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Take a zodiac tour to see polar bears.

Labrador and Torngat Explorer

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Akademik Ioffe
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On this 11-day expedition navigate northwards from the temperate climates of Louisbourg into the higher Arctic latitudes of Iqaluit, Nunavut. This voyage links several fascinating historic locations on Canada’s east coast, including a Viking settlement, a French-built fortress, and isolated fishing ports. The coast of Labrador and Torngat Mountains amaze you with their wild mountain ranges, rich history of more than three different cultures, and breathtaking wildlife viewings.
Tablelands, Gros Morne National ParkTake a zodiac tour around glaciers.A humpback whale breaks the surfaceRemains of early Arctic exploration on Baffin IslandTake a zodiac tour to see polar bears.
Highlights
  • Go ashore and visit the World Heritage-listed Atherton Tablelands
  • Visit L'Anse aux Meadows to see reconstructed sod huts & Norse ruins
  • Explore the restored whaling and commercial buildings of Battle Harbor
  • Admire the walls of Nachvak Fjord, almost 900 meters above at several points
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Louisbourg, Nova Scotia | Embark

Your adventure begins in the historic port town of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. First visited in 1597 by the English, the town was fortified in 1713 by the French in recognition of its strategic maritime location. During the 18th century, Louisbourg was the third busiest seaport in North America. Board the ship in the late afternoon in time for a dinner of local lobster as you sail out past the lighthouse, into the North Atlantic and on to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Day 2: Gros Morne National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning the ship is anchored off the tiny fishing community of Trout River, the access point into Gros Morne National Park. Zodiacs take you ashore and you are transferred by bus for a visit to the World Heritage-listed Tablelands. This incredible location is notable for its unique geology and exceptional scenery. Explore the boreal wetland landscape, featuring dramatic rock ridges, pitcher plants, and white-throated sparrows. You might encounter the iconic moose as you explore the park. Re-board the ship in the afternoon and continue your voyage northwards.

Day 3: L'Anse aux Meadows

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today tells a story a thousand years in the making. Board the zodiacs for a short cruise to the rocky shoreline. A millennium ago, Viking long-ships would have been found along the beach of L'Anse aux Meadows. L’Anse aux Meadows is where Norseman, Leif Erikson, son of Eric the Red, is thought to have founded “Vinland” around 1000 AD. As you explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins with the site’s resident archaeologist, see evidence that the Vikings discovered North America five hundred years prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This evening leave the coastline of Newfoundland, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle overnight.

Day 4: Battle Harbour

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Battle Harbour marks your arrival into the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The location was one of the first British settlements on the east coast of the Americas and was an important gateway to the rich Labrador fisheries. Venture ashore to explore the restored fishing, whaling, commercial buildings found in this remote community. The colorful buildings make for fantastic photographic subjects amid the backdrop of breathtaking coastal views.

Day 5: Hopedale

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The ancient rocks of the Canadian Shield (the exposed portion of the Earth’s crust) cradle the small coastal hamlet of Hopedale. This remarkable geological feature, estimated to be up to 4 billion years old, greets you as the ship sails through narrow channels and weighs anchor off Hopedale. Venture ashore by zodiac to visit the Hopedale Moravian Mission which was built in 1782. It’s a fascinating place and you learn of the influence of the early Moravian missionaries on the Inuit people of Northern Labrador. This location has been designated a Canadian National Historic Site. Plan a visit to the local museum for a deeper insight. The local Inuit produce wonderful carvings and other crafts which make wonderful souvenirs.

Day 6: Hebron

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today enjoy a visit to the historic town of Hebron, once the northernmost settlement in Labrador. The Moravian missionaries established Hebron in the early 1830s and the Germanic influence is clearly seen in the architecture. The Mission was closed and the local Inuit families relocated in 1959, but the original buildings still stand today. This is another designated National Historic Site. You may meet Buddy and Jenny, Nunatsiavut Government ambassadors, who have been looking after the historic site for years and have many absorbing stories to tell.

