This journey reveals the spirit and beauty of the Arctic. From Canada's Inuit regions of Nunavik and Nunavut to Greenland, the chances of seeing wildlife are excellent. Polar bears, walrus and muskox will be among the many highlights of this fantastic Arctic adventure.
Cross the Arctic circle while sailing in the shadow of a spectacular Greenlandic fjord
Spot polar bears, walrus, marine mammals, and bird colonies during our cruise of the Hudson Strait
Mingle with world-renowned Inuit carvers in Kinngait
Enjoy the sounds of talented throat-singers
Learn first-hand about the history and culture of the Inuit
Visit a colourful Greenlandic settlement and the Qilakitsoq mummies at Nuuk
Itinerary in Brief
Day 1: Embark ship in Iqaluit
Day 2: Frobisher Bay
Day 3: Kimmirut (Lake Harbour)
Day 4: Kinngait (Cape Dorset),
Day 5: Hudson Strait
Day 6-7: Ungava Peninsula
Day 8-9: Ungava Bay
Day 10: At Sea — Davis Strait
Day 11: Nuuk, Greenland
Day 12: Qeqqata Kommunia, Greenland
Day 13: Charter flight from Kangerlussuaq to Toronto
Day 1: Embark ship in Iqaluit
Iqaluit, at the head of Frobisher Bay, is Nunavut’s bustling capital. A population of nearly 8,000 (and growing) call Iqaluit home. Local attractions include the territorial Legislature, igloo-inspired St. Jude’s Cathedral, art shops, and more.
We will transfer by Zodiac to the Ocean Endeavour through busy Iqaluit harbour. Take a moment to notice the amazing tide! Once all are aboard, we’ll begin our journey down Frobisher Bay.
Day 2: Frobisher Bay
We’ll be on the lookout for wildlife, of course. Our geologists will have you raving about rocks, and the tundra plants beneath your feet are worth a closer look. Expect compelling scenery, and soak up the Arctic splendour as we go!
Day 3: Kimmirut (Lake Harbour)
Kimmirut means “the heel” in Inuktitut, referring to an outcrop of marble across the bay from the community. Kimmirut is considered one of the most charming communities on the South Baffin coast.
Art aficionados may know the hamlet as Lake Harbour, home to one of the first Hudson's Bay Company outposts on Baffin Island. Art has played a major role in putting Kimmirut on the map. The hamlet of approximately four hundred is known for its ivory scrimshaw and jewellery making. The blooming tundra offers easy walking.
Day 4 Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut
Kinngait was ground zero for the Inuit art market. In 1959, the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative was established: it remains the oldest arts organization in the Canadian Arctic and the oldest professional Inuit printmaking studio in Canada.
Old and new generations of outstanding artists, carvers, and printmakers continue to make Kinngait a proud centre for Inuit art. We’ll visit studios and meet the artists here—an opportunity to purchase outstanding works straight from the source.
Day 5: Hudson Strait
On this exploration day, we’ll be making the most of what the wind, weather and wildlife have to offer. We can expect to navigate the icy waters of Hudson Strait. Our expedition staff will scan for polar bears, walrus, whales, seals, and seabirds as we go.
Days 6-7: Ungava Peninsula
Heading northwest along the Ungava Peninsula, we’re exploring an area of treeless tundra rich in geology and flora. For the next 2 days we’ll enjoy hiking and a Zodiac cruise.
Days 8-9: Ungava Bay
Large and shallow, Ungava Bay is a rich ecosystem and home to a variety of wildlife, including an endangered Beluga population and Canada’s largest number of breeding Thick-billed Murres. Here we’ll use our Zodiacs to scout the shorelines and any outlying ice with hopes of seeing polar bears, walrus, and other marine life. We’ll pay a visit to uninhabited Akpatok Island, the biggest island in Ungava Bay, at over nine hundred square kilometres. It’s named for the akpat—the Thick-billed Murres—that nest on ledges of Aktpatok’s lofty cliffs. As always expedition staff will be watching for birds, marine mammals, and wildlife on the land. Keep your binoculars and expedition gear at the ready!
Day 10: At Sea — Davis Strait
Our presentation series will continue as we steam across the Davis Strait towards Greenland. Our resource staff will deepen your understanding of the Arctic as we go. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops and group learning, watch a documentary or dive into our library.
While out on deck, keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales amid pack ice, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.
Day 11: Nuuk, Greenland
Welcome to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland and the world’s northernmost capital city! Nuuk means ‘the headland’ and is situated at the mouth of a gigantic fjord system. Established as the very first Greenlandic town in 1728, Nuuk remains the bustling centre of the country today. We have the chance to spot humpback whales in the fjord, reindeer roaming the land, and birds soaring above. The town itself is home to the University of Greenland, a cathedral dating back to 1849, and Greenland’s National Museum. We will visit some of the city’s most important sites, before free time to explore on your own.
Day 12: Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord
West Greenland’s complex coastal waterways include glaciers, islands and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop. The waters are relatively warm here, due to the West Greenland Current and the sub-Arctic location. We’ll explore this sublime landscape by ship, and by Zodiac.
Day 13: Charter flight from Kangerlussuaq to Toronto
We will make our journey up spectacular Sondre Stromfjord, and early risers will have a chance to experience its beauty. Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometres of superb scenery. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, means ‘the big fjord.’
We’ll transfer to shore by Zodiac, then bus to the airport for our charter flight to Toronto.
