Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your designated hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the day to explore this fascinating city known for its stunning modern architecture, contemporary music and Viking history.

In the morning after breakfast, be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk. This picturesque city of 17,000 is situated on a fjord with the Sermitsiaq mountain in the background. Depending on the final timing of your charter flight, you may have an opportunity to explore Nuuk upon arrival in Greenland, or may transfer directly to your ship.

Upon leaving Nuuk, set sail across the Davis Strait to the east coast of Baffin Island. Join on the outer deck as the crew casts off. Keep an eye out for seabirds and marine life gliding alongside the ship. Have your binoculars at hand to scan for seabirds, including great black-backed gulls and black guillemots.

There are many ways to spend your time aboard the ship. Visit Tundra Spa and other onboard amenities, or attend educational presentations led by your polar experts—glaciologists, historians and other specialists. You’ll learn about northern communities and ways of life in preparation for our first community visit. There will also be mandatory briefings with your expedition team on how you’ll safely explore this remote and compelling Arctic region. You will also have time to relax in the Observation Lounge while spotting drifting ice, seabirds and other wildlife. From the outer decks, take in the wide open panoramas of western Greenland while you cross the Arctic Circle at 66°33′ North.

Get excited, you’re heading to Qikiqtarjuaq, fondly called Qik, a small Inuit hamlet located north of the Arctic Circle on Broughton Island, off the east coast of Baffin Island. Known as the iceberg capital of Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq sits at the northern entrance to the mountainous Auyuittuq National Park, which is home to narwhals, bowhead and orca whales, polar bears, seals and migratory birds. Community visits, arranged in collaboration with local partners, enable you to learn about on-the-ground culture, and purchase art and traditional handicrafts, such as parkas, boots and local art when available.

As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, many are naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuaq. The surrounding waters are also home to ringed and harp seals, often surfacing between floes. A hike up to the hilltop offers sweeping views of the community and its coastal setting. You’ll also see inukshuks—carefully placed stone figures or cairns that have served as navigational guides and markers of important places, but also as expressions of spirit, memory and connection to the land.

Cruising further north along the mountainous east shore of Baffin Island, you’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for the largest concentration of bowhead whales in Canada. Bowheads are a truly remarkable Arctic leviathan, with research suggesting they can live more than 200 years—making them the longest-lived mammal on Earth. Isabella Bay is a marvel, its dramatic landscapes and wide open horizons best experienced from the outer decks of the ship. Aim to launch the Zodiacs and explore the bay, binoculars at the ready. For intrepid paddlers, sea kayak and paddling programs may also be available here.

This is an especially exciting day, as you become one of the few travelers to explore the stunningly majestic Icy Arm Fjord, which cuts almost 50 miles (80 km) deep into northern Baffin Island. Accessible only by water in summer months when the sea ice recedes, this rarely visited fjord is known for its unrivalled landscape of towering cliffs and stunning glaciers, and is valued as much for its sheer remoteness as it is for its pristine environment. Icy Arm Fjord is the epitome of unspoiled Arctic wilderness. You may observe polar bears, arctic foxes, seals, walruses, and guillemots, kittiwakes and other Arctic-dwelling birds. The fjord provides an excellent backdrop for Zodiac cruises and paddle activities, offering a sea-level intimacy with the surrounding lands and waters.

At the top of Baffin Island sits Tallurutiup-Imanga (also known as Lancaster Sound), a true Arctic oasis. Known by the Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years, this channel and the surrounding lands are extremely rich in wildlife and history, both indigenous and European. The surrounding area affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbor, on Devon Island, you’ll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At Croker Bay, plan to cruise close enough to appreciate the splendor of glacial textures and calving ice, while always keeping a safe distance. Walrus frequent the waters here, so be sure to have your camera handy.

Next head to the western end of Devon Island, on the north side of Tallurutiup-Imanga, and go ashore at windswept Beechey Island, which is home to Beechey Island National Historic Sites. Maintained by Parks Canada, these sites tell the story—or at least the part that’s still not shrouded in mystery—of Sir John Franklin’s much chronicled 1845-46 expedition to explore the Northwest Passage. The island is small, only 1.5 miles (2.5 km) at its widest point, but its shores are steep, and rise to a flat plateau 800 feet (244 m) high. That’s where Franklin and his crew of 128 men spent the winter after embarking from England on two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The ill-fated 1845-46 expedition—to navigate and chart the Northwest Passage—ended in tragedy for all 129 men and their two vessels.

