Expedition North: The Wild Beauty of Greenland & Labrador

Program Registration: At 5:00 PM meet your group leader in the hotel lobby. Orientation: 7:30 PM after dinner. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Aboard the charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.

We’ll transfer to the airport via motorcoach for our charter flight to Kangerlussuaq on board a 737 aircraft.

Aboard the charter flight.

We’ll arrive in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. We'll board a bus and ride to the port. We will board Zodiacs and transfer to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation. We’ll begin our adventure by sailing down the dramatic Sondre Stromfjord, one of the longest fjords in the world boasting 168 kilometers of superb scenery. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, means ‘the big fjord.’ While on board, rotating members of the ship's resource staff will offer educational presentations on a variety of topics. Many are active researchers with expertise in areas such as history, paleontology, geology, and biology. At each expedition port of call, you will have a choice of field trips that will vary by location such as nature activities (minimal walking), short walks (about .5 - 1.5 miles), longer walks (2-3 miles) and photography sessions led by resource staff. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Expedition ships — more rugged than traditional sailing vessels — are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. These educational adventures have flexible schedules. The itinerary may change daily based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected. The schedule that follows is tentative and a representative outline. Changes in the schedule, including ports of call, can be expected due to weather and other local conditions. Updates will be provided aboard ship. Thank you for your understanding.

Aboard ship, we’ll have a 3-course a la carte meal with meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. The chefs try to incorporate local delicacies when possible.

At leisure. Rotating members of the ship’s staff will offer fun educational activities and presentations on a variety of topics such as history, biology, storytelling, and folk music.

Aboard ship.

West Greenland's complex coastal waterways include glaciers, islands, and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop. The waters are relatively warm here, due to the West Greenland Current and the sub-Arctic location. With a local expert, we'll explore this sublime landscape by ship and by Zodiac and learn more about this unique region.

Aboard ship.

Free time onboard. You might like to spend time on deck and take in the stunning views as we navigate the fjords that line the coast.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Welcome to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland and the world’s northernmost capital city! Nuuk means ‘the headland’ and is situated at the mouth of a gigantic fjord system. Established as the first Greenlandic town in 1728, Nuuk remains the bustling center of the country today. The old harbour includes many buildings dating from Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafés.

Aboard ship.

We'll land on shore this afternoon in the city of Nuuk. The town itself is home to the University of Greenland, a cathedral dating back to 1849, and Greenland’s National Museum. A local expert will introduce us to this bustling metropolis and, together, we’ll set out on a field trip to the Greenland National Museum and Archives. This museum houses the largest cultural history collection in Greenland featuring seven permanent exhibits that span back over 4,500 years. We’ll have independent time to explore the exhibits before returning to the ship. Don’t miss the chance to observe the Qilakitsoq mummies! In 1972, the preserved bodies of six adults and two young Inuits were discovered at an archeological site on the Nuussuaq Peninsula. Four of these mummies are on display at the museum.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

While crossing the Davis Strait towards Canada, we'll relax onboard and enjoy illuminating lectures by onboard experts that will expand on the program theme. We’ll also watch for wildlife from the ship's decks. Resource staff will be on deck for the duration, searching for wildlife and contextualizing the mighty landscape through which we travel.

Aboard ship.

We'll relax and enjoy illuminating lectures by onboard experts that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

The Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for millennia, with archaeological evidence reaching back almost 7,000 years. The fjords here reach deep into the heart of the mountains, bounded by cliffs peaking at 1,700 meters, the highest point of land in Labrador. The rugged, spectacular beauty of the Torngat Mountains underscores their role as the spiritual homeland of Nunatsiavut. We'll sail in our fleet of Zodiacs to explore some of Canada’s most dramatic landscapes with a local expert. We’ll learn about the wildlife, geology and history of the area.

Aboard ship.

We’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

The Torngat Mountains National Park contains some of the oldest rocks on the planet and provides some of the best discoveries of geological history. Polar bears, caribou, falcons, and eagles are among the species hardy enough to make their homes here. We’ll set out on an expert-led hike followed by visits to archaeological sites to learn about this fascinating region. We’ll return to the ship for lunch.

Aboard ship.

