Northwest Passage - Eastern Gateway

Northwest Passage - Eastern Gateway

Prices From £8,927pp
July to August | 12 nights

25% Discount!

Single Cabins Available

Northwest Passage - Eastern Gateway

Aboard: Ocean Victory

Journey into the High Arctic on a shorter, more accessible exploration of the eastern gateway to the legendary Northwest Passage. Beginning on Greenland’s west coast, you’ll sail past immense glaciers, drifting icebergs and colourful tundra before crossing Baffin Bay into Nunavut, where wildlife, history and Inuit culture come together in one of the most remote regions on Earth.

At the heart of the voyage is Tallurutiup Imanga, or Lancaster Sound, a spectacular Arctic marine environment rich in whales, walrus, seals, seabirds and polar bears. Explore by ship, Zodiac and on foot, visit remote Inuit communities, and uncover the stories of Franklin and the early explorers at historic Beechey Island. Throughout the journey, Inuit cultural educators and expedition experts bring added depth to a voyage shaped by ice, wildlife and generations of human connection to the Arctic.

Highlights

  • Embark on a thrilling expedition from Greenland into the Canadian High Arctic across Baffin Bay to the eastern gateway to the Northwest Passage
  • Explore the spectacular ice-filled landscapes of Ilulissat and western Greenland
  • Spend five days discovering Tallurutiup Imanga and Devon Island
  • Search for narwhal, beluga, bowhead whales, walrus, seals and polar bears
  • Experience the Arctic by Zodiac, on foot and from your expedition ship
  • Visit remote Inuit communities including Ikpiarjuk and Qausuittuq
  • Discover the history of Franklin’s expedition at evocative Beechey Island
  • Learn from Inuit cultural educators, naturalists and expedition experts throughout
  • Kayaking options available

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation aboard ship, including all meals and drinks with dinner
  • Expert expedition team
  • Guided activities, sightseeing and community visits, and all Zodiac excursions
  • Educational program, interactive workshops and evening entertainment
  • Complimentary expedition jacket
  • Special access permits, entry, park fees, and port fees
  • Internet access
  • Pre-departure materials




25% Discount!

Book 2028 departures by November 26th and receive a 25% discount off the voyage cost! Price shown includes discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 27th November 2026

Offer may be withdrawn at any time and is subject to availability. Full terms & conditions apply. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Single Cabins Available

This vessel offers single occupancy cabins, which is a perfect option for solo travellers. Travelling alone is often the best way to see the world. No responsibilities, no difficult choices and no trying to please anyone else…just you, your itinerary and your adventurous spirit!

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Kangerlussuaq - Embark
1Day

Kangerlussuaq - Embark

Your Arctic adventure begins in Kangerlussuaq, set within a vast glacial valley on Greenland’s west coast. On arrival, transfer by Zodiac to your ice-class expedition vessel, which will be your base as you explore some of the remote landscapes of the High Arctic.

Set sail southwest through spectacular Kangerlussuaq Fjord, one of the world’s longest fjord systems, where mountains, glaciers and striking turquoise meltwater create an impressive introduction to Greenland. As you journey towards the open sea, cross the Arctic Circle and watch the wilderness unfold around you, marking an exciting start to your expedition.

Group flights from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq are available at an additional cost. Please enquire for full details and alternative departure airports.

Sisimiut Coast
2Day

Sisimiut Coast

Your first full day onboard will see you explore Greenland’s beautiful Sisimiut coast, where rugged mountains, scattered islands and deep fjords create a wonderfully varied Arctic landscape. Summer brings colour to the tundra, with cottongrass, dwarf birch, willow and Arctic wildflowers flourishing beneath the dark rock, while seabirds gather along the shoreline and whales may be spotted offshore.

This coastline also holds more than 4,500 years of human history, with archaeological traces revealing the presence of Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule peoples. Zodiac cruises, hikes and time ashore offer different perspectives on a region where the sea has long shaped travel, hunting and settlement.

Ilulissat
3Day

Ilulissat

A very exciting day today as this morning we’ll arrive in Ilulissat, whose name simply means “icebergs” and perfectly suits its extraordinary setting beside the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord. Here, the immense Sermeq Kujalleq glacier sends vast icebergs slowly towards Disko Bay, creating a constantly changing landscape of ice and water.

Time ashore offers the chance to experience both the natural drama and lively character of this Greenlandic city. Fishing boats fill the harbour, cafés and restaurants showcase local ingredients, and the striking Ilulissat Icefjord Centre helps bring the region’s long human history and rapidly changing environment into focus.

Western Greenland
4Day

Western Greenland

Today we’ll continue along the wild coast of western Greenland, navigating a maze of islands, narrow channels, sheltered bays and deep fjords framed by steep mountains. Glaciers tumble down from the ice sheet and enormous icebergs drift north on the West Greenland Current, creating a spectacular seascape of towering ice, arches and brilliant blue faces.

