Journey into the Northwest Passage

Your journey begins in Nuuk, Greenland’s vibrant capital city and home to the country’s newest airport. As Greenland's cultural and economic hub, Nuuk blends modern life with rich history and stunning natural beauty. With a population of under 20,000 people, it's one of the smallest capital cities in the world, offering a unique mix of contemporary architecture and traditional Inuit culture. We board the Exploris One in the afternoon and are warmly greeted as we settle in to out cabins and get acquainted with life onboard. 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.

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

Enjoy the warmth of an Inuit welcome as drum dancers, throat singers, and cultural ambassadors share their stories, songs, and connections to the land. Explore the beautiful surroundings of an Arctic hamlet, get to know local residents and learn about their ways of life, and have the opportunity to purchase carvings and handicrafts to bring back home.

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 until very recently. In 2014, Canadian archaeologists discovered remnants of the HMS Erebus in the frozen waters of the Northwest Passage, reigniting interest in this fabled region.

Meals:  B,L,D

Peel Sound, once traversed by the Franklin expedition on its route south, presents numerous wildlife and exploratory opportunities. As we sail through this region, we'll enter prime polar bear territory where we’ll be on the lookout for good spotting opportunities. The area is also home to muskoxen, belugas, and other wildlife, making every moment a potential discovery. Depending on ice conditions, we may make expedition stops along the way among the spectacular landscapes, a perfect setting for hiking and exploring the geological diversity of the area.

Meals:  B,L,D

Discover the famed Ikirahaq (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, this area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, 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

Today marks the completion of your incredible journey through the Northwest Passage—an achievement few can claim. Arriving in Kugluktuk, take pride in having traversed one of the world’s most historic and storied waterways, following in the wake of legendary explorers while forging your own unforgettable path through the Arctic. 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. Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), NU, is an alternate disembarkation point, and may be used based on sea, ice, and weather conditions. Today we will disembark the Exploris One 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