Cruise from Greenland to Canada: Viking Sagas under the Northern Lights

What Awaits You

Embark on a luxury cruise from Greenland to Canada, tracing a legendary route rich in history and natural wonders. This journey begins in Nuuk, Greenland's bustling capital, and concludes two weeks later in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Along the way, witness towering icebergs and explore remote communities, offering a unique glimpse into the Arctic world. Throughout this Arctic adventure, you'll visit awe-inspiring locations like the Evigheds Glacier's calving icebergs and Eternity Fjord. Discover the ancient Norse site at the UNESCO site L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, and marvel in Gros Morne National Park's fjords. Additionally, a stop in Iqaluit offers insight into Inuit traditions, while the towering cliffs of Lady Franklin Island reveal some of Earth's oldest rocks. Aboard the luxury cruise, indulge in a range of activities. Enjoy expert-led lectures and photographic workshops, kayak with an expedition team, or explore Arctic waters by day and rest in comfort aboard. Perfect your photography skills or dive into the ship's well-stocked library to deepen your understanding of the region. This journey promises a rare blend of adventure and discovery amidst the pristine Arctic landscape.

Expedition highlights

Follow the Viking routes across high-latitude coasts where glaciers, fjords, and shifting light set the pace, and wildlife watching is part of the day from deck and shore.

Eternety Fjord, Greenland

Ice Fjords

Listen to the symphony of nature as towering icebergs and colossal glaciers crack and calve.

Wildlife Watching

Look for seabirds, marine life, and coastal species from deck and shore, with the expedition team helping spot and identify what you are seeing.

Expert-led Talks

Learn more about this isolated polar region from our on board team of experts.

Citizen Science Workshops

During your trip, join Swan Hellenics Citizen Science programs and contribute to real-world environmental research.

Viking Heritage

Sail through the North Atlantic world where Norse seafarers left a lasting mark. Walk ports and coastal sites tied to Viking routes, with stories of settlement, trade, and exploration that still shape local identity.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Throughout this Arctic adventure, you'll visit awe-inspiring locations like the Evigheds Glacier's calving icebergs and Eternity Fjord. Discover the ancient Norse site at the UNESCO site L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, and marvel in Gros Morne National Park's fjords. Additionally, a stop in Iqaluit offers insight into Inuit traditions, while the towering cliffs of Lady Franklin Island reveal some of Earth's oldest rocks. Aboard the luxury cruise, indulge in a range of activities. Enjoy expert-led lectures and photographic workshops, kayak with an expedition team, or explore Arctic waters by day and rest in comfort aboard. Perfect your photography skills or dive into the ship's well-stocked library to deepen your understanding of the region. This journey promises a rare blend of adventure and discovery amidst the pristine Arctic landscape

NOTE: This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

Overview

Day 1

Kangerlussuaq

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

Day 2

Evigheds Glacier

Evigheds Glacier is one of Greenland’s most impressive tidewater glaciers, where vast rivers of ice descend from the inland ice sheet into deep Arctic waters. Known for its towering ice walls and frequent calving, the glacier creates a dramatic landscape of floating icebergs and shifting blue-white formations. Cruising past Evigheds Glacier offers a powerful sense of the scale and movement of Greenland’s frozen world, set against stark mountains and the profound silence of the High Arctic

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

Activities:

Included

Open Town Qeqertarsuaq

1.5 hour

Explore the picturesque town of Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island, surrounded by towering mountains and pristine waters. Visit the local museum to uncover the island's rich history and the historic church for a glimpse into its spiritual heritage. End your journey with a stroll through colorful streets and a treat at a charming hotel café.

Optional

Meet the Greenlandic Sledge Dog

2 hours

Join a local guide to learn about Greenlandic sled dogs, their culture, laws, and care, while exploring handmade sled dog equipment. Hear fascinating stories of dog sledding adventures and the effort behind building a successful team. Capture memorable photos with these beautiful dogs before bidding farewell.

