Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route
Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route
17 Days Starting in Reykjavik and ending in Calgary, Canada
Visiting: Toronto, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, West Greenland, Cruising At Sea, Baffin Island, Canada's High Arctic, Resolute, Calgary
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BQMN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 138
Age range:
8-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Put down your mobile phone and answer the call of the wild on this adventure across the waters of the Canadian Arctic. Encounter Inuit culture, explore landscapes that bring the drama, spot unique wildlife and holiday like an explorer of old (except, you know, with a sauna and helicopters). From Reykjavik, fly to the western shores of Greenland and begin your Arctic exploration on board a state-of-the-art expedition vessel. Cross the Davis Strait to remote landing sites on Baffin Island, scouring the skies for migrating birds and the waters for whale pods. Your journey will take you high to the Northwest Passage, sailing through immense fjords, past calving glaciers and to some of the world’s most remote shores. True wilderness has never been closer than during these 17 days in the Arctic.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Toronto, Canada
Location: Toronto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Your Arctic expedition begins in Toronto. Explore this vibrant city on your own before spending the night enjoying the comfort and amenities of your designated hotel.
Day 2: Fly To Kangerlussuaq, Greenland And Embark
Location: Kangerlussuaq
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Meals Included: Dinner
After breakfast, board your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, a small community nestled deep inside a 118 mile (190 km) long fjord. Enjoy your first Zodiac ride as you’re transferred from shore to ship. Out on deck, take in your new surroundings before you set sail on your Arctic adventure.
Day 3-4: Exploring West Greenland
Location: Nuuk
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Cruising around the remote regions of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic aboard Ultramarine, the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers of long ago. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the hardest- to-reach places on the planet—and equipped with two onboard twin-engine helicopters for unparalleled access to areas only Quark Expeditions can bring you—this one-of-a-kind ship will take you beyond the familiar in polar exploration. Throughout your journey, your Expedition Team will keep an eye toward immersing you in the best the Arctic has to offer at the top of the world. Locals call Maniitsoq the Venice of Greenland, as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround the small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend summer in the waters around here.
The Greenlandic capital of Nuuk is a haven for history and culture lovers. See for yourself the unique and thriving culture of contemporary Greenland that mingles the ancient with the modern in surprising and wonderful ways. Stroll down to the waterfront to see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue, named for the missionary who established the settlement in 1728. Marvel at the famous remains of 500-year-old fully dressed mummies, discovered under a rock outcrop in 1972 by two brothers out hunting, at the Greenland National Museum. The Nuuk Art Museum and Katuaq Culture Centre are also worth visiting.
Day 5: Cruising At Sea
Location: Cruising At Sea
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Say goodbye to Greenland’s shores as you traverse the Davis Strait in pursuit of the Canadian Arctic. Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day 6-15: Exploring Canada's High Arctic
Location: Baffin Island
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Visit towering fjords, historical sites and Inuit communities as you follow in the footsteps of famous explorers from long ago in the Canadian High Arctic.
At the southern tip of the Cumberland Sound, you’ll visit Cape Mercy, which was named by British explorer John Davis (yes, he of the Davis Strait), who sailed through it in 1585. This is the site of an old Distant Early Warning Line installation, dating back to the Cold War. These and many other stations were set up to detect Soviet bombers. It’s an ideal spot to go ashore for a hike.
As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, they’re naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuaq (formerly known as Broughton Island). The icy waters here are also home to ring and harp seals. A hike up to the hilltop inuksuk rewards with spectacular views of the community. Inuksuks are stone figures or cairns that traditionally call attention to the location for navigation, abundant harvesting or spiritual significance.
Cruising further north along the mountainous east shore of Baffin Island, we’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for the largest concentration of bowhead whales in Canada. Bowheads are a truly a remarkable arctic leviathan that research has revealed may live more than 200 years of age - the oldest mammal.
At the northern tip of Baffin Island, near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage, is the Inuit hamlet of Pond Inlet, surrounded by scenic mountains, fjords, glaciers and icebergs. Many in the community still follow a nomadic lifestyle and hunt for their food.
At the top of Baffin Island sits 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 area around Lancaster Sound affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbour, on Devon Island, you’ll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At nearby Croker Bay, cruise in a Zodiac (at a safe distance) along the face of an actively calving glacier. Your Expedition Team will also keep its eyes peeled for walrus that are known to visit the bay. Farther west, some of the best ancient Thule remains in the Arctic are at Radstock Bay, beside the soaring Caswell Towers.
