland
L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Located at the tip of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula, it is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally. On the Great Northern Peninsula, the people of Conche welcome us into their charming community. Complete with ties to its history, religion, the fishery and wildlife, Conche is made up of mostly Irish descent. We will explore the colorful town on foot, but don’t be surprised if you are invited in by local residents for a “mug up!”

Day 13 – Botwood, Newfoundland
The town of Botwood, incorporated in 1960 with a current population of approximately 3,100, is a small community nestled in the heart of the Exploits Valley - a beautiful area which encompasses much of Central Newfoundland. Primarily a seaport town, Botwood has a stunning landscape, including a scenic and peaceful harbor. While the Town of Botwood is geographically confined within a small area, its history is reminiscent of a community ten times its size. It was a major base for Canadian and British soldiers in World War II.

Day 14 – St. John’s Newfoundland
We arrive in St. John's, Newfoundland's historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, it has been a continuous fishing community since 1498 and is North America's oldest European settlement. Disembark the Sea Adventurer after docking.