Arctic Expeditions
Luxury Small-Ship Voyages to the Wild North
Sample Itinerary
Overview
The great sweep of the Arctic encompasses the northernmost latitudes on earth. From the wilds of Canada’s tundra to the incomparable glaciers of Greenland and the dramatic volcanic landscape of Iceland, the Arctic offers unparalleled encounters with the natural world at its most rugged and pristine.
Immerse yourself in this mesmerizing world steeped in rich history, fascinating traditional culture and wildlife that entrances and delights. We can suggest a range of itineraries of varying dates, durations, optional activities and destinations. Browse through the itineraries tab to find out which is right for you.
Discover a path of magic aboard a state-of-the-art expedition X-Bow ship. These vessels are designed with a smaller environmental footprint, meaning your journey leaves less impact on the fragile Arctic ecosystem. Not only are they the most capable and comfortable ships in the Arctic fleet, but they also offer enhanced stability and safety. With experienced, competent crews and renowned naturalist guides, you’ll enjoy a true polar expedition while supporting responsible travel practices.
The emphasis is on adventure, without skimping on luxury. Each expedition ships features first-class cuisine, a spa, a generous gym, a sauna, outdoor jacuzzis, elegant lounges, an extensive library and spacious staterooms.
Try something different! Depending on the destination you can choose from a variety of activities including: kayaking, snorkeling, diving, stand-up paddling, skiing, snow-shoeing and camping.
SAMPLE ITINERARY: NORTHWEST PASSAGE
Steeped in legend, history and ancient culture, navigating the Northwest Passage has long been revered as one of the last great adventures on Earth. During the brief ice-free summer season, this epic expedition takes you through a maze of waterways connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Recent history comes alive as you visit the graves of European explorers. You learn about the incredible culture of the Inuit, stretching back 5000 years, and remaining strong through their deep connection to the land and sea. You see unique wildlife – whales (watch out for belugas!) polar bears and muskoxen. And you experience the awe-inspiring landscapes of the far north, from polar deserts to vast icefields and huge icebergs.
The expedition starts in Calgary and ends in Toronto. Charter flights to and from the Arctic are included in the trip price.
Day 1 From Calgary Airport you are transferred to a downtown hotel.
Day 2 Charter flight Calgary to Resolute Bay
Board your X-Bow ship, meet your expedition team and fellow adventurers and set sail to the Northwest Passage!
Day 3 – 8 Northwest Passage
In genuine expeditionary style, our itinerary for the following days is heavily dependent on weather conditions and unpredictable sea ice. The following places are some that we hope to visit.
Elwin Bay (Ikpiarjuk)
On southeastern coast of Somerset Island, Elwin Bay is famous for its wildlife, particularly polar bears who hunt along the ice edge and swim between the scattered ice floes.
Port Leopold
Port Leopold, on the northeastern corner of Somerset Island is where the crews of HMS Enterprise and Investigator endured a harsh winter while searching for the lost Franklin expedition. Their presence is indelibly marked on a rock engraved with “1849” and the ships’ initials. The desolate landscape is punctuated by a lone Hudson Bay Company hut, a failed trading post from the 1920s.
Prince Leopold Island (Appait)
On the southern side of Lancaster Sound lie the towering bird cliffs of Prince Leopold Island where in 1848, English explorer James Clark Ross overwintered during the search for the missing Franklin expedition. Prince Leopold Island is the most important bird sanctuary in the Canadian Arctic, with approximately 500,000 birds nesting here in summer. Ringed seals and polar bears are often spotted here.
Radstock Bay
On Radstock Bay is a beach where well preserved stone dwellings from the ancient Thule period coexist with artifacts from later explorers.
Beechey Island (Iluvilik)
Named after Frederick William Beechey, the island is a designated Canadian National Historic Site. Three men from the Franklin expedition of 1845–46 are buried here. Roald Amundsen landed at Beechey Island in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship to fully transit the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Maxwell Bay (Tasiujaq)
Maxwell Bay is a broad, sheltered inlet, excellent for zodiac cruising and kayaking. Its waters are a haven for marine mammals, including harp seals, ringed seals, and bearded seals.
Devon Island (Tallurutit)
At a latitude of almost 75° degrees north, Devon Island is truly the High Arctic. It is the largest uninhabited island on Earth and features stunning geology, with flat-topped mountains and glacial valleys. In Dundas Harbour there is a dilapidated Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost and remnants of a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post.
