Navigate the iconic Northwest Passage, cruising from Greenland to Canada
Join a 17-day small-ship adventure that explores the remote and rugged landscapes of the Arctic. Starting in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and ending in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, this journey takes you across the Arctic Circle and into the heart of Inuit culture, offering breathtaking views of towering icebergs in Ilulissat Icefjord, encounters with polar bears and whales in Lancaster Sound, and visits to historic sites like Beechey Island, where the Franklin Expedition once overwintered. With expert guides, Zodiac excursions, and cultural experiences, this expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the world's most legendary waterways.
Highlights of the Into the Northwest Passage Expedition
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Into the Northwest Passage Expedition Itinerary
Day 1 Cross the Arctic Circle in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Your journey begins in Kangerlussuaq, a former U.S. Air Force base. After our charter flight from Toronto, we will transfer to the ship by Zodiac. With 190 kilometres of superb scenery, Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord) is one of the longest fjords in the world. We begin our adventure by sailing down this dramatic fjord, crossing the Arctic Circle as we go.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2-3 Explore Vibrant Sisimiut
Colourful Sisimiut is Greenland’s second largest city. Access the museum through a towering whalebone archway and be sure to stop in at the artisan’s studio for the chance to purchase outstanding handicrafts. Traditional qajaq (kayaking) is in resurgence here, and there are plenty of other fun outdoor activities for the adventurous to enjoy.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Take a Cruise Around Towering Icebergs in Ilulissat
Experience the remarkable beauty of Ilulissat Icefjord, renowned for its enormous icebergs. Ilulissat means “iceberg”—an apt name for this site at the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic. Marvel at the sheer grandeur of the towering ice formations as you take a stroll along the boardwalk. Visit the town, with its captivating museums, charming cafes, craft shops, and bustling fishing harbour. Be sure to visit the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre to gain a deeper appreciation for this awe-inspiring natural wonder.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Hike the Tundra in Western Greenland
Exploring by ship and Zodiac along the west coast of Greenland, we have numerous options for expedition stops, making the most of weather and wildlife conditions. Learn alongside expert geologists, naturalists, and marine biologists. With Inuit expedition team members at your side, you'll gain an intimate perspective on the abundant flora and fauna you encounter. Take a moment to savour the tranquility and absorb the knowledge and stories shared by Inuit cultural educators, deepening your connection to this breathtaking landscape. Departing Greenland, we cross Baffin Bay toward Nunavut.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Learn From Inuit in Their Homeland While at Sea — Davis Strait
As we sail toward Nunavut, our expedition team will deepen your understanding of the Arctic. Enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as seabirds. Take the unique opportunity to learn from Inuit in their homeland, gaining a better understanding of the daily lives of the regions we visit. Enjoy cultural performances, participate in Inuit games, or sample country food. Through shared experiences and interactions, develop a deep appreciation for the region’s vibrant culture.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Experience Inuit Culture in Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), NU, Canada
Attend a cultural performance by the Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group, featuring drum dancing, throat singing, and storytelling. Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting—the views of nearby Bylot Island are stunning! Explore the town and take the opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted mementos when available.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8-9 Seek Whales, Seabirds, and Polar Bears in Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) & Devon Island
We will spend ample time exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area. Cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife with expert biologists and ecologists. Learn about the crucial role Inuit play in conserving the vibrant biodiversity of these waterways. On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth. Hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from the ship and onshore. Visit archaeological sites and the remains of an RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Visit a Franklin Expedition Historical Site on Beechey Island
In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage. His crew overwintered at Beechey Island, where three of his men died. Numerous search parties later used Beechey as a depot and rendezvous. The graves and ruins of Northumberland House are a haunting memorial to this tragic expedition.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Enjoy Birdwatching and Zodiac Cruising in Prince Regent Inlet
This passage marks an area rich in marine and avian life. Thick-billed murres, ivory gulls, beluga whales, narwhals, and bowhead whales reside in the ice-strewn waters. In addition to abundant wildlife, delve deeper into the exploration of the Northwest Passage and mercantile efforts of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 Witness the Most Northerly Point of Continental North America at Ikirahaq (Bellot Strait)
Discover the famed Bellot Strait, a narrow passage separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. As we sail through this two-kilometre-wide waterway, get the unique opportunity to reach the northernmost part of mainland North America. Keep watch for an array of enchanting marine mammals, including beluga whales, narwhals, and seals. Delve into the region's fascinating history and learn about Joseph René Bellot, the French naval officer and Arctic explorer who inspired the strait's namesake.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13-16 Sail the Northwest Passage in the Kitikmeot Region
Navigate the ice-strewn waters of this fabled waterway in search of wildlife. Although this is Nunavut’s least-populated region, wildlife abounds here both in the sea and on land. Visit a local community where Inuit hosts will share their knowledge of their home and the area's history. Discover the legacy of this important waterway and the captivating story of Roald Amundsen, who overwintered in the bay for two years while searching for the Northwest Passage. Learn about the triumphs of explorers like Amundsen and the vital role that Inuit knowledge played in successful crossings.