What happened to Franklin and his crew is the stuff of legend, and the focus for several search expeditions over the years, which discovered bodies, personal belongings of crew members, and handwritten notes that suggested starvation, deaths from hypothermia, scurvy, and lead poisoning from the tinned food supplies. Accounts by Inuit suggest the crew split up into small groups and subsequently perished. What is known for certain is that no one survived. The graves of three officers from HMS Erebus—John Hartnell, William Braine and John Torrington— were discovered in 1851. You will have an opportunity to visit their graves, and honor the memory of the entire Franklin crew who braved daunting challenges to explore the Northwest Passage. Franklin’s story is an integral part of the history of Arctic exploration. The wrecks of Erebus and Terror were discovered in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Also hope to explore the shores of the uninhabited Prince Leopold Island, known primarily as a significant Migratory Bird Sanctuary and an Important Bird Area, where the expedition team will aim to launch the Zodiacs for an immersive cruise at the foot of the bird cliffs. The island is renowned for its steep cliffs that host hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds, including thick-billed murres, northern fulmars, and black guillemots during the summer months. Port Leopold, an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company trading post dating back to 1937, sits on the northeast tip of nearby Somerset Island. It’s the closest landmark to Prince Leopold Island, situated about 8.1 miles (13 km) to the southwest. This site is closely tied to the history of Arctic exploration, including the search for the Franklin Expedition. Visitors can still see the remains of the original trading post, including the old store and the manager’s home.

As the ship positions from Lancaster Sound down along the east coast of Baffin Island, spend time out on deck to soak in the scenery: expansive landscapes, jagged spires and bird life. Today is also ideal to enjoy the onboard amenities—such as Tundra Spa—and deepen your knowledge through presentations by onboard polar experts.

Well inside the Arctic Circle, Sam Ford Fjord is a standout Arctic adventure destination on Baffin Island’s northeast coast, and one of the world’s most spectacular big-wall playgrounds. A traditional Inuit hunting area, the fjord is a study in contrasts: sheer granite cliffs seem to rise straight up from the ocean below, reaching up to 1,500 feet (457 m) above sea level. 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, you may see arctic fox onshore, and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears during your off-shore excursions. Cruising the fjord in a Zodiac is a striking reminder of just how small we are. Winding along a 68-mile (110-km) path, Sam Ford Fjord narrows to less than 2 miles (3 km) wide as it meanders farther inland.

As the ship continues eastward across the Davis Strait, you’ll have a choice of presentations by onboard polar experts, who will share insights that bring greater meaning to the experiences so far and set the stage for your time in West Greenland.

Prepare yourself for an awe-inspiring experience. Ilulissat, located in Disko Bay, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord, which is the thoroughfare for countless icebergs calved from one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers, Sermeq Kujalleq. Locals have constructed a boardwalk leading to an elevated overlook, where you can view bergs of all sizes spread out before you. From this vantage point, it feels as though you’re standing where the town ends and the wilderness begins. Visitors say they’ve felt humbled by the sweeping vista of ice.

You will also notice the arctic cotton grass and summer wildflowers thriving in the long daylight hours. The inner harbor is a rare sight: icebergs drifting among fishing boats and skiffs. The town itself is well worth exploring, and has become one of Greenland’s top destinations. Recent years have brought growth— colorful homes now sit beside new restaurants, boutique hotels and small businesses.

History buffs will be excited to know Ilulissat is the birthplace of Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, who traveled by dog sled from Greenland to Alaska (and briefly Siberia) during the Fifth Thule Expedition (1921–1924). Fluent in Kalaallisut, he learned from and documented the Circumpolar Inuit he met—making it one of the Arctic’s greatest expeditions. It was in these dramatic landscapes around Ilulissat that Rasmussen’s passion for exploration took root.

As you approach town, watch out for whales, which frequent the iceberg-laden waters. Pride of place for your seasoned expedition team is Eternity Fjord, which is home to the tallest mountains in all of West Greenland. This a favorite spot to launch the Zodiacs to explore in-depth— where larger vessels can’t navigate. There are few settlements along this lengthy fjord, but you will quickly appreciate nature in its rawest form as you hike among the towering mountains, and photograph the colorful tundra and other dramatic landscapes.

Another fascinating highlight is Maniitsoq, often called the “Venice of Greenland,” as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround this small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend the summer in the surrounding waters, so keep your eyes peeled as you transit ashore by Zodiac.