At the western end of Devon Island, the windswept Beechey Island is steeped in history. Named after famed British explorer Frederick William Beechey, it’s a Canadian National Historic Site. You’ll visit the small marked graves of three crew members who died during Sir John Franklin’s tragic 1845–46 expedition. Over 150 years later, Roald Amundsen landed here in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship through the Northwest Passage.
Sailing down the east coast of Somerset Island, you may be fortunate to spot beluga whales and if you’re very fortunate, narwhals, as they feed at Creswell Bay. An Important Bird Area, the bay also attracts such species as black-bellied plovers, king eiders and white-rumped sandpipers. You’ll also have time to explore Fort Ross, where the Hudson’s Bay Company established a now-abandoned trading post in 1937. At the midpoint of the Bellot Strait, the narrow channel that separates Somerset Island from mainland North America, you’ll reach the northernmost area of the continental landmass, Zenith Point.
Day 16: Disembark In Resolute, Canada And Fly To Calgary
Location: Resolute
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
After disembarking in Resolute, you’ll be transferred to your charter flight to Calgary, where you’ll spend the night at your included hotel.
Day 17: Depart Calgary
Location: Calgary
Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend the day exploring this fascinating city.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (14 nights), Comfortable Hotel (2 nights) -
Meals
16 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners -
Zodiac Cruises and Helicopter Jaunts
Take to the water and the skies on a series of included Zodiac cruises and helicopter jaunts, taking you to places otherwise inaccessible to human beings.
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Wildlife Encounters
Enjoy encounters with the Arctic’s impressive wildlife, including whales, walrus, and musk oxen.
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Cultural Experiences
Learn about Inuit and Thule histories in the colourful villages of Greenland’s western shores.
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Onboard Presentations
Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.
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Charter Flights
Charter flights are included from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Resolute to Calgary.
What's Not Included
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Kayaking
Kayaking is available to book on all Arctic voyages (except the North Pole) and incurs an additional cost.
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Booking Conditions
A deposit of 25% of the total invoice amount is required at the time of booking, with balances due 120 days prior to departure.
Transport
Ship , Zodiac , Plane
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (14 nights), Comfortable Hotel (2 nights)
Important Information
This trip starts In Reykjavik, Iceland and finishes in Calgary, CanadaIn 2025 this trip is onboard the Ultramarine shipIn 2026 this trip is onboard the Ocean Explorer shipYour voyage is operated by our polar partners, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.BOOKING CONDITIONSTo confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure.Please refer to the "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-intrepid/booking-conditionsADVENTURE OPTIONSKayaking and day paddle are optional activities available to book on this trip. These activities must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. To participate in kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential. In addition, there are other included optional activities offered on some voyages such as hiking. This activity does not need to be booked in advance and no additional cost applies.
Mode of Transport
Travel through the Arctic on a ship, with additional excursions via Zodiac and plane, providing access to remote and otherwise inaccessible locations.
Accommodation
Experience the Arctic in comfort with 14 nights aboard an expedition cruise ship and 2 nights in a comfortable hotel, offering modern amenities and wellness facilities.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on this expedition?
During the expedition, you can expect to see a variety of Arctic wildlife including whales, walrus, musk oxen, ring and harp seals, bowhead whales, beluga whales, and possibly narwhals. The area is also rich in birdlife, with species such as black-bellied plovers, king eiders, and white-rumped sandpipers.
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What unique experiences are included in this tour?
This tour includes unique experiences such as Zodiac cruises and helicopter jaunts to explore remote areas, visiting Inuit communities, and exploring historical sites. You will also have the opportunity to hike in various locations and see ancient Thule remains.
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What is the significance of Beechey Island on this expedition?
Beechey Island is a Canadian National Historic Site known for its historical significance. It is the site where three crew members of Sir John Franklin's 1845-46 expedition are buried. The island was also visited by Roald Amundsen in 1903 during the first successful voyage through the Northwest Passage.
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Are there any additional activities available during the expedition?
Yes, kayaking is available to book on all Arctic voyages, except the North Pole, for an additional cost. There are also included optional activities such as hiking, which do not need to be booked in advance and incur no additional cost.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation during the tour includes 14 nights on an expedition cruise ship and 2 nights in a comfortable hotel.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Aug 26, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 07, 2026 - Aug 23, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions