Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic (Ocean Explorer)
Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic (Ocean Explorer)
17 Days Starting in Calgary, Canada and ending in Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting: Calgary, Resolute, Beechey Island, Radstock Bay, Arctic Bay, Devon Island, Dundas Harbour, Croker Bay, Grise Fiord, Smith Sound, Qaanaaq, West Coast of Greenland, Nuussuaq, Uummannaq, Qilaqitsoq, Eqip Sermia, Ilulissat Icefjord, Sisimiut, Itilleq, Kangerlussuaq, Reykjavik
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BQMM
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 138
Age range:
8-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the Northwest Passage with the "Epic High Arctic" tour aboard the Ocean Explorer. This adventure begins in Calgary, Canada, and takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, and Iceland. Experience the rich culture and history of Inuit and Greenlandic communities, and marvel at the stunning Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With expert guides, you'll have the chance to spot Arctic wildlife, including whales, walrus, and muskoxen. Explore remote areas via Zodiac cruises, offering unique insights into untouched settlements and natural wonders. The tour concludes in Reykjavik, Iceland, providing a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. Enjoy comfortable accommodations on the expedition cruise ship and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Arctic.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Calgary, Canada
Location: Calgary
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Canada! Your Arctic expedition begins in Calgary with a free day. You can arrive at any time and explore this vibrant city at your own pace, before spending the night at your hotel. Tomorrow morning, your adventure officially kicks off!
Day 2: Calgary, Canada - Fly to Resolute and Embark
Location: Calgary, Resolute
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning after breakfast, you’ll board your charter flight to Resolute. When you arrive, you’ll have a chance to walk around this small Arctic town before heading out on your first (of many) Zodiac cruise transferring you to your ship. Tonight, you’ll settle into your home for the next two weeks – the Ocean Explorer!
Day 3-6: Canada’s High Arctic
Location: Beechey Island, Radstock Bay, Arctic Bay, Devon Island, Dundas Harbour, Croker Bay, Grise Fiord
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Cruising around the remote regions of the Canadian Arctic aboard Ocean Explorer, the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers in the past. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the hardest-to-reach places on the planet, this ship is equipped with two onboard twin-engine helicopters. Over the next couple of days, you’ll explore Canada’s High Arctic.
Named after explorer Frederick William Beechey, Beechey Island is a Canadian National Historic Site. It’s an important stop on your voyage as this is the final resting place of three members of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1845-46 expedition to find the Northwest Passage. The graves were discovered in 1851 by the crew of British and American vessels searching for signs of Franklin’s lost expedition. You’ll also visit Radstock Bay – a popular research location for observing polar bears. For almost 5000 years, the hamlet of Arctic Bay and its surrounding area has been occupied by Inuit people who were previously nomads migrating from the west. Surrounded by cliffs teeming with seabirds, this is a great spot to go ashore and learn about the Inuit community’s traditional way of life.
The eastern end of Lancaster Sound affords hiking and cruising opportunities on Devon Island. At Dundas Harbour, trek along a beach to a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost. Anchor at Croker Bay and appreciate the splendour of glacial textures and calving ice while always keeping a lookout for Walrus. Canada’s most northern settlement, Grise Fiord, will be your final shore visit in the Canadian High Arctic. Now home to about 150 residents, the community was created in 1953 when the federal government forcefully relocated eight Inuit families from northern Quebec. Visit the monument to the first Inuit settlers, as well as the remnants of the old camp where they lived.
Day 7-8: Smith Sound
Location: Smith Sound
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Before saying goodbye to Canada, your ship will try to cruise as far north as possible, exploring both sides of Smith Sound – the uninhabited passage between Ellesmere Island and Greenland. While cruising, you can also enjoy the onboard amenities and look out for wildlife.
Day 9: Qaanaaq, Greenland
Location: Qaanaaq
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your first stop in Greenland is Qaanaaq – formerly known as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world. Here, local Inuit share their culture and traditions and the museum sheds more light on what it’s like living near the top of the world. Today, you’ll explore the area and learn about the history.
Day 10: At Sea
Location: West Coast of Greenland
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As you sail south along the west coast of Greenland, you’ll attend presentations by your onboard experts, preparing you for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day 11-15: West Greenland
Location: Nuussuaq, Uummannaq, Qilaqitsoq, Eqip Sermia, Ilulissat Icefjord, Sisimiut, Itilleq
Accommodation Name: Expedition Cruise Ship
With spectacular glaciers, soaring fjords and vibrant communities, the west coast of Greenland will leave you breathless. Nuussuaq (formerly known as Kraulshavn) is the only mainland community in the Upernavik Archipelago. Founded in 1923 as a trading station, it’s one of the most traditional hunting and fishing villages in Greenland.
