Canadian Arctic: Wildlife, Helicopters, and the Northwest Passage

Explore the legendary Northwest Passage on an in-depth 20-day journey. Soar in a helicopter over the wild Arctic, cruise in a Zodiac alongside stunning glaciers, and spot iconic wildlife while connecting with Inuit and Greenlandic communities.


Canadian Arctic and Greenland
© QRK

Duration: 20 days / 17 nights on board.
Starts: Reykjavík, Iceland
Ends: Reykjavík, Iceland
Language: English speaking voyage


Included
Optional


Our brand-new 20-day Canadian Arctic: Wildlife, Helicopters, and the Northwest Passage itinerary is the most in-depth way for travelers to experience the legendary Northwest Passage— designed to take you deeper, farther, and with more time to truly see it all. From the dramatic cliffs of Sam Ford Fjord to the stark beauty of Devon Island, you’ll explore the full sweep of Lancaster Sound and beyond. With extended time in the High Arctic, maximize your chances of encountering whales, walruses, and muskoxen, while connecting with Inuit and Greenlandic communities. Add helicopter flightseeing, Zodiac cruising, and expert-led exploration, and this itinerary becomes the definitive Arctic journey.

Explore the High Arctic wilderness aboard ice-class polar vessels designed to navigate the ice-filled waters and remote coastlines of Lancaster Sound. Throughout the expedition, guests will embark on daily Zodiac cruises to witness towering tidewater glaciers calving with thunderous force and navigate through dramatic fjords under the endless daylight. This comprehensive itinerary guarantees meaningful cultural interactions within authentic Arctic hamlets and unprecedented opportunities to witness rare wildlife, such as the elusive narwhal and polar bears. Guided by a seasoned Expedition Team, this itinerary stands out as the ultimate exploration of the fabled polar passage.

Highlights:
Soar in a helicopter over the wild Arctic
Visit Inuit and Greenlandic communities
Explore deep into the legendary Northwest Passage
Spot Arctic wildlife, such as whales, walruses and muskoxen
Cruise in a Zodiac for stunning views of glaciers, fjords and icebergs

Itinerary

© QRK
© QRK
© QRK

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive and stay in the Icelandic capital
Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to the designated hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the day to explore this fascinating city known for its stunning modern architecture, contemporary music and Viking history.

Day 2: Fly to Nuuk, Greenland, and Embark
Charter flight and embarkation in the Greenlandic capital
After breakfast, guests and their luggage will be transferred to the airport for the charter flight to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Upon arrival, guests will be transferred to their ship.

Day 3: At Sea: Crossing the Davis Strait
Polar presentations and wildlife watching on deck
As we make our way across the Davis Strait, your Expedition Team will offer a series of polar presentations that will set the stage for the adventures ahead. You’ll learn about the storied history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology and ecology. Our team will also keep a lookout for seabirds soaring above your ship, as well as whales that pass through these waters.

Day 4 to 6: Exploring Baffin Island Canada
Deep fjords, towering granite walls and Inuit hamlet visits
Sailing along the island’s eastern coast, each day is shaped by weather and ice conditions, making every landing distinct. Favorite destinations include Qikiqtarjuaq and Sam Ford Fjord, where towering mountains, deep fjords, vibrant tundra, and Inuit settlements define the landscape. The welcoming Inuit community of Qikiqtarjuaq lies just north of the Arctic Circle on Broughton Island. Fondly known as “Qik” by locals, the hamlet offers sweeping views across the Davis Strait. Visitors may also have opportunities to support local Inuit artisans by purchasing handcrafted artwork, jewelry, and other crafts. Farther north, well within the Arctic Circle, Sam Ford Fjord stands out as one of Baffin Island’s most dramatic Arctic destinations. A traditional Inuit hunting area, the fjord is a striking study in contrasts, where sheer granite walls rise almost straight from the ocean, reaching heights of up to 457 meters (1,500 feet). If conditions allow, the region offers outstanding Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking, and opportunities to explore ashore. Arctic foxes may be spotted on land, while polar bears are sometimes seen during off-ship excursions. Cruising the fjord provides a powerful sense of scale: stretching approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles), Sam Ford Fjord narrows to less than 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide as it winds deeper inland.

