Sailing aboard the luxurious L’Austral, follow in the footsteps of the most legendary polar explorers while you experience Zodiac excursions and visits to iceberg-laden shores, remote Inuit villages, historic islands, and spectacular geological wonderlands. Enjoy a captivating enrichment program led by the real-life explorers that make up A&K’s Expedition team, including an Arctic historian, Inuit cultural expert, geologist, and dedicated photo coach. Observe the stunning wildlife and stark landscapes of this remote destination, and learn about the history of the Indigenous people and European explorers of the region.
Highlights
Explore the dramatic landscapes of the west coast of Greenland
Marvel at wonders from the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Delve into the remote Yukon Territory at Herschel Island
Arrive in Montreal and transfer to your hotel. Later, gather for a welcome dinner, where you meet your fellow guests and Expedition Team.
Explore this modern Canadian city with a choice of engaging tours, including a panoramic city tour that begins with a guided visit of Notre-Dame Basilica, reveals the scenic summit of Mount Royal and includes a tasting of the city’s fabled bagels. You may opt instead to explore Old Montreal and Little Italy with its open-air Jean Talon Market. As an alternative, explore Old Montreal on foot, learning about its French and English heritage; see Jacques-Cartier Square, Place d’Armes and Saint Jacques Street with its notable Victorian architecture. As another option, you may take a guided walking tour through the city’s downtown, traversing its “Underground City,” Sainte Catherine Street and Quartier des Spectacles, the city’s entertainment district.
Transfer to the airport for an early morning charter flight to Western Greenland, arriving at Kangerlussuaq at the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Later, board your luxury expedition cruiser and enjoy the thrill of setting off for sea. This evening, join fellow guests and your Expedition Team for a welcome reception.
In 1906, Roald Amundsen became the first polar explorer to successfully cross the entire Northwest Passage. Begin as he did, venturing along Greenland’s stunning West Coast and north into Baffin Bay for the next five days. Your Captain and Expedition Team determine the day’s best excursions, which may include the following areas:
Sisimiut: North of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost city in Greenland able to maintain a year-round, ice-free port as well as sufficient snow for dogsledding in winter and spring. Visit the local museum and enjoy an Inuit sea kayak demonstration.
Disko Bay & Ilulissat: Cruise into the wide inlet of Disko Bay, first explored by Erik the Red in 985. Discover the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the mouth of one of the fastest and most active glaciers in the world, Sermeq Kujalleq. Take a walking tour of Ilulissat, visit its history museum, and meet with villagers to learn about local life. Conditions permitting, board a local vessel for an iceberg cruise of Disko Bay.
Uummannaq Fjords: North of Ilulissat, this geological wonder teems with marine life. Visit Karrat Fjord to see the iceberg-clad bay and the remains of ancient huts, built by Thule hunters (Inuit ancestors) more than 500 years ago.
Kullorsuaq: Translated as “Big Thumb,” Kullorsuaq remains one of the most traditional hunting, fishing and trading villages in Greenland.
Day 9-16: Nunavut | Vast Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Cruise into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago of Nunavut and enter the heart of the Northwest Passage. As your luxury expedition cruiser winds through legendary channels and inlets, A&K’s enrichment specialists continue to spark captivating discussions that enhance your discovery. Your crew and Expedition Team determine your itinerary, which is dependent on weather, sea, ice and wildlife conditions. Exciting excursions may include:
Pond Inlet: “Place of Mittima’s Grave,” Pond Inlet is the gateway to the Northwest Passage and a rich archaeological site. After clearing customs formalities, embark on a shore excursion to an area once inhabited by the ancient Thule. Visit the Nattinnak Visitor’s Center or Toonoonik Sahoonik Co-op, where you may shop for handcrafted goods.
Lancaster Sound: Situated between Devon Island and Baffin Island, this body of water is home to an abundance of Arctic cod and seasonal populations of Beluga and bowhead whales, black guillemots, Arctic terns and other wildlife.
Beechey Island: Historic moments in Arctic exploration define this island. Beechey is best known for providing a safe haven to British explorer Sir John Franklin in 1845, who took shelter for two years before his ill-fated attempt to conquer the Northwest Passage. See the grave markers for three of his men and visit the Franklin’s cenotaph.
Fort Ross: Abandoned in 1948, this former trading post was founded in 1937 as a place for trappers to barter Arctic fox pelts in exchange for necessities. Explore its remaining structures and perhaps take a Zodiac excursion to CoBay, as your naturalists share stories about its residents.
Gjoa Haven: During his attempt on to cross the passage on ‘Gjoa’, Roald Amundsen took respite in this natural harbor as he waited for ice conditions to improve. For two years, he lived with the Netsilik Inuits and learned survival skills that later proved invaluable on his South Pole expedition.
