Explore North Pole with Polar Cruise

Newfoundland Circumnavigation Oct 01, 2012 – Oct 11, 2012 (11 Days)

Itinerary Overview 

What better way to explore North Pole and see a place so shaped by sea than by ship? The warmth, wit and hospitality of her people, the soul stirring music and the rough beauty of her shores draw us here year after year, each time with new surprises and delights to greet us along the way. We’ll encounter rich colours, imposing skies and majestic cliffs aboard the Clipper Adventurer a 118-passenger expedition vessel. Expedition cruising is a wonderful way to experience remote regions in an informal and relaxed atmosphere; close encounters are provided by the fleet of Zodiacs onboard that take us to shore wherever we choose to explore or to areas rich in wildlife. We’ll sail along coastlines steeped in history, float past massive colonies of puffins and gannets, explore archeological sites and abandoned outports and keep our eyes open for marine life while examining the island’s unique culture and rich heritage.

Beginning in North America’s oldest port, we travel to Fogo Town, named one of the four corners of the earth by the Flat Earth Society. Across the Strait of Belle Isle in Labrador, it will be hard to forget the feeling that will stir your soul at the abandoned community of Battle Harbour – once a bustling fishery, it is now only a shadow of its former self. Our exploration continues with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at L’Anse aux Meadows, an authenticated Viking site where the outline of the tiny encampment can still be seen today.

Continuing south, we reach a breathtaking example of glacier action and a rare glimpse of the earth’s mantle in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of our journey. Like fingers raking through sand, witness spectacular examples of ancient glacial action on some of the oldest rocks in the world. A great birding opportunity lies ahead in the Bay of Islands, and we’ll use our Zodiacs to navigate the islands and sandbars. Back on board, we’ll sail Newfoundland’s remote south coast, where the last true outports remain; we’ll have a rare chance to visit two remote communities, accessible only by air and sea. Our passage continues, bringing us to the French-owned islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and we complete our circumnavigation with a sunset Zodiac excursion past the beautiful cliffs of Cape St. Mary’s (home to the world’s southernmost colony of northern gannets), before saying farewell in St. John’s. Joining us on board will be a remarkable team of naturalists, historians, photographers, musicians and local guides, who will impart their knowledge and experience on the natural world and local culture, and give life to times past.

Come, and discover Newfoundland for the first time, or the way it was meant to be seen – by sea.

 Itinerary Highlights

• Visit the earliest known European settlement in the New World at L’Anse aux Meadows
• Investigate the remains of a 16th century Basque whaling station at Red Bay
• Visit the “Galapagos” of geology hiking the tablelands in Gros Morne National Park
• Pay a visit to France during our stop at Miquelon
• Experience a piece of the Miawpukek culture during our community visit in Conne River
• Take part in a traditional Newfoundland kitchen party and sample traditional Newfoundland cuisine
• Enjoy the warm weather and rich fall colours as we sail “round the rock”
• Roam the magical streets of St. John’s, the oldest city in North America

Sources – Polar Cruise

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