Today you’ll explore 31 miles (50 km) above the Arctic Circle. Your destination is Kangerlussuaq, which is Greenlandic for “the long fjord.” At the end of this 112-mile (180-km) fjord is a settlement bearing the same name. Fishing boats based in the town of Kangerlussuaq sail the full length of the fjord to access the ocean. The town is known for its natural beauty—and for previously being the home of the largest airport in Greenland. You will be ferried from ship to shore on one last Zodiac ride, then transferred to the airport where you will board your charter flight to Calgary, Alberta. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your included hotel for the night, which is part of the Charter Flight & Hotel package.

Today, make your way to the airport to catch your onward flight, or spend the day exploring this unique Western Canadian city.

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your designated hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the day to explore this fascinating city known for its stunning modern architecture, contemporary music and Viking history.

In the morning after breakfast, be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk. This picturesque city of 17,000 is situated on a fjord with the Sermitsiaq mountain in the background. Depending on the final timing of your charter flight, you may have an opportunity to explore Nuuk upon arrival in Greenland, or may transfer directly to your ship.

Upon leaving Nuuk, set sail across the Davis Strait to the east coast of Baffin Island. Join on the outer deck as the crew casts off. Keep an eye out for seabirds and marine life gliding alongside the ship. Have your binoculars at hand to scan for seabirds, including great black-backed gulls and black guillemots.

There are many ways to spend your time aboard the ship. Visit Tundra Spa and other onboard amenities, or attend educational presentations led by your polar experts—glaciologists, historians and other specialists. You’ll learn about northern communities and ways of life in preparation for our first community visit. There will also be mandatory briefings with your expedition team on how you’ll safely explore this remote and compelling Arctic region. You will also have time to relax in the Observation Lounge while spotting drifting ice, seabirds and other wildlife. From the outer decks, take in the wide open panoramas of western Greenland while you cross the Arctic Circle at 66°33′ North.

Get excited, you’re heading to Qikiqtarjuaq, fondly called Qik, a small Inuit hamlet located north of the Arctic Circle on Broughton Island, off the east coast of Baffin Island. Known as the iceberg capital of Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq sits at the northern entrance to the mountainous Auyuittuq National Park, which is home to narwhals, bowhead and orca whales, polar bears, seals and migratory birds. Community visits, arranged in collaboration with local partners, enable you to learn about on-the-ground culture, and purchase art and traditional handicrafts, such as parkas, boots and local art when available.

As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, many are naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuaq. The surrounding waters are also home to ringed and harp seals, often surfacing between floes. A hike up to the hilltop offers sweeping views of the community and its coastal setting. You’ll also see inukshuks—carefully placed stone figures or cairns that have served as navigational guides and markers of important places, but also as expressions of spirit, memory and connection to the land.

Cruising further north along the mountainous east shore of Baffin Island, you’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for the largest concentration of bowhead whales in Canada. Bowheads are a truly remarkable Arctic leviathan, with research suggesting they can live more than 200 years—making them the longest-lived mammal on Earth. Isabella Bay is a marvel, its dramatic landscapes and wide open horizons best experienced from the outer decks of the ship. Aim to launch the Zodiacs and explore the bay, binoculars at the ready. For intrepid paddlers, sea kayak and paddling programs may also be available here.

This is an especially exciting day, as you become one of the few travelers to explore the stunningly majestic Icy Arm Fjord, which cuts almost 50 miles (80 km) deep into northern Baffin Island. Accessible only by water in summer months when the sea ice recedes, this rarely visited fjord is known for its unrivalled landscape of towering cliffs and stunning glaciers, and is valued as much for its sheer remoteness as it is for its pristine environment. Icy Arm Fjord is the epitome of unspoiled Arctic wilderness. You may observe polar bears, arctic foxes, seals, walruses, and guillemots, kittiwakes and other Arctic-dwelling birds. The fjord provides an excellent backdrop for Zodiac cruises and paddle activities, offering a sea-level intimacy with the surrounding lands and waters.

At the top of Baffin Island sits Tallurutiup-Imanga (also known as Lancaster Sound), a true Arctic oasis. Known by the Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years, this channel and the surrounding lands are extremely rich in wildlife and history, both indigenous and European. The surrounding area affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbor, on Devon Island, you’ll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At Croker Bay, plan to cruise close enough to appreciate the splendor of glacial textures and calving ice, while always keeping a safe distance. Walrus frequent the waters here, so be sure to have your camera handy.

Next head to the western end of Devon Island, on the north side of Tallurutiup-Imanga, and go ashore at windswept Beechey Island, which is home to Beechey Island National Historic Sites. Maintained by Parks Canada, these sites tell the story—or at least the part that’s still not shrouded in mystery—of Sir John Franklin’s much chronicled 1845-46 expedition to explore the Northwest Passage. The island is small, only 1.5 miles (2.5 km) at its widest point, but its shores are steep, and rise to a flat plateau 800 feet (244 m) high. That’s where Franklin and his crew of 128 men spent the winter after embarking from England on two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The ill-fated 1845-46 expedition—to navigate and chart the Northwest Passage—ended in tragedy for all 129 men and their two vessels.

