Name: Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: V2625091515

Itinerary

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.

Kayaking with Expedition Team

Optional

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.

Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, Greenland's largest island, on its west coast, part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO-listed site for its icebergs. The Lyngemark Glacier rises above the town. The area’s hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is fertile and home to species not found elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as we move through floating icebergs.

Disko Island Discovery Walk

Included

02 h 00 m

Join your Expedition Team on a hike to discover the island’s stunning black sand beaches and massive volcanoes
Spend time in the town and get a feel for the authentic experience and isolation that most Greenlandic communities live with
Learn about the longstanding presence of scientists in the region who have had an Arctic Station established for the study of local geology, flora and fauna

Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat is home to many sled-dogs.

Sermermiut view point and Icefjord center

Included

02 h 30 m

Walk through a UNESCO World Heritage Sit
Learn about the ancient Inuit way of life
Take in the stunning view of the valley from the viewpoint

Shuttle to Ilulissat Icefjord, boardwalk and Icefjord centre

Included

02 h 30 m

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord and see the massive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier at the size of nearly 66,000 football fields wide
Hike along the World Heritage Trail boardwalk and discover amazing views of the icefjord and maybe even have some wildlife encounters
At the Fjord Centre, learn all about the cycle of the ice, the abundant wildlife around the icefjord and the human existence in the area throughout thousands of years

The northernmost city in Greenland, just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport. Abandoned settlements lie between Sisimiut and the Thule district to the north. The area is home to humpback whales, walrus, and Arctic foxes in their summer coat.

Historical Walk to the Tele Island

Optional

02 h 10 m

From Tele Island, see Sisimiut’s famous landmark, Nasaasaq Mountain, soaring 785 meters into the sky
Enjoy a walking tour of Sisimiut as you learn about the fascinating history if Inuit cultures that have used this location as a hunting grounds for many years
Other points of interest you will pass on your visit include a burial ground, the local kayak club and the arts and crafts shop

Panoramic Sisimiut & Sled-dogs

Included

01 h 30 m

From the comfort of our vehicle, you'll be treated to a panoramic tour of the city's iconic buildings
Drive to vantage point at the top of Sisimiut where an awe-inspiring view awaits
Visit where the majority of the local sled-dogs are kept and get to know their fascinating lives

Home to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk has a thriving arts scene. Nuuk has a busy old Colonial Harbour with Nuuk Cathedral, colourful wooden houses and avant-garde architecture. It also serves as the gateway to Inuit experiences and natural adventures on the fjords among the icy seas and spectacular mountains.

Town Walk with your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

01 h 00 m

Visit the Capital of Greenland with its modern Scandinavian architecture as well as the more traditional coloured houses
Discover the Greenland Museum which houses national treasures including the incredible set of 500 year old mummies that were frozen in an icy cave under stones for hundreds of years.
Roam around the old harbour with and its landmark, the red-wooden church

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

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.

Inuit Culture and Natural beauty of Iqaluit

Included

04 h 30 m

Gain an insight into the rich Inuit heritage, exploring the unique traditions and history of the indigenous people
Discover Inuit culture at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, with Inuit artefacts and fine art, and local galleries with Inuit carvings that demonstrate the region's artistic significance
Hike in the Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, overlooking the mouth of the river and offering unobstructed views over the ocean

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.

Zodiac Tour, Hiking & Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

02 h 00 m

Marvel at the colossal vertical cliffs of ancient Archean rocks, standing as Canada's oldest stones, shaped over 2.5 to 4 billion years
Discover a bird enthusiast's paradise with nesting black guillemots, ptarmigans, and gulls
Keep an eye out for walruses, polar bears unique beluga whales that thrive in the icy Davis Strait

Staffed completely by Inuit, Torngat Mountains National Park takes its name from the Inuktitut word Tongait, meaning place of spirits. Here, Inuit share their stories of spirits and traditions in their homeland, where for centuries they have been fishing and hunting polar bears and caribou. This magical land made up of dramatically spectacular mountains and deep fjords nudging up to iceberg-filled waters is only accessible by boat.

Cruising & zodiac cruising with Your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

02 h 00 m

Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Torngat Mountains, the ancestral lands of the Labrador Inuit
Discover the significance of the park's name, "Tongait" - a place of spirits in Inuktitut - reflecting the deep connection between the land and its people
Enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of the fjords and iceberg-filled waters on a zodiac cruise with your knowledgeable Swan Hellenic Expedition Team (weather permitting)

The remote Arctic outpost of Hebron, an Inuit community, provides insight into Inuit traditions and Arctic life. The Hebron National Historic Site showcases Arctic landscapes, including fjords, icebergs and wildlife, while shedding light on Inuit heritage through abandoned mission buildings. In 1959, during an Easter service, Moravian church officials abruptly closed the mission, relocating 58 families to other coastal Labrador towns.

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

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.

Bonne Bay, Newfoundland’s only true fjord, is part of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Waterfalls and rocky pinnacles dot the cliffs, while majestic whales breach the surface of the fjord and playful dolphins frolic in the waves. Woody Point is a small town on its south side, known for its heritage wooden buildings, with the John William Roberts House, a testament to the town's shipbuilding past.

Spend your day at sea enjoying your boutique 5-star ship. Treat yourself to a spa day, attend an expert-led onboard lecture or enjoy the ocean views from the deck or the comfort of our Observation Lounge.

Founded as a naval base in 1749, Halifax’s seafaring history is well-grounded with the Canadian Museum of Immigration, where one million Europeans landed up until 1971, and the Noon Gun that has fired from the Citadel fortress since 1857. When the Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 pm, April 14, 1912, ships set sail from here. Many victims are buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, while the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic displays rescued artefacts.

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.

Choose

YOUR SUITE TYPE

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Number of Guests:

Oceanview D4

20 m²

Oceanview Staterooms measure 20m²(215ft²) and can accommodate two guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

Oceanview M4

20 m²

Balcony D5

25 m²

Balcony Staterooms measure 25m² (269ft²) – including a 5m² (54ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

Balcony M5

25 m²

Balcony D6

25 m²

Suite

40 m²

Suites feature a king size bed, and have a separate living room, with a flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and walk-in shower – and a 10m² (108ft²) private balcony.

Premium Suite

47 m²

Premium Suites have a king size bed, separate living room, and flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and shower – walk-in wardrobe, and a 12m² (129ft²) private balcony.