Northwest Passage Revealed (Westbound)

Day 1: Arrival in Toronto

Having arrived in Canada, check in at your hotel in Toronto Airport, where a comfortable night’s stay is included as part of your voyage. Visit the hospitality desk to speak with the ground operations team, who will brief you on tomorrow’s charter flight to Nuuk and share any other pre-embarkation details you need to know. 

Day 2: Fly to Nuuk and embark on your ship

After breakfast, board our charter flight to Nuuk, where your ship will be waiting. Once on board, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before attending mandatory safety briefings and meeting the onboard expedition team and crew.

Day 3: At sea, cruising towards Sisimiut

This morning, you'll sail north towards the Arctic Circle and arrive in Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-biggest town, located roughly 54 km (33.5 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. In summer, you can enjoy the phenomenon of the midnight sun here. 

The town is known for its historic blue church with a whale-bone gate, and the nearby museum features an excellent replica of an Inuit turf house, along with exhibits on local history and early Greenlandic life.

Sisimiut also boasts hiking trails of varying difficulty, from easy walks through the town and surrounding hills to more challenging treks into the mountains with panoramic views.

Around 4,500 years ago, the Saqqaq people migrated from Canada and settled in this region for about 2,000 years before disappearing. Later, the Dorset culture arrived around 500 CE, followed by the Thule culture in the 1200s – most of today’s residents are their descendants.

Day 4: Immersing yourself in Ilulissat

This afternoon you’ll reach Ilulissat, often called the ‘birthplace of icebergs’. Hike to the UNESCO-listed Icefjord viewpoint and marvel at the stunning landscape.

Nearby, the mighty Sermeq Kujalleq, or Jakobshavn Glacier, is the most productive of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere, releasing around 20 million tonnes of ice into the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay every day.

Days 5 & 6: Northwest Greenland expedition cruising

Over the next two days, you’ll explore the wild beauty of Northwest Greenland. Discover traditional coastal communities, immense icebergs and enjoy activities like zodiac cruises and guided hikes. Kayakers who have booked this additional optional activity in advance can paddle amongst ice formations and possibly spot the whales that frequent these waters.

Day 7: At sea, cruising towards the Canadian Arctic

Relax in one of the ship’s observation lounges and take in the spectacular Arctic scenery. The expert expedition team will host a series of informative and engaging presentations about the region’s history, wildlife and environment to keep you entertained and informed. 

Day 8: Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) in Nunavut, Canada

After clearing Canadian customs, the aim is to visit Pond Inlet, a remote Inuit community on northern Baffin Island. Framed by dramatic glaciers and mountain peaks, this area offers unforgettable wilderness experiences.

As you go ashore, you’ll be welcomed by local Inuit, whose deep cultural ties to the land shine through in their hospitality and traditions. Take part in cultural activities that offer a unique window into Arctic life.

Days 9 to 14: Northwest Passage expedition cruising 

These next days are true expedition territory – flexible and guided by ice and weather conditions. Here are some of the places you can hope to visit:

Devon Island (Tallurutit)

Well inside the High Arctic at nearly 75°N, this is the world’s largest uninhabited island. It's known for its stark, glacial landscapes and abundant wildlife. Enjoy tundra walks, birdwatching and glimpses of historical outposts, including a former RCMP station and a Hudson’s Bay Company post.

Beechey Island (Iluvilik)

This National Historic Site is tied to the ill-fated Franklin expedition – three of his men are buried here. Legendary explorer Roald Amundsen also stopped at Beechey Island during the first complete Northwest Passage voyage.

Radstock Bay

Explore the remains of a Thule village at the base of Caswell Tower. The bay is marked by dramatic cliffs and scattered whale bones, offering insights into both ancient and modern Arctic life.

Prince Leopold Island (Appait)

This is one of the Canadian Arctic’s most important wildlife sanctuaries, with around 500,000 nesting seabirds. Watch for ringed seals on the ice and, with luck, polar bears in the vicinity.

Port Leopold

Steeped in exploration history, Port Leopold was a key site during the search for Franklin. Explore a former Hudson Bay Company hut and striking coastal formations shaped by centuries of freezing and thawing.

Bellot Strait

This narrow and often turbulent waterway features strong tidal currents and must be timed precisely for safe passage. It’s typically easier to transit eastbound; if blocked, there are alternative routes north through Peel Sound.

Hazard Inlet (Qariaraajuk)

This former Inuit settlement was once home to bowhead whale hunters. See remnants of over 100 whales, sod houses, kayak stands and burial grounds, offering a powerful connection to the past.

Point Zenith

This rocky point has sweeping views and a true sense of solitude. It’s a place where the Arctic feels especially raw and timeless.

Day 15: Disembark in Cambridge Bay and fly to Calgary

Arrive in Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq) early this morning, disembarking after breakfast. Say farewell to your expedition team and transfer by zodiac to shore, where a charter flight awaits to take you to Calgary for an included overnight stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary. 

Day 16: Depart Calgary

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take the included transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

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.