Arctic cruise through the northwest passage

Kangerlussuaq was a U.S. military base during WWII and is now Greenland’s major flight hub - also referred to as the gateway to Greenland. This small settlement is located at the eastern end of the Kangerlussuaq fjord on the west coast. Most of the approximately 500 residents work at the airfield.

After landing, hop on a bus along Greenland’s longest road - stretching less than twenty kilometers to the port. There Zodiacs will be waiting to take you to our vessel, the Ocean Endeavor. Once aboard, we’ll begin our adventure by sailing down dramatic Sondre Stromfjord as the sun sets, crossing the Arctic Circle line on the way. This fjord is one of the longest in the world, encompassing 168 km (104.3 mi) of wondrous polar scenery and serene waters.

On the second day, we’ll continue to explore western Greenland visiting its beating arctic heart, tucked away 40 km north of the Arctic Circle. The Sisimiut area has been populated by a diverse group of cultures for 4,500 years. First to settle were the Inuit people of the Saqqaq culture, followed by the Dorsets and then the Thule people - the ancestors of the current Inuit population. Its harbor remains ice-free harbor throughout the year, allowing them to fish and hunt to survive.

Today it’s the fastest growing Greenlandic community with about 5,600 residents. Sisimiut is the second largest city in Greenland with some of the deepest fjords, that are home to whales, seals and other marine mammals. This remote winter wonderland never sleeps: visitors can take in pristine nature while on a snowmobile ride, go fishing, take a hike or do some wildlife watching!

Today we visit one of Greenland’s most iconic destinations. Ilulissat, literally translated as “iceberg,” is a vibrant town in the vicinity of Ilulissat Icefjord—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ilulissat Icefjord is an outlet of the massive Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier, which calves many icebergs into the North Atlantic. This glacial mass is a part of the Greenland ice sheet, the fastest moving ice sheet in the world, in part due to global warming. The mass flows at a speed of around 40 meters every 24 hours!

Here we’ll board Zodiacs and cruise among the enormous icebergs--taking in their pristine beauty and learning all about glaciology. After floating in this iceberg paradise, we’ll make our way to the colorful town of Ilulissat, famed for its cozy cafes and craft shops, antiquated museums and busy fishing harbor.

As our Northwest passage adventure unfolds, we’ll explore the polar scenery of Western Greenland, passing dramatic fjords and icebergs that are surrounded by towering cliffs.These exhilarating icy landscapes abound with wildlife, and we’ll keep an eye out for seals and colonies of dovekies (little auks).

Savor your moments on deck and don’t miss the picture-perfect stops as we sail past fields of icebergs and snowy mountain peaks!

We’ll have many opportunities for expeditions along the way to hop in the Zodiacs and check out some incredible Arctic wildlife! On our final day in Greenlandic waters, we’ll head west and cross Baffin Bay on the way to Nunavut. Be sure to make use of our onboard presentation schedule to stay up-to-date with everything that is going on.

As we steam toward Nunavut, our staff will deepen your understanding of the Arctic. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.

Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting, a fascinating place to wander. The cultural presentation at the Community Hall is not to be missed—arts and crafts may be available here too.

We'll spend three days exploring the best of 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. We’ll cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife.

On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over fifty thousand square kilometers. Flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character.

We'll hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from ship and by shore. We'll also visit archaeological sites to learn about the history of the area. 

As we continue our voyage, we’ll pass ghostly islands lost above the Arctic Circle on our way to yet another wonder - the eerie graves of Franklin’s expedition. These stand as a tragic memorial to the doomed British voyage of 1845. English explorer Sir John Franklin departed with his 129 men and two ships in an attempt to sail through the Northwest Passage. Sadly, none lived to tell the tale.

Franklin’s crew were forced to winter at Beechey Island and await the ice melt in Spring. While waiting, however, the men began to die off, one by one, from pneumonia, tuberculosis, and poor diet. Nobody returned from the expedition, and except for the three graves on Beechey Island, there were no clues about the crew’s fate for the next decade.

At this historical touchpoint, we’ll pay our respects to the brave explorers and set sail to another Arctic wonder.

This passage marks an area rich in marine and avian life. Thick-billed Murres, Ivory Gulls, beluga, narwhal and bowhead whales reside in the ice-strewn waters. In addition to abundant wildlife, we’ll delve deeper into the exploration of the Northwest Passage and mercantile efforts of the Hudson's Bay Company.

The next three days will be a breathtaking exploration of the Kitikmeot Region. This area is the heart of the Northwest Passage, wherein 2014 and 2016 the wrecks of Franklin’s lost ships were found. The Kitikmeot Region is composed of Victoria Island, part of the mainland, King William Island, and the southern part of Prince of Wales Island, and is a vibrant mix of cultures and ecosystems.

Although it’s the least populated Nunavut region, you can meet the locals in the area who practice hunting and fishing. Wherever you look, there are plenty of opportunities for wildlife photography, and animal watching on land and at sea. No matter which communities you visit, your memories of this unique corner of the Canadian Arctic are sure to stay with you forever!

We top off our Arctic expedition cruise with a hospitable welcome from the westernmost community in Nunavut. Our final destination, Kugluktuk, is located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, on the Coronation Gulf. Initially named Coppermine, in 1996 the hamlet adopted its original Inuinnaqtun name—Kugluktuk, meaning “place of moving waters.” The Coppermine River is a Canadian Heritage River, renowned for its crucial role as an exploration and fur trade route, attracting some of the first European explorers.

Today we disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make our way to the airport, carrying not only suitcases, but also a precious collection of moments from a remote corner of the world!

Our vessel for this voyage is the Ocean Endeavour. A 1B ice-class sailing boat that holds a maximum of 198-passengers and is outfitted with 20 Zodiac boats, our ship is perfect for expedition cruises. Facilities include a top deck observation room, swimming pool, outdoor dining, sauna spa, library, and top-class navigation equipment.

Our three onboard lounges are excellent public spaces for our educational seminars, workshops, and entertainment. Launched in 1982, the Ocean Endeavour has been upgraded many times, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137-m (450-ft) length and 21-m (69-ft) breadth, it’s the pride of our cruises in Canada and beyond.

Learn more about the Ocean Endeavour.

No Single Supplement! Solo Adventurers are welcome. Most cabin categories on the ship are available as a private cabin to single travelers at no additional cost.
Temperatures run around 8-15° Celsius (46-60° Fahrenheit) on average. That said, guests have been known to enjoy a day of shorts and t-shirts in the Canadian Arctic! Do note that temperatures can fall below zero (especially at night) and snowfall could happen at any time.

This program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing, and Zodiac cruising, all at a relatively easy to moderate level of exertion. The majority of shore landings are undertaken using Zodiacs. Zodiac embarkations involve descending gangway stairs with double handrails and stepping into the Zodiac from a small platform at the water level (assistance is provided).