Spend 16 unforgettable days aboard the Expedition as you journey from Iceland's wild southwestern coast, along the glacier-carved shores of Greenland, and into the dramatic landscapes of Newfoundland and Labrador. Along the way, you'll visit remote communities, spot wildlife in its natural habitat, and gain a deeper understanding of these rugged regions from your expert expedition crew. From icy fjords to windswept cliffs, you'll explore some of the planet's most remote and awe-inspiring places - a journey that's sure to expand your sense of wonder with every nautical mile.
Breakfast: 15
Lunch: 14
Dinner: 15
Expedition Crew
Naturalist(s)
Expedition
Zodiac
15 nights premium boat
Relaxed
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Rekjavik (REK) where you will be met and arrival and transferred to the meeting point at the start hotel. You will need to drop off your checked luggage by 2pm at the joining hotel's luggage storage room and there will be a late afternoon group transfer to the ship for embarkation around 4pm. Depart the port of Keflavik in the evening.
Grade: Premium Boat
Enjoy the lecture series while watching the seas for whales. Head away from Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavík. The view is often complemented by soaring fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills.
Arrive across the Denmark Strait in Greenland today and the largest town in Eastern Greenland, known as Tasiilaq. Anchor near the village and board zodiacs to shore. Explore by foot and enjoy Tasiilaq's architecturally unique church, and the small but excellent museum. This town is a gateway to the gorgeous wilderness of the east with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and experiencing traditional Inuit culture.
Spend the next few days along the southern tip of Greenland. Start by sailing towards the Skjoldungen Fjords and its rugged, spectacular, remote scenery. There is very little human presence here with no current or recent settlement.
Depending on weather, the group will take zodiacs to shore and visit the Qoornoq site, which are archaeological remains.
Sail through Prince Christian Sound with its towering mountains, massive glaciers, and a variety of icebergs along the southernmost tip of Greenland. If possible, visit Aappilattoq, often referred to as The Patagonia of the North and one of the most remote settlements in the region, nestled at the intersection of two long fjords.
Visit Hvalsey, a major viking settlement in Greenland, established in the 10th century. The ruins are well-preserved and include the church, making it a fascinating place to explore Norse history.
The next two days consist of crossing the Davis Strait. This southern arm of the Arctic Ocean lies just north of the Labrador Sea. It can be found between mid-western Greenland and Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada.
More time at sea on the Davis Strait, named after the English explorer John Davis who came to the area to cross the Northwest Passage.
Enjoy time sailing along the Newfoundland and Labrador coastline. Begin in Hebron, a former Inuit community on the Labrador coast and now a National Historic Site of Canada.
Visit in the morning and see the abandoned Moravian mission and the northernmost settlement here. These sites offer a glimpse into Labrador's unique history, particularly the impact of the Moravian Church on Inuit culture and life.
Travel onward via the ship to Hopedale which is the legislative capital of the Inuit Land Claims Area Nunatsiavut, and where the Nunatsiavut Assembly meets. The site has been recognized for its aesthetic, historic, and cultural value, representing a crucial part of Labrador's heritage. Sail further south to L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and only authentic Norse site in North America.
See the stunning scenery of Woody Point. Located on the edge of Bonne Bay with the Tablelands as its impressive backdrop, it is the gateway to Gros Morne National Park where there are lots of opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
Enjoy time at sea aboard the ship between Woody Point and St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland. It is one of the oldest and most easterly cities in North America and combines big-city with traditional small-town charm.
You will disembark the ship after breakfast. Transfers to the St. John's airport will be offered to all passengers with flights scheduled. For guests departing on disembarkation day, a complimentary transfer will be provided at 8am to St. John's International Airport from the port. For guests who are planning on staying on in Newfoundland, taxis will be available for hire at the port to transfer you to your accommodation. All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while on board prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met. We recommend booking onward travel from 12pm onwards incase there are any ship delays.
You will disembark after breakfast in Reykjavik. A complimentary airport transfer will take you to the airport in time for your scheduled flight.
May-Sep is the best time to visit, when the weather is usually warm, dry and pleasant. Temperatures can be a little cooler on the coast and in the mountains; rain can be expected at any time. Early in the season, there can be snow in some areas which may limit walking possibilities.