What happened to Franklin and his crew is the stuff of legend, and the focus for several search expeditions over the years, which discovered bodies, personal belongings of crew members, and handwritten notes that suggested starvation, deaths from hypothermia, scurvy, and lead poisoning from the tinned food supplies. Accounts by Inuit suggest the crew split up into small groups and subsequently perished. What is known for certain is that no one survived. The graves of three officers from HMS Erebus—John Hartnell, William Braine and John Torrington— were discovered in 1851. You will have an opportunity to visit their graves, and honor the memory of the entire Franklin crew who braved daunting challenges to explore the Northwest Passage. Franklin’s story is an integral part of the history of Arctic exploration. The wrecks of Erebus and Terror were discovered in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Also hope to explore the shores of the uninhabited Prince Leopold Island, known primarily as a significant Migratory Bird Sanctuary and an Important Bird Area, where the expedition team will aim to launch the Zodiacs for an immersive cruise at the foot of the bird cliffs. The island is renowned for its steep cliffs that host hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds, including thick-billed murres, northern fulmars, and black guillemots during the summer months. Port Leopold, an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company trading post dating back to 1937, sits on the northeast tip of nearby Somerset Island. It’s the closest landmark to Prince Leopold Island, situated about 8.1 miles (13 km) to the southwest. This site is closely tied to the history of Arctic exploration, including the search for the Franklin Expedition. Visitors can still see the remains of the original trading post, including the old store and the manager’s home.

As the ship positions from Lancaster Sound down along the east coast of Baffin Island, spend time out on deck to soak in the scenery: expansive landscapes, jagged spires and bird life. Today is also ideal to enjoy the onboard amenities—such as Tundra Spa—and deepen your knowledge through presentations by onboard polar experts.

Well inside the Arctic Circle, Sam Ford Fjord is a standout Arctic adventure destination on Baffin Island’s northeast coast, and one of the world’s most spectacular big-wall playgrounds. A traditional Inuit hunting area, the fjord is a study in contrasts: sheer granite cliffs seem to rise straight up from the ocean below, reaching up to 1,500 feet (457 m) above sea level. 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, you may see arctic fox onshore, and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears during your off-shore excursions. Cruising the fjord in a Zodiac is a striking reminder of just how small we are. Winding along a 68-mile (110-km) path, Sam Ford Fjord narrows to less than 2 miles (3 km) wide as it meanders farther inland.

As the ship continues eastward across the Davis Strait, you’ll have a choice of presentations by onboard polar experts, who will share insights that bring greater meaning to the experiences so far and set the stage for your time in West Greenland.

Prepare yourself for an awe-inspiring experience. Ilulissat, located in Disko Bay, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord, which is the thoroughfare for countless icebergs calved from one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers, Sermeq Kujalleq. Locals have constructed a boardwalk leading to an elevated overlook, where you can view bergs of all sizes spread out before you. From this vantage point, it feels as though you’re standing where the town ends and the wilderness begins. Visitors say they’ve felt humbled by the sweeping vista of ice.

You will also notice the arctic cotton grass and summer wildflowers thriving in the long daylight hours. The inner harbor is a rare sight: icebergs drifting among fishing boats and skiffs. The town itself is well worth exploring, and has become one of Greenland’s top destinations. Recent years have brought growth— colorful homes now sit beside new restaurants, boutique hotels and small businesses.

History buffs will be excited to know Ilulissat is the birthplace of Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, who traveled by dog sled from Greenland to Alaska (and briefly Siberia) during the Fifth Thule Expedition (1921–1924). Fluent in Kalaallisut, he learned from and documented the Circumpolar Inuit he met—making it one of the Arctic’s greatest expeditions. It was in these dramatic landscapes around Ilulissat that Rasmussen’s passion for exploration took root.

As you approach town, watch out for whales, which frequent the iceberg-laden waters. Pride of place for your seasoned expedition team is Eternity Fjord, which is home to the tallest mountains in all of West Greenland. This a favorite spot to launch the Zodiacs to explore in-depth— where larger vessels can’t navigate. There are few settlements along this lengthy fjord, but you will quickly appreciate nature in its rawest form as you hike among the towering mountains, and photograph the colorful tundra and other dramatic landscapes.

