Canadian Northwest Passage And Northern Lights

ITINERARY

Day 1 Kangerlussuaq
Once a WWII airbase at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, Kangerlussuaq's history is told at the airport’s museum, showcasing Inuit artefacts. This ice-filled glacial area and tundra is a haven for wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hare, gyrfalcons and around 10,000 muskoxen.

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Day 2 Sisimiut
The northernmost city in Greenland, just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport. Abandoned settlements lie between Sisimiut and the Thule district to the north. The area is home to humpback whales, walrus, and Arctic foxes in their summer coat.

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Day 3 Ilulissat, Disko Bay
Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat is home to many sled-dogs.

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Day 4 Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, Greenland's largest island, on its west coast, part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO-listed site for its icebergs. The Lyngemark Glacier rises above the town. The area’s hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is fertile and home to species not found elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as we move through floating icebergs.

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Day 5 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 6 Pond Inlet, NU
The views of snow-capped mountains have given Pond Inlet in northern Baffin Island the name of Canada’s ‘jewel of the north’ and the area is a prime breeding ground for narwhals - toothed whales with a distinct large tusk. The traditional Inuit community living in the hamlet of Mittimatalik are renowned for their craft skills from printmaking and stone carving. Nearby at Qulalukat the thousand-year-old Inuit sod houses, or qarmaq, merit a visit.

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Day 7 Dundas Harbour, Devon Island, NU
Dundas Harbour, the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage on Devon Island, Canada's largest uninhabited island, shows signs of life despite the harsh terrain, with relics of a 1000 A.D. Thule settlement and a 1920s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) outpost for controlling illegal whaling. Nearby Croker Bay is on the shores of iceberg-laden Lancaster Sound. The Devon ice cap feeds the huge South Croker Bay Glacier that calves into the bay.

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Day 7 Croker Bay
Gracing the eastern high Arctic, Croker Bay, a mesmerising Arctic waterway, carves its way into Devon Island within the vibrant Qikiqtaaluk Region. This deep inlet, an extension of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait, unveils a landscape of captivating beauty. The Devon ice cap feeds the huge South Croker Bay Glacier that calves into the bay.

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Day 8 Radstock Bay, NU
This area is closely associated with the exploration of Canada’s High Arctic and the Northwest Passage. Much of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was mapped while searching for the missing crew of British explorer Sir John Franklin’s fateful 1845-46 Northwest Passage Expedition. Radstock Bay sits below the mighty Caswall Tower mountain and hides many secrets, with evidence of sledge tracks, camps and food tins that may help reveal what happened.

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Day 8 Beechey Island, NU
Beechey Island Sites, five historical sites in Canada's High Arctic, mark where British explorer Sir John Franklin wintered in 1845-46 during his fateful Northwest Passage Expedition. Much of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was mapped while searching for the crew. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen paid his respects to Franklin in 1903 before successfully discovering the Northwest Passage.

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Day 9 Port Leopold, NU
Port Leopold is a place of raw, rugged natural beauty and landscapes that evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The pristine wilderness and untouched terrain create a feeling of remoteness and isolation, while the Arctic wildlife that calls this place home adds a touch of wildness and unpredictability. The area's history as a former Hudson's Bay Company trading post also lends a sense of nostalgia and intrigue.

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Day 9 Elwin Bay, NU
Crossing Lancaster Sound to Elwin Bay, the ship passes Prince Leopold Island, hosting over 500,000 nesting pairs of thick-billed murres, black guillemots, northern fulmars, and black-legged kittiwakes. Beluga whales moult in shallow gravel beds, while in Prince Regent Inlet, polar bears hunt ringed seals on sea ice.

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Day 10 Cruising Bellot Strait, NU
The Bellot Strait, named in honour of the French explorer Joseph-René Bellot, is a narrow, 2.3-km-wide, and 25-km-long waterway. It separates Somerset Island to the north from the Boothia Peninsula to the south. This strait played a historical role during an expedition to locate Sir John Franklin's lost expedition, tragically marked by Bellot's death in the area in 1853.

