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The Northwest Passage

Explore a part of the Arctic which very few people ever get to see on the beautiful Greg Mortimer. Sail the fabled Northwest Passage and get a glimpse into the world that captivated legendary Arctic explorers such as Franklin and Amundsen. Witness immense tabular icebergs calving, sail past magnificent tabular icebergs, and keep watch for polar bears, beluga whales, walrus and maybe even narwhal.

Safari Highlights

Journey through the legendary Northwest Passage in the wake of early Arctic explorers
Hike on Devon Island with it's stunning geology, fjords and glacial valleys to explore, and visit Bylot Island, a nesting habitat for over 200,000 birds
Stand in awe of Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Keep watch for iconic Arctic wildlife including musk ox, polar bears, beluga whales, walrus and perhaps narwhal

ARC St Arctic Canada Churchill Manitoba Polar Bear Don Laidlaw

Wildlife in Arctic Canada

Witness wolves, arctic foxes, beavers, pine marten and numerous bird species as you traverse the icy terrain. The Arctic waters are home to a variety of whale species, including belugas, bowheads and the fantastical-looking narwhals, the ‘unicorns of the sea’.

What to expect

Day 1 - Arrive in Calgary

Day 2 - Cambridge Bay

Board the charter flight to Cambridge Bay, a hub of the Canadian Arctic, and transfer to the harbour, where zodiacs shuttle you aboard for embarkation.

Days 3 - 6 - Expedition Cruising

In true expeditionary style, the itinerary for the following days is entirely dependent on unpredictable sea ice. The following are places we hope to visit: King William Island, Coningham Bay, Bellot Strait, Prince Leopold Island, Cunningham Inlet

Day 7 - Beechey Island, Lancaster Sound

At a latitude almost 75° degrees north, we are now truly in the High Arctic. Here, nutrient-rich waters support an abundance of wildlife, giving the area the moniker ‘wildlife super highway’ of the Arctic.At the western end of Devon Island lies Beechey Island. Named after Frederick William Beechey, the island has many of Canada’s most important Arctic relics and is a designated Canadian National Historic Site. Sir John Franklin’ first winter, 1845-46, was spent here during his attempted to sail through the Northwest Passage aboard HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, with perilous results – the first three of his men died here. Roald Amundsen landed at Beechey Island in 1903, during the first successful voyage to fully transit the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Day 8 - Devon Island, Lancaster Sound

Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on Earth and features stunning geology, with flat-topped mountains and glacial valleys giving Devon Island its unique character. We may explore Croker Bay or Maxwell Bay, both offering great opportunities for Zodiac cruising. Dundas Harbour offers walks on undulating tundra and the area is great for birdwatching. A dilapidated Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost and remnants of a former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post and ancient semi-subterranean Thule dwellings can be found here. In the bay, walruses are often present.

Day 9 - Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik), Bylot Islan

The picturesque hamlet of Pond Inlet, overlooking Eclipse Sound, is surrounded by scenic mountain ranges and numerous glaciers and fjords. Travellers come to marvel at the abundant wildlife hoping to see narwhals, beluga and orca whales, ringed and harp seals, caribou and the occasional polar bear. Explore churches and visit the Natinnak Center to see exhibits showing the culture and history of the local Inuit people. Husky dog pens are near the landing beach.In the afternoon, we sail along the coast of nearby Bylot Island. Covered with mountains, icefields, steep cliffs, snowfields and glaciers, Bylot Island provides nesting habitat for large numbers of thick-billed murres and black-legged kittiwakes. A total of 74 distinct species of Arctic birds thrive on this island.

Day 10 - Sillem Island, Isabella Bay

Sail around Sillem Island, with glacial features on all sides. A slow cruise offers the chance to see many glaciers, discharging cascades as well as a variety of seals and other arctic wildlife. Farther south along the east coast of Baffin Island lies Isabella Bay, an important summer and autumn feeding ground for a large population of bowhead whales. Stacked side-by-side, numerous soaring cliffs of Sam Ford Fjord make for a majestic site as you sail by. One of the most isolated places on the planet, this big-wall playground attracts climbers eager to scale the sheer rock faces that seem to shoot straight out from the sea

Day 11 - Isabella Bay

After a morning at sea and farther south along the east coast of Baffin Island, we reach Isabella Bay, an important summer and autumn feeding ground for a large population of bowhead whales.

Day 12 - Qikiqtarjuaq (Baffin Island), At Sea

Explore the coast of Baffin Island farther south before crossing Baffin Bay to Greenland, when we may encounter Greenland’s famous icebergs. Keep watch for humpback, sei, sperm and fin whales, as well as various species of seals such as ring and harp seal. Our team of experts entertain us with informative talks about wildlife, geology and epic tales of early explorers such as Franklin and Amundsen.

Day 13 - Qeqertarsuaq (Disko Island)

This compelling island seems to have more in common with Iceland than Greenland. While most of the interior is mountainous and glaciated, its beautiful shorelines boast black sandy beaches, unusual basalt columns, hot springs and dramatic lava formations. On a guided hike, enjoy a diversity of Arctic flora. Zodiac cruise in Disko Bay, a hotspot for marine life including humpback, fin, minke and bowhead whales. The small friendly village has a fascinating historical museum.

Day 14 - Illulissat

Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier, is the most productive glacier – not only in Greenland but the entire Northern Hemisphere. It produces 20 million tonnes of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay. Conditions permitting, enjoy a Zodiac cruise at the mouth of the fjord and kayak through sea ice and icebergs. Hike past the husky sledge dogs to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord and stand in awe of its immensity.

Day 15 - Sisimiut

Greenland’s second largest town, Sisimiut is located approximately 54 kilometres (33.5 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, meaning that during summer, you can experience the midnight sun here. The town is famous for the old blue church with the gate made of whale bone. In the cosy museum next door to the church, you will find an excellent reconstruction of an Inuit turf house as well as exhibits of local history and early life in Greenland.

Day 16 - Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and fly to Toronto

After an overnight sailing along Søndre Strømfjord we arrive in Kangerlussuaq, where we disembark and transfer to the airport for our charter flight to Toronto.

Day 17 - Depart Toronto

Sylvia Earle

The Sylvia Earle has been meticulously designed for luxury expedition cruising. Observation lounge and viewing platforms offer spectacular panoramic views of scenery and wildlife and there are purpose-built activity preparation areas including four Zodiac-launching platforms for fast and safe transition off the ship for daily excursions.The majority of cabins have a private balcony, plus there are interconnecting rooms. In between landings, guests can enjoy the heated swimming pool and jacuzzis and admire the impressive scenery from the top deck, and the lecture theatre and science centre are the places to be for presentations on topics including history and culture, and wildlife. The ship will also feature a fully-stocked medical clinic designed for use in remote areas.