Greenland, Baffin & Northwest Passage In-Depth

This comprehensive westbound voyage stands out for its compelling combination of West Greenland, in-depth exploration of the east coast of Baffin Island and the historic Northwest Passage. Jaw dropping scenery, towering icebergs, thrilling wildlife encounters, Inuit community visits and fascinating history pervade this epic trip.
17 Days
$15,495

Greenland, Baffin & Northwest Passage In-Depth - 17 Days - $15,495

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

  • 12 full days ‘off ship’ exploring - West Greenland (2) & Canadian Arctic (10)
  • Flights Ottawa/ Kangerlussuaq & Resolute/ Ottawa
  • Travelling aboard a recently refurbished 134 guest ship
  • Kayaking (additional cost) & Hiking
  • Complimentary parka jacket

Start from Ottawa and end at Ottawa

Landmarks potentially visited on Greenland, Baffin & Northwest Passage In-Depth

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ottawa, Canada

Your arctic adventure begins in Ottawa. Explore the Canadian capital on your own, before spending the night at your well-appointed hotel.


Day 2: Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and Embark

After breakfast, board your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, a small seaside community that's your gateway to Greenland. Enjoy your first Zodiac ride as you're transferred from shore to ship. Out on deck, take in your new surroundings before you set sail on your arctic adventure.


Days 3-4: Exploring West Greenland

Locals call Maniitsoq the Venice of Greenland, as it's situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround the small, rocky town, whose name means "the uneven place."

Playful humpback whales spend summer in the waters around here. The Greenlandic capital of Nuuk is a haven for history and culture lovers. Stroll down to the waterfront to see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue, named for the missionary who established the settlement in 1728.

Marvel at the famous remains of 500-year-old fully dressed mummies, discovered under a rock outcrop in 1972 by two brothers out hunting, at the Greenland National Museum. The Nuuk Art Museum and Katuaq Culture Centre are also worth visiting.


Day 5: At Sea

Say goodbye to Greenland's shores as you traverse the Davis Strait in pursuit of the Canadian Arctic. Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.


Days 6-15: Canada's High Arctic

Visit towering fjords, historical sites and traditional Inuit communities as you follow the footsteps of famous explorers from long ago in the Canadian High Arctic. The picturesque Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, nicknamed the Switzerland of the Arctic, is nestled beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Duval. An artist's hub, Pang is renowned for its traditional Inuit arts and crafts, especially lithographs and intricate tapestries. At the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts, watch craftspeople in the tapestry studio and pick up a limited-edition print.

A must for visitors, a colorful Pang hat will keep you warm during the remainder of your arctic voyage. You'll also visit nearby Kekerten, an uninhabited island that was a major whaling destination in the 1800s. At the southern tip of the Cumberland Sound, Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis (yes, he of the Davis Strait), who sailed through it in 1585.

The site of an old Distant Early Warning Line installation, it's an ideal spot to go ashore for a hike. As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, they're naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuak (formerly known as Broughton Island), the iceberg capital of the world. The icy waters here are sometimes also home to narwhals, beluga and right whales, and ring and harp seals.

A hike up to the hilltop inukshuk (a stone figure made by the Inuit) rewards with spectacular views of the community. Cruising farther north along the east coast of Baffin Island, we'll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for a large population of bowhead whales.

Stacked side by side, the dozens of soaring cliffs of Sam Ford Fjord make for a majestic site as you sail by. One of the most isolated places on the planet, the big-wall playground attracts climbers eager to scale the sheer rock faces that shoot straight out of the sea.

At the northern tip of Baffin Island, near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage, is the picturesque hamlet of Pond Inlet. Spend some time exploring this traditional Inuit community that's surrounded by scenic mountains, fjords, glaciers and icebergs.

The area around Lancaster Sound affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbour, on Devon Island, you'll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

At nearby Croker Bay, cruise in a Zodiac (at a safe distance) along the face of an actively calving glacier. Your Expedition Team will also keep its eyes peeled for the muskoxen and walrus that are known to visit the bay. A hike to a nearby archaeological site is another possible excursion.

Farther west, some of the best ancient Thule remains in the Arctic are at Radstock Bay, beside the soaring Caswell Towers, a polar bear observation site. Exploring the area, you'll gain insight into how these pre-Inuit people lived. At the western end of Devon Island, the windswept Beechey Island might be small, but it's steeped in history. Named after famed British explorer Frederick William Beechey, it's a Canadian National Historic Site.

You'll visit the small marked graves of three crew members who died during Sir John Franklin's tragic 1845-46 expedition. Roald Amundsen landed here in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship through the Northwest Passage.

Sailing down the east coast of Somerset Island, you may have a chance of spotting beluga whales and narwhals, as they feed on the large numbers of arctic char that enter Creswell Bay in late summer. An Important Bird Area, the bay also attracts such species as black-bellied plovers, king eiders and white-rumped sandpipers.

You'll also have time to explore Fort Ross, where the Hudson's Bay Company established a now-abandoned trading post in 1937. At the midpoint of the Bellot Strait, a narrow channel that separates Somerset Island from mainland North America, you'll reach the northernmost area of the continental landmass, Zenith Point.


Day 16: Disembarkation in Resolute, Canada

After disembarking in Resolute, you'll be transferred to your charter flight to Ottawa, where you'll spend the night at your included hotel.


Day 17: Depart Ottawa

Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend the day exploring Canada's capital city.


NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.

Additional Notes

Optional Activities:

Kayaking - $695 (basic abilities required)


The charter flight package at the beginning and end of the voyage costs an additional USD $2,895 per person on top of the voyage price. This is inclusive of taxes and fees, two night's accommodation at the beginning and end of the voyage and transfers.

Single Supplement And Child Policy

For those travelling solo and want their own cabin, the single supplement in a twin cabin is 1.7 times the cost of a single berth. However, there is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.

At date of embarkation, the minimum age restriction of 8 years and a minimum height and weight requirement of 64lbs or 29kg and 48" or 1.2m must be met.

Includes

  • Complimentary parka jacket
  • Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
  • Accommodation during the voyage on full board basis
  • All shore excursions and zodiac activities
  • Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
  • Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
  • Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Port taxes and any entry fees to historic landing sites

Excludes

  • Charter flights from Ottawa/ Kangerlussuaq & Resolute/ Ottawa
  • Any additional services before & after your voyage
  • Transfers not specific to the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional adventure activities
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Items of a personal nature: laundry, beverages, communication, etc
  • Waterproof trousers or any other gear not mentioned
  • Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
  • Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)

Questions about this Voyage?