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Day 10 Strzelecki Harbor
Strzelecki Harbour, on the east coast of uninhabited Prince of Wales Island, lies within Peel Sound opposite Bellot Strait. Its nutrient-rich waters attract arctic marine mammals like beluga whales and narwhal, while the surrounding low tundra offers occasional sightings of polar bears and muskoxen. This remote island was first encountered by Europeans in 1851 during Sir Francis McClintock's search for the lost Franklin Expedition.

Day 11 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 12 Icy Arm Fjord
The dramatic landscape of Icy Arm, a narrow fjord on Baffin Island's eastern edge, is a haven for arctic wildlife. Towering 1,000-metre cliffs plunge into deep waters where pods of narwhals thrive, while above, the area serves as a vital nesting ground for northern fulmars. On the nearby boggy tundra, ancient remnants of semi-subterranean Thule dwellings echo the region’s history.

Day 12 Feacham Bay
Feacham Bay, in Nunavut's Buchan Gulf, blends natural beauty and history. Towering 600m cliffs (The Mitres and The Bastions) surround the bay. Over 500 years ago, a Thule community lived here, leaving stone structures and remnants on the beach. The tundra landscape with glacial moraine, supports low-growing flora and plant life adapted to the harsh conditions like Arctic poppies and wintergreen.

Day 13 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 14 Qikiqtarjuaq
Qikiqtarjuaq is a remote, beautiful Baffin Island community surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers. The rugged landscape and pristine wilderness offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, from kayaking to wildlife watching. The town's Inuit culture and traditions are still alive. But what sets Qikiqtarjuaq apart is the warmth and hospitality of its people, who welcome visitors and share their rich history and traditions with pride.

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Day 15 Day at sea
Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

Days 16-17 Kangerlussuaq
Once a WWII airbase at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, Kangerlussuaq's history is told at the airport’s museum, showcasing Inuit artefacts. This ice-filled glacial area and tundra is a haven for wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hare, gyrfalcons and around 10,000 muskoxen.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Charter flights to the port of embarkation/ disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk)
• Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (Cruise Plus package only, exemptions apply)
• Your selected stateroom
• All meals onboard
• Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise
• 24-hour room service
• Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion per port of call
• All expedition landings
• Entry level WI-FI (upgraded packages available)
• Gym, sauna, pool
• 24/7 self service laundry
• Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep
• In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boot
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes

Day 1 Kangerlussuaq
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Optional

Day 2 Sisimiut
Panoramic Sisimiut & Sled-dogs
Included
01 h 30 m

• From the comfort of our vehicle, you'll be treated to a panoramic tour of the city's iconic buildings
• Drive to vantage point at the top of Sisimiut where an awe-inspiring view awaits
• Visit where the majority of the local sled-dogs are kept and get to know their fascinating lives

Historical Walk to the Tele Island
Optional
02 h 10 m

• From Tele Island, see Sisimiut’s famous landmark, Nasaasaq Mountain, soaring 785 meters into the sky
• Enjoy a walking tour of Sisimiut as you learn about the fascinating history if Inuit cultures that have used this location as a hunting grounds for many years
• Other points of interest you will pass on your visit include a burial ground, the local kayak club and the arts and crafts shop

Day 3 Ilulissat, Disko Bay
Sermermiut view point and Icefjord center
Included
02 h 30 m

• Walk through a UNESCO World Heritage Sit
• Learn about the ancient Inuit way of life
• Take in the stunning view of the valley from the viewpoint

Shuttle to Ilulissat Icefjord, boardwalk and Icefjord centre
Included
02 h 30 m

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord and see the massive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier at the size of nearly 66,000 football fields wide
• Hike along the World Heritage Trail boardwalk and discover amazing views of the icefjord and maybe even have some wildlife encounters
• At the Fjord Centre, learn all about the cycle of the ice, the abundant wildlife around the icefjord and the human existence in the area throughout thousands of years

Day 4 Qeqertarsuaq
Disko Island Discovery Walk
Included
02 h 00 m

• Join your Expedition Team on a hike to discover the island’s stunning black sand beaches and massive volcanoes
• Spend time in the town and get a feel for the authentic experience and isolation that most Greenlandic communities live with
• Learn about the longstanding presence of scientists in the region who have had an Arctic Station established for the study of local geology, flora and fauna

Day 6 Pond Inlet, NU
Pond Inlet Discovery & Community Activities
Included
03 h 00 m