Day 7: Torngat Mountains National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Midway through your exploration of Newfoundland and Labrador, your attention turns to the magnificent wilderness of the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve. The Park was established in 2005 and covers almost 10,000 square kilometers of Northern Labrador. It is home to Canada’s highest mountains east of the Rockies, and features breathtaking fjords, glacial systems, and stunning landscapes. The Inuktitut word “Torngait” means “place of spirits”; these mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for over 7500 years and are of great spiritual importance to these peoples. Polar bears hunt seals along the coast, and caribou herds cross paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds. There are some terrific opportunities to explore the area on foot and along the shoreline in the zodiacs. Wildflowers are spectacular when in bloom and bears feast on local berries found among the sedges and grasses on the raised beaches along the shores of the fjords.

Day 8: Nachvak Fjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Nachvak Fjord is exceptionally beautiful. The fjord is deep and narrow and stretches more than 20 kilometers. The rocky walls of the fjord soar almost 900 meters above at several points. Many species migrate through the area during the short boreal summer. Numerous seal species may be encountered including ring, hooded, harp, and harbour seals. Minke whales have been known to linger in the fjords, while larger species, including fin and humpback, tend to stay offshore. This is an outstanding location for landscape photography with endless subjects, a dynamic color range, and interesting lighting.

Day 9: Button Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
As you reach the far northern stretches of coastal Labrador, learn of the remarkable events at Martin Bay. Here a German U-boat made the only known armed landing in North America during World War Two. In 1943, U-537 sat at anchor here, while the crew man-handled ashore and established an automated weather station. This station remained undiscovered until the late 1970’s when a German historian came across a reference to it in the German naval archives. The equipment was collected by the Canadian Coast Guard in the early 1980’s and is on permanent display in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Visit the Button Islands before sailing into southern Davis Strait. Named after Thomas Button who explored the area in 1612, the islands are in the middle of the upwelling of nutrients on the edge of the continental shelf. This action makes it a magnet for thousands of seabirds and other marine mammals.

Day 10: Monumental Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today sail across the mouth of Frobisher Bay and make landfall on Monumental Island, a small, steep-sided outcrop off the southeast coast of Baffin Island. Here be on the lookout for polar bears and walrus that live around the island in an uneasy truce. While polar bears have been known to attack and kill young walrus, they are no match for a fully-grown male walrus, especially in the water. Enjoy your final zodiac cruise here and tonight reflect on the last 10 days of exploration while enjoying a sumptuous farewell dinner, attended by the Captain of the ship. During the night the ship negotiates the narrow channels of Frobisher Bay on the way to your disembarkation point, Iqaluit, capital of the province of Nunavut.

Day 11: Iqaluit, Nunavut | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to your crew and disembark the ship by zodiac and, after a short tour of Iqaluit (if time and tides permit), transfer to the airport for your flight back to Ottawa. On arrival in Ottawa, an airport transfer is provided to a central downtown location.

Ship/Hotel

Akademik Ioffe

Relax by the fire in the lounge.
Bar & Lounge on the Ioffe
Reception area on the Ioffe

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,895
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Main Deck Triple
Twin Semi Private Cabins
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Twin Semi-Private
Deck 4. Two lower berths (one which can be converted to a sofa during the day), a writing desk/chair, bookshelf and tall wardrobes with internal shelving for storage. Facilities are semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) and all cabins have a window that can be opened.
Twin Private Cabins
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Twin Private
Deck 4 and 5. Two lower berths (one which can be converted to a sofa during the day), a writing desk/chair, bookshelf and ample storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a window that can be opened.
Superior Cabins
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Superior
Deck 6. Two lower berths, a sofa, a writing desk/chair and ample storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a window that can be opened.
Shackleton Suites
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Shackleton Suite
Deck 4 & 5. One double bed, one sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, up-graded bedding, a writing desk/chair, IPod alarm clock, mini stereo, capsule coffee maker, mini bar. Private facilities. Large window that can be opened.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Twin and superior cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the shared price, suites for 2 times the shared price. Single supplement is not available in triple cabins.

- Child and Youth Prices: 25% discount for young people aged up to 17 years, and 20% off for those aged from 18-21 years who can prove they are in full-time education.

* This voyage operates domestically within Canada and is subject to a compulsory 5% goods and services tax (GST).
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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