Exploration by ship, Zodiac and on foot reveals a coastline rich in both wildlife and human history. Seabirds gather along the shore, summer wildflowers and cottongrass brighten the tundra, and small communities sit within rocky natural harbours where fishing and hunting remain an important part of daily life.

At Sea
5Day

At Sea

Today we’ll cross the vast waters of Baffin Bay, leaving Greenland behind as we journey towards the Canadian Arctic. Keep watch from the decks for drifting icebergs and marine wildlife, with whales, seals and a variety of seabirds all possible as we travel across this immense Arctic ecosystem.

Time on board is also a chance to learn more about the region through presentations, workshops and conversations with Inuit cultural educators, naturalists, historians and other members of the expedition team. Together, they’ll bring to life the wildlife, geography, cultures and exploration history that connect the two sides of Baffin Bay as we approach Tallurutiup Imanga and the eastern gateway to the Northwest Passage.

Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) & Devon Island
6 - 10Days

Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) & Devon Island

Over the next five days we’ll explore the enigmatic Tallurutiup Imanga, better known as Lancaster Sound, where Baffin Bay opens into the eastern gateway of the Northwest Passage. This vast marine region is one of the richest wildlife areas in the High Arctic, with chances to watch for narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales, walrus, seals, polar bears and huge colonies of seabirds as we travel by ship, Zodiac and on foot.

Our explorations will also take us around Tallurut, or Devon Island, with its broad plateaus, glacial valleys and stark polar desert landscapes. Inuit expedition team members and naturalists will help bring the region to life, sharing insight into its wildlife, shifting sea ice, long human history and the generations of Inuit knowledge and stewardship that continue to shape this remarkable part of the Arctic.

Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay)
11Day

Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay)

Today we’ll visit Ikpiarjuk, or Arctic Bay, a welcoming community nestled between dramatic hills and the sheltered waters of Adams Sound. Its Inuktitut name means “the pocket”, reflecting its striking position between mountains and sea on the northern coast of Baffin Island.

Time ashore offers an opportunity to learn more about life in this remote part of Nunavut, where fishing, hunting and travelling across the surrounding waters remain closely connected to local traditions. Inuktitut language, carving, sewing and contemporary community life all provide insight into Ikpiarjuk’s enduring relationship with Tallurutiup Imanga and the wider Qikiqtani region.

Beechey Island
12Day

Beechey Island

This morning we’ll step ashore on Beechey Island, one of the most evocative historic sites in the Canadian Arctic. It was here that Sir John Franklin’s expedition spent the winter of 1845-46 before sailing deeper into the Northwest Passage and disappearing. Three graves, remnants of the original camp and stone structures left by later search parties still remain along the stark shoreline.

As we explore, we’ll uncover how Beechey Island became a focal point for the many expeditions that followed in search of Franklin. Inuit testimony later proved vital in piecing together the expedition’s final movements and ultimately helped lead to the discovery of its lost ships, adding an important Indigenous perspective to one of the Arctic’s most enduring stories.

Qausuittuq (Resolute) - Disembark
13Day

Qausuittuq (Resolute) - Disembark

Today our Arctic voyage comes to an end in Qausuittuq (Resolute), set among the gravel plains and raised beaches of Cornwallis Island. Its Inuktitut name means “place with no dawn”, a reference to the long polar night, while summer brings almost continuous daylight to this remote High Arctic community.

After disembarking, you’ll transfer to the airport for an onward charter flight to Ottawa which is available at an additional cost.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Ocean Victory
Luxury  first class vessel

Ocean Victory

The luxury, brand-new (November 2021) Ocean Victory expedition vessel is one of the most modern and stylish small ship vessels on the market. With the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, this sturdy vessel features X-Bow®-Infinity class, which provides high stability in rough weather and allows for the smoothest movements on high waves. Designed to surpass environmentally friendly standards, the Ocean Victory is part of the Green Initiative Program and is a low-energy vessel with 4 diesel engines and 2 electro engines, all controlled electronically to optimize speed and fuel consumption. The vessel also features a Solas 2012 classification which facilitates a safe return to port.

The 93 very comfortable and stylishly furnished staterooms and suites, which are split into 9 different categories with varying features, all offer unobstructed sea views and the majority of these also offer a private balcony. Dedicated solo travel cabins are also available without a single supplement. The communal areas on board this high-end vessel include several restaurants, a Nordic Bar, a BBQ deck, open-air swimming pool with lounging deck and jacuzzi, wellness area with gym and Polar spa, an observation lounge, library, boutique giftshop and a modern lecture theatre.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Arctic, Canada adventure for you.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike lives and breathes adventure travel and has a wealth of experience in some of the most exciting and inspirational destinations in the world. His expertise and first-hand experience afford him the skills to help build holidays to remember.

Sally Nevitt Sales Team Leader

Sally pairs a real love of adventure travel with a natural gift for looking after people. She knows exactly what makes a trip unforgettable, and with her warmth and endless patience she'll guide you from your first enquiry right through to the moment you're safely home again.

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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