Another fascinating highlight is Maniitsoq, often called the “Venice of Greenland,” as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround this small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend the summer in the surrounding waters, so keep your eyes peeled as you transit ashore by Zodiac.

Today you’ll explore 31 miles (50 km) above the Arctic Circle. Your destination is Kangerlussuaq, which is Greenlandic for “the long fjord.” At the end of this 112-mile (180-km) fjord is a settlement bearing the same name. Fishing boats based in the town of Kangerlussuaq sail the full length of the fjord to access the ocean. The town is known for its natural beauty—and for previously being the home of the largest airport in Greenland. You will be ferried from ship to shore on one last Zodiac ride, then transferred to the airport where you will board your charter flight to Calgary, Alberta. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your included hotel for the night, which is part of the Charter Flight & Hotel package.

After breakfast in your included hotel in Reykjavik, you can transfer independently to the Keflavik International Airport for your onward journey or explore Iceland as prearranged.

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your designated hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the day to explore this fascinating city known for its stunning modern architecture, contemporary music and Viking history.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, be transferred as a group to the airport and board your private charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. This is a very small town that for decades served as Greenland’s primary airport. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a very small harbor, where your expedition team will provide Zodiac shuttles to your awaiting ship. After a late-afternoon embarkation, set sail for the stunning Arctic wilderness.

Upon leaving Kangerlussuaq, set sail across the Davis Strait to the east coast of Baffin Island. Join on the outer deck as the crew casts off. Keep an eye out for seabirds and marine life gliding alongside the ship. Have your binoculars at hand to scan for seabirds, including great black-backed gulls and black guillemots.

There are many ways to spend your time aboard the ship. Visit Tundra Spa and other onboard amenities, or attend educational presentations led by your polar experts—glaciologists, historians and other specialists. You’ll learn about northern communities and ways of life in preparation for our first community visit. There will also be mandatory briefings with your expedition team on how you’ll safely explore this remote and compelling Arctic region. You will also have time to relax in the Observation Lounge while spotting drifting ice, seabirds and other wildlife. From the outer decks, take in the wide open panoramas of western Greenland while you cross the Arctic Circle at 66°33′ North.

Get excited, you’re heading to Qikiqtarjuaq, fondly called Qik, a small Inuit hamlet located north of the Arctic Circle on Broughton Island, off the east coast of Baffin Island. Known as the iceberg capital of Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq sits at the northern entrance to the mountainous Auyuittuq National Park, which is home to narwhals, bowhead and orca whales, polar bears, seals and migratory birds. Community visits, arranged in collaboration with local partners, enable you to learn about on-the-ground culture, and purchase art and traditional handicrafts, such as parkas, boots and local art when available.

As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, many are naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuaq. The surrounding waters are also home to ringed and harp seals, often surfacing between floes. A hike up to the hilltop offers sweeping views of the community and its coastal setting. You’ll also see inukshuks—carefully placed stone figures or cairns that have served as navigational guides and markers of important places, but also as expressions of spirit, memory and connection to the land.

Cruising further north along the mountainous east shore of Baffin Island, you’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for the largest concentration of bowhead whales in Canada. Bowheads are a truly remarkable Arctic leviathan, with research suggesting they can live more than 200 years—making them the longest-lived mammal on Earth. Isabella Bay is a marvel, its dramatic landscapes and wide open horizons best experienced from the outer decks of the ship. Aim to launch the Zodiacs and explore the bay, binoculars at the ready. For intrepid paddlers, sea kayak and paddling programs may also be available here.

This is an especially exciting day, as you become one of the few travelers to explore the stunningly majestic Icy Arm Fjord, which cuts almost 50 miles (80 km) deep into northern Baffin Island. Accessible only by water in summer months when the sea ice recedes, this rarely visited fjord is known for its unrivalled landscape of towering cliffs and stunning glaciers, and is valued as much for its sheer remoteness as it is for its pristine environment. Icy Arm Fjord is the epitome of unspoiled Arctic wilderness. You may observe polar bears, arctic foxes, seals, walruses, and guillemots, kittiwakes and other Arctic-dwelling birds. The fjord provides an excellent backdrop for Zodiac cruises and paddle activities, offering a sea-level intimacy with the surrounding lands and waters.

At the top of Baffin Island sits Tallurutiup-Imanga (also known as Lancaster Sound), a true Arctic oasis. Known by the Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years, this channel and the surrounding lands are extremely rich in wildlife and history, both indigenous and European. The surrounding area affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbor, on Devon Island, you’ll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At Croker Bay, plan to cruise close enough to appreciate the splendor of glacial textures and calving ice, while always keeping a safe distance. Walrus frequent the waters here, so be sure to have your camera handy.