-7
2 Pin Flat
Roman Catholic, Protestant
English and French
Greenland has an Arctic climate with average temperatures in the North that do not exceed 10° C in the warmest summer months. In the southern part of the country and the innermost parts of the long fjords, the temperature can, however, rise to more than 20° C (68° F) in June, July and August.
UTC±00:00 to UTC-04:00
Church of Denmark
Greenlandic however, Danish and English are recognised languages.
Parkas This will be provided by the ship operator. Please register your size with us before travel and we will arrange for your parka to be available in your cabin on arrival. Gloves Keeping your hands warm and dry can be a challenge. Thin polypropylene gloves can be worn underneath warm outergloves. This allows you some protection from the cold when removing your gloves to operate your camera etc. We strongly recommend that you bring more than one pair of gloves, in case one gets wet (or lost). Hat/Cap Warm, woollen hat/cap to protect your ears, as well as a scarf, neck gaiter or other face protection, such as a balaclava. Trousers Water-resistant trousers of coated nylon or, even better Gore-Tex®, are essential for your comfort. They can be worn over your regular clothes to keep you warm and dry. We suggest that you purchase trousers a few sizes larger than you normally wear as you will be wearing them over other clothing. Gore-Tex® or similar fabrics are excellent for keeping out wind and water without trapping excess heat. In addition to your waterproof trousers, warm ski pants are suggested if you have them. Warm trousers such as jeans, corduroys etc. are also good. Socks Warm wool socks worn over a thin pair of silk, polypropylene socks should provide enough warmth and insulation for your feet. Bring several pairs of socks, since you will inevitably get your feet wet. Outer Clothing Woollen, knit or cotton jumpers/tops, polar fleece tops (medium weight), several cotton turtlenecks and T-shirts for layering on and off the ship. Underclothing Thermal underwear is highly recommended as it will keep you warm without adding bulk. Most polar travellers prefer a lightweight version.
Complimentary, used, waterproof boots will be supplied onboard. However, guests might want to bring their own if they are the following sizes due to the limited quantities onboard: - men's UK size 12 & 13 1/2 - women's UK size below three & seven and above Guests must bring their own if they are: - men's UK size six 1/2 or smaller - men's UK size 13 1/2 or larger - women's UK size two or smaller - women's UK size nine 1/2 or larger These are rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knees with a strong, ridged non-skid sole. You usually have to step from the Zodiac into icy water up to 30 cm high on most landings. Do not bring heavy, cumbersome boots that make it difficult to walk or boots with metal cleats, as they cannot be used for landings. For maximum warmth, wear loose-fitting boots and two pairs of socks. Try out your boots before the voyage.
20kg
One main piece of baggage and daypack. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
Expedition, Zodiac
The Expedition has the best of both worlds: large enough to offer stability, spacious cabins and generous public areas, but small enough to manoeuvre easily and get you close to the action. With a maximum of only 128 guests and a high ratio of expedition staff to passengers. there's a relaxed, informal atmosphere on-board. The ship was fully refurbished in 2017 so you can expect modern features, fixtures and fittings throughout. Cabins consist of triples (lead-in price), twin-share cabins and suites. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms and a porthole or window and all have twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suite cabins have a queen-size bed.
Cabins consist of triples (lead-in price), twin-share cabins and suites. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms and a porthole or window and all have twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suite cabins have a queen-size bed.
Onboard our expedition ship you'll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice; please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub or in the lounge.
Onboard the expedition ship you'll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub, or in the lounge. Approximate prices of drinks, in USD, that aren't included are as follows: Bottle of wine - $30 Glass of wine - $8 (half price during happy hour) Beer - $6 Soft Drinks - $4 A combination of US dollars cash and cards is best. Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards are useful and can be used in many places, but may be subject to a service charge. The ship accepts Visa and Mastercard. Additional information: There is a chit system on board the ship, with bills settled on the final night of the voyage. Please note that only US Dollars and credit cards are accepted on board.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Norway: Entry visas NOT required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN Citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.