17 DAY INTO THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE EXPEDITION CRUISE
NORTHWEST PASSAGE CRUISE
The Northwest Passage represents the pinnacle of Arctic exploration. Pristine fjords. Looming glaciers. Jagged icebergs. Grand vistas, historic sites. Marine mammals, bears, and birds. Find a warm welcome in Nunavut's communities, and enjoy Greenland's geology, geography, and culture with a European flair.
Every day is a new adventure in the Northwest Passage: hiking, photography, birding. Learning with our experts. Meeting the people who call the Arctic home. Sailing the passage at the top of the world!
Every day is a new adventure in the Northwest Passage: hiking, photography, birding. Learning with our experts. Meeting the people who call the Arctic home. Sailing the passage at the top of the world!
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End Location: Yellowknife
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross the Arctic Circle as you sail the length of Søndre Strømfjord - 168 kilometres!
- Cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Spend three days in Canada’s second largest National Marine Conservation Area, Tallurutiup Imanga, searching for marine life
- Visit Queen Maud Gulf, home to the wrecks of the Franklin ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror Seek polar bears, seabirds, and other Arctic wildlife in pristine natural environments
- Retrace the historic route of European Explorers, who for centuries picked their way through ice in hopes of finding a sailing route through the passage
- Transit Ikirasak (Bellot Strait), the narrow and dramatic waterway at the very northern tip of continental North America
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Kangerlussuaq is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. After our charter flight from Toronto, we will transfer to Ocean Endeavour by Zodiac. Søndre Strømfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world: 168 kilometres of superb scenery. Steaming down this dramatic fjord we’ll cross the Arctic Circle - from the north!
Overnight: Kangerlussuaq
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Sisimiut Coast, Greenland
West Greenland’s complex coastal waterways, which include glaciers, islands, and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop. The waters are relatively warm here, due to the West Greenland Current and the sub-Arctic location. Abundant fauna and marine life have supported human habitation here as far back as 4,500 years.
Overnight: Sisimiut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Ilulissat, Greenland
Ilulissat means “iceberg”, an apt name for this site at the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic. We will cruise in our fleet of Zodiacs to appreciate the icebergs, and visit the town of Ilulissat, with its museums, cafes, craft shops, and busy fishing harbour.
Overnight: Ilulissat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 & 5: Western Greenland
Exploring by ship and Zodiac along the west coast of Greenland, we have numerous options for expedition stops, to make the most of weather and wildlife conditions. Departing Greenland, we cross Baffin Bay toward Nunavut.
Overnight: Western Greenland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Davis Strait
As we steam toward Nunavut, our resource staff will deepen your understanding of the Arctic. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.
Overnight: Davis Strait
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Nunavut
Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting, a fascinating place to wander. The cultural presentation at the Community Hall is not to be missed - handcrafted goods may be available here too.
Overnight: Mittimatalik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - 10: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) & Devon Island, Nunavut
We will spend three days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area. We’ll cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife. On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometres. Flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character. We will hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from ship and by shore. Archaeological sites with expert interpretation allow us to learn about the Inuit history of this now-abandoned island. We’ll visit the remains of an RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
Overnight: Tuktoyaktuk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Beechey Island, Nunavut
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 the HMS Investigator was buried there in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and ruins of Northumberland Houseare a haunting memorial.
Overnight: Beechey Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 & 13: Prince Regent Inlet, Nunavut
This passage marks an area rich in marine and avian life. Thick-billed murres, ivory gulls, beluga, narwhal, and bowhead whales reside in the icestrewn 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.
Overnight: Prince Regent Inlet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - 16: Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut
The traditional territory of the Netsilik Inuit, 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 will spend our time navigating the ice-strewn waters in search of wildlife. We’ll also call in at Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven) home of the Guardians of Terror Bay. The European name, Gjoa Haven, honours Roald Amundsen who overwintered in the bay for two years while searching for the Northwest Passage. Amundsen became the first European to cross the Northwest Passage, thanks to the knowledge and largesse of Inuit. The community has an excellent cultural centre and is well known for carvings and wall hangings.
