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Wilderness from Greenland to the East Coast of Canada (Ponant)

15 Days

Overview

See the infinity of the polar expanses unfurl its grandeur during an all-new expedition cruise taking you from Greenland to the Canadian Far North to reach the coastlines of Labrador and the sumptuous island of Newfoundland. Encounters with local people, the exciting history of the Arctic territories and many unforgettable hikes will mark this 15-day journey aboard Le Lyrial.

Sisimiut, with its colourful houses facing the ocean, is the first port of call on your expedition before crossing the Labrador Sea to reach the Canadian shores of Nunavut. When the weather is fine, the mountains are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the gigantic fjord which will lead you up to the Grinnell Glacier. In Zodiac dinghies or on foot, you will criss-cross the territory that the Inuit share with polar bears, musk oxen, seals and whales. The ramparts formed by the limestone cliffs around Akpatok Island have made it inaccessible to humans, but perfect for the thick-billed murres that nest in its fissures.

A succession of landscapes will leave you with sentiment of tranquillity, inherent to the contemplation of these spaces, which exceed any known proportions. You will soon discover the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and its highest mountains, those encircling the splendid Nachvak Fjord. A little further on, the town of Rigolet – only accessible by the sea – will offer you, along its bay and its lake, a unique observation point to spot Minke whales and the region’s birds.

The last part of your cruise will open the doors to the island of Newfoundland and, while it seems very remote, it has a great many historic sites. These attest to the presence of the Vikings as far back as 1000 and will plunge you into the past of the first Europeans who arrived on the North American continent for the whaling trade

Your journey will end on the island of Saint Pierre, a fragment of France on the other side of the world, which is home to fascinating wild biodiversity.

Trip Highlights

  • An all-new expedition cruise leaving from Greenland to reach the Canadian Far North through Newfoundland and Labrador up to the territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, featuring abundant wildlife, historical discoveries and magnificent panoramas.
  • Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
  • Possibility of hiking in the heart of abundant nature.
  • The shores of the Labrador region, its fjords, mountains, huge lakes, and rich biodiversity.
  • The island of Newfoundland, its rich history between Viking and Basque immigrations and its sumptuous scenery, to be discovered in particular during unforgettable hikes.
  • Landscapes: drifting iceberg, jagged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, sheer cliffs, majestic fjords, gigantic glaciers, peat bogs and boreal forests.
  • Wildlife: polar bears, muskox, seals, whales, thick-billed murres, gannets.