An iconic journey, the Northwest Passage remains an adventure today. Join the Ocean Endeavour on this 17-day journey as it sets sail eastward from Kugluktuk toward Gjoa Haven, where Amundsen honed his polar skills. Sail the Queen Maud Gulf, stopping for daily hikes and Zodiac cruises. Continue on to Beechey Island, Lancaster Sound, and Canada's northernmost community: Aujuittuq (Grise Fjord), before continuing north to Greenland.
Highlights
Travel the route that obsessed explorers for centuries
Enjoy the legendary hospitality of vibrant Inuit communities
Visit the historic graves of the ill fated Franklin Expedition
Find and photograph the wild creatures of the Arctic wilderness
Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the western most community in Nunavut. Known for many years as Coppermine, the community reverted to its original Inuinnaqtun name—meaning “place of moving waters”—on January 1st, 1996.
The Coppermine River is designated a Canadian Heritage River for the important role it played as an exploration and fur trade route. Your charter flight lands in Kugluktuk and embark the Ocean Endeavour by Zodiac to commence your trip!
The Kitikmeot Region consists of parts of Victoria Island, the adjacent part of the mainland as far as the Boothia Peninsula, King William Island, and the southern portion of Prince of Wales Island. Recently, the Kitikmeot Region has been in the news since the finding of the lost ships of the Franklin Expedition in its waters. It is Nunavut’s least-populated region, though wildlife abounds here both in the sea and on land. We'll explore by Zodiac and on foot.
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.
In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage. His crew overwintered at Beechey Island, where three of his men died.
Numerous search parties later used Beechey as a depot and rendezvous. Amundsen,
Bernier and Larsen visited Beechey. Thomas Morgan of HMS Investigator was buried here in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and the ruins of Northumberland House are haunting memorials.
We will spend two days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of Canada's newest National Marine Conservation Areas.
Large populations of marine mammals, including narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales, transit and feed in this area. There is a great selection of landing sites available to choose from, depending on weather, wildlife, and sea conditions.
Aujuittuq means ‘place that never thaws.’ 1,150 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, Canada’s northernmost “civilian” community originated in the Cold War; in 1953, residents were relocated to Aujuittuq to boost Canadian sovereignty. In 2016, the census placed the population at 129.
Your activities are center in the village where you have a chance to meet members of the community, learn about their way of life, and hear their poignant stories.
Smith Sound, an ancient Inuit travel route, divides Ellesmere Island from Greenland, and served as the main route for explorers and adventurers searching for the North Pole. Adolphus Greely, Sir George Nares, and Elisha Kent Kane all travelled these waters with varying degrees of success.
On this exploration day, we’ll be making the most of what the wind, weather, and wildlife have to offer. Our expedition team will scan for polar bears, walrus, whales, seals, and seabirds as we go.
We will explore stunning fjords that line the coast. Glaciers and icebergs abound here. In true expedition style, we will seek opportunities to hike, explore, and view wildlife as conditions allow.
Ilulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, translates literally into “iceberg.” The outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier, Ilulissat Icefjord is the source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.
Here, we will cruise in Zodiacs to appreciate the icebergs. And we’ll visit the bustling town of Ilulissat, with its museums, cafes, craft shops, and busy fishing harbor.
The west Greenland coastline is a rich mixture of islands and complex coastal waterways. As we enter the Arctic autumn, the tundra foliage will be in gorgeous colour. We will be making an expedition stop here to explore the landscape of wild Greenland.
Day 17: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord) is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 190 kilometres of superb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord.
Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former U.S. Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. Here we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour for our return charter flight to Toronto, ON.
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.
$11,995
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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
We have a limited quantity of cabins in category 3 through to category 7 with no single supplement!
Once these cabins are sold, the single supplement fee (in order to secure a cabin to yourself) is 1.5 times the berth cost.
Expedition Costs Include:
Pre-departure materials
The expertise and company of our expedition staff
Onboard educational programming
Interactive workshops
Evening entertainment
All shipboard meals, including on deck barbecues & afternoon tea, 24-hour coffee, tea and snacks
Hors d’ouevres & snacks during evening recaps
24-hour documentary and film programming
Fully stocked library
Nikon Camera Trial Program
Introductions to local people and customs
Sightseeing
Museum entries, park accesses, port taxes
Access to pristine wilderness areas
Zodiac tours and cruises
On-site archaeology workshops
Community programming: local performances, presentations, and demonstrations
Expedition Cost Does Not Include:
Commercial and charter flight costs
Gratuities (suggested at $15 USD per person per day)
Bicycle rentals
Personal expenses
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
Possible fuel surcharges
Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
Additional costs associated with credit card payment
Program enhancements
Pre and post hotel nights are available in Edmonton and Toronto at additional cost, upon request.
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. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
