The Polar Travel Company

An unprecedented 13-day expedition to the reaches of the High Arctic. Sail through channels where continents nearly touch, visit the northernmost communities of Canada and Greenland, and explore historic sites and marine sanctuaries on a journey designed for true lovers of pure exploration and Inuit culture.

� ACA

Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
Starts: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Ends: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Language: English speaking voyage

Requires charter flight package to and from Ottawa (not included in base price).
In the High Arctic, ice and weather dictate the route. The itinerary is an example and subject to change to prioritize safety and discoveries.

Included

This expedition is a true "journey to the top of the world," exploring regions where the history of human adaptation and polar exploration converge. From Qausuittuq (Resolute), the gateway to Arctic research, the Ocean Nova ventures into the Tallurutiup Imanga Marine Sanctuary, a vital refuge for whales, walruses, and seabirds. The voyage crosses to Greenland to visit Qaanaaq, one of the northernmost towns on Earth, where Inughuit traditions such as dog-sledding and hunting still set the pace of daily life.

The itinerary features unique geographical and political milestones, such as Tartupaluk (Hans Island), a recent symbol of shared sovereignty between Canada and Greenland. Travelers will navigate Kane Basin and Smith Sound, areas of astonishing biological productivity known as "The Great Upwelling." The return to Canada includes stops at Aujuittuq, the place that "never thaws," and Beechey Island, where the graves of the Franklin expedition offer a poignant reminder of the challenges of historical exploration. It is a journey of profound silence, monumental geological landscapes, and an unmatched connection to the spirit of the North.

Highlights:
Visit to Qaanaaq (Greenland) and Aujuittuq (Canada), among the world's northernmost communities.
Landing on Tartupaluk (Hans Island), a territory of shared sovereignty.
Navigation through the Sarvarjuaq polynya, the most biologically productive region in the north.
Exploration of Devon Island, the world's largest uninhabited island.
Visit to the Beechey Island National Historic Site and Franklin expedition remains.
Arctic wildlife watching: polar bears, walruses, narwhals, and musk oxen.

� ACA

Day 1: Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU, Canada
The North Beckons
Arrival in Qausuittuq, "the place with no dawn." Orientation to the land and its stories before embarking on the Ocean Nova to start the expedition.

Day 2�3: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound)
Whales and Vast Horizons
Enter a thriving marine sanctuary. Land on Devon Island to observe glaciers and archaeological traces from centuries of Inuit occupation.

Day 4: Qaanaaq, Greenland
Life at the Edge of the Sea Ice
Visit one of the northernmost towns in the world. Encounter Inughuit culture, where ancestral skills and modern life flow with the rhythm of the seasons.

Day 5�6: Kane Basin
Where Continents Nearly Touch
Navigate through one of the North�s most dramatic waterways. Towering glaciers and drifting ice in an area historically sailed by Pole explorers.

Day 7: Tartupaluk (Hans Island)
A Shared Island
Landing on this remote rocky islet, the focus of a territorial dispute resolved in 2022. A symbol of shared stewardship between Canada and Greenland.

Day 8�9: Smith Sound
The Great Upwelling
Sail toward the North Water Polynya, the most biologically productive region north of the Arctic Circle, drawing whales, seabirds, and seals.

Day 10: Aujuittuq (Grise Fjord), NU, Canada
The Place That Never Thaws
Visit Canada's northernmost community. Walk with local hosts to learn about the resilience and ingenuity of life at the top of the world.

Day 11: Devon Island
The World's Largest Uninhabited Island
Exploration of a landscape shaped by time and ice. Striking geological formations, pristine tundra, and deep, absolute silence.

Day 12: Beechey Island
Echoes of Exploration
Visit the National Historic Site housing the graves of Franklin expedition members. Reflection on survival and Inuit knowledge.

Day 13: Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU, Canada
Journey�s Reflection
Disembark and board the charter flight to Ottawa. Time to reflect on the stories and connections forged in the High Arctic.