Day 8 Baffin Island, Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik)
Pond Inlet is a captivating Inuit community on the northern tip of Baffin Island, surrounded by towering ice-capped mountains, vast glaciers, and pristine fjords. The local people you meet here will share unique perspectives on life in the Arctic, and their deeply rooted culture.
Day 9 Feacham Bay, Baffin Island
Tucked away on the eastern shores of Baffin Island, Feacham Bay is surrounded by towering cliffs and deep fjords. The crystal-clear waters of the bay are ideal for Zodiac cruises and kayaking, where you may spot polar bears hunting along the coast or perhaps witness whales feeding in the nutrient-rich waters.
Day 10 At Sea
Days 11-12 Northwest Greenland expedition cruising
In the remote northern reaches of West Greenland, traditional Inuit settlements cling to the rugged coastline and towering icebergs drift through the deep, clear waters. Whether you’re cruising silently through the ice-choked waters, hiking across the colourful tundra or paddling among floating icebergs, this region invites you to immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Greenland’s northern frontier.
Day 13 Ilulissat
Known as the ‘birthplace of icebergs’, this region produces some of the most dazzling icebergs found anywhere on Earth. Hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord viewpoint and stand in awe of the immense Jakobshavn Glacier. The most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, it produces produces 20 million tonnes of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay.
Day 14 Sisimiut
Greenland’s second largest town, Sisimiut is located approximately 54 kilometres (33.5 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. In its 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 15 Disembark in Nuuk. Fly to Toronto
Arriving in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, say farewell to the crew and expedition team and transfer to the airport for a charter flight to Toronto for an overnight stay in a downtown hotel.
Day 16 Depart Toronto
After breakfast, take the hotel shuttle to Toronto Airport for your onward journey.
We offer amazing new ways to get under the skin of the polar regions:
Sea Kayaking
One of the most exhilarating ways to experience the Arctic
Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, skim past penguin rookeries or under soaring bird cliffs, or drift quietly as you watch wildlife unobtrusively, absorbing the majestic scenery.
Led by experienced guides, paddling in small groups allows us the opportunity to paddle between ice floes, brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes as well as allowing easy and intimate access to beautiful coastlines.
Photography
These remote and wild destinations are a photographer’s dream!
All voyages offer fantastic opportunities for photography and videography. On selected expeditions, a photography expert will offer lectures and presentations to help improve your skills. Whether a beginner or experienced photographer, you will find the presentations and informal tuitions, while either on board or during landings and excursions, will help you capture those memorable moments.
The Best Expedition Vessels in Arctic
We have carefully evaluated and chosen a group of three small ships for Arctic expeditions. All of them are state of the art vessels and purpose built for adventure voyages in polar regions. They are comfortable, safe and are run by highly experienced and professional crews.
Why we like this design:
1. Low Environmental Impact
80% lower emissions into the air and sea with advanced ‘Tier 3’ engines with lower energy consumption, high fuel efficiency. The ship uses state-of-the-art virtual anchoring technology, meaning the ship can hold its position using its own propellers and thrusters while launching Zodiacs and kayaks without disturbing the seafloor and the organisms living there. The design also reduces light pollution for minimal wildlife disruption and there is a policy in place to minimize the use of plastics.
2. Safety
The most up-to-date safety technology. This starts with the ‘return-to-port’ equipment – not compulsory on a ship of this size – which duplicates the propulsion system. This enables the ship to maintain operating systems and comfort in the event of engine failure. Furthermore, it is ice-strengthened (Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6 compliant), holds Bureau Veritas classification and is fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements. It’s also built with a Rolls Royce stabiliser system. If there’s an incident or accident during your adventure, the ship has an onboard, fully-stocked medical centre – where a trained medical team can provide necessary treatment in a timely fashion.
3. Seaworthiness
Polar expeditions face some of the worst Mother Nature can throw at us. However, this won’t be problem with a patented X-BOW™, created by Norwegian ship designer ULSTEIN. This bow concept that’s been built on over 100 vessels in the shipping industry and allows for more gentle sea crossings, improved comfort and reduced emissions.
4. Custom Platforms for Wildlife Viewing and Transferring to Zodiacs and Kayaks.
With the use of hydraulics, parts of the hull magically transform into platforms that make it easy to get into attendant boats and to view wildlife.