Optional

Kuannit Hike

5 hours

Embark on a guided 5 km hike to Kuannit, featuring basalt columns, lush flora like wild angelica, and the unique volcanic terrain of Qeqertarsuaq. Pass local landmarks before enjoying panoramic views of Disko Bay, icebergs, birds, and possibly whales. The 4–5 hour hike offers gradual elevation and scenic resting spots.

Day 4

Itilleq

Brightly painted houses fan out across the waterfront of the remote Itilleq island, accessible by weekly ferry or helicopter. Just north of the Arctic Circle on the Davis Strait, surrounded by glaciers and mountains, this former trading station was once a fishing community. Islanders come together for football when not in school, at the factory, or hunting. Birds here include snow buntings, kittiwakes and guillemots

Activities:

Included

Local cultural event incl. entrance to the Old Museum area

1 hour

Immerse yourself in Greenlandic culture through a tasting tent with authentic delicacies, a singing tent showcasing Greenlandic melodies, and a Greenland Dog Adventure to connect with sled dogs and their cultural significance. Experience the rich heritage, camaraderie, and traditions of Greenland in this unforgettable event.

Day 5

Day at Sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers

Day 6

Iqaluit, NU

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

Activities:

Included

Nuuk Sightseeing and National Museum

2 hours

Discover Nuuk’s vibrant culture and history on a guided tour, exploring key landmarks like the colonial harbor and statues of Hans Egede and Sedna. Visit the National Museum of Greenland to view unique artifacts, including Inuit mummies. Enjoy scenic stops, souvenirs, and cafés before returning to the harbor.

Day 7

Lady Franklin Island, NU

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

Cruising Torngat Mountains National Park, Nachvak Fjord

Torngat Mountains National Park, and the dramatic Nachvak Fjord, represent one of the wildest and most remote regions of the Canadian Arctic. Towering mountains rise directly from the sea, framing deep fjords carved by ancient glaciers and shaped by powerful natural forces. This rugged landscape is rich in Inuit heritage and renowned for its raw beauty, silence, and sense of isolation. As the ship cruises through Nachvak Fjord, guests are surrounded by sheer cliffs, pristine waters, and vast Arctic skies, offering an unforgettable encounter with one of North America’s last true wildernesses

Day 9

Nain, NL

Nain is the northernmost community in Labrador and a cultural heart of the Inuit region of Nunatsiavut. Set between rugged mountains and the cold waters of the Labrador Sea, Nain offers a powerful sense of remoteness and tradition. The town is known for its strong Inuit heritage, reflected in local art, music, and storytelling, as well as its close relationship with the surrounding land and sea. Visitors experience a place where daily life remains deeply connected to Arctic nature, history, and resilience, framed by dramatic coastal scenery and wide northern skies

Day 10

Day at Sea

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

Activities:

Included

Viking Experience

3.5 hours

Visit the remarkable ancient settlement founded by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago. Here, at L’Anse aux Meadows, Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, was the first European to set foot on American soil. The Viking originally called his discovery “Vinland,” which many believe translates from Old Norse into “land of meadows.” You will tour this finely restored village with your guide, gaining immeasurable insight into what life was like for the continent’s first Norse explorers. See the sod houses, constructed of soil packed over wooden frames, and see evidence of carpentry and ironsmith workshops. You will also learn about the 1960 discovery of the site by the adventurer Helge Ingstad and his wife, archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad. Next we visit the recreated Viking village of Norstead to learn more about life in these northern reaches one millennium ago. See the replica of the Viking Knarr Snorri, a boat that sailed from Greenland to here and named for the first European child born in North America. Journey through this rough and ready site in the footsteps of fierce Viking warriors of the past before returning to your ship. Note: This activity features a leisurely walk of 1-2 km through the archaeological sites

Day 12

Bonne Bay, Norris Point, NL

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 12

Bonne Bay, Woody Point, NL

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

Activities:

Included

Tablelands, a UNESCO-listed insight into the Earth interior

3 hours

The Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park showcase a rare geological phenomenon, where ancient mantle rock is exposed on the Earth’s surface, earning the park its UNESCO World Heritage status. This unique terrain, rich in heavy metals, supports only a few hardy plant species found nowhere else. The Discovery Centre offers insights into the park’s geology, history, and biodiversity, featuring exhibits, a theatre, and stunning views of Bonne Bay and Gros Morne Mountain. A walk through the Tablelands provides an extraordinary chance to experience the Earth's interior firsthand.