Next head to the western end of Devon Island, on the north side of Tallurutiup-Imanga, and go ashore at windswept Beechey Island, which is home to Beechey Island National Historic Sites. Maintained by Parks Canada, these sites tell the story—or at least the part that’s still not shrouded in mystery—of Sir John Franklin’s much chronicled 1845-46 expedition to explore the Northwest Passage. The island is small, only 1.5 miles (2.5 km) at its widest point, but its shores are steep, and rise to a flat plateau 800 feet (244 m) high. That’s where Franklin and his crew of 128 men spent the winter after embarking from England on two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The ill-fated 1845-46 expedition—to navigate and chart the Northwest Passage—ended in tragedy for all 129 men and their two vessels.

What happened to Franklin and his crew is the stuff of legend, and the focus for several search expeditions over the years, which discovered bodies, personal belongings of crew members, and handwritten notes that suggested starvation, deaths from hypothermia, scurvy, and lead poisoning from the tinned food supplies. Accounts by Inuit suggest the crew split up into small groups and subsequently perished. What is known for certain is that no one survived. The graves of three officers from HMS Erebus—John Hartnell, William Braine and John Torrington— were discovered in 1851. You will have an opportunity to visit their graves, and honor the memory of the entire Franklin crew who braved daunting challenges to explore the Northwest Passage. Franklin’s story is an integral part of the history of Arctic exploration. The wrecks of Erebus and Terror were discovered in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Also hope to explore the shores of the uninhabited Prince Leopold Island, known primarily as a significant Migratory Bird Sanctuary and an Important Bird Area, where the expedition team will aim to launch the Zodiacs for an immersive cruise at the foot of the bird cliffs. The island is renowned for its steep cliffs that host hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds, including thick-billed murres, northern fulmars, and black guillemots during the summer months. Port Leopold, an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company trading post dating back to 1937, sits on the northeast tip of nearby Somerset Island. It’s the closest landmark to Prince Leopold Island, situated about 8.1 miles (13 km) to the southwest. This site is closely tied to the history of Arctic exploration, including the search for the Franklin Expedition. Visitors can still see the remains of the original trading post, including the old store and the manager’s home.

As the ship positions from Lancaster Sound down along the east coast of Baffin Island, spend time out on deck to soak in the scenery: expansive landscapes, jagged spires and bird life. Today is also ideal to enjoy the onboard amenities—such as Tundra Spa—and deepen your knowledge through presentations by onboard polar experts.

Well inside the Arctic Circle, Sam Ford Fjord is a standout Arctic adventure destination on Baffin Island’s northeast coast, and one of the world’s most spectacular big-wall playgrounds. A traditional Inuit hunting area, the fjord is a study in contrasts: sheer granite cliffs seem to rise straight up from the ocean below, reaching up to 1,500 feet (457 m) above sea level. 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, you may see arctic fox onshore, and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears during your off-shore excursions. Cruising the fjord in a Zodiac is a striking reminder of just how small we are. Winding along a 68-mile (110-km) path, Sam Ford Fjord narrows to less than 2 miles (3 km) wide as it meanders farther inland.

As the ship continues eastward across the Davis Strait, you’ll have a choice of presentations by onboard polar experts, who will share insights that bring greater meaning to the experiences so far and set the stage for your time in West Greenland.

Prepare yourself for an awe-inspiring experience. Ilulissat, located in Disko Bay, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord, which is the thoroughfare for countless icebergs calved from one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers, Sermeq Kujalleq. Locals have constructed a boardwalk leading to an elevated overlook, where you can view bergs of all sizes spread out before you. From this vantage point, it feels as though you’re standing where the town ends and the wilderness begins. Visitors say they’ve felt humbled by the sweeping vista of ice.

You will also notice the arctic cotton grass and summer wildflowers thriving in the long daylight hours. The inner harbor is a rare sight: icebergs drifting among fishing boats and skiffs. The town itself is well worth exploring, and has become one of Greenland’s top destinations. Recent years have brought growth— colorful homes now sit beside new restaurants, boutique hotels and small businesses.

History buffs will be excited to know Ilulissat is the birthplace of Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, who traveled by dog sled from Greenland to Alaska (and briefly Siberia) during the Fifth Thule Expedition (1921–1924). Fluent in Kalaallisut, he learned from and documented the Circumpolar Inuit he met—making it one of the Arctic’s greatest expeditions. It was in these dramatic landscapes around Ilulissat that Rasmussen’s passion for exploration took root.