Overnight: Kitikmeot Region
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Kugluktuk, Nunavut
Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the westernmost community in Nunavut. Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), NU, is an alternate disembarkation point, and may be used based on sea, ice, and weather conditions. Today we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make our way to the airport to meet our charter flights to Yellowknife, NT.
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
We accept 
AVAILABILITY
START DATE
END DATE
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
BOOK
*Pricing in USD (does not include applicable taxes). Prices are based on entry-level accommodation, upgraded cabin types and private cabins available. Please call for other pricing options.
Note: Pricing based on deck 4, porthole window with private bathroom. Single Occupancy limited and on request. Our TwinShare Program is not available for this tour. Includes charter flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife and Discovery Fee ($250).
A $2000 non-refundable deposit per person is required at time of booking to hold your Escorted Vacation package. Final payment is requested 120 days prior to departure. If a reservation is made within 120 days of departure, full payment is required at time of booking.
Note: Pricing based on deck 4, porthole window with private bathroom. Single Occupancy limited and on request. Our TwinShare Program is not available for this tour. Includes charter flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife and Discovery Fee ($250).
A $2000 non-refundable deposit per person is required at time of booking to hold your Escorted Vacation package. Final payment is requested 120 days prior to departure. If a reservation is made within 120 days of departure, full payment is required at time of booking.
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Nikon Camera Trial Program
- Pre-departure materials
- Evening entertainment
- Charter flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife
- Fully stocked library
- All Zodiac excursions, sightseeing and community visits
- The expertise and company of expedition staff with onboard educational programming & interactive workshops
- 16 nights on board a small expedition ship
- All meals on board ship
EXCLUSIONS
- Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
- Personal expenses
- Program enhancements and optional excursions
- Any required fuel surcharges
- Pre/post accommodation
- Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
- Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
- Items of a personal nature
- Meals not listed
- Attractions not listed
- Credit card payment fees, where applicable
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
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OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
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Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Tour Code
ACNP
17 Day Into the Northwest Passage Expedition Cruise
17 days
Created On: 25 Mar 2023
Highlights
- Cross the Arctic Circle as you sail the length of Søndre Strømfjord - 168 kilometres!
- Cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Spend three days in Canada’s second largest National Marine Conservation Area, Tallurutiup Imanga, searching for marine life
- Visit Queen Maud Gulf, home to the wrecks of the Franklin ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror Seek polar bears, seabirds, and other Arctic wildlife in pristine natural environments
- Retrace the historic route of European Explorers, who for centuries picked their way through ice in hopes of finding a sailing route through the passage
- Transit Ikirasak (Bellot Strait), the narrow and dramatic waterway at the very northern tip of continental North America
Inclusions
- Nikon Camera Trial Program
- Pre-departure materials
- Evening entertainment
- Charter flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife
- Fully stocked library
- All Zodiac excursions, sightseeing and community visits
- The expertise and company of expedition staff with onboard educational programming & interactive workshops
- 16 nights on board a small expedition ship
- All meals on board ship
Exclusions
- Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
- Personal expenses
- Program enhancements and optional excursions
- Any required fuel surcharges
- Pre/post accommodation
- Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
- Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
- Items of a personal nature
- Meals not listed
- Attractions not listed
- Credit card payment fees, where applicable
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
Dates & Prices
AVAILABILITY
START DATE
END DATE
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DEPOSIT
AVAILABLE
Thu, 24 Aug 2023
Sat, 09 Sep 2023
$21,500 USD
—
All prices are per person based on double occupancy and subject to local taxes - GST, PST or HST.
* *Pricing in USD (does not include applicable taxes). Prices are based on entry-level accommodation, upgraded cabin types and private cabins available. Please call for other pricing options.
