High Arctic Safari – Greenland & the Northwest Passage

Your High Arctic expedition begins with a charter flight from Ottawa to Qausuittuq, commonly known as Resolute, on Cornwallis Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Surrounded by gravel plains, raised beaches and expansive Arctic waterways, this remote Inuit community is an important centre for northern research, transportation and expedition travel. On arrival, transfer by Zodiac to Ocean Victory and settle in as your voyage begins. Ahead lie the historic waterways of the Northwest Passage and some of the most remote landscapes of the Canadian High Arctic. NB* The optional charter flight departs Ottawa (Ontario) in the early morning so we highly recommend you book one night pre-trip accommodation to ensure you do not miss the flight.

Meals:  L,D

Visit historic Beechey Island, one of the most significant sites associated with the search for the Northwest Passage. In 1845–46, Sir John Franklin's expedition spent its first Arctic winter here before continuing west and ultimately disappearing. Three graves from the expedition remain on the island, alongside remnants of the original camp and structures left by subsequent search parties. Explore this stark and windswept site with the expedition team, learning about Franklin's ill-fated voyage, the extensive searches that followed and the vital role of Inuit knowledge in understanding what happened to the expedition.

Meals:  B,L,D

Visit Ikpiarjuk, also known as Arctic Bay, a remote Inuit community situated at the head of Adams Sound on northern Baffin Island. Surrounded by dramatic hills and cliffs, the community occupies a sheltered harbour in a landscape where the sea remains central to daily life. Spend time with local residents and gain an understanding of contemporary Inuit culture, traditions and the importance of hunting, fishing and travel across the surrounding waters. Inuktitut remains widely spoken, while traditional skills such as carving and sewing continue alongside modern community life. This visit provides a valuable cultural perspective on the High Arctic, offering insights into the people who have lived and travelled throughout this remote region for generations.

Meals:  B,L,D

Spend five days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga, also known as Lancaster Sound, one of the most wildlife-rich marine environments in the Canadian Arctic. Situated between northern Baffin Island and Devon Island, this vast protected region forms the eastern gateway to the Northwest Passage. Nutrient-rich waters support an extraordinary diversity of marine life, including narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales, walrus, seals and polar bears. The surrounding cliffs and islands also provide important breeding habitat for large colonies of Arctic seabirds. With several days dedicated to the region, there are opportunities to explore by Zodiac, observe wildlife from the ship and make guided landings where conditions permit. Sea ice, weather and wildlife activity will influence the expedition team's daily plans, allowing the itinerary to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Explore the stark landscapes of Devon Island, the world's largest island without a permanent population. Its broad plateaus, glacial valleys and polar desert terrain offer a fascinating contrast to the marine environment. Guided walks reveal the island's geology, delicate tundra vegetation and traces of its long history of human occupation. Throughout this part of the voyage, Inuit expedition team members and naturalists share their knowledge of the region, explaining the importance of Lancaster Sound for wildlife, traditional harvesting, travel and contemporary Inuit communities.

Meals:  B,L,D

Cross Baffin Bay towards Greenland, travelling through the vast waters that separate the Canadian High Arctic from Greenland's western coastline. Spend time on deck watching for whales, seals and seabirds, including northern fulmars, kittiwakes and murres. The crossing also provides an opportunity to attend presentations by the expedition team, learning about Arctic wildlife, Inuit cultures and the history of exploration in these remote northern waters. As the voyage continues east, look ahead to the dramatic mountains, glaciers and ice-filled waterways of western Greenland.

Meals:  B,L,D

Explore Greenland's dramatic western coastline, navigating a landscape of steep mountains, glaciers, sheltered bays and scattered islands. Enormous icebergs drift along this coast, carried by ocean currents from the glaciers of Disko Bay and farther north. Weather and ice conditions will determine the day's exploration, with opportunities for zodiac cruising and guided walks ashore. Look for seabirds nesting along the rocky coastline and discover the Arctic tundra, where hardy plants and late-summer vegetation bring colour to the landscape.

Meals:  B,L,D

Visit Ilulissat, home to one of Greenland's most extraordinary natural attractions. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord is fed by Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the world's fastest-moving glaciers, which releases enormous icebergs into the fjord and surrounding Disko Bay. The scale of the icebergs is remarkable, with towering formations of blue and white ice drifting slowly through the water. Ilulissat is also a lively Greenlandic town with a busy fishing harbour, colourful buildings, cafés and shops. Explore the town and learn about the longstanding relationship between its people and the surrounding ice-filled landscape.

Meals:  B,L,D

Explore the rugged coastline around Sisimiut, a region of deep fjords, rocky islands and sheltered bays. During the Arctic summer, tundra vegetation, dwarf birch and willow bring colour to the landscape, while seabirds gather along the coast and whales may be seen offshore. The area has been inhabited for more than 4,500 years, with archaeological evidence of successive cultures that adapted to life in the Arctic. Depending on conditions, enjoy Zodiac excursions and guided walks, discovering a landscape shaped by both natural forces and centuries of human history.

Meals:  B,L,D

Your High Arctic expedition concludes in Kangerlussuaq, situated at the head of a long fjord between Greenland's west coast and the Greenland Ice Sheet. Sail through Kangerlussuaq Fjord, where steep mountains and broad glacial valleys rise above the pale waters, before crossing the Arctic Circle. The surrounding landscape provides a final opportunity to appreciate the scale and beauty of Greenland's Arctic wilderness. Disembark Ocean Victory and transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Toronto, marking the end of your expedition through Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic. NB* The optional charter flights departs Kangerlussuaq bound for Toronto (Ontario) a few hours after disembarking the ship. Overnight accommodation in Toronto is recommended.

Meals:  B