Ellesmere Island and North Greenland

Our journey begins in Qausuittuq “the place with no dawn”. This remote High Arctic settlement is set among gravel flats and glacial moraine and carries a powerful history of resilience and adaptation. Take time to orient yourself before embarking aboard the Ocean Nova. If you choose to take the optional charter flight, it departs from Ottawa (Ontario) to Resolute in the early morning. We suggest you book one night pre-trip accommodation to ensure you do not miss the flight.

Meals:  D

Sail into Tallurutiup Imanga, one of the Arctic’s richest marine environments. This biologically productive region supports bowhead whales, narwhals, walrus, seals, and countless seabirds. Weather and ice permitting, land on Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island, where glaciers meet the sea. Archaeological sites here reflect centuries of Inuit presence and a deep cultural connection to this remote landscape.

Meals:  B,L,D

Located high above the Arctic Circle, Qaanaaq is one of Greenland’s northernmost communities and a cultural heartland for the Inughuit people. Daily life continues in close connection with the environment. Traditional hunting, sledding and seasonal patterns still shape the rhythms of the community. A visit to Qaanaaq offers a rare insight into a way of life defined by continuity, resilience and a deep respect for the polar world.

Meals:  B,L,D

Cruise through Kane Basin, where the coastlines of Greenland and Canada draw remarkably close. This remote waterway is shaped by towering glaciers, drifting sea ice and the distinctive glow of Arctic light. Inuit have navigated these passages for generations, their deep knowledge guiding travel through challenging conditions. Over two days, the spirit of exploration remains strong, present in each moving floe and every changing horizon.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you have the rare opportunity to step ashore on Tartupaluk, a small rocky island in the waters between Canada and Greenland. Long used by Inuit as part of traditional travel routes, the island holds deep cultural significance. In recent history, it was the subject of a symbolic territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark. Resolved peacefully in 2022 through a landmark agreement that established shared stewardship and affirmed Inuit mobility rights. Standing here, with two nations on either side, you’ll experience a powerful sense of connection across borders, guided by respect and tradition.

Meals:  B,L,D

Continue south through Smith Sound, a wide channel where the sea ice gives way to one of the Arctic’s most vital open-water areas. Known as Sarvarjuaq or Pikialasorsuaq, the North Water Polynya is a rare, ice-free pocket in an otherwise frozen sea. Its nutrient-rich waters support an extraordinary range of life, from whales and seals to large gatherings of seabirds. These days at sea offer a chance to witness the Arctic at its most alive.

Meals:  B,L,D

Framed by steep mountains and open Arctic terrain, Aujuittuq means “the place that never thaws”, it's the northernmost settlement in Canada. Time spent with local hosts reveals how generations continue to live in close connection with the environment, guided by seasonal rhythms and deep cultural knowledge.

Meals:  B,L,D

Explore Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth. Its sweeping valleys, rocky ridges and glacial features offer a glimpse into the ancient forces that have shaped the High Arctic. Despite its remoteness, the island holds traces of past Inuit presence, a quiet reminder of human connection to this stark landscape. The scale, solitude and raw beauty here make it one of the journey’s most memorable landings.

Meals:  B,L,D

Land at Beechey Island, a windswept site steeped in polar history. This National Historic Site is the final resting place of three Franklin expedition crew members and a sailor from a later search party. Inuit knowledge has played a vital role in uncovering the story of the lost ships. Walking the shoreline, you’ll find space for quiet reflection on the enduring legacy of exploration, survival and the deep ties between people and place in the Arctic.

Meals:  B,L,D

Return to Qausuittuq and take a moment to reflect on the places, people and quiet moments that defined your journey, echoes that will stay with you long after you return. If you choose the optional charter flight, it departs from Resolute to Ottawa in the early evening.

Meals:  B