Greenland & Canadian Arctic in Luxury

Embark in the afternoon and set sail along Sondrestromfjord.

Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there exists enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has been the primary means of winter transportation for centuries. You will see many dogs in town and we hope to meet the owner of a sled dog team and his dogs. He will tell us all about sledding and how the Greenlandic sled dog has been bred to be amongst the strongest working dogs in the world.

A walk around the town and into the outskirts will be offered. Stroll through the Sisimiut Museum with its 18th century wooden buildings and see some of the local handicraft, featuring native stonework and sealskin garments.

In the iceberg-laden waters surrounding the remote community of Uummannaq it is common to see whales, so be sure to join the expedition team out on deck during our approach. This area of Greenland is known for its huge basalt mountains, and this small hunting and fishing village rests at the foot of the heart-shaped Uummannaq Mountain. We will take a guided walking tour of Uummannaq to see the granite church and also learn how village life revolves around the halibut/fish-processing factory.

Spend time on deck looking for whales and birds, or spend time enjoying the facilities on board ship and taking in expert lectures.

Located in northern Baffin Island, Pond Inlet is a small, predominantly Inuit community with a population of roughly 1500 inhabitants. Several glaciers and mountain ranges nearby make this one of the most picturesque communities. Many archaeological sites of ancient Dorset and Thule peoples can be found near Pond Inlet. The Inuit had long hunted caribou, ringed and harp seals, fish, polar bears, walrus, narwhals, geese, ptarmigans and Arctic hares, before European and American whalers came here to hunt bowhead whales. Pond Inlet is known as a major centre of Inuit art, especially printmaking and stone carving. View a variety of techniques and styles used in creating these unique pieces in the galleries in town.

Located in the northern part of Baffin Island, Buchan Gulf is an Important Bird Area with many northern fulmars nesting there. The area has several connecting fjords and spectacular scenery. In the water narwhal and walrus have been seen –and polar bears are frequent visitors too. A tundra walk can be challenging, as the surrounding area consists of dense, spongy, thick moss carpets and might be boggy. There are several ancient Thule semi-subterranean winter home sites found in the area.

Located at the northern end of Baffin Island, Bylot is one of the largest uninhabited islands in the world with vertical cliffs and numerous glaciers. Polar bears den here, while beluga and bowhead whales, narwhal and harp seals, as well as ringed seals frequent the area.

The Sirmilik National Park covers much of this area and has large populations of Brünnich’s guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes. The importance this area has for birds is shown in its designation as Important Bird Area - the southern end has moist lowland tundra that is ideal nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds - more than 70 different species of birds can be found on Bylot Island. Canada’s largest breeding colony of greater snow geese in the Canadian High Arctic is on this island.

We cruise between Somerset Island and Prince of Wales Island in the Peel Sound, following the track of two famous expeditions of the mid-19th century: Sir James Franklin’s and James Clark Ross’. The ice conditions will dictate how far the ship can go and we will look for polar bears on the ice and might take to the Zodiacs to get a closer look.

Fringed by a narrow beach, windswept and barren, Beechey Island is associated with the tragic Franklin Expedition looking for the Northwest Passage. Three graves of members of the expedition as well as a cairn and some small buildings were found here during the search for the survivors of the expedition. Parts of Northumberland House, a supply depot and emergency shelter dating back to the 1850s and the Belcher Expedition, can still be seen on the island today. We will go ashore to have a look at the remains of Franklin’s unfortunate stop and a monument that has been erected in memory of those who had perished on that expedition.

Devon Island is Canada’s sixth largest island and was first seen by Europeans in the early 17th century. The Thule culture had already settled there many centuries before and we will be looking for Thule qarmat homes. Other striking finds in this area are the many fossils of corals, crinoids and nautiloids that can be seen. Our team of experts will be leading and guiding you, looking for remains of the Thule, and the fossils - and for wildlife, as just across Lancaster Sound is Prince Leopold Island, a Canadian Important Bird Area, with large numbers of Brunnich's guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes breeding there.

Dundas Harbour is where in 1924 a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment was established - 3 constables were stationed here to watch over the entrance into Lancaster Sound—the gateway to the much sought after Northwest Passage. The remains of their outpost can still be seen. Birders will hope to see the rough-legged hawks that nest on the cliffs and we might catch a glimpse of grazing muskoxen.

Ellesmere Island is Canada’s northernmost island. The Quttinirpaaq National Park makes up more than one-fifth of the island. Polar bears, Arctic wolves, Arctic foxes, ermines, muskoxen, Peary caribou, Arctic hares, and collared lemmings are typical animals found here. In the waters we will look for ringed seal, bearded seal, and narwhal. Rare but not entirely impossible would be sightings of harp seal, harbour seal, and beluga, bowhead and killer whales.

Spot wildlife from deck, enjoy informative lectures and the many facilities on board

This afternoon, we stop at Upernavik, one of the few settlements along the northern part of West Greenland. During our visit we will have a look at the local museum and stroll through the brightly coloured village.

We sail Disko Bay en route to an area north of the village of Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island. We hope to offer tundra walks and a Zodiac tour of the rugged coastline and the many icebergs that get stranded here after breaking off from the Jakobshavn Glacier.

Just after sunrise on day 15, be out on deck to see the fjord of the northern hemisphere’s most active glacier – Jakobshavn – often surrounded by icebergs in all shapes and sizes and in varying shades of white and turquoise. Known as the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 35 km³ of ice each year. While here, we may have the opportunity to see a demonstration of ancient fishing methods and enjoy some locally caught and prepared fish. During our guided walking tour of Ilulissat, we will visit the local history museum, located in the former home of Greenlandic folk hero and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen. Another tour continues via fishing boat, as we navigate amongst the many icebergs at the fjord’s entrance.

Alternatively, guests have the option to purchase an exciting helicopter excursion to see the magnificent Jakobshavn Icefjord by air (seats are limited).

Arrive and disembark. Transfer to airport for onward or return travel