As you approach town, watch out for whales, which frequent the iceberg-laden waters. Pride of place for your seasoned expedition team is Eternity Fjord, which is home to the tallest mountains in all of West Greenland. This a favorite spot to launch the Zodiacs to explore in-depth— where larger vessels can’t navigate. There are few settlements along this lengthy fjord, but you will quickly appreciate nature in its rawest form as you hike among the towering mountains, and photograph the colorful tundra and other dramatic landscapes.

Another fascinating highlight is Maniitsoq, often called the “Venice of Greenland,” as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround this small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend the summer in the surrounding waters, so keep your eyes peeled as you transit ashore by Zodiac.

Today you’ll explore 31 miles (50 km) above the Arctic Circle. Your destination is Kangerlussuaq, which is Greenlandic for “the long fjord.” At the end of this 112-mile (180-km) fjord is a settlement bearing the same name. Fishing boats based in the town of Kangerlussuaq sail the full length of the fjord to access the ocean. The town is known for its natural beauty—and for previously being the home of the largest airport in Greenland. You will be ferried from ship to shore on one last Zodiac ride, then transferred to the airport where you will board your charter flight to Calgary, Alberta. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your included hotel for the night, which is part of the Charter Flight & Hotel package.

After breakfast in your included hotel in Reykjavik, you can transfer independently to the Keflavik International Airport for your onward journey or explore Iceland as prearranged.

Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport (outside Reykjavik), make your way to the nearby group hotel, included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore fascinating Reykjavik, known for its Norse history and stunning architecture. Make sure you allow for a one-hour transfer (by taxi or public transit) from the Keflavik hotel and airport area to Reykjavik city center.

This morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for great adventures ahead. Expect a welcome and safety briefing from your expedition leader.

2026: Today you’ll explore two towns in the Qeqqata Municipality on the west coast of Greenland along the Davis Strait. The first is Maniitsoq, which translates into “the place of rugged, uneven terrain.” That’s precisely what you see in the surrounding terrain: towering mountains, pristine rivers, seemingly endless glaciers and incredibly deep fjords. In fact, one of the day’s highlights is a journey along Eternity Fjord, which is 47 miles (75km) long and reaches a depth of 3,937 feet (1,200m).

Later in the day you’ll have time to wander through the historic town of Sisimiut, where several 18th-century colonial buildings still stand, one of which is Bethel Church. Just look for the striking blue-and-red wooden place of worship. Today’s activities also include a demonstration of the traditional art of kayak making. Experiencing a cultural resurgence, the kayak is a symbol of Greenland and can be traced back over 4,000 years to the Inuit, who used the vessels for hunting and transportation. For those inclined to other modes of transport, mountain biking (2026 only) is another option during your visit to Sisimiut.

2027: Today you’ll explore in the Qeqqata Municipality on the west coast of Greenland along the Davis Strait. You will have time to wander through the historic town of Sisimiut, where several 18th-century colonial buildings still stand, one of which is Bethel Church. Just look for the striking blue-and-red wooden place of worship. Today’s activities also include a demonstration of the traditional art of kayak making. Experiencing a cultural resurgence, the kayak is a symbol of Greenland and can be traced back over 4,000 years to the Inuit, who used the vessels for hunting and transportation. Also aim to team up with local mountain-biking partners in Sisimiut, exploring trails that lead outside the town limits.

Ilulissat, Greenlandic for icebergs, is one of the highlights of any journey along west Greenland. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, Ilulissat Icefjord gives birth to countless icebergs. In fact, it’s home to one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq (also known as Jakobshavn Glacier). A Zodiac excursion is a unique way to enjoy the spectacle of enormous bergs floating out to Disko Bay. Plan to Zodiac cruise ashore to visit the nearby town of Ilulissat, and from there you’ll hike to the icefjord, where you can view this incredible parade of icebergs from the rocky shore. Expect to see a lot of dogs while you’re in town. There was a time when sled dogs actually outnumbered citizens in Ilulissat, which, unsurprisingly, is the birthplace of the first European to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled, explorer Knud Rasmussen. If time allows, you can visit a local museum dedicated to his memory.

As your ship navigates across the Davis Strait, onboard polar experts will present on a variety of topics to deepen your understanding of the places featured in the itinerary. Your experts include glaciologists, historians, wildlife specialists and other polar specialists.

Today is your first day exploring the Canadian Arctic as you arrive in Nunavut, Canada’s youngest territory. Nunavut, which means “our land” in the Inuktitut language, stretches north of the Arctic Circle and covers over 1.8 million square kilometers, and is considered the homeland of the Inuit in Canada. Spend time in Pangnirtung, located at the mouth of Pangnirtung Fjord, which merges with Cumberland Sound. It’s a stronghold of the Inuit community, and an ideal place to learn about Inuit culture while admiring finely crafted traditional art, especially the textiles. You may want to purchase a famous Pang toque, a must-have knit cap for anyone visiting the community.

