Save 20% on the Northwest Passage Expeditions with Adventure Canada
Price: From $14,495 to $28,995 USD Per Person
(Price per person, based on double occupancy.)
Offer: Save 20%
Departure Date: September 1, 2025
Return Date: September 17, 2025
Photo: Aurora borealis, Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), Greenland. Photo by Scott Forsyth.
Out of the Northwest Passage
September 1–September 17, 2025
Starts: Yellowknife, NT, Canada
Ends: Toronto, ON, Canada
Solo cabins based on availability
Charter Flights
Northbound Charter Flight: $1,000
Yellowknife, NT to Kugluktuk, NU. Early-morning departure.
Southbound Charter Flight: $1,450
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Toronto, ON. Evening arrival
Photo: Sisimiut,Greenland. Photo by Dennis Minty
The Northwest Passage is one of the world’s greatest voyages. Our fleet of Zodiacs guarantees excitement with every excursion.
The Arctic is calling. Pristine fjords. Looming glaciers. Jagged icebergs. Grand vistas, historic sites, graves, and abandoned outposts. Marine mammals, bears and birds… wonders await. You will find a warm welcome in Nunavut’s communities, and Greenland offers geology, geography, and culture with a European flair.
Every day is a new adventure when sailing the Northwest Passage; hiking, photography, birding. Exploring archaeology and spotting bears. Visiting villages perched on mighty mountains. Learning with our experts. Meeting the people who call the Arctic home. And sailing the passage at the top of the world!
Photo: Itinerary Map
Highlights
• Experience the extraordinary privilege of journeying through Inuit Nunangat—the ice, water, and lands of Inuit.
• Sail the fabled Northwest Passage
• Seek polar bears, walrus, seabirds, and other Arctic wildlife in pristine natural environments
• Experience the majesty of the Northern Lights
• See the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island
• Watch for marine mammals and wildlife in Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) National Marine Conservation Area
• Visit Ausuittuq (Grise Fiord), Canada’s northernmost community
• Seek your ‘furthest north’ in Smith Sound
• Cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Voyage the length of Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord)—190 kilometres long!
Itinerary:
DAY 1: Kugluktuk (Coppermine), NU, Canada
Begin Your Adventure
Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the westernmost community in Nunavut. Known for many years as Coppermine, the community reverted to its original Inuinnaqtun name—meaning “place of moving waters”—on January 1st, 1996. Our charter flight will land in Kugluktuk and we will embark the ship by Zodiac.
Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), NU, is an alternate embarkation point, and may be used based on sea, ice, and weather conditions.
Photo: Caption: Sailing the Northwest Passage, Kitikmeot Region. Photo by Michelle Valberg.
DAY 2–5: Kitikmeot Region
Sail the Northwest Passage
Navigate the ice-strewn waters of this fabled waterway in search of wildlife. Although this is Nunavut’s least-populated region, this area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, both in the sea and on land.
Visit a local community where Inuit hosts will share their knowledge of their home and the area's history. Discover the legacy of this important waterway and the captivating story of Roald Amundsen, who overwintered in the bay for two years while searching for the Northwest Passage. Learn more about the triumphs of explorers like Amundsen and the vital role that Inuit knowledge played in successful crossings.
Day 6: Ikirahaq (Bellot Strait)
Discover the famed Ikirahaq (Bellot Strait), a narrow passage separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. As we sail through this two-kilometre-wide waterway, get the unique opportunity to reach the northernmost part of mainland North America. Keep watch for an array of enchanting marine mammals from beluga whales to narwhals and seals.
Delve into the region's fascinating history and learn about Joseph René Bellot, French naval officer and Arctic explorer who joined an 1850s expedition in search for Sir John Franklin, who inspired the strait's namesake.
DAY 7: Beechey Island
Visit a Franklin Expedition Historical Site
In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England with the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage. His crew overwintered at Beechey Island, where three of his men died.
