Heading towards Jokulsarlon Glacier, Ilulissat | Andrew Stewart
Heading towards Jokulsarlon Glacier, Ilulissat  | Andrew Stewart
The vast expanses of the Arctic  | ©Brenda Nutter
The raw beauty of the Arctic  | ©Dennis Minty
Relaxing on the ice  | ©Andrew Stewart
Sisimiut village in West Greenland  | Dennis Minty
Zodiac Cruising in West Greenland  | Michelle Valberg

Out of the Northwest Passage

Baffin Island and western Greenland explored

17 Days from

$14495 USD

Trip Code: CPN
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
  • Prince Leopold, Beechey & Devon Island
  • Karrat Fjord
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Sail along the dramatically beautiful west Greenland coastline

Overview

Commencing our cruise in Kugluktuk (Coppermine), we journey west to east through the spectacular Northwest Passage. This voyage offers abundant wildlife viewing interspersed with rich cultural experiences. We visit Taloyoak, where the famed John Ross expeditions pinpointed the Magnetic North Pole. Along the coast of Somerset Island, we'll cruise the opposing tides of Bellot Strait, seeking whale and polar bear in the nutrient rich waters. We continue our journey west in search of the elusive Narwhal, before reaching Devon Island and the Dundas Harbour RCMP historical site. We will visit Beechey Island, and pay our respects at the graves of sailors from the lost Franklin expedition. Continuing west, we visit areas of significant geological, historical and biological importance. Daily expeditions will allow us to stretch our legs and enjoy the landscape. Sailing down the beautiful Greenlandic coast, we stop to explore the rugged coastline of kap York and the natural beauty of Karrat Fjord. Our final visit brings us to Ilulissat, the largest town in Disko Bay and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before concluding our journey in Kangerlussuaq.

Itinerary

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Our trip commences today in the town of Kugluktuk. Located at the mouth of the Coppermine river to southwest of Victoria Island on the Coronation Gulf, Kugluktuk is the western most community in Nunavut. Originally named Coppermine, it was renamed Kugluktuk according to its Inuinnaqtun name meaning "place of moving waters", on January 1st, 1996. The Coppermine River itself is designated a Canadian Heritage River for the important role it played as an exploration and fur trade route. If you choose to take the optional charter flights the flight departs Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) in the early morning so we suggest you book one night pre-trip accommodation to ensure you do not miss the flight.

Meals: 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

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

In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England with HMS Erebus and Terror, attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage. Franklin’s party overwintered at Beechey Island where three of his men died. Numerous search parties later used Beechey as a depot and rendezvous. Amundsen, Bernier, and Larsen visited Beechey. Thomas Morgan of HMS Investigator was buried there in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and the ruins of Northumberland House are a haunting memorial.

Meals: B,L,D

We will spend two days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of Canada's newest National Marine Conservation Areas. Large populations of marine mammals, including narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales, transit and feed in this area. There is a great selection of landing sites available to choose from, depending on weather, wildlife, and sea conditions.

Meals: B,L,D

Meaning 'place that never thaws,' and at 1,150km above the Arctic Circle, the town of Aujuittuq is Canada's northernmost civilian community. With a population of 165, we will be welcomed into this peaceful and warm hamlet. Our activities will center around the school where we will have a chance to meet members of the community and learn about their way of life.

Meals: B,L,D

Smith Sound, an ancient Inuit travel route, divides Ellesmere Island from Greenland, and served as the main route for explorers and adventurers searching for the North Pole. Adolphus Greely, Sir George Nares, and Elisha Kent Kane all travelled these waters with varying degrees of success.

Meals: B,L,D

On this exploration day, we’ll be making the most of what the wind, weather and wildlife have to offer. Our expedition staff will scan for polar bears, walrus, whales, seals, and seabirds as we go

Meals: B,L,D

We will explore stunning fjords that line the coast. Glaciers and icebergs abound here. In true expedition style, we will seek opportunities to hike, explore, and view wildlife as conditions allow.

Meals: B,L,D

Located some 250km north of the Arctic Circle is 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

The west Greenland coastline is a rich mixture of fishing communities, myriad islands and complex coastal waterways. We will be making an expedition stop here to explore the Greenlandic landscape

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 afternoon. Overnight accommodation in Toronto is available on request.

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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Extra trip info

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