Visit the Arctic at the height of summer on this 13-day journey from Qausuittuq, Resolute Bay to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Explore Lancaster Sound, a newly designated marine protected area. Visit the graves of Franklin’s men on Beechey Island and enjoy an Inuit welcome in Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet). Across Baffin Bay lies the sublime Greenland coast. Illulissat offers cafes, hiking, and handicrafts. Explore the best of Greenland and Nunavut in summer!
Visit the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island
Watch for marine mammals and wildlife in Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) National Marine Conservation Area
Hike on Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth
Enjoy an Inuit cultural welcome at Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
Take advantage of prime viewing opportunities for the rare ivory gull, considered a species at risk
Cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Itinerary in Brief
Day 1: Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU, Canada
Day 2: Beechey Island
Day 3-7: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) and Devon Island
Day 8: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
Day 9: At Sea—Davis Strait
Day 10: Western Greenland
Day 11: Ilulissat
Day 12: Sisimiut Coast
Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Day 1: Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU, Canada
Qausuittuq, or “place with no dawn,” is named for its dark winters. But in summer, the sun persists constantly from about April 29 to August 13 each year. The community’s English name, Resolute Bay, honours the HMS Resolute.
“Resolute” also describes local Inuit who were relocated, in 1953, from Inukjuak, Québec, and Mittimatalik by the Canadian government. Our early morning charter flight will bring us to Qausuittuq, where we will embark the Ocean Endeavour.
Day 2: Beechey Island
In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England with HMS Erebus and Terror, attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage. Franklin’s party 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 all visited Beechey. Thomas Morgan of HMS Investigator was buried there in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and the ruins of Northumberland House are a haunting memorial.
Day 3-7: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) and Devon Island
We will spend four days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of Canada's newest National Marine Conservation Areas. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area. We’ll cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife.
On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over fifty thousand square kilometres. The island’s geology is stunning. Flat topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character.
We’ll visit a number of the bays – hiking the tundra, discovering the botany, cruising a glacier face, and wildlife spotting from ship and from shore. Once home to Inuit and their ancestors, we will visit archaeological sites with expert interpretation to learn about the human history of this now abandoned island. We’ll also catch a glimpse of recent human history as we visit the remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
Day 8: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), NU, Canada
Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting. The views of nearby Bylot Island are stunning. We will have a chance to explore the town. The cultural presentation at the Community Hall is not to be missed—arts and crafts may be available here, too.
Day 9: At Sea—Davis Strait
Our onboard presentation series will continue as we steam across Davis Strait towards Canada. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, and get out on deck looking for whales, seabirds and marine wildlife.
Day 10: Western Greenland
Greenland’s west coast is simply stunning. From mighty mountains to the tiniest tundra flowers, our stop in this area will offer many outstanding features of interest. Hikers, walkers, photographers, and contemplators will all be equally delighted.
Day 11: Ilulissat
Ilulissat translates literally into “iceberg”, an apt name for this site at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The icefjord is the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier, source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.
Here, we will cruise in our fleet of Zodiacs to appreciate the icebergs. We will also visit the bustling town of Ilulissat, with its museums, cafes, craft shops, and busy fishing harbour.
Day 12: Sisimiut Coast
People have lived in the Sisimiut area for 4,500 years. For the first 2,000 years, the people of the Saqqaq culture occupied the area. Approx. 2,500 years ago, new people brought the Dorset culture to the Sisimiut area. They lived here for 1,500 years and were followed by the people of the Thule culture—the ancestors of the current population. All these cultures came from Canada. The people primarily lived on fish, birds and mammals such as whales and seals. The ice-free conditions in the sea around Sisimiut, including some of Greenland’s deepest fjords, allow us to sail in waters that are home to many whales and seals.
Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometres ofsuperb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord as the sun rises to greet us.
Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. Here, we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and transfer to the airport for our return charter flight to Toronto.
