Skip to content

Northwest Passage

From £12650

Excluding Flights

15-28 Nights

Aug-Sep

Overview

Join an adventurous cruise following one of the Arctic’s most iconic routes; this voyage provides a comprehensive overview of the key areas within the Northwest Passage, taking in both western Greenland and the Canadian Arctic islands in the Baffin Bay area.

The epic quest to find the Northwest Passage occupied some of the best minds of European civilisation for half a millennium. Today this elusive route offers a fascinating history, spectacular icebergs and the chance to see wildlife including polar bears and narwhals.

In addition to its long history of exploration, this region also offers a chance to visit local communities to experience the isolated way of life faced by the Inuits of the Canadian Arctic. The Northwest Passage may now be an established sailing route, but it remains a legendary voyage of discovery to this day!

Itinerary

All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only – embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
The below sample itinerary is based on the 17-day voyage on the Ultramarine. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, i.e. alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports, or do not include the pre-voyage hotel night. Please contact us for specific details.

Arrive in the cosmopolitan city of Toronto where an overnight stay is included. You may wish to visit one of the city’s many museums and galleries, or take in the sights from the top of the CN Tower.

This morning, board your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, from where you will make your way to the ship. Your voyage begins with a cruise down one of the world’s longest fjords, Sondre Stromfjord, crossing the Arctic Circle as you go.

Follow the coast past the spectacular glaciers, deep fjords and remote communities of West Greenland. Highlights may include the capital Nuuk, a haven for history and culture lovers, or Maniitsoq, known as the Venice of Greenland by the locals due to its location in an archipelago intersected by natural canals.

Explore the highlights of the Canadian Arctic as you navigate the Northwest Passage. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s itinerary, including sea, ice and weather conditions, but your Expedition Team will ensure you see as much as possible with regular shore landings and Zodiac cruises. Travellers on board the Ultramarine may also take an included sightseeing flight by helicopter.

Possible highlights may include the picturesque Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, nicknamed the Switzerland of the Arctic, which is nestled beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Duval. Spot for icebergs in the Davis Strait, which are naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuak, the iceberg capital of the world. The dozens of soaring cliffs of the Sam Ford Fjord make for a majestic sight as you sail by. There could be the chance to spot narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales as you cruise through the protected waters of Lancaster Sound, designated a National Marine Conservation Area in 2017. Radstock Bay is a popular research location for observing polar bears, which are often seen here in summer. An impressive Thule archaeological site provides insight into how these pre-Inuit people lived in the Far North. You may also get the opportunity to go ashore on Beechey Island, home to the lonely graves of three members of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1845 expedition team.

Along the way enjoy dramatic landscapes, wildlife sightings and informative presentations from your knowledgeable Expedition Team.

Disembark your ship this morning and transfer to Resolute airport for your flight back to Toronto. Enjoy a final night’s stay in Toronto.

Bid farewell to your fellow travellers as your Arctic expedition comes to an end.

greenland inuit cuisine vg

Tundra to Table Dining

Exclusive Inuit Culinary Experience

The innovative Tundra to Table dining experience showcases the culinary traditions of the Inuit of Greenland and Nunavut, offering the chance to enjoy dishes specially prepared by Inuit chefs, and to learn more about local Inuit culture.

A modern Inuit fusion-style cuisine reflects the influences of the region, featuring freshly caught seafood straight from the Arctic Ocean and free-roaming game. Dishes may include beer-braised muskox, South Greenlandic lamb, honey-glazed ptarmigan or pickled halibut, accompanied by wild herbs and locally grown vegetables.

During your four course meal, local Inuit chefs will share the story of their people through food, and explain the origins of the menu and the traditional methods of Inuit cooking.

This unique experience is available on board the Ultramarine on selected departures only. Limited places are available so pre-booking is essential.  

Departures:
26 August 2025

Price: £100 per person

Prices

What's Included

  • Shipboard accommodation

  • All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board

  • Tea & coffee available around the clock

  • All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings

  • Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers

  • Expedition jacket - yours to keep

  • Loan of rubber boots during voyage

  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £12650 Excluding Flights

15-28 Nights

Aug-Sep

  • The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen – those shown are applicable to all. Please contact us for full details and to discuss the options best for you. 

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

team-in-location-jo-sweden
Jo
1

Salsa dance in Cuba

11

Small ship cruises

2025 departure & price guide

Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. They do not reflect any applicable special offers or discounts. Single, triple and quad cabins are also available. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on the best available price for your preferred voyage and cabin type.

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience