The Viking Trail to the Americas (In the Wake of the Vikings)
Daily Itinerary 18 Days / 17 Nights

Reykjavik, Iceland – Greenland – Iqaluit, Baffin Island – Labrador – St John’s, Newfoundland

PS67-18 & 19
September 11 – 28, 2007

Day 1: REYKJAVIK – (Iceland) Board the M/V Polar Star to begin your exploration of the Viking Trail.

Days 2-3: DENMARK STRAIT - While we make our crossing, learn about destinations awaiting us by attending lectures. Spend time on deck or on the bridge watching for whale, dolphin, and Fulmer, Kittiwake and other seabirds.

Day 4: NANORTALIK – (Greenland) We cruise past the astounding Prins Christian Sund with its granite walls, glaciers and icebergs into Nanortalik for a landing. Here, explore this enchanting town or visit the museum to discover traditional Inuit culture.

Day 5: BRATTAHLID – Zodiacs will take you to Brattahlid, established by Erik the Red in 985 A.D. We explore a replica village of this Viking community and in the afternoon, walk to Igaliku, the seat of a once powerful bishop. In the 1100s it was the main religious area of the Vikings and today we can see the ruins of the cathedral.

Day 6: HVALSEY & QAQORTOQ – Settled by one of Erik the Red’s relatives, we explore the ruins in Hvalsey including a longhouse, great hall, barns and a church from the 1300’s. It is here at the community church that the last religious ceremony was performed by the early Viking explorers. In Qaqortoq, walk the streets of this thriving town lined with brilliantly painted buildings, visit the museum and enjoy the large scale Scandinavian “stone” sculptures placed throughout the town.

Days 7-8: DAVIS STRAIT – We continue our education of Viking civilization by attending lectures while crossing the Davis Strait - “iceberg alley”. This is the route taken by icebergs that calve in Disco Bay and head to the Atlantic.

Day 9: IQALUIT (Canada) – We make landfall at the capital of Nunavut on Baffin Island to embark on a community tour which includes displays of beautiful Inuit art, and enjoy an arctic luncheon.

Day 10: SAVAGE ISLANDS – Today is a day in the wilderness with Zodiac cruising and perhaps a landing in Frobisher Bay. There is the possibility to see Polar Bears, seals and a variety of seabirds here.

Day 11: AKPATOK ISLAND –This limestone island in Ungova Bay is noted for the sheer cliffs and presence of fossils. It is also an ideal island for spotting Polar Bear and seabirds.

Days 12-13: NORTHERN LABRADOR – Upon viewing the majestic Torngat Mountains it is not hard to see why the Inuit believe this coast is a place where the spirit world overlaps with our own. This coast has evidence of ancient cultures – Pre-Dorset and Thule as well as the present day Inuit. We plan to make Zodiac landings at Saglek Bay and Nachvack.

Day 14: HOPEDALE – In the morning, we visit ruins from an early Moravian settlement, gaining further understanding of Inuit culture and the remote community of Hopedale. 

Day 15: BATTLE HARBOUR – In the afternoon, we explore this community that was settled by Europeans in 1770. This historic community is famous for its once thriving Schooner Fishery. Today it is a beautifully restored example of the remote settlements and lifestyle of a rugged people.

Day 16: ST ANTHONY & L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS – In St. Anthony’s we learn about Sir Wilfred Grenfell’s noble battle to relieve the plight of fishermen and the beginning of the hospital ship concept. We also visit L’Anse Aux Meadows, where ruins suggest that Vikings were in Newfoundland 400 years earlier than Columbus. This UNESCO site is the only authenticated Viking settlement of North America. Nearby we visit the reconstructed village of Norstead.

Day 17: BONAVISTA – We spend the afternoon in Bonavista, named by Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) as “O Buono Vista” – Oh Happy Sight. We tour a replica of his ship, the Matthew and the Bonavista lighthouse built in 1843 and today a provincial historic museum.

Day 18: ST JOHN’S – Disembark after breakfast in the charming capital of Newfoundland, rich in Maritime spirit and culture and the oldest city of North America.

Number of Meals Included
17 Breakfasts
16 Lunches
17 Dinners

Expedition Map