CUSTOM-BUILT ACTIVITY PLATFORM
Depending on your destination, a number of additional activities to allow you to see more of the environment. Onboard the ship, there is a spacious activity prep area and loading platform for these activities and more – designed in consultation with expert activity guides.
HYDRAULIC VIEWING PLATFORMS
To ensure you get the best views possible, the ship features unique viewing platforms on the bow. Accessed from Deck 5, the two platforms fold out hydraulically for unobstructed views of passing marine life and seabirds – make sure your camera is locked and loaded!
ZODIAC LAUNCHING PLATFORM
Zodiacs are a vital part of getting up close and personal on your adventure – sneaking into areas that the ship can’t reach. Specially designed launching platforms enable the expedition team to load Zodiacs easily and quickly, allowing you to spend more time exploring on the two to three daily landings.
4. Accommodation
Creature comforts and well-being are a big consideration of the overall design. All staterooms have private bathrooms, personal storage options, twin and double-bed configuration options, ample storage, international power outlets and a daily cabin service, as well as all the basic amenities that you’ll need onboard.
Of course, the prospect of unexpected wildlife encounters is always on the table so your accommodation needs to have a view as well! Across four of the five stateroom categories, you’ll find large floor to ceiling windows that offer prime observation opportunities around the clock. Additionally, there are private balconies in roughly 80% of the staterooms, allowing you to watch the world float past and take in the salty air of the open ocean.
Another great feature of the accommodation are the interconnecting staterooms. If you’re part of a family or group who want some privacy, but still want to be close to each other, these staterooms are the perfect option.
BALCONY SUITES AND STATEROOMS
Located on Deck 4, the Balcony Suites feature private balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area and seating areas.
STATEROOM TWINS AND TRIPLES
Eight Stateroom Twin cabins and six triples all feature portholes and private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that’s close to the action.
5. Other Perks
ONBOARD OBSERVATION POINTS
There are plenty of dedicated observation spaces, from the indoor 180-degree lounge and outdoor 360-degree open deck, both on deck 8, to the 270-degree open sundeck on level 7 and the two hydraulic viewing platforms on deck 5.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Time is of the essence in these wild locations, so the ship has 15 Zodiacs which means you can maximize your time on shore. From four dedicated sea level launching platforms, transfers are quicker, safer and enable you to get closer to the action for a longer period of time. Just remember to charge your camera before you step onto the Zodiac!
DINING
From the moment you step onboard, you get the best hospitality service possible.
Meals are served in a large restaurant with family style dining, perfect to swap stories with your new expedition family. Additionally, a private dining area will also be available on request. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild, preparing yourself for another exciting day to follow.
ON-BOARD ENTERTAINMENT
When you’re relaxing during a sea day or you have a little downtime on the ship between excursions, what is there to do onboard? Plenty!
Experts who give presentations in the spacious lecture room. These include topics as broad as history and culture to biology and climate change, these presentations aim to educate and entertain.
If you’re keen to just watch the surroundings and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, you have access to two bars/lounges where the stunning floor to ceiling windows offer a special perspective on the landscape.
There is a library on Deck 7 with books and maps and a Wellness Centre complete with gym equipment, sauna and spa. Feeling a little sore after walking around all day? Treat yourself to a massage at the Wellness Centre and feels the aches disappear! Keen photographers and artists will revel in the multimedia room on Deck 7.
Paddling in the Arctic- the birthplace of kayaking - is utterly magical. The vast landscapes, the ice, the wildlife, the remoteness and the sense of the deeply rooted Inuit culture make it an unforgettable experience. We came away with the utmost respect for the Inuit, not just surviving but thriving in this challenging environment for thousands of years.
#arctic #northwestpassageexpedition #inuitculture
All dry-suited up for our first kayak excursion in the #northwestpassage, with a few reminders from our guide.
#arctic #arcticpaddling #canadianarctic
After travelling world-wide, last month we finally made it to the Arctic: the Northwest Passage and West Greenland aboard an expedition ship.
There were so many amazing experiences. For starters, from a respectful and safe distance, watching this polar bear go fishing. A magnificence creature totally at home in this vast, challenging environment.
Images by @stas_zakharov_photo #arctic
You might also like …
Galapagos Expeditions
100 Miles for Elephants