Numerous search parties later used Beechey as a depot and rendezvous. Amundsen, Bernier, and Larsen visited Beechey. Thomas Morgan of HMS Investigator was buried here in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and the ruins of Northumberland House are a haunting memorial.
Photo: Polar bear, Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound). Photo by Jen Derbach.
DAY 8–9: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound)
Seek Whales, Seabirds, and Polar Bears
We will spend ample time exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area.
Cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife with expert biologists and ecologists. Learn more about the crucial role Inuit play in conserving the vibrant biodiversity of these waterways and the enduring connection between the ocean and Inuit.
On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometres. Flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character. We will hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from the ship and on shore.
Visit archaeological sites and the remains of an RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
DAY 10: Ausuittuq (Grise Fiord), NU
Experience Inuit Culture
Ausuittuq means "place that never thaws." 1,150 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, Canada’s northernmost civilian community originated during the Cold War. In 1953, Inuit were relocated here by the Canadian government under false pretenses, with the aim of asserting Canadian sovereignty. We’ll be welcomed into the hamlet, where we will have a chance to meet members of the community, learn about their way of life, and hear their poignant stories.
DAY 11: Smith Sound
Reach Your Furthest North
Smith Sound, an ancient Inuit travel route, divides Ellesmere Island from Greenland, and served as the main route for explorers and adventurers searching for the North Pole. Adolphus Greely, Sir George Nares, and Elisha Kent Kane all travelled these waters with varying degrees of success.
DAY 12: At Sea
Learn From Inuit in Their Homeland
On this exploration day, we’ll be making the most of what the wind, weather, and wildlife have to offer. Our expedition team will scan for polar bears, walruses, whales, seals, and seabirds as we go.
This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.
Indulge in the unique opportunity to learn from Inuit in their homeland, gaining a better understanding of the daily lives of the regions we visit. Enjoy cultural performances and maybe even participate in Inuit games, or sample country food.
Through shared experiences and interactions, develop a deep appreciation for the region’s vibrant culture and gain a connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse.
DAY 13–14: Northwest Greenland
Hike the Tundra
We will explore stunning fjords that line the coast. Glaciers and icebergs abound here. In true expedition style, we will seek opportunities to hike, explore, and view wildlife as conditions allow.
Whether you're setting foot on land, cruising by Zodiac, or out on the ship's deck, you'll have plenty of chances to learn alongside expert geologists, naturalists, and marine biologists. You'll gain an intimate perspective on the abundant flora and fauna you encounter. Take a moment to savour the tranquility and absorb the knowledge and stories shared by Inuit cultural educators, which will deepen your connection to this breathtaking landscape.
Photo: Ilulissat, Greenland. Photo by Steven Rose.
DAY 15: Ilulissat
Take a Cruise Around Towering Icebergs
Experience the remarkable beauty of Ilulissat Icefjord, renowned for its enormous icebergs. Ilulissat means “iceberg”—an apt name for this site at the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.
Marvel at the sheer grandeur of the towering ice formations as you take a stroll along the boardwalk—truly a sight to behold!
Visit the town, with its museums, charming cafes, craft shops, and bustling fishing harbour. Be sure to make your way to the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, where you can delve into the fascinating narratives surrounding the ice and gain a deeper appreciation for this awe-inspiring natural wonder
Photo: Sissimiut, Greenland. Photo by Dennis Minty.
Day 16: Sisimiut Coast
Witness Stunning Glaciers, Islands, and Fjords
Explore West Greenland’s complex coastal waterways that includes glaciers, islands, and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop, with plentiful opportunities for hiking and Zodiac cruising.
Learn about the Saqqaq, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit cultures that have called the Sisimiut region home for the past 4,500 years.
The waters are relatively warm here, due to the West Greenland Current and the subarctic location.
DAY 17: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Cross the Arctic Circle
Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord) is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 190 kilometres of superb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former U.S. Air Force base. Here we will disembark for our return charter flight to Toronto, ON.
