Follow the sea route of fearless early Arctic explorers as we navigate one of the world’s most historic waterways, the Northwest Passage. This western corridor slices through Canada’s Arctic frozen archipelago and hugs the northern coast of North America. European explorers searched in vain for this vital passage for 300 years, intent on finding a commercially viable western sea route between Europe and Asia.
This carefully curated itinerary begins in Greenland, navigates the Ilulissat Icefjord (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Davis Strait; crosses the imaginary Arctic Circle and includes remarkable hikes and unforgettable Zodiac cruises.
History unfolds in museum and cultural centre visits through traditional art, throat singing, drumming and storytelling. We’ll also explore the abandoned Royal Canadian Mounted Police post and Hudson’s Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour. In between, sea days aboard the Ocean Endeavour allow for educational and engaging onboard workshops and lectures on Arctic exploration, birding, climate change and Inuit life.
On this small ship expedition, the experience is multi-layered with extreme Arctic wildlife and avian encounters, an unforgettable immersion in Inuit culture and resilience, early explorer history and an introduction to the modern day Guardians of Terror Bay program in conjunction with Parks Canada. This is the first national historic site (home to the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror) to be co-managed by Parks Canada and Inuit in Nunavut.
From Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), and onward to Kugluktuk, Nunavut (Canada), this signature voyage travels through one of Canada’s most culturally and historically significant landmarks, the Northwest Passage.
