This 13-day journey encompasses the beating heart of the Arctic from Nunavik in northern Quebec to Nunavut and, finally, the coast of Greenland across the Davis Strait. Travel with fellow University of Montana Alumni just after the summer solstice, when the midnight sun is near its zenith. The chances of seeing wildlife, including polar bears, walrus, and musk ox are excellent. This expedition is far and away the most community- and art-focused Arctic itinerary. Kinngait (Cape Dorset) is widely hailed as the Inuit art capital and is home to some of the most celebrated stonecarvers in the Arctic. Steeped in a culture all its own, the heart of the Arctic stays with you long after you return home.
Highlights
Cross the Arctic Circle while sailing a spectacular Greenlandic fjord
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Take your charter flight from Ottawa to Iqaluit this morning. Located at the end of historic Frobisher Bay and sitting amid gentle rolling hills is the transportation hub of the Arctic, Iqaluit. A major transfer point between flights to other northern communities, Iqaluit is also the smallest capital city in Canada with a population of just over 7,000! At one time dotted with Inuit huts, the beaches are now adorned with modern houses, shops, and public buildings reflecting Iqaluit’s importance as a government town. You have time to tour the town before embarking on your ship, the Ocean Endeavour.
Uninhabited Akpatok Island features soaring bird cliffs and small rocky beaches. Indeed, the island is named for the akpat—the thick-billed murres—that live on the ledges of the limestone cliffs that surround it. Zodiacs are used to scout the beaches in search of walrus and polar bears.
Today your group continues exploring Nunavik, heading northwest along the Ungava Peninsula. This section of treeless tundra is rich in geology and tundra flora, and has a number of small communities along its shores. Depending on the weather and wildlife, your will make a stop along this dramatic coast.
Along the northwest shore of Dorset Island, surrounded by rocky hills on one side and by the Hudson Strait on the other, lies a community that art built. Between 1950 and 1962, Cape Dorset hosted a historic collaboration between James & Alma Houston and local Inuit. The collaboration launched Inuit art onto the world stage. 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 have made Kinngait the Inuit art capital of the world.
Spend the first of two days exploring the southern coast of Baffin Island, the fifth largest island in the world! The objective is to spend half the time out on the land—hiking, exploring, and taking in the sights—and the remainder cruising the shoreline in the fleet of Zodiacs. The ship's route is adaptable to unpredictable weather and ice conditions. Wildlife sightings in Baffin have also proven unpredictable, so keep an open mind and flexible attitude! The island is home to a wide variety of life, including a notable bear population - be on alert for these kings of the north. Your days at Baffin are exploratory in every sense, and you can look forward to seeing what the island has to offer.
Located on the southern portion of Baffin Island, the scenic oceanside hamlet of Kimmirut is considered one of the most picturesque communities in the region. Kimmirut means “the heel” in Inuktitut and refers to an outcrop of marble across the bay that holds a striking resemblance to a human heel. Art has played a major role here and the newly renovated Dewey Soper Building is home to a gallery of outstanding works of art.
Again, your objective is to spend half the time out on the land—hiking, exploring, and taking in the sights—and the remainder cruising the shoreline in the fleet of Zodiacs. The ship's route is adaptable to unpredictable weather and ice conditions. Wildlife sightings in Baffin have also proven unpredictable, so keep an open mind and flexible attitude! The island is home to a wide variety of life, including a notable bear population - be on alert for these kings of the north. Your days at Baffin are exploratory in every sense, and you can look forward to seeing what the island has to offer.
Pangnirtung—“the place of the bull caribou” in Inuktitut—is located on a narrow coastal plain against a spectacular backdrop of high mountains and a winding river valley. It is a small community bordered by snow-capped mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Pangnirtung, or ‘Pang’ as locals call it, is famed for its art. One of the great attractions is the Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Centre. The Centre welcomes visitors to the print and weave shops, where local artists create beautifully woven tapestries and prints. Artists from Pangnirtung are known around the world and are exhibited widely across Canada and beyond. The acclaimed “Pang” hats, colorfully patterned crocheted toques, can also be purchased at the centre’s gift shop.
Today is an expedition day in the truest sense as you navigate the east coast of Baffin Island. The Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for exploring these hidden treasures of the north, as her maneuverability allows her to access regions that would be impassable to larger vessels. Be on alert for changing weather and ice conditions - the expert crew uses its judgment as to which route along the coast is currently the most spectacular! As ever, the elite team is on deck for the duration, searching for wildlife and contextualizing the mighty landscape through which you travel.
The presentation series continues as you steam across the Davis Strait towards Greenland. While out on deck, keep your eyes peeled for minke and humpback whales amid potential pack ice, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark your passage.
Welcome to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland and one of the world’s northernmost capital cities! 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's history dates back over 4,200 years. Here you have a chance to spot humpback whales in the fjord, reindeer roaming the land, and birds soaring in the sky. The town itself is home to the University of Greenland (you can all compare the campus to the University of Montana's!), a cathedral dating back to 1849, and Greenland’s National Museum. Visit some of the city’s most important sites before free time to explore on your own.
There are a number of charming fishing villages along the west coast of Greenland. Depending on timing and sea conditions, call in at one of these communities to experience small town Greenlandic life, or navigate into the stunning fjords that line the coast. This is a day spent in the true spirit of expedition travel.
Day 13: Disembark in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
1 Breakfast
Today the Ocean Endeavour makes its way up the spectacular Sondre Stromfjord! Early risers have a chance to experience the beauty of the fjord before disembarking. Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometers of superb scenery. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, means ‘the big fjord.’
Today your group of UM Alumni will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make your way to the airport for outbound charter flights to Toronto.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,995
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $2000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. Accepts client cards for deposit only. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 135 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 135 reviews on
8 hours ago
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.