We’ll continue exploring Torngat Mountains National Park. The Expedition Leader onboard may scout out new landing locations in order for us to explore the variety of flora and fauna that this remote park has to offer.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We’ll continue exploring Torngat Mountains National Park with a local expert. Inhabited by the Inuit and many other indigenous cultures for millennia, the Torngats, meaning “place of spirits,” are Canada’s highest peaks east of the Rockies. The steep cliffs and snow covered peaks are one of the few places on earth that offer a narrative of nearly four billion years of geological history. Despite the numerous challenges, the park is home to a stunning ecological diversity of arctic and boreal species. We’ll keep an eye out for species that typically live in the area such as black bears, caribou, wolves, harlequin ducks, peregrine falcons, harbor seals, minke whales, and others as we learn more about this region’s wildlife.

Aboard ship.

We’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We’ll continue exploring Torngat Mountains National Park with a local expert. The Expedition Leader onboard may scout out new landing locations in order for us to explore the variety of flora and fauna that this remote park has to offer.

Aboard ship.

As we set sail for Hebron, we’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Today we’ll visit Hebron. The former Moravian Mission station dating from the 1830s was abandoned in 1959 with the departure of the Moravians, 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. Today, some of the buildings at Hebron are being repurposed as a cultural interpretation center. With a local expert, we’ll set out on a field trip to explore these buildings and learn more about the cultural past of the area and the hopes for the future of Nunatsiavut.

Aboard ship.

Free time on board. Enjoy afternoon activities ranging from lectures to workshops and yoga classes.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

With a local expert, we’ll explore the vibrant Inuit community of Nain. The administrative capital of Nunatsiavut, Nain is the most northern community in Labrador. We'll explore the Moravian Church, the Nunatsiavut Building with its Labradorite stone, and the newly finished Torngâsok Cultural Centre. We’ll learn about the culture and architecture of this unique community. We’ll return to the ship for lunch.

Aboard ship.

Free time on board. Enjoy afternoon activities ranging from lectures to workshops and yoga classes.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

The lower Labrador coast boasts five of Labrador’s ten provincial eco-regions, including coastal barrens, high subarctic tundra, high boreal forest, mid boreal forest, and string bog. With a local expert, we will spend the day exploring some of these eco-regions via Zodiac. We’ll learn about the area’s habitats, ecosystems, and wildlife.

Aboard ship.

We’ll continue exploring the coastline via zodiac. Weather, wildlife, and sea conditions will influence our choice of landing today. On shore, an expert-led field trip will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. We’ll return to the ship with time to relax and freshen up before dinner.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We’ll set out via Zodiac for an expert-led field trip along the Labrador coast. Once on shore, an expert-led field trip will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. Along the Labrador coast we’ll observe coastal barrens, high subarctic tundra, high boreal forest, mid-boreal forest, and string bog. The area is dotted with islands. Our Expedition Leader will determine our landing location based on the conditions of the day.

Aboard ship.

We’ll continue to explore the Labrador coast. We’ll return to the ship with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

With a local expert, we’ll set out on a field trip to explore an old Norse settlement. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated former Norse settlement in North America. The archaeological remains found here in 1960 date to approximately 1000 CE. Amazingly, the location of the ruins was first established by a close reading of the Viking sagas. As we observe the remains, our local expert will provide expert commentary about the history of the site.

Aboard ship.

We’ll transfer via zodiac to the shore. With our Group Leader, we’ll explore and learn about the exhibits at the interpretive center and observe reconstructions of the several Norse-style sod buildings at L’Anse aux Meadows.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

With a local expert, we’ll set out on a field trip and explore the wonders of Canada’s most easterly national park, where the land meets the sea in a stunning display of natural beauty.

Aboard ship.

We'll continue exploring, take a stroll along one of the park's scenic trails accompanied by the expert expedition team who will offer interpretations of the surroundings.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

On the final day of our expedition, we sail though the historic Narrows and into St. John’s harbor for disembarkation. We'll transfer to the hotel where we will drop off our luggage. From there we'll be met by a local expert who will take us on a walking, guided, exploration of St. John's.

On your own.

This afternoon take time to do what interests you most in St. John's.

At the hotel.

After our wrap up, take the evening to relax and prepare for departures the next day.

At the hotel.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!