Self-Launched Greenland to Newfoundland: Mountains, Wildlife & Viking History

Fly into Keflavik International Airport and take the Flybus shuttle to downtown Reykjavik (book direct at re.is, ~£20 one-way, 45 mins). Check into a centrally-located budget hotel or guesthouse. Spend the afternoon exploring on foot: Hallgrímskirkja church, the Old Harbour and Laugavegur street are all walkable. Grab dinner at Hlemmur Mathöll food hall for local flavours at budget prices (~£12-18).

🚌Flybus shuttle from Keflavik Airport (~£20). Airport to city centre ~45 mins.

🛏Kex Hostel or Loft Hostel, Reykjavik — private or dorm room (~£45-70/night)

• →Flybus transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city centre (~£20)
• →Self-guided walk: Hallgrímskirkja, Old Harbour, Laugavegur shopping street
• →Dinner at Hlemmur Mathöll food hall

Take the Air Greenland scheduled flight from Reykjavik (Keflavik) to Kangerlussuaq — book well in advance at airgreenlad.com (~£350-500 one-way). Kangerlussuaq is the main hub airport for West Greenland and sits at the end of a 170km fjord. On arrival, check into the Kangerlussuaq International Science Support (KISS) guesthouse or Hotel Kangerlussuaq — basic but functional. Take an afternoon guided musk ox safari by 4WD on the inland plateau, bookable locally (~£45). This is the starting point: embrace the scale of Greenland.

🚌Air Greenland scheduled flight KEF–SFJ. Book direct at airgreenlad.com.

🛏Hotel Kangerlussuaq or KISS Guesthouse (~£80-110/night, meals not included)

• →Air Greenland flight: Reykjavik (KEF) to Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) (~£350-500)
• →Check-in at Hotel Kangerlussuaq or KISS Guesthouse
• →Afternoon guided musk ox 4WD safari on the Greenland plateau (~£45)

Take the Air Greenland helicopter or small regional flight south to Sisimiut (SFJ–JHS, ~£120-180). Sisimiut is West Greenland's second-largest town and a hub of Greenlandic culture. Join a half-day guided kayak or hiking tour into the surrounding fjords and mountain terrain (~£50-70, book via Sisimiut Outdoor or Arctic Dream). Visit Bethel Church and the Sisimiut Museum (~£5 entry). If time allows, look out for local craftspeople demonstrating traditional kayak-making. For Maniitsoq, a day-trip by local ferry or helicopter connects to this rugged settlement — Eternity Fjord boat tours are available locally (~£60). Overnight in Sisimiut.

🚌Air Greenland helicopter or prop flight Kangerlussuaq–Sisimiut. Local ferries between settlements.

🛏Hotel Sisimiut or local guesthouse (~£85-120/night)

• →Air Greenland regional flight or helicopter Kangerlussuaq–Sisimiut (~£120-180)
• →Guided kayaking or hiking tour in Sisimiut fjords (~£50-70)
• →Visit Bethel Church and Sisimiut Museum (~£5)
• →Optional Maniitsoq day trip / Eternity Fjord boat tour (~£60)
• →Traditional kayak-making demonstration

Fly north from Sisimiut to Ilulissat (JHS–JAV, Air Greenland, ~£120-160). Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most dramatic sight in Greenland. Hike the 6km Icefjord trail from town to the viewing platform overlooking Sermeq Kujalleq glacier — free to enter. Book an afternoon zodiac/boat cruise among the icebergs of Disko Bay via Ilulissat-based operators such as World of Greenland or Disko Line (~£60-90). Visit the Knud Rasmussen Museum in town (~£6). Dine on local fish at Restaurant Ulo.

🚌Air Greenland scheduled flight Sisimiut–Ilulissat. Walking in town.

🛏Hotel Arctic or Ilulissat B&B / guesthouse (~£90-130/night)

• →Air Greenland flight Sisimiut–Ilulissat (~£120-160)
• →Icefjord hiking trail to UNESCO glacier viewpoint (free)
• →Zodiac/boat cruise among Disko Bay icebergs (~£60-90, book via World of Greenland)
• →Knud Rasmussen Museum visit (~£6)

The Davis Strait crossing is the most challenging leg to replicate independently, as no scheduled passenger ferry crosses it. The best self-launched option is to book an open berth on a small expedition vessel (e.g. Quark Expeditions, One Ocean Expeditions, or Aurora Expeditions offer bookable individual berths on West Greenland–Canada crossings). Alternatively, fly Ilulissat–Nuuk (Air Greenland, ~£150) and then Nuuk–Iqaluit via First Air or Canadian North (~£400-600) to reach the Canadian Arctic. Use any transit day to rest, review notes, attend any onboard or airport lectures on polar ecology, and prepare for the Canadian Arctic leg.

🚌Air Greenland Ilulissat–Nuuk (~£150) + Canadian North or First Air Nuuk/Iqaluit (~£400-600). Book well in advance.