Victoria Island: Cruise the south coast of Victoria and through Queen Maud Gulf, Dease Strait and Coronation Gulf. Expedition stops may include bird sanctuary Jenny Lind Island and Johansen Bay.
Day 17-19: Northwest Territories | Remote Frontier
Enter Canada’s Northwest Territories and continue through the heart of the Northwest Passage, where you may experience exciting excursion opportunities that include: Ulukhaktok: Visit with the local Inuit of Holman Village, experiencing drum dances, and tastings of fresh char and bannock rings (fried dough) prepared over an open fire. Tour the town art center and discover Ulukhaktok’s beautiful printmaking tradition, carvings and hats made of coveted musk ox wool. Banks Island: This fourth largest island in the Canadian Archipelago, Banks is home to deep Inuit history and a population of about 60,000 muskoxen. Franklin Bay: Discover the “Smoking Hills,” cliffs of bituminous shale that endlessly combust and burn. This geological phenomenon has likely been occurring for millennia and is a rare sight to see.
On expedition in 1826, Captain Franklin was the first European to lay eyes on this unique island at the northernmost point of the Yukon Territory. Herschel supports numerous wildlife and is one of the only places on earth where you may see a grizzly bear, black bear and polar bear. Evidence of the island’s whaling culture and Thule ancestors remains along its coastline, now greatly affected by sea erosion and climate change.
Day 21-22: Beaufort Sea | Waters of the White Whale
Typically dense with ice floes and fog, the Beaufort Sea opens up a 60-mile-wide coastal pass from August to September. As your expedition ship cruises into the U.S. and clears at Point Barrow, Alaska (U.S. Customs clearance only), continue participating in lectures led by your Expedition Team. Relax on your private balcony or join fellow guests on deck where, with some luck, you may spy beluga whales, which travel in numbers here, and the northern lights in autumn.
Continue cruising to Little Diomede, an island between Alaska and Russia at the edge of the International Dateline. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise of the island, where the Ingalikmiut maintains a traditional lifestyle.
Day 24: Nome, Alaska | Disembark
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Arrive and disembark in Nome, Alaska, among the wildest reaches of mainland America. Try your hand at gold panning, experience a dogsled demonstration, and see the Bering Sea Land Bridge National Monument. Later, transfer to the airport for your chartered flight to Anchorage, and then continue on with your homebound flight.
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.
$36,995
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Category 1 Classic Stateroom
Cabin: 200 sq. ft. (18 sq. m.)
Balcony: 43 sq. ft. (4 sq. m.)
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Category 2 Deluxe Stateroom
Cabin: 200 sq. ft. (18 sq. m.)
Balcony: 43 sq. ft. (4 sq. m.)
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Category 3 Premier Stateroom
Cabin: 200 sq. ft. (18 sq. m.)
Balcony: 43 sq. ft. (4 sq. m.)
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Category 4 Superior Stateroom
Cabin: 200 sq. ft. (18 sq. m.)
Balcony: 43 sq. ft. (4 sq. m.)
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Category 5 Prestige Suite
Cabin: 290 sq. ft. (27 sq. m.)
Balcony: 54 sq. ft. (5 sq. m.)
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Category 6 Premier Two-Room Suite
Cabin: 388 sq. ft. (36 sq. m.)
Balcony: 86 sq. ft. (8 sq. m.)
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Category 7 Prestige Two-Room Suite
Cabin: 388 sq. ft. (36 sq. m.)
Balcony: 86 sq. ft. (8 sq. m.)
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Category 8 Owner’s Suite
Cabin: 484 sq. ft. (45 sq. m.)
Balcony: 97 sq. ft. (9 sq. m.)
Notes
INCLUDED WITH THIS LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISE:
An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by Expedition Team
Pre- and/or Post-Cruise Stays at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotels and A&K-Led Excursions
Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3
Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed
Complimentary Expedition Parka, Backpack and Water Bottle, and Use of Waterproof Pants, Boots and Trekking Poles
Zodiac Excursions Led by Expert Naturalist Driver-Guides
Traveler’s Valet® Laundry Service
All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
24/7 On-Call Support
Cruise fares do not include:
Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions mentioned
Visa expenses and/or immigration reciprocity taxes if applicable
Luggage handling
Optional Spa package to be booked prior to your departure
Beverages other than the ones mentioned
Laundry services, hair salon, and à la carte Spa treatments
Personal expenses, on board medical consultations and drug prescriptions
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
22 Breakfasts, 22 Lunches, 21 Dinners
23 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Excursions and activities as listed
Meals as listed
A complimentary parka is included in the cost of your trip. You will be given a parka for use during your expedition and beyond (it is yours to keep).
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Rubber boots are available to rent through Abercrombie & Kent. Rented boots will be delivered to the ship (not delivered to your home). Fees apply. For more information on boot rental, please contact your Trip Planner.
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!