Day 7 to 10: Gateway to Lancaster Sound
Marine habitats, seabird sanctuaries and helicopter operations
Located at the northeastern tip of Baffin Island, Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) looks across Eclipse Sound to the glaciated peaks of Bylot Island, offering one of the most dramatic settings of any community in the Canadian Arctic. Mittimatalik provides a meaningful opportunity to connect with the people who have lived here for thousands of years, before the voyage turns northwest toward Lancaster Sound. Among the Arctic’s richest marine habitats, Lancaster Sound’s ice-free waters attract whales, walruses, and seals in remarkable numbers each summer. We explore by Zodiac, scanning for iconic wildlife—and, with luck, the elusive narwhal. Polar bear sightings are also possible. Nearby, Coburg Island’s soaring coastal cliffs support hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds. At approximately 76° North off the east coast of Ellesmere Island, Cape Norton Shaw is likely the northernmost stop of the voyage. Here, multiple tidewater glaciers calve directly into iceberg-filled seas. We plan a combined helicopter and Zodiac operation to explore this rarely visited coastline by land and sea. If flying conditions are unsuitable, we reroute to Grise Fjord and Craig Harbour. On Devon Island’s southern shore, the weathered remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment at Dundas Harbour quietly reflect Canada’s efforts to assert sovereignty in the High Arctic. The journey concludes in spectacular Croker Bay, where towering glaciated walls and calving ice deliver a sense of scale no photograph can fully convey.

Day 11 to 13: Heart of the Northwest Passage
Seabird colonies, trading posts and historical Franklin expedition sites
As we push westward into the inner reaches of Lancaster Sound, the geography narrows and the sense of remoteness deepens. Rising from the confluence of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait, the sheer limestone cliffs of Prince Leopold Island form one of the most significant seabird sanctuaries in the eastern Arctic. We’ll see hundreds of thousands of birds wheeling above us as still waters stretch in every horizon, one of the defining sights of a High Arctic expedition. At the southern tip of Somerset Island, Fort Ross marks the entrance to Bellot Strait, the narrow, current-swept channel separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. Once a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, Fort Ross remains one of the most evocative reminders of a time when commerce, survival, and exploration converged at the top of the world. We will attempt to land at Beechey Island, a National Historic Site of Canada. Named for explorer Frederick William Beechey, the island is the final resting place of three members of Sir John Franklin’s 1845-46 Northwest Passage expedition, discovered in 1850 on a desolate raised beach. A shore visit to Radstock Bay may also be possible, home to one of the Arctic’s most impressive ancient Thule sites. Exploring the remains of subterranean houses—including whale bone supports—offers a powerful insight into how Paleo‑Inuit thrived in the Far North.

Day 14 & 15: Admiralty Inlet and Arctic Bay
Narwhal summering grounds and cultural gatherings
Carved deep into northern Baffin Island, Admiralty Inlet is one of the Arctic’s longest fjords: a silent, ice-ringed channel where whale blows punctuate the stillness. Among the world’s most vital narwhal summering grounds, Zodiac cruising here may provide some of the expedition’s most unforgettable marine wildlife encounters. The Arctic Bay area has been inhabited by Inuit for over 5,000 years. With very few visitors, the community is typically quite excited to welcome a ship. Enjoy a gathering on the outskirts of town featuring Inuit arts, cultural activities and, possibly, tastings of local cuisine shared by elders and community members.

Day 16 & 17: At Sea
Baffin Bay transit and onboard relaxation
Enjoy the sail back across Baffin Bay where the presence of ice can lead to opportunities for polar bear sightings as well as whales and seabirds. Onboard the team will keep you engaged with presentations and wildlife watching. Guests often use sea days to take advantage of the ship’s Tundra Spa and Sauna.

Day 18: Meeting the People of Sisimiut
Greenlandic town tours and traditional kayak demonstration
Arriving back in Greenland, we hope to visit the community of Sisimiut, where you may enjoy locally led city tours, including a “Taste of Greenland” experience featuring samples of traditional foods. Back onboard, head to the deck to watch a traditional kayak demonstration on the water.