Visit Uummannaq – it’s not surprising that the red-hued, heart-shaped mountain that rises up behind gave this traditional village its name (Uummannaq means ‘heart-like’). As your ship approaches the shore, you’ll want to be on deck to take in the view of the twin peaks towering over the wooden houses dotting the rocky terrain. The settlement was established as a Danish colony in 1758 on the mainland, but it relocated five years later because seal hunting was more plentiful here.
In the nearby archaeological site of Qilaqitsoq, you’ll visit the ruins of an ancient settlement, where the remains of eight fully dressed mummies were discovered under a rock outcrop in 1972 by a pair of hunters. Cruising farther south, see Eqip Sermia – the jagged glacier soaring out of the icy waters is one of the most beautiful sights in Greenland, and you might even take a Zodiac cruise along its massive front from a safe distance.
Just south of Ilulissat (meaning iceberg), is the Ilulissat Icefjord. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Sermeq Kujalleq – the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. As you take a Zodiac cruise at the mouth of the fjord, you may be lucky enough to witness the wonders of calving ice (listen to the loud roars as the ice breaks off). The town, which boasts more sled dogs than people, was the birthplace of explorer and anthropologist Knud Rasmussen – the first to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled in the early 1920s. Here, you can hike for views of the young icebergs as they float out the fjord to Disko Bay.
In Sisimiut, you’ll be treated to a traditional kayaking demonstration. The kayak (an Inuit word that the English borrowed) has become a national symbol of Greenland and has been used by Inuit hunters for thousands of years. Then, visit Itilleq just above the Arctic Circle – the southern limit of the Greenlandic sled dog. To keep the breed pure, the dogs are not permitted south of this community and all other dog breeds are prohibited this far north. It’s also known as a welcoming community, where you might experience kaffemik – a Greenlandic tradition of inviting visitors in for coffee, cakes and conversation. Explore the town’s wooden houses painted in a rainbow of colours, chat with the locals and maybe challenge them to a game of soccer.
Day 16: Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and Fly to Reykjavik
Location: Kangerlussuaq, Reykjavik
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say goodbye to the Ocean Explorer as you head out on one last Zodiac ride to shore, where you’ll board your charter flight back to Reykjavik, Iceland. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your included hotel for a free night.
Day 17: Reykjavik, Iceland
Location: Reykjavik
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, your adventure comes to an end. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this fascinating city at your own pace.
What's Included
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Ship, Zodiac, and Plane Transport
The tour includes transport by ship, Zodiac, and plane.
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Cultural Visits
Visit Inuit and Greenlandic communities to experience their culture, heritage, and history.
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Wildlife Spotting
Look out for Arctic wildlife such as whales, walrus, and muskoxen with the help of onboard experts.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Kayaking and day paddle are optional activities that incur an additional cost and must be booked prior to departure.
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Booking Conditions
A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking, with balances due 120 days prior to departure.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a combination of ship, Zodiac, and plane, ensuring a seamless journey through the Arctic's breathtaking landscapes and remote communities.Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay with 2 nights in a hotel and 14 nights aboard the Expedition Cruise ship, Ocean Explorer, offering a unique blend of luxury and adventure as you explore the Arctic regions.Important Information
- This trip starts in Calgary, Canada and finishes in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Your voyage is operated by our polar partner Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.
- BOOKING CONDITIONS
- To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure.
- Please refer to the "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-intrepid/booking-conditions
- ADVENTURE OPTIONS
- Kayaking and day paddle are optional activities that can booked on this voyage. They must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. To participate in kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of Arctic wildlife including whales, walrus, muskoxen, and plenty of birdlife. The onboard experts will assist in spotting these animals.
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What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes visits to Inuit and Greenlandic communities where you can learn about their culture, heritage, and history. In Qaanaaq, Greenland, local Inuit share their culture and traditions, and you can visit a museum to learn more about life near the top of the world.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited on this tour?
Key historical sites include Beechey Island, a Canadian National Historic Site, where you can see the graves of Sir John Franklin's expedition members. You will also visit the archaeological site of Qilaqitsoq in Greenland, where ancient settlement ruins and mummies were discovered.
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What unique geographical features will I explore on this tour?
You will explore the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness the calving ice. The tour also includes cruising through Smith Sound, exploring the fjords and glaciers of West Greenland, and visiting the jagged Eqip Sermia glacier.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, kayaking and day paddle are optional activities available on this voyage. They must be booked prior to departure and incur an additional cost. Previous, recent kayaking experience is essential for participation.
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What is the significance of the Ilulissat Icefjord?
The Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Sermeq Kujalleq, the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. It is known for its spectacular calving ice, which you may witness during a Zodiac cruise.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Sunday
Aug 21, 2026 - Sep 06, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
