The Northwest Passage through the Arctic Labyrinth

Overview

Day 1 Reykjavik, the Cosmopolitan

Day 2 Nuuk, the Colorful City on the Hill

Days 3-5 West Greenland

Days 6-7 Crossing Baffin Bay

Days 8-11 Eastern Canadian Arctic

Day 12 Bellot Strait

Days 13-20 Heading West

Days 21-24 Along the Alaskan Coastline

Day 25 Final Stop – Nome, a Destination Like No Other

Day 26 Breathtaking Seattle

 Trip Highlights:

• Follow in the Footsteps of Legendary Explorers: Embark on a journey to explore the wonders of Greenland and attempt the legendary Northwest Passage to reach Alaska, tracing the routes of legendary explorers.

• Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife, and Inuit villages with the expert guidance of your expedition team.

• Navigate the Breathtaking Bering Strait: Sail through the stunning Bering Strait and marvel at the majestic landscapes of Alaska.

Itinerary

DAY 1 | REYKJAVIK, THE COSMOPOLITAN

DISCOVER THE MODERN CAPITAL OF ICELAND

Your adventure begins with a night in Reykjavik. A city of art, culture, and history with a laid-back atmosphere, delightful Reykjavik is well worth exploring. Stroll along Laugavegur, lined with shops and outdoor activity equipment stores, admire the striking Hallgrímskirkja cathedral, or visit the fascinating Reykjavik Art Museum.

If time allows, we recommend booking a pre-program with us to explore a selection of Iceland’s natural wonders.

DAY 2 | THE VIBRANT CITY OF NUUK

WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL OF GREELAND

The day begins with a flight from Reykjavik to Nuuk, the colorful capital of Greenland. With a population of 18,000, it offers a striking mix of old and new buildings. If time allows, we will explore this fascinating city, providing an opportunity to compare historical structures like the Hans Egede House and Nuuk Cathedral with the ultra-modern architecture of the Greenlandic Parliament building.

Your ship awaits at Nuuk’s port. After receiving your complimentary expedition jacket, it’s time to settle into your cabin, meet the expedition team, and explore the ship as we set sail for this fantastic journey through the Northwest Passage.

DAYS 3-5 | WEST GREELAND

DISCOVER THE MAGICAL BEAUTY OF WEST GREENLAND

The first chapter of our journey unfolds along the majestic west coast of Greenland. Over the next three days, immerse yourself in the wonders of one of Greenland’s most iconic regions. You will witness:

EVIGHEDSFJORD

Heading north, we plan a day of exploration in the enchanting and pristine Evighedsfjord, near Maniitsoq. The specific adventures for the day will be defined on-site. The “Fjord of Eternity” is fed by an ice cap, pouring massive icebergs into its 700-meter deep waters. It is surrounded by mist-shrouded mountains with beautiful white ridges, punctuated by crystal blue ice caves.

DAYS 6-7 | BAFFIN BAY CROSSING

GET READY TO OBSERVE WILDLIFE AND PARTICIPATE IN CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS

We bid farewell to Greenland and continue our journey towards Nunavut on the other side of Baffin Bay. The expedition team will continue onboard lectures on topics such as Arctic wildlife, Inuit culture, and the history of exploration in this region. Take this opportunity to engage in one of our citizen science projects, helping to photograph and track whales or observing clouds to assist scientists in studying our climate and contributing to the GLOBE program.

DAYS 8-11 | EASTERN CANADIAN ARCTIC

ENTERING THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE

After crossing Baffin Bay, we find ourselves in the eastern part of the Canadian Arctic. The main waterway in this area is Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), which leads to the Northwest Passage.

This chapter of our exploration is expected to be very active, with excursions planned for all four days we hope to spend in this region. Keep in mind that all our excursion programs depend on weather conditions and ice conditions, but if the weather is on our side, our days will be filled with discoveries and excitement.

We hope to introduce you to many remarkable local sites throughout the expedition, including:

• Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik)
• Dundas Harbour
• Croker Bay
• Beechey Island (Iluvilik)
• Prince Leopold Island (Appait)
• Fort Ross

DAY 12 | BELLOT  STRAIT

SAIL ALONG THE BORDER BETWEEN EAST AND WEST

As we sail through the Arctic Canadian Rubicon, the famous Bellot Strait marks the passage between the East and the West. This strait separates the northernmost part of the North American continent from Somerset Island, one of the largest islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Approximately 35 kilometers long, this passage is only one kilometer wide at its narrowest point. We can navigate through it only if weather conditions and ice conditions permit.

DAYS 13-20 | HEADING WEST

SPEND EIGHT DAYS EXPLORING THE WESTERN PART OF THE FAMOUS NORTHWEST PASSAGE

Over the next eight days of our journey, we will navigate through three distinct regions: Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, covering two traditional Inuit territories—Inuvialuit and Nunavut. We anticipate up to five days of onshore excursions and four days of sailing. Throughout the expedition, we hope to introduce you to many remarkable local sites, including:

• Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuk)
• Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq)
• Coronation Gulf
• Ulukhaktok
• Smoking Hills
• Herschel Island

DAYS 21-24 | ALONG THE ALASKAN COAST

MARINE SCIENCE AND WILDLIFE OBSERVATION

Attend fascinating lectures from the expedition team as we sail through the waters of the Beaufort Sea and the Bering Strait. Upon entering the Beaufort Sea, the sea ice conditions are unpredictable. If the sea ice level is higher than average for the season, our navigation speed may be significantly reduced. This is the nature of expedition cruises—expect the unexpected!

• Highlights of this crossing:
• Beaufort Sea
• Bering Strait
• International Date Line
• Wildlife Observation

DAY 25 | LAST STOP – NOME, A DESTINATION LIKE NO OTHER

DISCOVER THE GOLDEN AGE OF ALASKA

Nome attracted its first prospectors in 1898, and gold is still being sought after to this day. Remnants of the gold rush era are scattered throughout, including abandoned dredges, early 20th-century steam engines, and old railway tracks, lending the city its unique and intriguing atmosphere.

You will be in good company while exploring the town. Wyatt Earp, the famous sheriff, once opened a saloon here. Nome was also the final destination for three of Roald Amundsen’s great polar expeditions.

From Nome, you will take a flight to Seattle where you will spend the night.

DAY 26 | BREATHTAKING SEATTLE

COMPLETE YOUR ADVENTURE IN THE “EMERALD CITY”

Waking up in your Seattle hotel marks the end of your journey through the Arctic labyrinth. After breakfast, if time permits before your return flight, why not explore the “Emerald City” and see what it has to offer?

Head to the Seattle Aquarium to observe sea otters and a giant Pacific octopus. You can also enjoy breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains as you stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park, adorned with works by renowned artists. Alternatively, visit the famous Pike Place Market, which will tantalize all your senses. Open for over a century, this market of local producers is a true attraction with its fishmongers tossing their salmon, street musicians, and lively bars.