Path of the Vikings - Iceland, Greenland & Canada

Your voyage begins in Reykjavik, Iceland’s picturesque capital city. This afternoon, you board your home for the next 11 nights – RCGS Resolute. Once onboard you will meet the expedition team and following welcome drinks and dinner, you depart Iceland bound for Greenland and Canada.

You will awaken to the open waters of the Denmark Strait which separates Iceland from Greenland. You will make an easier time of it in your modern expedition ship than the Vikings did in their longboats more than 1,000 years ago. Your onboard experts educate you with a series of presentations about the environment, the wildlife and history and the locations to visit in the coming days. Be sure to visit the ship’s bridge and watch the Captain and officers navigate your modern expedition vessel.

The coast is in sight and the ship navigates towards the entrance of Prince Christian Sound, providing a spectacular welcome to Greenland. The sound separates the mainland from the island archipelago that forms the southern tip of the country. Mountains tower around you and waterfalls tumble down the steep cliffs as the Captain carefully navigates through the passage. You will pass numerous icebergs along the way and can’t help but wonder what the Viking’s experienced as they pushed deeper into the sound, on their journey of discovery.

For many, today may well be a highlight of the trip. Tasermiut Fjord has a well-known reputation as 'the Patagonia of the North' due to the towering rock formations that surround the narrow waters. The highest peak is over 1800m and has a sheer granite face of more than a kilometer. This is nature at her most powerful. You will return to the small town of Nanortalik and venture into the pretty harbor in the Zodiacs for a stroll through the colorful houses in town.

This is quintessential Greenland. As you navigate the ship further into the fjord system, you are awestruck by the beauty. Not surprisingly, the Vikings were just as impressed and Narsarsuaqand surrounds are among the most historically significant locations in the country. The Brattahlid open-air museum is a fascinating spot and features a reconstructed church and Viking longhouse. Nearby is Igaliku, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in the country and home to the ruins of Gardar – a stone church constructed in the 11th century.

The coast of western Greenland is famous for icebergs and you observe several glaciers at close quarters when navigating the ship along Bredefjord. At the end of a remote arm of the fjord are two giant glaciers, known locally as ‘the twins’. You will navigate in the Zodiacs to get a better view of the glacial face and delight at the endless photo opportunities the ice sculptures provided. This afternoon you will visit the small community of Narsaq. Your time in Greenland has come to an end and as you depart this enchanting place in the soft evening light.

While sailing south towards Newfoundland your onboard experts will recap on your adventures in Greenland and prepare you for the days ahead. This is an important migration corridor for birds and whales, and you keep your eyes out for signs of wildlife from the outer decks. Large icebergs of all shapes drift on the currents of the Davis Strait and while these won't be your first iceberg sightings, seeing them in open water is an impressive sight. Your educational program continues, and your onboard experts entertain you with interactive presentations and lively discussions.

Having arrived in Newfoundland, your excursion this afternoon tells a story a thousand years in the making. You board the Zodiacs for a short cruise to the rocky shoreline. A millennium ago, Viking long-ships would have been found along this same beach. L’Anse aux Meadows is one of Canada’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Today you find yourself anchored in majestic Bonne Bay, just offshore from the small community of Woody Point, the gateway into the southern reaches of Gros Morne National Park. This is a Registered Historic District with several significant structures along the waterfront. Gros Morne is best known for the World Heritage-listed Tablelands and is celebrated for its unique geology and exceptional scenery. You'll make a visit to the excellent Discovery Center before continuing through the park. You will meet the ship at Trout River re-boarding in the afternoon and continue your voyage southwards.

Overnight you have crossed the broad Gulf of St Lawrence, which separates Newfoundland from Nova Scotia. Your final day will be spent exploring the northern reaches of Cape Breton. Cape North is a small community situated on the famous Cabot Trail and is a gateway into the Highlands National Park. There are some excellent hiking opportunities here. Tonight, your chefs have prepared a special farewell dinner attended by the Captain of the ship. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate and reflect on a memorable journey as you sail to the final port of Sydney.

This morning you will enter the port of Sydney, situated on the north coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Your fabulous trip comes to an end and you can reflect on the truly memorable journey. You disembark in the morning and, while some of you will head to the airport, many will add a few extra days in Nova Scotia to enjoy the hospitality, culture and renowned seafood.