Note: Pricing based on deck 4, porthole window with private bathroom. Single Occupancy limited and on request. Our TwinShare Program is not available for this tour. Includes charter flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife and Discovery Fee ($250).
A $2000 non-refundable deposit per person is required at time of booking to hold your Escorted Vacation package. Final payment is requested 120 days prior to departure. If a reservation is made within 120 days of departure, full payment is required at time of booking.
* *Pricing in USD (does not include applicable taxes). Prices are based on entry-level accommodation, upgraded cabin types and private cabins available. Please call for other pricing options.
Note: Pricing based on deck 4, porthole window with private bathroom. Single Occupancy limited and on request. Our TwinShare Program is not available for this tour. Includes charter flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq and from Kugluktuk to Yellowknife and Discovery Fee ($250).
A $2000 non-refundable deposit per person is required at time of booking to hold your Escorted Vacation package. Final payment is requested 120 days prior to departure. If a reservation is made within 120 days of departure, full payment is required at time of booking.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Kangerlussuaq is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. After our charter flight from Toronto, we will transfer to Ocean Endeavour by Zodiac. Søndre Strømfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world: 168 kilometres of superb scenery. Steaming down this dramatic fjord we’ll cross the Arctic Circle - from the north!
Overnight: Kangerlussuaq
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Sisimiut Coast, Greenland
West Greenland’s complex coastal waterways, which include glaciers, islands, and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop. The waters are relatively warm here, due to the West Greenland Current and the sub-Arctic location. Abundant fauna and marine life have supported human habitation here as far back as 4,500 years.
Overnight: Sisimiut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Ilulissat, Greenland
Ilulissat means “iceberg”, an apt name for this site at the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic. We will cruise in our fleet of Zodiacs to appreciate the icebergs, and visit the town of Ilulissat, with its museums, cafes, craft shops, and busy fishing harbour.
Overnight: Ilulissat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 & 5: Western Greenland
Exploring by ship and Zodiac along the west coast of Greenland, we have numerous options for expedition stops, to make the most of weather and wildlife conditions. Departing Greenland, we cross Baffin Bay toward Nunavut.
Overnight: Western Greenland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Davis Strait
As we steam toward Nunavut, our resource staff will deepen your understanding of the Arctic. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.
Overnight: Davis Strait
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Nunavut
Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting, a fascinating place to wander. The cultural presentation at the Community Hall is not to be missed - handcrafted goods may be available here too.
Overnight: Mittimatalik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - 10: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) & Devon Island, Nunavut
We will spend three days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area. We’ll cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife. On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometres. Flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character. We will hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from ship and by shore. Archaeological sites with expert interpretation allow us to learn about the Inuit history of this now-abandoned island. We’ll visit the remains of an RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
Overnight: Tuktoyaktuk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Beechey Island, Nunavut
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 the HMS Investigator was buried there in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and ruins of Northumberland Houseare a haunting memorial.
Overnight: Beechey Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 & 13: Prince Regent Inlet, Nunavut
This passage marks an area rich in marine and avian life. Thick-billed murres, ivory gulls, beluga, narwhal, and bowhead whales reside in the icestrewn 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.
Overnight: Prince Regent Inlet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - 16: Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut
The traditional territory of the Netsilik Inuit, 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 will spend our time navigating the ice-strewn waters in search of wildlife. We’ll also call in at Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven) home of the Guardians of Terror Bay. The European name, Gjoa Haven, honours Roald Amundsen who overwintered in the bay for two years while searching for the Northwest Passage. Amundsen became the first European to cross the Northwest Passage, thanks to the knowledge and largesse of Inuit. The community has an excellent cultural centre and is well known for carvings and wall hangings.
Overnight: Kitikmeot Region
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Kugluktuk, Nunavut
Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the westernmost community in Nunavut. Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), NU, is an alternate disembarkation point, and may be used based on sea, ice, and weather conditions. Today we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make our way to the airport to meet our charter flights to Yellowknife, NT.
Meals: Breakfast
