ACROSS THE ARCTIC: VIKING LEGENDS AND NORTHERN LIGHTS
__________________
14 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kangerlussuaq, Greenland | Haven for wildlife, Inuit culture and history, embark the ship |
| Day 2 | Evigheds Glacier | Calving icebergs, white-tailed eagles, black-legged kittiwakes |
| Day 3 | Qeqertarsuaq | Colourful houses, dramatic basalt columns, rolling hills, black sand beaches |
| Day 4 | Sisimiut | Dorset, Thule and Inuit history, dog-sledding, humpback whales, Arctic fox |
| Day 5 | At Sea | Enjoy the facilities onboard and look for wildlife from the deck |
| Day 6 | Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada | Inuit history, Sunakkutaangit Museum, dog-sledding on handmade qamutik sleds |
| Day 7 | Lady Franklin Island | Black guillemots, ptarmigan, gulls, walrus, polar bears, beluga whales |
| Day 8 | Torngat Mountains National Park, Labrador Coast | Towering peaks, dramatic fjords, pristine Arctic landscapes, abundant wildlife |
| Day 9 | Nain, Newfoundland | Indigenous culture and traditions, rugged coastline, fjords, boreal forests |
| Day 10 | At Sea | Head to the sauna, get in a workout, or relax in the hot tub |
| Day 11 | L'Anse aux Meadows | 1000-year-old Norse settlement, only authenticated Viking set in the Americas |
| Day 12 | Bonne Bay | Fishing community, Gros Morne National Park, steep cliffs, lush forests, |
| Day 13 | At Sea | Reflect on your journey thus far as it draws to a close |
| Day 14 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Disembark in the vibrant capital of Nova Scotia |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Swan Hellenic Vega
The SH Vega is a 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offering you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage. She made her maiden voyage in July 2022, and carries a maximum of 152 guest in 76 cabins. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. For the comfort of guests, suites have a separate living room and bedroom. All staterooms are equipped with spacious wardrobes and bathrooms.
Day 1 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Once a WWII airbase at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, Kangerlussuaq’s history is told at the airport’s museum, showcasing Inuit artefacts. This ice-filled glacial area and tundra is a haven for wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hare, gyrfalcons and around 10,000 muskoxen. Embark the ship from here.
Day 2 Evigheds Glacier
The Evigheds Glacier, a majestic outflow from the Greenland Ice Sheet, carves through the dramatic Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord, also known as Eternity Fjord. This 75-km-long waterway is a haven for wildlife, with white-tailed eagles and black-legged kittiwakes soaring above. Calving icebergs showcase Greenland’s raw beauty, but sadly like many glaciers, it is slowly retreating due to global warming’s impact on this fragile Arctic ecosystem.
Day 3 Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, Greenland’s largest island, where colourful houses pop against dramatic red basalt mountains. Overlooked by striking Lyngemark Glacier, the area is shaped by its volcanic origin, unique terrain featuring dramatic basalt columns, rolling hills black sand beaches. Thanks to its relatively fertile landscape, it supports unique plant species, such as wild angelica, rarely found elsewhere in Greenland.
Day 4 Sisimiut
The second largest town in Greenland, just above the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut remains remarkably ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub all year round. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Dorset, Thule and eventually the Inuit people, dog sledding remains a vital form of transportation. The area is home to humpback whales and Arctic foxes in their summer coat.
Day 5 At Sea
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable onboard experts.
Day 6 Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
The native Inuit are an integral part of Iqaluit, a remote community at the head of Frobisher Bay. The bay provides insight into Inuit history and culture including dog-sledding on handmade qamutik sleds led by qimmiq – North America’s oldest and rarest purebred canine. Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum displays Inuit artwork while Crystal II, an ancient Thule Inuit settlement, lies outside of Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park.
Day 7 Lady Franklin Island
Most known for its huge vertical cliffs of Archean rocks, reputedly the oldest stones in Canada, Lady Franklin Island is an uninhabited isle off Hall Peninsula on Baffin Island. Black guillemots, ptarmigan and gulls all nest in this ice-filled area of the Davis Strait. Lumbering walrus haul out to the south at Monumental Island, a well-known denning site for polar bears. Nearby, the Cumberland Sound is home to its own species of beluga whale.
Day 8 Torngat Mountains National Park
Nestled along the rugged Labrador coast, the park is a sanctuary of towering peaks, dramatic fjords, and pristine Arctic landscapes. Nachvak Fjord, a striking glacial inlet within the park, offers awe-inspiring views of ice-carved cliffs and abundant wildlife. This is a rare chance to explore untouched nature, rich Indigenous culture, and the raw beauty of the North in an intimate and respectful way.
Day 9 Nain, Newfoundland
Nain, the northernmost permanent settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador, is a gateway to the vast wilderness of Labrador. This small Inuit community offers a glimpse into Indigenous culture and traditions that have thrived here for centuries. Surrounded by rugged coastline, fjords, and boreal forests, Nain is a place where nature and heritage come together, inviting visitors to experience authentic Arctic life and stunning natural beauty.
Day 10 At Sea
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable onboard experts.
Day 11 L’Anse aux Meadows
The 1,000-year-old Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows (Meadows Cove), on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, is the first and only authenticated Viking site in the Americas, believed to have been occupied by Leif Erikson. He was the first European to explore Canada’s east coast in around 1021. Some of the 800 original Norse artefacts and eight sod houses are on view during a tour of the recreated village, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 12 Bonne Bay
Bonne Bay, located near the charming town of Woody Point in Newfoundland and Labrador, is a stunning natural inlet framed by steep cliffs and lush forests. This tranquil fjord is part of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers. Visitors to Bonne Bay can enjoy peaceful waters, abundant wildlife, and the small-town charm of Woody Point, making it an ideal spot to connect with nature and local culture.
Norris Point lies on the northern side of Bonne Bay at the junction of the south and east arms, connected by a 15-minute ferry ride to Woody Point. Established as a fishing community centred on herring fishing, it later became a fur trading post and town grew with settlers from England, Ireland and Scotland. It still maintains its coastal charm with a close-knit community and access to natural beauty within Gros Morne National Park.
Day 13 At Sea
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable onboard experts.
Day 14 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Disembark in Halifax, the vibrant capital of Nova Scotia. It is a bustling port city rich in maritime history and culture. With its picturesque harbor, historic waterfront, and lively neighborhoods, Halifax offers a dynamic blend of old-world charm and modern energy. Visitors can explore iconic sites like the Citadel, stroll along bustling boardwalks, and savor fresh seafood, all set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.