Enjoying the view in the Canadian High Arctic | © Andrew Stewart
Enjoying the view in the Canadian High Arctic  | © Andrew Stewart
Sublime beauty of Karrat Fjord  | © Dennis Minty
A curious Beared Seal  | © Danny Catt
Sisimiut village in West Greenland  | Dennis Minty
Local crafts in West Greenland  | Michelle Valberg
Heading towards Jokulsarlon Glacier, Ilulissat  | Andrew Stewart

Into the Northwest Passage

Follow the Northwest Passage from Greenland to Kugluktuk

17 Days from

$ USD

Trip Code: CNP
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Triple
$16495 USD
Interior Twin
$18495 USD
Exterior Twin
$19995 USD
Main Twin
$21495 USD
Comfort Twin
$22995 USD
Select Twin
$24495 USD
Superior Twin
$25995 USD
Junior Suite
$27495 USD
Suite
$28995 USD
Kayaking Option
$800 USD
Optional Charter Flights
$2450 USD

Duration

  • 17 Days

Activities

  • 16 days expedition cruising

Accommodation

  • 16 nights aboard Ocean Endeavour

Meals

  • 16 Dinners
  • 15 Lunches
  • 16 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Trip highlights

  • Cruise the Northwest Passage
  • Sail along the dramatically beautiful west Greenland coastline
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Zodiac cruise through Croker Bay
  • Look for spotted walrus, polar bear, muskox and caribou in Dundas Harbour
  • Explore Beechey, Bathurst & Melville Islands
  • Prince of Wales Strait

Overview

Commencing with a monumental cruise along one of Greenland's longest fjords, this voyage of discovery delves into the heart of the Northwest Passage. Sailing out to Davis Strait we cross into the Arctic Circle and head north, stopping along the Sisimuit Coast, where we encounter colourful houses set on the treeless tundra and meet the friendly locals to share in their culture. In Ilulissat, we marvel at vast icefields and visit the vibrant fishing community there. A hike through the tundra at Karrat Fjord provides opportunities for grand vistas and encounters with the local wildlife. Crossing from Greenland to the Canadian Arctic, we will continue our journey as conditions permit, exploring legendary locations swathed in ice and bathed in northern light: Smith Sound, the Beaufort Sea, Prince of Wales Strait, Amundsen Gulf, and Melville Island among them. Lancaster Sound is famous for its beluga whales and other marine mammals. Beechey Island holds the graves of the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Our trip concludes in the Canadian town of Kugluktuk.

Itinerary

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Kangerlussuaq which means 'The Big Fjord' in Greenlandic, is appropriately named, 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 Toronto (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

People have lived in the Sisimiut area for 4,500 years. For the first 2,000 years, the people of the Saqqaq culture occupied the area. Approximately 2,500 years ago, new people brought the Dorset culture to the Sisimiut area. They lived here for 1,500 years and were followed by the people of the Thule culture—the ancestors of the current population. All these cultures came from Canada. The people primarily lived on fish, birds and mammals such as whales and seals. The ice-free conditions in the sea around Sisimiut, including some of Greenland’s deepest fjords, allow us to sail in waters that are home to many whales and seals. Sisimiut is Greenland's second largest city. Access the museum through a towering whalebone archway and be sure to stop in at the artisan’s studio for the chance to purchase outstanding handicrafts. Traditional qajaq (kayaking) is in resurgence here, and there are plenty of other fun outdoor activities for the adventurous to enjoy.

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

Our adventure builds as we explore by ship and Zodiac along the west coast of Greenland. Here we find spectacular fjords, where we will be watching for marine life in majestic and inspiring landscapes dotted with icebergs. We have numerous options for expedition stops, to make the most of weather and wildlife conditions. Departing Greenland, we cross Baffin Bay toward Nunavut. Our onboard presentation schedule will have us learning as we go.

Meals: B,L,D

As we steam toward Nunavut, our resource staff will deepen your understanding of the Arctic. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.

Meals: B,L,D

Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting, a fascinating place to wander. The cultural presentation at the Community Hall is not to be missed - arts and crafts may be available here too.

Meals: B,L,D

We will spend three days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area. We’ll cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife. On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over fifty thousand square kilometres. Flat topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character. We hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from ship and by shore. Archaeological sites with expert interpretation allow us to learn about the Inuit history of this now-abandoned island. We’ll visit the remains of a RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.

Meals: B,L,D

In 1845 Sir John Franklin took his expedition of 129 men in two ships into the Wellington Channel. Not a soul returned from the fateful expedition. It was two years before search parties were launched. Aside from the bodies of three souls buried here, only relics were found as clues to the disappearance. Until recently, the three graves had left no indication as to the fate of the rest of the British party. Such is the interest in this story, the Canadian government recently announced a new initiative to locate the missing Franklin vessels.

Meals: B,L,D

This passage marks an area rich in marine and avian life. Thick-billed Murres, Ivory Gulls, beluga, narwhal and bowhead whales reside in the ice-strewn waters. In addition to abundant wildlife, we’ll delve deeper into the exploration of the Northwest Passage and mercantile efforts of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Meals: B,L,D

Discover the famed Bellot Strait, a narrow passage separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. As we sail through this two-kilometre-wide waterway, get the unique opportunity to reach the northernmost part of mainland North America. Keep watch for an array of enchanting marine mammals from beluga whales to narwhals and seals Delve into the region's fascinating history and learn about Joseph René Bellot, French naval officer and Arctic explorer who joined an 1850s expedition in search for Sir John Franklin, who inspired the strait's namesake.

Meals: B,L,D

Navigate the ice-strewn waters of this fabled waterway in search of wildlife. Although this is Nunavut’s least-populated region, wildlife abounds here both in the sea and on land. Visit a local community where Inuit hosts will share their knowledge of their home and the area's history. Discover the legacy of this important waterway and the captivating story of Roald Amundsen, who overwintered in the bay for two years while?searching for the Northwest Passage. Learn more about the triumphs of explorers like Amundsen and the vital role that Inuit knowledge played in successful crossings.

Meals: B,L,D

Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the westernmost community in Nunavut. Known for many years as Coppermine, the community reverted to its original Inuinnaqtun name—meaning “place of moving waters”—on January 1st, 1996. The Coppermine River is designated a Canadian Heritage River for the important role it played as an exploration and fur trade route. Today we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make our way to the airport to meet our charter flight. If you choose to take the optional charter flights the flight departs Kugluktuk bound for Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) a few hours after disembarking the ship. Overnight accommodation in Yellowknife is recommended.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners
  • Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
  • Services of expedition leaders
  • Complimentary expedition jacket
  • 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

  • Charter Flights necessary to undertake journey.
  • Travel to and from start /end point of trip
  • 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 - 14 per passenger per day)

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