2026: History buffs will enjoy a visit to Cape Mercy, an isolated cove at the southern tip of Cumberland Sound in Nunavut. Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis, who sailed through this part of the Arctic in 1585. Fast forward several centuries to the 1950s when Cape Mercy was selected as the site of a Distant Early Warning Line (DEW) installation, a system of radar stations set up during the Cold War to detect nuclear attacks. It should be noted that the Inuit hunted and fished in Cape Mercy and the surrounding area long before the arrival of European explorers. You can join a guided shore walk to enjoy incredible views of the vast Davis Strait, which connects Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea.

2027: Located just off the southeast shore of Baffin Island, Monumental Island— Oomienwa in Inuktitut—was named by arctic explorer Charles Francis Hall in tribute to Sir John Franklin, who vanished searching for the Northwest Passage. Like the adjacent lands, the island is barren, rocky and windblown. Yet, positioned at a confluence of currents, it hosts prolific numbers of black guillemots in peak summer, nesting, incubating and fledging. Monumental is also known for massive walruses with impressive tusks, often seen in groups at haul-outs. If the wind is right, you’ll smell them before you see them. Shoals here capture massive icebergs drifting south, and Zodiac cruising on the edge of Davis Strait— linking Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea— is unforgettable.

Torngat Mountains National Park will leave you awestruck. Within the roughy 3,860-square-mile (10,000 sq km) national park, established in 2008, are Canada’s highest mountains east of the venerable Rockies. The park is a wilderness landscape painting brought to life: breathtaking fjords, dramatic glacial formations, stunning landscapes, boreal woodlands and wildlife. For students of Indigenous history, Torngat Mountain National Park is especially meaningful: the park is located at the northern edge of autonomous Nunatsiavut territory, which was recognized as the homeland of the Labrador Inuit in 2005, operating under its own constitution and administration.

In fact, these lands have been home to the Nunatsiavut and their predecessors for over 7,500 years. It is an honor to explore this majestic wilderness territory. Torngat, in Inuktitut, means “place of the spirits,” which reflects the spiritual significance of the region to the Inuit communities. As a national park, this wilderness domain offers protection to boreal woodland caribou, black bears, Labrador wolves, red and Arctic foxes, polar bears, and peregrine falcons, among other species. You will have opportunities to explore this national wilderness area during Zodiac and kayaking excursions, as well as guided hikes.

You will have opportunities to explore this national wilderness area during Zodiac and kayaking excursions, as well as guided hikes.

Nain, which has a population of approximately 1,200, is the administrative capital of Nunatsiavut, the semi-autonomous region in northern Labrador claimed by the Inuit. Visitors can learn about Labrador Inuit heritage through interactive exhibits, artwork, and cultural programs at the very modern-looking Illusuak Cultural Centre. Then, to learn about the other cultural group that influenced the region, stroll through town to discover the historic Moravian Mission complex, established in 1771. The white-painted church and mission house bear witness to centuries of cultural exchanges between the Inuit and European missionaries. You’ll have time to engage with friendly locals to hear stories passed down through the generations, and sample traditional foods like arctic char and cloudberries. There will be a guided hike to take in breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and sea.

As your ship heads south, enjoy the views of the southern coast of Baffin Island Labrador. While at sea for the day, join expedition staff out on deck as they look for whales and birdlife. This is also your chance to relax with a glass of wine or hot tea and simply take in the wondrous beauty around you.

Consider the wooden longboats that transported the Vikings an incredible 1,354 miles (2,180 km) from Greenland to Newfoundland in 1000 AD. Today, you’re going to visit the archeological remains of where they landed in their hand-hewn vessels. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the only confirmed Norse or Viking settlement in North America.

Join a guided tour to see where Norseman Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, is believed to have founded “Vinland” (the East Coast area including what would later be known as Newfoundland) around 1000 AD. Explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins throughout the historic site—proof that Vikings discovered North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus’s much-chronicled arrival.

Your final at-sea day is a great opportunity for you to ask any lingering questions you have for your team of onboard experts, attend one last polar presentation, relax in the spa or in one of the outdoor Jacuzzis.

Your ship arrives at the pier in St. John’s for a morning disembarkation. After breakfast, you may make your way to St. John’s International Airport to connect with your homeward flight, or stay longer if you have booked additional accommodation.