Vast landscapes around Baffin Island | Dennis Minty
Vast landscapes around Baffin Island  | Dennis Minty
Hiking the arctic tundra to gain exceptional views  | Dennis Minty
Polar Bear on the ice floe  | Jen Derbach
Appreciating Greenland's Jakobshavn Glacier  | Rachel Imber
A humpback whale fluke's  | Rachel Imber
Sisimiut village in West Greenland  | Dennis Minty
Walking the tundra of West Greenland  | Mike Beedell

Baffin Island and Greenland: Circling the Midnight Sun

Follow in the footsteps of the early Arctic explorers

12 Days from

$ USD

Trip Code: CHP
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Triple
$7495 USD
Interior Twin
$8795 USD
Exterior Twin
$10095 USD
Main Twin
$10795 USD
Comfort Twin
$11495 USD
Select Twin
$12295 USD
Superior Twin
$12795 USD
Junior Suite
$13795 USD
Suite
$14795 USD
Kayaking Option
$800 USD
Optional Charter Flights
$2400 USD

Duration

  • 12 Days

Activities

  • 11 nights expedition cruising

Accommodation

  • 11 nights aboard Ocean Endeavour

Meals

  • 11 Dinners
  • 10 Lunches
  • 11 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Trip highlights

  • Experience the rugged beauty of the Cumberland Peninsula
  • Submerge yourself in Inuit culture in Panniqtuuq
  • Search for Polar Bear, Beluga whales and Arctic Fox
  • Photograph exquisite Arctic flowers at the height of summer bloom
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Sail along the dramatically beautiful west Greenland coastline

Overview

Marvel at the rugged beauty, rich Inuit culture and varied wildlife as we make our way along southern coast of Baffin Island and across to Greenland. Starting from Iqaluit we sail north towards Lady Franklin Island, where we explore the coastline by zodiac, keeping watch for seabirds, polar bears, and marine life. Experience Panniqtuuq, a small Inuit community surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the ocean. Spend two days in Cumberland Peninsula, taking every opportunity to hike the vast tundra and zodiac cruise through the ice-strewn waters. Make sure to keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife that calls this region home, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, and beluga whales. Crossing the Davis Strait we arrive in Greenland, an island of rare beauty covering nearly 3.5 million square kilometres. More than 80 percent of the island is covered by the ice cap or small glaciers, and the west coast provides a landscape of dramatic peaks and enormous fjords. Throughout the voyage, we enjoy ample opportunities to view and photograph the unique wildlife of the region. At each stop, we board zodiacs to go ashore, or position ourselves for the best views to take photographs of the wildlife, flowers, icebergs and landscapes. Our landing sites here include the spectacular west coat, a full day at Ilulissat and Sisimuit before our voyage concludes in Kangerlussuaq.

Itinerary

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Begin your journey by transferring to the ship by zodiac through Iqaluit harbour. Iqaluit, at the head of Frobisher Bay, is Nunavut’s capital. A population of nearly 8,000 calls the city home. Local attractions include the territorial Legislature, igloo-inspired St. Jude’s Cathedral, art shops, and more. If you choose to take the optional charter flights the flight departs Ottawa (Ontario) in the early morning so we suggest you book one night pre-trip accommodation to ensure you do not miss the flight.

Meals: D

Journey to Lady Franklin Island, one of the many rugged and wildlife-rich islands dotting the south Baffin Island coast. Explore the coastline by Zodiac keeping watch for seabirds, polar bears, and marine life. A wonderful introduction to the geology of Nunavut, examine the rock formations from the sea. With Inuit expedition team members by your side, you'll gain an intimate perspective on the captivating wildlife and geological wonders that cross your path.

Meals: B,L,D

Spend time on the nuna—the Inuktitut name for land. Take a hike that best suits your interest accompanied by our expert expedition team who offer insightful interpretations of the surroundings. Soak in the full seasonal blooms at the height of Arctic summer as you explore the rolling tundra. A stop here will give you a unique opportunity to connect with nature on a profound level.

