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Fabled Lands of the North: Greenland, Baffin Island, Newfoundland & Labrador is an Arctic small ship cruise that navigates legendary whale-rich seas, from western Greenland’s fjords and the ice floes of Baffin Island to the historic fishing villages of Newfoundland and Labrador. Adventure and fables go hand in hand, and nowhere is that more evident than aboard the National Geographic Explorer. In the High Arctic, approach towering icebergs and massive glaciers, and watch for polar bears and walruses in their natural habitat. Then trace the historic coast of Labrador, where missionaries, fishermen and whalers settled amid the Inuit. Explore historic whaling towns, visit past and present Inuit villages and follow in the footsteps of the Vikings in an ancient Norse settlement.

Highlights include gliding among towering icebergs at the breathtaking Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, wandering amid the ruins of the Viking village of L’Anse aux Meadows, meeting Inuit artisans and learning about their carving and weaving traditions, and searching for Arctic wildlife including whales, walruses and polar bears. Fabled Lands of the North is a 15-day voyage of epic proportions.

Day 1 - Arrive Ottawa, Canada

Arrive in Ottawa and check into the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel.

Accommodations: Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Embark Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Arrive by chartered aircraft in western Greenland, and embark National Geographic Explorer at the head of the picturesque Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Greenland’s West Coast & Sisimiut

The massive ice cap that blankets much of Greenland feeds the countless fjords and glaciers of the dramatic western coast. Glide into these fjords, on the lookout for caribou on the tundra. Stop at the former whaling port of Sisimiut to visit the museum and stroll among its 18th-century wooden buildings.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Ilulissat, Disko Bay

Sail into Disko Bay to explore the Ilulissat Icefjord, a tongue of the Greenland ice sheet that extends to the bay. A Zodiac cruise among these gigantic sculptures of ice is a highlight of the journey. Take a walk to the historic Inuit fishing village of Sermermiut to view the glacier.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Davis Strait

Explore Davis Strait as you sail past massive icebergs on the way to Baffin Island. Hear talks about Arctic wildlife and peoples, and keep a lookout for whales and polar bears.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Cumberland Peninsula, Baffin Island

The Explorer's landfall on Baffin Island is the tiny town of Pangnirtung, the home of the Inuit for more than 1,000 years, and still a thriving community of artists. Visit a craft center to see soapstone carvings, weavings and prints depicting Arctic life. A hike along a riverside trail offers wonderful views of Autyuittuaq National Park, “the land that never melts.” On Kekerten Island, once an important whaling station, examine the remains of a bygone era as we wander among cast iron pots once used to render oil from the blubber of the mighty bowhead whale.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Hall Peninsula, Baffin Island

Spend today in true expedition style, exploring the unspoiled landscapes of the Hall Peninsula. Hike the tundra in search of arctic fox, and perhaps walrus hauling out on the rocky shores.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - South Baffin Island

The southeastern tip of Baffin Island is dotted with small islands. As the pack ice retreats during the summer, polar bears are often stranded on Lower Savage and Resolution islands. Plans remain flexible today to make the most of wildlife sightings.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Button Islands, Nunavut

Scattered across the entrance to Hudson Strait between Baffin Island and Labrador, the stark Button Islands attract thousands of seabirds and marine mammals. Spend today exploring these tiny islands and their wildlife.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 10-12 - Exploring the Labrador Coast

The Moravian Mission of Hebron, a National Historic Site of Canada, was established in the 1830s to minister to the Inuit. See the original buildings, excellent examples of Germanic mission architecture. Then pass through Mugford Tickle, a dramatic channel surrounded by the Kaumajet Mountains, which rise 4,000 feet straight from the sea. Spend a day on the island of Quaker Hat—shaped like a broad-brimmed hat, exploring the fishing settlement of Indian Harbour and observing vast colonies of common murres. Continue to Battle Harbour. Set amid beautiful scenery, the town was once the economic and social hub of the southeastern Labrador coast. Visit restored 18th-century fishing and whaling buildings and learn about the early settlers of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - L’anse Aux Meadows

In 1960, the remains of a Viking village established in 1000 AD were discovered at L’Anse aux Meadows, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Norse ruins and reconstructed sod huts, and learn the saga of the Vikings in North America—500 years before Columbus arrived.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - Exploring Northern Newfoundland

Northern Newfoundland is graced by cliffs and fjords, sweeping tablelands and beaches, and brightly painted fishing villages. We’ll look for opportunities to hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise amid beautiful scenery and observe the wildlife of the far north.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 - Disembark St. John’s, Newfoundland

Disembark after breakfast and return home, or continue your trip with a post-cruise extension.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Included: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, one hotel night in Ottawa, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, tips (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of Lindblad expedition staff.

Exclusions: Air transportation, extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to ship’s crew at your discretion.

Room Configurations: If you are a solo guest willing to share accommodations, we will be happy to make arrangements to match you with another solo guest, so you may travel at the double occupancy rate. If you are willing to share, and we are unable to make shared arrangements for you, we will guarantee you the per person double occupancy rate, and you will not incur the solo rate. This program is subject to availability, and limited to certain ships and categories.

Families & Children: For a party of eight people or more, you will each receive 5% off the cost of your expedition; special payment, terms and conditions apply.

Arrival & Departure: The Fabled Lands of the North cruise begins in Ottawa, Canada, and ends in St. John's, Newfoundland. Contact us to learn more about arrival and departure; suggested group flights are available for this trip.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $1000 per person is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
120 or more - $150, in the form of a Lindblad travel certificate
119 to 90 - Advance payment cost
89 to 60 days - 25% of total trip cost
59 to 30 days - 50% of total trip cost
29 to 0 days - No refund

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: On this voyage a Global Perspective Guest Speaker and National Geographic Photograper will be on board. Former Canandian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, Canada's first and only female prime minister, will introduce you to her country and talk about issues relating to climate change and Canadian/American relations. Photographer Michael Melford has produced more than a dozen feature stories for National Geographic magazine and more than 30 for National Geographic Traveler. He will be on board for inspiration and shooting tips in extraordinary field environments. National Geographic photographers are engaging presenters and interesting travel companions too - with good stories to share about their assignments, from the podium and over drinks or dinner.

Qualifications: Fabled Lands of the North: Greenland, Baffin Island, Newfoundland & Labrador will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life.


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