2013 Greenland and Wild Labrador

0: Greenland and Wild Labrador 2013 Route

1: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Arriving from Toronto, we will board the Sea Adventurer via Zodiac and prepare to steam out of one of the longest fjords in the world with 168km of superb scenery! Although the fjord crosses the Arctic Circle, the waters here do not freeze, making this part of Greenland a year-round centre for fishing and hunting.

2: Evighshedfjord

Today we arrive at Evighedsfjorden, known as the Eternity Fjord. As we cruise along this meandering fjord, we find ourselves surrounded by the highest mountains in West Greenland - reaching heights of over 2,000 meters! We;'ll seek out the seals and whales who reside in the area, and scan the bird cliffs.

3: Kangaamiut

Kangaamiut, is a small fishing community in the municipality of Qeqqata. During our visit to this colourful town, we'll be hosted by a local family and enjoy a presentation in the church before and optional hike.

4: Nuuk

Welcome to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland! Nuuk, meaning '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. 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.

5: Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec

25km upstream from Ungava Bay, we find the welcoming town of Kangiqsualujjuaq. We will have the freedom to explore the community, meet with locals, gather for a community event and strike out of town for a hike on the tundra.

6: Torngat Mountains National Park

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 1,700 m, 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 in the northern reaches of Labrador, including the Eclipse Bay, Nackvak Fiord and Saglek Bay.

7: Torngat Mountains National Park

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 1,700 m, 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 in the northern reaches of Labrador, including the Eclipse Bay, Nackvak Fiord and Saglek Bay.

8: Torngat Mountains National Park

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 1,700 m, 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 in the northern reaches of Labrador, including the Eclipse Bay, Nackvak Fiord and Saglek Bay.

9: 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.

10: Makkovik

The Inuit community of just under 400 inhabitants welcomes us for a day of exploration and immersion. We explore the town through an organized walking tour followed by a musical event with the school children and townsfolk.

11: Cartwright

Named for Captain George Cartwright, our visit to the south coast of Labrador will be at this splendid fishing village. We’ll see the sights, meet locals, learn about regional craft and industry and enjoy a taste of fresh caught crab!

12: L'Anse aux Meadows

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.

13: Conche

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 colourful town on foot, but don?t be surprised if you are invited in by local residents for a 'mug up'!

14: Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park of Canada is a place where long fingers of the North Atlantic Ocean touch the island boreal forest of Eastern Newfoundland. Rocky headlands provide shelter from the awesome power of the open ocean. The landscape of the park varies from the rugged cliffs and sheltered inlets of the coastal region to the rolling forested hills, bogs and ponds of the inland. Cultural history abounds in the remnants of sawmills and past human cultures.

15: St John's, NL

We finish in St. John's, Newfoundland's historic, vibrant capital. Picturesque and welcoming, it has been continuously fished since 1498, allowing it to boast the designation of North America's oldest European settlement. We will leave the Sea Adventurer here.