ICELAND TO GREENLAND: IN THE WAKE OF THE VIKINGS The Norse originally set sail from Iceland in search of plentiful farmland, and their search was rewarded in the beautiful and fertile fjords of Greenland. Follow Erik the Red’s original route to explore this seldom-seen coastline, visiting important archaeological sites and modern Greenlandic communities along the way. ITINERARY Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland The Adventure Begins Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, Reykjavík was established in the year 874 CE. Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth. Food, culture, and nightlife abound. The National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts. We depart Reykjavík in the evening aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Day 2: At Sea Set Sail like the Vikings 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com Sailing west from Iceland, we are truly in the wake of the Vikings. We’ll be The Sermersooq region of Greenland has a stunning myriad of mountain watching for whales and seabirds as we sail the Denmark Strait. Our onboard peaks, glaciers, and deep fjords. Our time will be spent on the western coast program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that of the region, where records of human habitation stretch back over 1,500 awaits us in Greenland! years. We’ll explore by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit. We’ll keep a look out for nattoralik (white-tailed eagles), seabirds, and marine Day 3-5: East Greenland Fjords, Icebergs, and Whales mammals, and enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland. Our first view of Greenland’s east coast will reveal a coastline traced with Day 11: Nuuk Museums, Shopping, and Cafés innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice. Our spotters will be watching for iconic Arctic wildlife, such as bears, seals, and humpback Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, bridges old and new. The old harbour region whales. We’ll explore the remote reaches of glaciated fjords by Zodiac. of town includes many buildings dating from the Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafes. The Day 6: Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound) Mountains & Greenland National Museum is one of Nuuk’s many outstanding features; the Glaciers world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies rest here. Joining the Irminger and Labrador Seas through the islands of the Cape Day 12: Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord (Evighedsfjorden) Zodiac Farewell Archipelago, Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound) is among the Cruise world’s most majestic waterways. Craggy mountain peaks tower over still waters fed by calving glaciers. We’ll make the most of our deck time, scouting Defined by jagged mountain peaks, sheer bird cliffs, cascading streams, and for landing opportunities on the skirts of the mountains. calving glaciers, Kangerlussuatsiaq lives up to its Danish name, Erighedsfjorden which means “the fjord of eternity.” Whether by ship, Zodiac Day 7: South Greenland Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site cruise, or kayak, a visit to the face of the glacier is truly a sublime experience. South Greenland lives up to its namesake; the land is fertile and agriculture Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland A Fond Farewell thrives. Farms and vegetable husbandry contrast with the barren ice that covers so much of the country. Jagged mountains rise from beyond green Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord) offers 190 kilometres of superb pastures, with sheep farms directly bordering ice fjords. Here we find the scenery as we cross the Arctic Circle. Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Norse settlement history head of the fjord, is a former U.S. Air Force base and Greenland’s main flight intersects with contemporary Greenland life. hub. Here we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and transfer to the airport for our charter flight to Toronto, ON. Day 8: Hvalsey Viking Archaeology Please Note: The settlement at Hvalsey was a major Norse centre in the early centuries of the last millenium. Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Itineraries are subject to change. Greenland. The last known record from the original Norse colony is of a wedding held here in September 1408! Day 9: Brattahlíð UNESCO Reconstructed Norse Settlement A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brattahlíð is in the most fertile part of Greenland and was the home of Viking explorer Erik the Red and his descendants until the 1400s. A reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse are featured here. Greenlandic Inuit now run the sheep farms originally worked by Norse settlers. Day 10: Sermersooq Birdwatching & Zodiac Cruising 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: OCEAN ENDEAVOUR YOUR SHIP: Ocean Endeavour library, and a Polar Boutique VESSEL TYPE: Expedition LENGTH: 137m PASSENGER CAPACITY: 199 1982 - refurbished 2001, 2004, BUILT/REFURBISHED: 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018 Ocean Endeavour is a comfortable, well-appointed small expedition ship expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions. The ship has an ice-strengthened hull, Zodiacs for for gifts and any needed gear. exploration and remote landings, and advanced navigation Features of the Ocean Endeavour equipment. The newly-refurbished vessel offers a superb guest VOYA spa treatments and beauty products, Choice of 13 cabin experience with an expansive choice of cabin categories, large categories, Bright, spacious cabins and common areas, Plenty cabins and common areas, a sundeck and observation area, of deck space for observation, Lounge with expansive views, plenty of deck space for polar landscape viewing, and lounges Quiet zone for contemplation, Newly-refurbished restaurant, for learning and reflection. The ship's interiors have a Contemporary dining with complimentary wine with dinner, Juice contemporary aesthetic that provides a bright and spacious feel and smoothie bar, Lecture theater, Polar library, Polar boutique, throughout. Health and Wellness, Spa treatments and beauty products by Endeavour is also the only polar adventure ship in Antarctica spa provider VOYA - Organic Beauty From The Sea, Spa menu focused on health and wellness , and offers a contemporary for face, body, hair and nails, including the exclusive Quark approach to cuisine and newly-designed health and fitness Explorer's treatment, and signature VOYA hand and foot rituals, features. Facilities include a spa serviced by organic spa Yoga and stretching classes, His & Hers saunas, gym, and provider VOYA, His & Hers saunas, a salt water pool, a gym, and heated salt water pool a juice and smoothie bar. Complimentary activities include yoga Full range of adventure activities including: kayaking, camping, and stretching classes, an exclusive Polar Photography program, mountaineering, cross-country skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, the Scientists in Residence program, and more adventure Zodiac cruising, shore landings and hiking/ walking. activities than any other Quark vessel. The ship also has a polar 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com Deck plan varies for the trips to Antarctica 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP Cabin Category 1 Cabin Category 10 Cabin Category 2 Cabin Category 3 Cabin Category 4 Cabin Category 5 Cabin Category 6 Cabin Category 7 Cabin Category 8 Cabin Category 9 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com PRICING 13-Jul-2023 to 25-Jul-2023 Cabin Category 1 4695 USD pp Cabin Category 2 5695 USD pp Cabin Category 3 6995 USD pp Cabin Category 4 8295 USD pp Cabin Category 5 8995 USD pp Cabin Category 6 9695 USD pp Cabin Category 7 10495 USD pp Cabin Category 8 10995 USD pp Cabin Category 9 11995 USD pp Cabin Category 10 12995 USD pp 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com.