🛏Onboard expedition vessel berth (if sea crossing) OR transit accommodation in Nuuk — Hotel Hans Egede (~£120/night)

• →Transit day: fly Ilulissat–Nuuk–Iqaluit or join an open-berth expedition crossing
• →Self-study: read up on Inuit culture, polar wildlife and Canadian Arctic geography
• →Optional: guided polar ecology lecture if onboard expedition vessel

Fly into Pangnirtung (YXP) via Iqaluit on First Air or Canadian North (~£180-250 from Iqaluit). Pangnirtung sits at the mouth of a dramatic fjord merging with Cumberland Sound, and is one of the most authentic Inuit communities in Nunavut. Wander the community to browse the renowned Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts, where local artists produce world-class printmaking and weavings — the iconic 'Pang toque' wool caps make excellent souvenirs. Arrange a local guided cultural walk through the hamlet to hear stories of Inuit life (~£30-40, book via Auyuittuq Lodge or community tourism office). Keep eyes peeled for Arctic foxes in the surrounding hills.

🚌First Air or Canadian North scheduled flight Iqaluit–Pangnirtung.

🛏Auyuittuq Lodge or community B&B, Pangnirtung (~£100-140/night, meals sometimes included)

• →Flight Iqaluit–Pangnirtung via First Air or Canadian North (~£180-250)
• →Visit Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts (free to browse, purchase local art)
• →Guided community cultural walk (~£30-40)
• →Wildlife spotting: Arctic fox, sea birds around the fjord

Cape Mercy is accessible only by boat or helicopter from Pangnirtung — arrange a local charter boat day trip (~£80-120 per person, split with other travellers, through Pangnirtung community tourism). The isolated cove at the southern tip of Cumberland Sound was named by explorer John Davis in 1585 and later hosted a Cold War-era DEW Line radar installation. Join a guided shore walk with sweeping views over the Davis Strait. The Inuit hunted and fished here long before European contact — your local guide will bring this layered history to life. Return to Pangnirtung by evening.

🚌Local charter boat Pangnirtung–Cape Mercy and return (~£80-120 pp).

🛏Auyuittuq Lodge or community B&B, Pangnirtung (~£100-140/night)

• →Charter boat day trip Pangnirtung–Cape Mercy (~£80-120, split cost with group)
• →Guided shore walk with views over Davis Strait
• →Interpretation of DEW Line Cold War radar history
• →Inuit cultural and historical context from local guide

Fly south from Pangnirtung or Iqaluit to Goose Bay (YYR), Labrador via First Air or Air Canada (~£300-450). From Goose Bay, access to Torngat Mountains National Park requires a charter flight or boat (no road access). Parks Canada operates a Base Camp at the park's southern end each summer — book a stay in advance at pc.gc.ca (~£80-120/night, covers tenting/cabin and some meals). The park is home to polar bears, black bears, caribou, wolves and peregrine falcons. Join a guided Parks Canada hike through the fjord valleys and glacial terrain. Note: a Nunatsiavut beneficiary guide is mandatory for safety in the park (included in base camp packages).

🚌First Air/Air Canada Iqaluit–Goose Bay. Charter floatplane or boat to Torngat Base Camp.

🛏Torngat Mountains Base Camp (Parks Canada) — tented or cabin accommodation (~£80-120/night, meals included in package)

• →Fly Pangnirtung/Iqaluit–Goose Bay (~£300-450)
• →Charter flight or boat Goose Bay–Torngat Mountains Base Camp (Parks Canada, ~£150-250)
• →Guided hike in Torngat fjord valley with Parks Canada/Nunatsiavut guide
• →Wildlife spotting: polar bear, caribou, Arctic fox, peregrine falcon

A full day in one of Canada's most remote and spectacular national parks. Take a guided kayak excursion into the park's dramatic fjords (available through Base Camp programme, ~£40-60 extra). Join a morning guided hike to a glacial moraine viewpoint. The landscape here — towering peaks, ancient fjords, boreal woodland and tundra — is utterly unlike anywhere else in North America. Afternoons at Base Camp often include cultural programmes led by Nunatsiavut Inuit guides, sharing stories and traditions of the people who have called these lands home for 7,500 years. Watch for polar bears from the shore — it is genuine wilderness.

🚌All travel within the park on foot, kayak or zodiac from Base Camp.

🛏Torngat Mountains Base Camp (Parks Canada) (~£80-120/night, meals included)

• →Guided kayak excursion in Torngat fjords (~£40-60, book at Base Camp)
• →Morning guided hike to glacial moraine viewpoint
• →Nunatsiavut cultural programme at Base Camp (included)
• →Wildlife watching: polar bears, Labrador wolves, caribou

Charter or air taxi from Torngat Base Camp south to Nain (ZNI), the administrative capital of the semi-autonomous Nunatsiavut region (~£100-150). Nain has a population of ~1,200 and is the northernmost community accessible by the Labrador coastal ferry. Visit the stunning modern Illusuak Cultural Centre, which houses interactive exhibits on Labrador Inuit heritage, artwork and cultural programmes (~£8 entry). Stroll to the historic Moravian Mission complex established in 1771 — the white church and mission house are a fascinating window into centuries of cultural exchange. Sample local foods: arctic char, bannock and cloudberries. Join an optional guided hiking excursion above town for panoramic views (~£25-35).