Day 19: Disembark at Kangerlussuaq
Disembarkation and flight back to Iceland
Today, we disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Sřndre Strřmfjord, and transfer you to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your group hotel, both of which are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Day 20: Depart Reykjavik
Homeward flight or personal travel plans
Today, after breakfast, make your way independently to the airport for your flight home, or continue your personal travel plans as prearranged.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive and stay in the Icelandic capital
Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to the designated hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the day to explore this fascinating city known for its stunning modern architecture, contemporary music and Viking history.

Day 2: Fly to Nuuk, Greenland, and Embark
Charter flight and embarkation in the Greenlandic capital
After breakfast, guests and their luggage will be transferred to the airport for the charter flight to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Upon arrival, guests will be transferred to their ship.

Day 3: At Sea: Crossing the Davis Strait
Polar presentations and wildlife watching on deck
As we make our way across the Davis Strait, your Expedition Team will offer a series of polar presentations that will set the stage for the adventures ahead. You’ll learn about the storied history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology and ecology. Our team will also keep a lookout for seabirds soaring above your ship, as well as whales that pass through these waters.

Day 4 to 6: Exploring Baffin Island Canada
Deep fjords, towering granite walls and Inuit hamlet visits
Sailing along the island’s eastern coast, each day is shaped by weather and ice conditions, making every landing distinct. Favorite destinations include Qikiqtarjuaq and Sam Ford Fjord, where towering mountains, deep fjords, vibrant tundra, and Inuit settlements define the landscape. The welcoming Inuit community of Qikiqtarjuaq lies just north of the Arctic Circle on Broughton Island. Fondly known as “Qik” by locals, the hamlet offers sweeping views across the Davis Strait. Visitors may also have opportunities to support local Inuit artisans by purchasing handcrafted artwork, jewelry, and other crafts. Farther north, well within the Arctic Circle, Sam Ford Fjord stands out as one of Baffin Island’s most dramatic Arctic destinations. A traditional Inuit hunting area, the fjord is a striking study in contrasts, where sheer granite walls rise almost straight from the ocean, reaching heights of up to 457 meters (1,500 feet). If conditions allow, the region offers outstanding Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking, and opportunities to explore ashore. Arctic foxes may be spotted on land, while polar bears are sometimes seen during off-ship excursions. Cruising the fjord provides a powerful sense of scale: stretching approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles), Sam Ford Fjord narrows to less than 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide as it winds deeper inland.

Day 7 to 10: Gateway to Lancaster Sound
Marine habitats, seabird sanctuaries and helicopter operations
Located at the northeastern tip of Baffin Island, Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) looks across Eclipse Sound to the glaciated peaks of Bylot Island, offering one of the most dramatic settings of any community in the Canadian Arctic. Mittimatalik provides a meaningful opportunity to connect with the people who have lived here for thousands of years, before the voyage turns northwest toward Lancaster Sound. Among the Arctic’s richest marine habitats, Lancaster Sound’s ice-free waters attract whales, walruses, and seals in remarkable numbers each summer. We explore by Zodiac, scanning for iconic wildlife—and, with luck, the elusive narwhal. Polar bear sightings are also possible. Nearby, Coburg Island’s soaring coastal cliffs support hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds. At approximately 76° North off the east coast of Ellesmere Island, Cape Norton Shaw is likely the northernmost stop of the voyage. Here, multiple tidewater glaciers calve directly into iceberg-filled seas. We plan a combined helicopter and Zodiac operation to explore this rarely visited coastline by land and sea. If flying conditions are unsuitable, we reroute to Grise Fjord and Craig Harbour. On Devon Island’s southern shore, the weathered remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment at Dundas Harbour quietly reflect Canada’s efforts to assert sovereignty in the High Arctic. The journey concludes in spectacular Croker Bay, where towering glaciated walls and calving ice deliver a sense of scale no photograph can fully convey.