Optional

The North Coast of Gros Morne

3 hours

Discover the north side of Gros Morne, stopping at Lobster Cove Lighthouse to explore local history and shipwrecks. Visit the Bonne Bay Marine Science Centre for an up-close look at marine life, then take in stunning views from the Historic Jenniex House and stroll through Norris Point, embracing Newfoundland's rich heritage and natural beauty.

Optional

Western Brook Pond boat tour

6.5 hours

Explore Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, uncovering the history of North America’s first inhabitants and local shipwrecks. Hike 3 km along the Western Brook Pond trail to reach the boat dock, where a scenic 2-hour fjord tour showcases dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and unique wildlife. Conclude the day with a return hike, keeping an eye out for moose or caribou, before heading back to Norris Point.

Day 13

Day at Sea

Day 14

Halifax

Halifax, the vibrant capital of Nova Scotia, 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

Meet Our Expedition Experts

Nicki de Souza

Nicki brings more than 25 years of experience in expedition cruising, along with a passion for nature, exciting new destinations, people and their cultures. Born in Bavaria, she has travelled around the globe and to all seven continents, exploring everything from the Arctic to Antarctica to the tropics and remote gems in between. Nicki is a skilled leader with a passion for nature and a gift for sharing and revealing the world’s many wonders

Mark Evans

After university Mark relocated to Australia, settling in the remote Kimberly region. There, he established several eco- tourism businesses and led conservation efforts for sea turtles and marine mammals. His diverse career includes producing environmental films in Tanzania, guiding wildlife tours in Australia and Africa and exploring old-growth forests in the US. While living in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, he pursued his passion as a whale-watching captain and grizzly bear guide. In winter, Mark guides expeditions in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica.

Sue Walsh

Sue has travelled widely watching wildlife from the poles to the equator on all seven continents. She has been fascinated by all aspects of the natural world since studying geology back in the seventies. She is also an accredited bird ringer/bander which has allowed her to travel and ring birds in different countries. She has been lecturing on cruise ships since 2014, offering a range of informative talks on regional wildlife.

Cristina dalle Ore

Cristina is a planetary scientist and recognized NASA researcher whose work has taken her to the far reaches of our solar system, without ever leaving Earth. With a particular interest in decoding the mysteries of icy worlds in space, she has been a key contributor to the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Cassini mission to Saturn. Her discovery of ammonia on Pluto was a landmark finding in the field of planetary science. Cristina holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz and has shared her insights through TEDx and global science forums. Today, she brings her passion for exploration down to Earth, offering a cosmic perspective on the icy landscapes we encounter on our planet.

Guest Reviews

Each Swan Hellenic journey is designed to inspire curiosity, broaden horizons, and create lasting memories. Our guests' experiences bring to life the spirit of cultural discovery and exploration that defines our voyages.

What elevates Swan Hellenic above competitors is the expedition team and the dedication to immersive travel. The expert lecturers, naturalists, and guides are world-class, offering fascinating lectures and ensuring safe, intimate excursions.

Rachel TaylorAustralia

Everything was absolutely perfect! There was not a single thing to complain about. It was incredibly fun, and that fantastic atmosphere was maintained by the entire crew from the very first to the very last minute of our stay!

Alexander KorneevFinland

A terrific expedition trip! Small number of guests, very attentive staff, very interesting ports of call. Excursions were varied & fun!

Katie BrownCanada

I highly recommend Swan Hellenic! Every single aspect of my cruise was outstanding. The food was fantastic and the ship is awesome. The crew supported my every need in an excellent manner.

Robbie AsherUnited States

From the captain to the expedition guides, from the service staff to housekeeping. 100 out of 100 points!

Annette ClavinDenmark

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