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The edge of Greenland's ice cap

Voyage to the Northwest Passage

Kangerlussuaq Roundtrip - Example 18 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Embark on an unforgettable 18-day Canadian Arctic Discovery cruise, starting from Greenland on the SH Vega expedition ship. Sail around Baffin Bay in the Canadian Arctic and venture through part of the Northwest Passage amidst stunning mountainous icebergs and picturesque fjords. This area is ice-bound for a significant part of the year. Witness polar bears and experience the enchanting sight of narwhals diving around you, their long white tusks breaking through the icy arctic waters. The landscapes will be adorned with arctic willow and purple saxifrage.
Colorful Sisimiut, GreenlandAmazing blue water and ice in GreenlandMidnight sun light, IlulissatDisko BayGet a close up view of the Greenland ice sheetThe edge of Greenland's ice cap
Highlights
  • Marvel at the glistening icebergs that crack off glaciers into the meltwater
  • Explore the nutrient-rich waters of Lancaster Sound
  • Admire the nesting birdlife on the craggy cliffs of Prince Leopold Island
  • Learn about the history of the Inuit, Dorset, and Thule people
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
0

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Kangerlussuaq

Arrive in Kangerlussuaq, relax and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure

*specific hotel and location to be announced

Day 2: Kangerlussuaq | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

Day 3: Sisimiut

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Just north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in Greenland, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for thousands of years by the Inuit, Dorset and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport and have a chance to see abandoned settlements but it also has a cool, modern side. Watch out for humpback whales and walrus between Sisimiut and the Thule district in the north.

Day 4: Ilulissat, Disko Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world from Disko Bay - or Qeqertarsuaq Tunua - to the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is home to as many sled-dogs as people.

Day 5: Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, the largest island in Greenland, on the west coast and part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lyngmark Glacier rises above the town and the area’s lush hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is very fertile and home to diverse species not found elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as you move through floating icebergs and whales.

Day 6: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Day 7: Pond Inlet, Nunavut

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The scenic views of snow-capped mountains and picturesque fjords have given Pond Inlet - or Mittimatalik - in northern Baffin Island the name of Canada’s ‘jewel of the north.’ The area is a prime breeding ground for narwhals, and bowhead whales, ringed and harp seals, and walrus also warrant a vigilant eye. Stop by the Nattinnak Centre to discover more about the region and its wildlife. The Inuit community here are renowned for their craft skills from printmaking and stone carving. Nearby, Qulalukat’s thousand-year-old Inuit sod houses merit a visit.

Day 8: Dundas Harbour | Croker Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Dundas Harbour on Lancaster Sound is the eastern entrance of the Northwest Passage on the southeast coast of the world’s largest uninhabited island, Devon Island. Despite the harsh terrain, signs of life remain with the relics of a 1000 A.D. Thule settlement and a 1920s outpost from where Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) controlled illegal whaling. Nearby, Croker Bay is one of the deeper inlets into Devon Island, on the northern shores of iceberg-laden Lancaster Sound. The Devon ice cap feeds the monumental South Croker Bay Glacier that calves into the bay. Zodiac excursions takes you past floating bergs dotted with seals and birds to get up close to stunning glacial waterfalls, and if safe to do so, you can step onto the glacier.

Day 9: Radstock Bay | Beechey Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This area is most closely associated with the exploration of Canada’s High Arctic and the Northwest Passage. Much of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was mapped while searching for the missing crew of British explorer Sir John Franklin’s fateful 1845-46 Northwest Passage Expedition. Radstock Bay sits below the mighty Caswall Tower mountain and hides many secrets, such as evidence of sledge tracks, camps and food tins that may help to reveal what happened. Nearby, Beechey Island Sites are five locations across desolate Beechey Island, now designated as important historic sites. These include the sites where Sir John Franklin and his crew wintered.

Day 10: Port Leopold | Elwin Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Port Leopold is a place of raw natural beauty and rugged landscapes that evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The pristine wilderness and untouched terrain create a feeling of remoteness and isolation, while the Arctic wildlife that calls this place home adds a touch of wildness and unpredictability. The area's history as a former Hudson's Bay Company trading post also lends a sense of nostalgia and intrigue.

Crossing the Lancaster Sound to Somerset Island, you pass the most important bird sanctuary in the Canadian Arctic, the steep cliffs around flat-topped Prince Leopold Island are home to more than 500,000 nesting pairs of thick-billed murres, black guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. Beluga whales come to moult in the shallow gravel beds. Sailing south to Elwin Bay, a breathtaking fjord in Prince Regent Inlet, keep an eye out for polar bears hunting for ringed seals that haul out onto the sea ice. Nearby at Port Leopold on Somerset Island, English explorer James Clark Ross wintered while searching for the missing Franklin expedition in 1848.

Day 11: Fort Ross | Bellot Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Fort Ross on Somerset Island is the abandoned last trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The timber building that remains, built in 1937, formed part of the most northerly established fur trading post covering the Bellot Strait, before being abandoned due to severe ice-choked conditions at sea. One of the straits along the Northwest passage, the narrow 16-mile long Bellot Strait with steep cliffs, is windy with strong tidal currents. Connecting Brentford Bay to icy Peel Sound, the strait separates Somerset Island in the north from the Murchison Promontory on Boothia Peninsula to the south, where Point Zenith, the northernmost continental point of the Americas is positioned. It was also here on the 1829 Second Arctic expedition of Sir John Ross, that his nephew Sir James Clark Ross located the Magnetic North Pole.

Day 12: Cruise Peel Sound

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Choked up by ice in winter, Peel Sound is a 125-mile long channel separating Prince of Wales Island to the west and Somerset Island to the east. The icebound arctic waters prevented several 19th-century explorers from achieving their goals - Sir John Franklin in 1846, Francis Leopold McClintock in 1858 and Allen Young in 1875. Take time to learn more about these early adventurers as you relax and spot polar bears on the pack ice.

Day 13: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Day 14: Sam Ford Fjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sam Ford Fjord, NU is a breathtaking natural wonder that will leave you in awe. The towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters create a serene atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on any visitor. Think about kayaking among icebergs, hiking on the tundra, and observing local wildlife like polar bears, arctic foxes, and beluga whales. Overall, Sam Ford Fjord offers an unforgettable adventure for those seeking an authentic Arctic experience.

Day 15: Qikiqtarjuaq

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Qikiqtarjuaqis is a remote and beautiful Baffin Island community surrounded by towering mountains and stunning glaciers. The town's Inuit culture and traditions are still alive, making it a unique and immersive experience for visitors. The rugged landscape and pristine wilderness offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, from kayaking to wildlife watching. But what truly sets Qikiqtarjuaq apart is the warmth and hospitality of its people, who welcome visitors with open arms and share their rich history and traditions with pride.

Day 16: Day at Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, as you sail, bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa, or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

Day 17: Kangerlussuaq

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

Day 18: Kangerlussuaq | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$22,930
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.

Notes

At Swan Hellenic, we want to ensure your experience with us is an effortless experience, leaving you to make the most from your expedition, which is why we have included the following within your cruise fare:
 
  • One Night pre-cruise accommodations with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or Onboard
  • All transfers between Airport, Hotel and Ship
  • Room service 24 hours a day
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Standard WIFI inclusion
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • One shore excursion per port of call

Additional inclusion for: Antarctica & Arctic
  • Use of Rubber boots for shore landings
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka
  • Flights included roundtrip Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
Included
  • 17 Breakfasts, 15 Lunches, 16 Dinners
  • 17 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • All transfers between Airport, Hotel and Ship
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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