🚌Air taxi from Torngat Base Camp to Nain. Walking within Nain.

🛏Atsanik Lodge, Nain (~£110-150/night)

• →Air taxi/charter from Torngat Base Camp to Nain (~£100-150)
• →Illusuak Cultural Centre — interactive Inuit heritage exhibits (~£8)
• →Visit Moravian Mission complex (1771) — self-guided (free)
• →Sample local foods: arctic char, bannock, cloudberries
• →Optional guided hike above Nain for mountain and sea views (~£25-35)

From Nain, take the Labrador Coastal Ferry (operated by Labrador Marine Inc.) south — a spectacular journey hugging the Labrador coastline with chances to spot whales, seabirds and icebergs from the deck. The ferry connects Nain to communities including Makkovik, Cartwright and eventually the Strait of Belle Isle. Book well in advance at labradorcoastalferry.ca (~£60-100 for passenger fare, cabins extra ~£40-80/night). This is your at-sea equivalent: a genuine working ferry through extraordinary wilderness coastline. Keep a lookout with binoculars — minke whales, humpbacks, puffins and gannets are all possible.

🚌Labrador Coastal Ferry (Labrador Marine Inc.) — Nain southbound. Book at labradorcoastalferry.ca.

🛏Cabin on Labrador Coastal Ferry (~£40-80/night) or guesthouse in Cartwright/Makkovik (~£80-110/night)

• →Labrador Coastal Ferry south from Nain (~£60-100 passenger fare)
• →Whale and seabird watching from the deck (binoculars essential)
• →Relax and take in the Labrador coastline scenery
• →Chat with local Labradorians and Inuit passengers

Travel to the northern tip of Newfoundland to reach L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site — fly from Goose Bay or St Anthony (YAY) (~£120-200) or drive the Viking Trail (Route 430) from Deer Lake if you've hired a car (~£45 car rental/day). L'Anse aux Meadows is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America, dating to around 1000 CE. A Parks Canada guided tour of the reconstructed sod longhouses and authentic Norse ruins is included in the entry fee (~£8, book at pc.gc.ca). Walk the site independently too — the turf structures, forge and boat sheds bring the Viking Age vividly to life. Nearby Norstead Viking Village offers immersive living-history demonstrations (~£10).

🚌Fly St Anthony (YAY) from Goose Bay via Air Labrador (~£120-200) OR hire car at Deer Lake Airport and drive Route 430 (Viking Trail, ~4hrs).

🛏Viking Nest B&B, St Anthony, or L'Anse aux Meadows local B&B (~£70-100/night)

• →Travel to L'Anse aux Meadows via St Anthony flight or Viking Trail drive
• →Parks Canada guided tour of Norse sod longhouses and ruins (~£8 entry)
• →Self-guided walk of the full archaeological site
• →Norstead Viking Village living-history demonstrations (~£10)
• →Interpretive centre — exhibits on Leif Erikson and Norse exploration

Drive south along the scenic Viking Trail (Route 430) through the Great Northern Peninsula — a fitting 'at-sea day' equivalent spent in motion through breathtaking Newfoundland wilderness. Stop at Gros Morne National Park (~£8 Parks Canada entry), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of its own featuring ancient fjords, tablelands and coastal scenery. Take the 16km Western Brook Pond Gorge Boat Tour (book at grosmorne.com, ~£30) for one of Newfoundland's iconic experiences. Continue south to Deer Lake or Corner Brook for the night, or press on towards St John's if energy allows.

🚌Hire car — Route 430 south through the Great Northern Peninsula. Return car at Deer Lake or drive onwards to St John's.

🛏Sugar Hill Inn (Norris Point, Gros Morne) or budget motel, Deer Lake (~£65-95/night)

• →Scenic drive south along the Viking Trail (Route 430)
• →Gros Morne National Park entry (~£8)
• →Western Brook Pond Gorge Boat Tour (~£30, book in advance at grosmorne.com)
• →Wildlife spotting: moose, caribou, eagles along the highway

Complete the journey to St John's — either fly from Deer Lake (YDF) to St John's (YYT) (~£80-120, Air Canada or WestJet) or drive the Trans-Canada Highway (~6hrs). St John's is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and is famous for its colourful 'Jellybean Row' houses, vibrant Celtic music scene (a legacy of its vast Irish-descended population) and lively George Street bar district. Spend the afternoon at Signal Hill National Historic Site for panoramic views over the Narrows and the Atlantic (~£4). Cap the expedition at a traditional Newfoundland pub session on George Street — screech-in ceremony optional.

🚌Air Canada or WestJet flight Deer Lake–St John's (~£80-120) OR drive Trans-Canada Highway ~6hrs.

🛏LOCA Hostel or Balmoral House B&B, St John's (~£55-85/night)

• →Fly Deer Lake–St John's (~£80-120) or drive Trans-Canada Highway (~6hrs)
• →Signal Hill National Historic Site — panoramic views of the Narrows (~£4)
• →Walk Jellybean Row and downtown St John's (free)
• →Evening George Street pub session: live Celtic music and local screech rum
• →Optional 'Screech-In' ceremony at a traditional Newfoundland pub (~£10-15)