The fabled sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Northwest Passage has gripped imaginations for centuries. On this captivating 17-day voyage, we invite you to explore this fascinating waterway with an incredible range of on-board comforts and off-ship adventures no other vessel can offer. Passing through the Canadian Arctic archipelago, guests will journey back in time to the height of Arctic exploration, navigating the waters explored by sailors from different lands while visiting areas that Inuit people have made their home for thousands of years.
Please note: This itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the expedition leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.
Your Arctic expedition begins in Calgary. Explore this vibrant Western Canadian city—much celebrated for its cowboy culture and Prairie hospitality—on your own before spending the night at your hotel, which is included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, guests will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the harbor for the Zodiac shuttle to your awaiting ship. After a late-afternoon embarkation, we will set sail for the stunning Arctic wilderness.
As we make our way across the Davis Strait, your Expedition Team will offer a series of polar presentations that set the stage for the adventures ahead. You’ll learn about the storied history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology and ecology. Our team will also keep a lookout for seabirds soaring above your ship, as well as whales that pass through these waters.
The Inuktitut name for Baffin Island, the fifth-largest island in the world, is Qikiqtaaluk, and it has been home to Inuit for the last thousand years. The island was named after William Baffin, who explored the area in the early 17th century in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. If weather conditions permit, this region offers fabulous Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking and paddling as well as opportunities to go ashore. With a bit of luck, we may see Arctic fox onshore, and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for polar bears during our off-shore excursions.
As our ship sails farther north, you can take advantage of the onboard amenities, deepen your knowledge of the Arctic by attending another polar presentation, sip a cocktail in the bar, watch a documentary film or join your Expedition Team on the bridge as they scan for wildlife—there is no shortage of activities while at sea.
Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), the gateway to the Northwest Passage, is one of the richest marine habitats in the Arctic. With open-water areas that remain ice-free year-round, it is an important summer feeding area for whales and other marine wildlife. We’ll spend our days exploring several beautiful bays and inlets, visiting historical sites, enjoying Zodiac cruises and searching for such iconic wildlife as walruses, seals and, of course, whales. Polar bear sightings are possible too. If you’re fortunate, you may even spot the elusive narwhal.
Before saying goodbye to Canada, we’ll try to sail as far north as possible, exploring both sides of Smith Sound, the uninhabited passage between Ellesmere Island and Greenland.
Qaanaaq, formerly known as Thule, is one of the northernmost towns in the world. Here, local Inuit share their culture and traditions, and the museum sheds more light on what it’s like living near the top of the world.
As we sail south along the west coast of Greenland, our polar experts will present on the history, wildlife and glaciology that will feature in the next few days. We also encourage you to spend time on the outer decks— binoculars at hand—to spot wildlife.
With spectacular glaciers, soaring fjords and vibrant communities, the west coast of Greenland will leave you breathless. Each community visit in Greenland is a unique experience. As your ship approaches the shore, you’ll want to be on deck to take in the incredible view of the twin peaks towering over the vibrantly painted wooden houses dotting the rocky terrain. As we arrive just south of Ilulissat, which means “iceberg” in Greenlandic, we’ll encounter the impressive Ilulissat Icefjord. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere. As we Zodiac cruise at the mouth of the fjord, you may be lucky to witness the wonders of calving ice (listen to the loud roars as the ice breaks off). In Sisimiut, you’ll be treated to a traditional kayaking demonstration. The kayak (an Inuit word borrowed by the English) has become a national symbol of Greenland and has been used by Inuit hunters for thousands of years. The town has several 18th-century colonial buildings, including the oldest surviving church in Greenland, so take time to wander through the historic area.
Enjoy one more Zodiac ride from ship to shore, where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your charter flight back to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival in Reykjavik, you will be transferred to your hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.
Today, you can make your way home at your leisure or spend some time exploring this fascinating Icelandic capital, known for its Norse history, geothermal culture and distinctive architecture.
This expedition includes:
This expedition excludes