Day 11 to 13: Heart of the Northwest Passage
Seabird colonies, trading posts and historical Franklin expedition sites
As we push westward into the inner reaches of Lancaster Sound, the geography narrows and the sense of remoteness deepens. Rising from the confluence of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait, the sheer limestone cliffs of Prince Leopold Island form one of the most significant seabird sanctuaries in the eastern Arctic. We’ll see hundreds of thousands of birds wheeling above us as still waters stretch in every horizon, one of the defining sights of a High Arctic expedition. At the southern tip of Somerset Island, Fort Ross marks the entrance to Bellot Strait, the narrow, current-swept channel separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. Once a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, Fort Ross remains one of the most evocative reminders of a time when commerce, survival, and exploration converged at the top of the world. We will attempt to land at Beechey Island, a National Historic Site of Canada. Named for explorer Frederick William Beechey, the island is the final resting place of three members of Sir John Franklin’s 1845-46 Northwest Passage expedition, discovered in 1850 on a desolate raised beach. A shore visit to Radstock Bay may also be possible, home to one of the Arctic’s most impressive ancient Thule sites. Exploring the remains of subterranean houses—including whale bone supports—offers a powerful insight into how Paleo‑Inuit thrived in the Far North.

Day 14 & 15: Admiralty Inlet and Arctic Bay
Narwhal summering grounds and cultural gatherings
Carved deep into northern Baffin Island, Admiralty Inlet is one of the Arctic’s longest fjords: a silent, ice-ringed channel where whale blows punctuate the stillness. Among the world’s most vital narwhal summering grounds, Zodiac cruising here may provide some of the expedition’s most unforgettable marine wildlife encounters. The Arctic Bay area has been inhabited by Inuit for over 5,000 years. With very few visitors, the community is typically quite excited to welcome a ship. Enjoy a gathering on the outskirts of town featuring Inuit arts, cultural activities and, possibly, tastings of local cuisine shared by elders and community members.

Day 16 & 17: At Sea
Baffin Bay transit and onboard relaxation
Enjoy the sail back across Baffin Bay where the presence of ice can lead to opportunities for polar bear sightings as well as whales and seabirds. Onboard the team will keep you engaged with presentations and wildlife watching. Guests often use sea days to take advantage of the ship’s Tundra Spa and Sauna.

Day 18: Meeting the People of Sisimiut
Greenlandic town tours and traditional kayak demonstration
Arriving back in Greenland, we hope to visit the community of Sisimiut, where you may enjoy locally led city tours, including a “Taste of Greenland” experience featuring samples of traditional foods. Back onboard, head to the deck to watch a traditional kayak demonstration on the water.

Day 19: Disembark at Kangerlussuaq
Disembarkation and flight back to Iceland
Today, we disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Sřndre Strřmfjord, and transfer you to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your group hotel, both of which are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Day 20: Depart Reykjavik
Homeward flight or personal travel plans
Today, after breakfast, make your way independently to the airport for your flight home, or continue your personal travel plans as prearranged.


© QRK
© QRK
© QRK


INCLUSIONS

An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.)
Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
One 10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion (weather and logistics permitting)

EXCLUSIONS

Charter Flight & Hotel Package* (when applicable – please review trip-specific details below)
International airfare
Arrival and departure transfers
Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, spa and other personal charges unless specified
Phone charges may vary by location
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ultramarine | Date: 01 Aug 2028 - 20 Aug 2028 (5439)
Explorer Triple
$22,090
$18,291
Explorer Suite
$25,590
$21,441
Balcony Suite
$27,890
$23,511
Solo Panorama
$38,190
$32,781
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$32,590
$27,741
Terrace Suite
$33,790
$28,821
Penthouse Suite
$36,090
$30,891
Owner´s Suite
$44,290
$38,271
Ultra Suite
$28,990
$42,501
Ship: Ultramarine | Date: 18 Aug 2028 - 06 Sept 2028 (5440)
Explorer Triple
$17,751
$21,490
Explorer Suite
$20,811
$24,890
Balcony Suite
$22,881
$27,190
Solo Panorama
$31,881
$37,190
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$27,021
$31,790
Terrace Suite
$28,011
$32,890
Penthouse Suite
$30,081
$35,190
Owner´s Suite
$37,281
$43,190
Ultra Suite
$41,331
$47,690

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

Gallery



Other options you will like


 



THE POLAR TRAVEL COMPANY LLC
USA


Tel: +1 (786) 321-5654
WhatsApp: +1 (786) 705-2241
Email: travel@thepolartravelcompany.com

International Travel Awards - 2023 Winner
Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards 2025

© 2020 The Polar Travel Company | All rights reserved | Terms & Conditions
THE POLAR TRAVEL COMPANY LLC is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST42392.

Write us via WhatsApp