Board the L'Austral and set sail for the Far North, well beyond the Arctic Circle, to a legendary, highly coveted maritime route: the Northwest Passage. The only possible shipping route between the Atlantic and the Pacific, this 'roof of the world' is transformed into a wintery and majestic white desert; whilst in Summer, for a few short weeks, the temperature rises enough for the ice to melt. Life reappears, nature is reborn, the mythical route is finally free.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Kangerlussuaq and board L'Austral at 5PM. Settle in to your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship and her crew.
Day 2: Sisimiut
One of many isolated villages on the west coast of Greenland, Sisimiut and its sister villages look like gardens of bright colors from the Labrador Sea.
Day 3: Ilulissat - Disko Bay
Ilulissat means icebergs in Greenlantic, and is aptly named for its location at the mouth of a 56 km long fjord filled with icebergs from the Sermeg Kujalleg glacier. At the heart of Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Encircled by icebergs, Ilulissat has retained a unique atmosphere of traditional Arctic life, with multicolored wooden houses, huskies and leather tanners who still use the ancient methods of their ancestors. Choose from two optional excursions to explore this port.
The Ice Fjord by Sea Board small local boats directly from the ship to cruise along the coast to the open-sea where you can reach the Ice Fjord of Ilullissat, the Isfjord. Keep an eye out for fishing boats, seal hunters, and the hulking blue masses of icebergs.
Sermermiut & the Ice Fjord Leave the wharf by bus through Ilulissat heading South. After a guided walk of about 45 minutes, reach the idyllic Sermermiut valley. Today this abandoned settlement is an important archaeology site. Here, the main highlight is the beautiful landscape: white and bluish masses, rising like mysterious mountains, icebergs are everywhere. Walk back to the bus and return to Ilulissat where you can explore the city before rejoining your ship.
For these excursions, wear comfortable shoes, a wind and waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses and to take a warm pullover and an insect repellent. Please be aware that this excursion is subject to weather conditions.
Day 4: Upernavik Fjord
Port details pending.
Day 5: Melville Bay
Port details pending.
Day 6: Savissivik
Port details pending.
Day 7: Pond Inlet
Placed on the northern edge of Baffin Island, Pond Inlet appears to guard over the entrance to the legendary Northwest Passage. Formerly inhabited by Inuit ancestors, the Thule, Pond Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges, each more beautiful than the last. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the bird colonies of Bylot Island.
Day 8: Beechey Island
Beechey Island looks across at the imposing silhouette of Cape Riley, at the eastern end of Resolute Bay. It is a spectacular location where you can see the three wooden grave markers indicating burial places for three of Captain Franklin’s men, and you can visit the memorial erected in memory of Franklin and his men.
Day 9: Fort Ross
Sailing the Franklin and Ross Straits.
Day 10: Gjoa Haven
Sailing Queen Maud Gulf.
Day 11: Sailing Queen Maud Gulf
During the 15th century, linking Europe and Asia by the sea became the grail of generations of explorers and adventurers. Explore this region which still sees only infrequent traffic, but where passion and the spirit of adventure abound. Do not miss the Bay of Cambridge, one of the mythical sites in this region. Here, when you look towards the horizon, way off on the other side of the fjord, you can see the silhouette of the Maud, Captain Roald AMUNDSEN’s famous three-master. When she got trapped here after partially sinking, it was a chance for the famous navigator to explore the Northeast Passage near the Siberian coast between 1918 and 1920. Though today we can still see part of her hull breaking the surface, a repatriation to Norway is being envisaged, to make the Maud the centerpiece of a new Museum.
Day 12: Navigation inside Coronation Gulf and Duke of York Archipelago
Port details pending.
Day 13: Jesse Harbour
Sailing the Prince of Wales Strait.
Day 14: Franklin Bay
Port details pending.
Day 16: Herschel Island
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is composed of a myriad of islands with jagged coastlines and reveals landscapes you will only see at this far end of the world. Come and discover the small canadian island of Herschel, a frozen paradise located in the Beaufort Sea just 2 km off the coast of the Yukon, within the Ivvavik National Park. During a long mapping expedition in 1826, Sir John FRANKLIN was the first european to lay eyes on these unique places and their inhabitants, the Inuvialuit, the nordic cousins of the Inuit. It was during this trip that he named the island after one of his friends, John HERSCHEL, a brilliant british astronomer and scientist. Herschel Island is a landmark in the West Arctic and has since served alternately as a whaling station, a relay station and a refuge for travellers. As Summer approaches, the soft glow of twilight begins to break the opacity of the polar night, and the hours of darkness get shorter and shorter… Set off in the wake of the great explorers, to discover a remote land, its people and cultures, and experience unique moments and rare emotions in landscapes you will not find anywhere else.
Day 17: Sailing the Arctic Ocean
Port details pending.
Day 18: Crossing the Bering Strait
Port details pending.
Day 19: Little Diomede
Port details pending.
Day 20: At Sea - Data Line Change
Enjoy the beautiful Arctic views as you sail throughout the day.
Day 21: Anadyr
Disembark in Anadyr, Russia. Transport to the airport to continue your travels.
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.
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Superior Stateroom
8 cabins, 226 sq ft, located on Le Champollion Deck. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area and private bath.
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Deluxe Stateroom
28 cabins, 200 sq ft with private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Deluxe Suite
3 suites, 290 sq ft with 54 sq ft private balcony, located on the Le France Deck. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, desk, minibar, private bath.
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Prestige Suite - Deck 5
398 sq ft with 86 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living area, private bath.
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Prestige Suite - Deck 6
398 sq ft with 86 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living area, private bath.
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Owners Suite
484 sq ft with 97 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living, dining areas, private bath with large tub and shower, minibar, 2 flat screen TVs, DVD, CD, and IPOD, Video on demand, Satellite phone
Notes
Please note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and subject to change without notice.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 178 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 178 reviews on
8 hours ago
I received a quick and friendly response from my contact, Christina Mayo, both in email and phone calls. My request for information was provided in less than a day. She took a few minutes to chat about family and events. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure!
Mary Ann
1 day ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
3 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
5 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
1 week ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
