Name: Canadian Arctic & Northern Lights
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: V2523092115

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. Inland, Point 660 offers a chance to walk on the Greenland ice cap, and nearby, the 60-m tall Russell Glacier calving is a highlight.

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 and whales.

Singing and Storytelling in Church

Included

0 h 45 m

Experience the ambiance of the charming and historic wooden church, built in 1914, nestled at the heart of this small seaside town
Enjoy the ethereal melodies of hymns sung in Greenlandic, intertwined with local narratives, within the hallowed walls of this venerable church

Kuannit Hike

Optional

04 h 00 m

Take in the panoramic vista spanning 180 degrees, encompassing Disko Bay, icebergs, bird life, and, with luck, the graceful presence of whales.
Experience the nature around Qeqertarsuaq is unique in all of Greenland due to its volcanic origin

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, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is home to as many sled-dogs as people.

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

UNESCO Icefjord Cruise

Optional

01 h 30 m

View magnificent icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Ice fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An incredible chance to capture stunning photographs of these majestic icebergs originating from the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier awaits you—a true photographer's paradise.

Sermermiut UNESCO exploration

Optional

02 h 00 m

Embark on a journey to a cultural and naturally scenic gem that leaves everyone in awe
Walk along the Sermermiut Boardwalk, a picturesque path winding past glaciers and towering ice formations, providing panoramic vistas of Ilulissat's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ilulissat visit with Icefjord centre and boardwalk

Included

0 h 30 m

The Ilulissat Icefjord Centre offers a captivating glimpse into the beauty and significance of the Ilulissat Icefjord. Discover its geological wonders, learn about its cultural importance, and witness stunning views of towering icebergs and glaciers.
Explore at your leisure and enjoy the flexibility this programme offers

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

Home to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk has a thriving arts scene. Also known by its Danish name of Godthåb (Good Hope), 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.

Nuuk Sightseeing & entrance to Greenland Museum

Included

01 h 30 m

Engage with old and new Greenlandic culture and traditions with this tour of the capital city and a visit to the National Museum
See the bustling streets of the Colonial Harbour and admire its beautiful old buildings that have stood the test of time
Get to know the history behind this city as you tour past landmarks including the cathedral built in 1849, the award winning Katuaq culture centre and the University of Greenland

Nuuk Sightseeing

Included

01 h 30 m

See the bustling streets of the Colonial Harbour and admire its beautiful old buildings that have stood the test of time
Get to know the history behind this city as you tour past landmarks including the cathedral built in 1849, the award winning Katuaq culture centre and the University of Greenland

Cirkus Lake Hike

Included

02 h 20 m

Enjoy a scenic hike through Nuuk's backcountry leading to the picturesque Fresh Water lake
Lan about the diverse flora and fauna found in this serene environment

Helicopter flight with Sermitsiaq landing (5 seater)

Optional

02 h 00 m

A thrilling and unforgettable experience that combines the excitement of a helicopter ride with the unparalleled natural beauty of the Nuuk fjords and mountains.
Enjoy a ground stop on the Sermitsiaq mountain plateau to admire the breathtaking view of the wild mountains and fjords of Nuuk

Qoornoq Island Tour by boat

Optional

04 h 00 m

Sail through the picturesque Nuuk Fiord, offering visits to an old settlement and a stunning waterfall
Visit the deserted settlement of Qoornoq, once a thriving community and enjoy a stroll around the settlement
Visit the renowned waterfall nestled on the backside of Mount Sermitsiaq

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.

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.

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.

Norstead Viking Village

Optional

02 h 00 m

L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Norse site in North America
Travel back in time to where Vikings once stood
Discovery is a fearless pursuit; when the Vikings, the first Europeans recorded to reach the new world, landed at L'Anse aux Meadows over 1,000 years ago

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.

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.

Canadian Arctic & Northern Lights

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