Overnight Location: Onboard the ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 17 Wave a Fond Farewell in Kugluktuk, NU, Canada
Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the westernmost community in Nunavut. Known for many years as Coppermine, the community reverted to its original Inuinnaqtun name—meaning “place of moving waters”—on January 1st, 1996. Today we will disembark and make our way to the airport to meet our charter flights to Yellowknife, NT.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
The prices below are per person sharing a cabin.
Please talk to a Travel Specialist to get more information about different cabin types and prices.
August 16 to September 1, 2025:
- Quadruple cabin: from $14,495 USD per person
- Triple cabin: from $16,495 USD per person
- Double / twin cabin (interior, exterior, main): from $18,495 USD per person
- Double / twin cabin (comfort, select, superior): from $22,995 USD per person
- Suite / junior suite: from $27,495 USD per person
Please note that the prices above don’t include the chartered flights which are not mandatory but highly recommended due to starting and ending parts of the trip being hardly accessible for standard travelling methonds.
- Northbound Charter Flight: Toronto, ON to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Early-morning departure: $1,450 USD per person
- Southbound Charter Flight: Kugluktuk, NU to Yellowknife, NT. Evening arrival: $1,000 USD per person
Accommodation on Into the Northwest Passage Expedition
This tour is based in staying onboard a spacious cruise vessel that features twenty Zodiacs, and advanced navigation equipment. A doctor, paramedic, medical clinic, and enhanced health regime offer peace of mind. Roomy facilities offer comfortable travel with plenty of breathing room for all.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. There is a limited number of cabins without single supplement charge (from category 3 to 7), however, any other categories or once the free-upgrade single cabins are sold, the single supplement fee will be 1.5-2 times the berth cost.
Cabins
Quadruple cabin (Category 1)
These cabins are approx 240 sqf, located on deck no. 4 and are interior. They consist of four lower berths. Enjoy a private bath with amenities such as a hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products. The cabin will also have an intercom, telephone and flat screen TV.
Triple Cabin (Category 2)
These cabins are approx 200 sqf, located on deck no. 4 and are interior. They consist of three lower berths. Enjoy a two private baths with amenities such as a hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products. The cabin will also have an intercom, telephone and flat screen TV.
Double / Twin Cabin (Categories 3, 4 and 5)
These cabins vary by size (from 100 to 120 sqf) and consist of two lower berths. The standard ones are interior, however, for a supplement you can upgrade to a cabin with an exterior view (via pothole) or a main view (with a picture window and unobstructed view). All cabins have ensuite baths, intercom, telephone and flat screen TV.
Upgraded Double / Twin Cabin (Categories 6, 7 and 8)
Choose an upgraded double or twin room based on your preferred size, type of berths (double or twin), deck level and types of windows and views. Cabin view options vary from pothole windows, to picture windows with unobstructed views. These cabins vary in size from 135 to 190 square feet and have numerous amenities.
Junior Suite / Suite Cabin (Category 9 and 10)
These cabins are 270 - 310 square feet., have matrimonial beds (bigger than double, but smaller than a queen size) and have sitting areas in addition to numerous other amenities. Junior suites have picture windows with unobstructed views while suites have forward-facing picture windows with unobstructed views and are a little bigger. Suites also have a full tub and refrigerator.
What’s Included in the Into the Northwest Passage Expedition?
Meals
The itinerary includes a total of 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 16 dinners.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 16 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
The tour package includes all the transportation necessary for the activities listed.
Also included
- Applicable taxes and credit card fees
- Complimentary expedition jacket
- Special access permits, entry, and park fees
- Expert expedition team
- Guided activities
- Sightseeing and community visits
- All Zodiac excursions
- Port fees
- Pre-departure materials
- Educational program
- Interactive workshops
- Evening entertainment
- All shipboard meals
Not included
- Commercial and charter flights
- Program enhancements/optional excursions
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
- Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
- Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
- Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Cabin upgrades
- Charter flight from Toronto to Greenland
- Carter flight from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife
Frequently Asked Questions about Into the Northwest Passage Expedition
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