Meals: B,L,D

Experience Panniqtuuq, nestled on a coastal plain amidst stunning mountains and a winding river valley. Meaning “the place of the bull caribou” in Inuktitut, this charming community is embraced by snow-capped peaks and the ocean. Immerse yourself in renowned Inuit art at the Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Centre. Step inside the print and weave shop, where talented Inuit artists create beautifully woven tapestries and prints. Get the opportunity to purchase the acclaimed "Pang" hats—colourfully patterned crocheted toques—at the centre's gift shop.

Meals: B,L,D

Spend two days exploring the Cumberland Peninsula, a stunning Arctic region steeped in cultural heritage. Jutting from the southeastern coast of Baffin Island, this peninsula encompasses Cumberland Sound, whose profuse wildlife sustained Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years. We hope to experience the same natural wonders as we sail through the marine-rich waterway. It was even considered a potential missing link in the early search for the Northwest Passage. While exploring, you'll have the opportunity to delve into the captivating maritime history of the region, gaining a deeper understanding of its past and present significance. We'll make the most of every opportunity to hike the vast tundra and Zodiac in the ice-strewn waters. Make sure to keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife that calls this region home, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, and beluga whales.

Meals: B,L,D

Deepen your understanding of the environment, cultures, and history of the region as we sail across the Davis Strait towards Greenland. Get the privileged opportunity to engage with and learn from Inuit in their homeland. Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck! Try your hand at athletic feats during an interactive cultural performance of Inuit games. Through shared experiences and interactions, develop a deep appreciation for the culture and gain a profound connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse. Keep your binoculars ready to spot whales and seabirds who follow in our wake.

Meals: B,L,D

Welcome to Kalaallit Nunaat, or Greenland! Choose the activity you like best during an expedition landing on Greenland’s spectacular west coast. Whether you prefer hiking, walking, photography, or sitting contemplatively, you’ll be delighted! Alongside our team of knowledgeable naturalists, marine biologists, and geologists, embrace every opportunity to learn and deepen your connection to the landscapes we explore. Admire the mighty mountains and the tiniest tundra flowers—a stop in this area will offer many outstanding features to pique your interest.

Meals: B,L,D

Sailing 250km north of the Arctic Circle we find the stunning coastal community of Ilulissat. Translating literally into 'iceberg, Ilulissat could not be more appropriately named. We will include time in the colourful town and a have an opportunity to hike out to an elevated viewpoint where we can observe the great fields of ice. We will also cruise in our fleet of zodiacs in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord. The Icefjord is where we find the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier, one of the most active and fastest moving in the world at 19m per day and calving more than 35 square kilometers of ice annually. The glacier has been the object of scientific attention for 250 years and, because of its relative ease of accessibility, has significantly added to the understanding of ice-cap glaciology, climate change and related geomorphic processes.

Meals: B,L,D

Warmed by the West Greenland current, the waters around Sisimiut are free of sea ice, making the area an important fishing and shipping centre as well as a habitat for marine mammals. The fish market and folk museum in Sisimuit offer an opportunity to experience modern, and historic Greenland side by side.

Meals: B,L,D

Our trip concludes today in Kangerlussuaq. Meaning 'The Big Fjord' in Greenlandic, the town is appropriately named, with the fjord covering 168km in length. It lies at the head of the longest fjord in western Greenland, and has one of the most stable climates in the region though temperatures can range from -50C in the winter to as high as 28C in summer. If you choose to take the optional charter flights the flight departs Kangerlussuaq bound for Toronto (Ontario) in the early evening. We suggest you book overnight accommodation in Toronto.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
  • Services of expedition leaders
  • All sightseeing and shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs
  • Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services
  • Service charges and port fees
  • Pre-departure information

Not included

  • Optional charter flights necessary to get to/from start and end point
  • Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
  • Visa, passport and vaccination charges, and airport departure taxes
  • Mandatory medical / evacuation insurance
  • Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses and items of a personal nature such as bar charges, wine and phone calls
  • Customary end of voyage tips for ship's crew (approximately US$10 - 15 per passenger per day)

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Extra trip info

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