• Journey by zodiac to this traditional Inuit community located on the northern tip of Baffin Island near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage
• Attend a captivating performance that weaves together Inuit language and tradition at the Community Hall
• Enjoy an opportunity to hike with the group to Salmon Creek to see the archaeological site and sod houses near the river

Day 7 Dundas Harbour, Devon Island, NU
Discover Dundas Harbour abandoned community - Town walk
Included
01 h 00 m

• Discover this historic sight on a walking tour to the RCMP outpost which are the only buildings that still remain
• Learn about the thousands of years old Thule (ancient Inuit) summer settlements that have been discovered in the area
• See the spectacular beauty of Devon Island up close with its impressive mountains, Arctic wildflowers and glimmering glaciers that plunge into the sea

Kayak With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team (single outing)
Optional
02 h 00 m

• Observe scenery, coastlines, ice formations and polar wildlife from the comfort and silence of your kayak
• Experience the polar regions, from water level, with all your senses as there is no interference with artificial sounds
• Amazing opportunity to kayak in the world’s last great wilderness

Day 7 Croker Bay
Zodiac Tour with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
01 h 00 m

• Embark on a thrilling discovering of this spectacular tidewater glacier that’s fed by the expansive Devon Island ice cap
• Your expedition team will navigate close to the face of the glacier to admire the striated, white, blue and grey slave of ice
• Along with the many birds you might encounter around the area, you might also be greeted by seals and even the occasional walrus

Day 8 Radstock Bay, NU
Nature & Discovery Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
01 h 00 m

• Take off on an exploration of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago accompanied by your expert Expedition Team
• Unveil the many mysteries of Radstock Bay like the sledge tracks, camps and food tins that give insight into the early Thule settlements
• Once ashore, take some time to visit the Quarmat homes which are common among Thule and Inuit settlements

Day 8 Beechey Island, NU
Discovery Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
01 h 00 m

• Visit the Beechey Island Sites National Historic Site of Canada, located primarily on Beechey Island, a rugged peninsula connected to Devon Island in the Arctic Archipelago of Nunavut
• Learn the fateful history of Sir John Franklin and his crew of expeditioners who went missing here and the role this played in mapping the much of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• As you tread the vast landscapes of Beechey Island, history unfolds before you, leading you to five historic sites that dot this area

Day 9 Port Leopold, NU
Expedition Landing in Remote Port Leopold
Included
01 h 00 m

• Explore the stunning and remote Port Leopold in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada at the northeast tip of Somerset Island
• Get to know the many historical figures who have put this port on the map including John Clark Ross, Sir John Franklin, Prince Leopold and King Leopold I of Belgium
• The island is listed as a migratory bird sanctuary and terrestrial habitat site thanks to the many seabird species that live and breed here between late-May and midSeptember

Day 9 Elwin Bay, NU
Zodiac Cruise with your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
01 h 00 m

• Visit Elwin Bay aboard a Zodiac to go spotting for pods of beluga whales in the shallow waters
• Cruise up to the cobblestone beach shore in search of fish runs that are often closely followed by hungry belugas
• You might get the chance to pull up on shore in your Zodiacs to disembark and take in the area on foot

Day 10 Cruising Bellot Strait, NU
Cruising or Zodiac Cruising with Your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
01 h 00 m

• We will sail past Zenith Point on our port side, the northern most point of the entire North American continent
• Enjoy a unique opportunity to explore this narrow passage at only 2 km wide and full of centuries old tales to tell
• Just as the explorers before us, our ability to transit this channel will entirely depend on the tide, the sea ice and icebergs which often choke the passage

Day 14 Qikiqtarjuaq
Discover the remote Inuit hamlet and natural beauty of Qikiqtarjuaq
Included
02 h 00 m

• Explore the picturesque and welcoming community of Qikiqtarjuaq, an Inuktitut word meaning ‘big island’
• The community is strategically located for iceberg viewing making it the perfect place to see them travel down the Davis Strait
• See some of the many emblematic specifies of Arctic wildlife that call the island home

Days 16-17 Kangerlussuaq
Hike to Russell Glacier
Optional
04 h 30 m

• Kick your off-roading adventure into high gear as you travel the longest road in Greenland to reach the astounding Russell Glacier
• Drive along the enormous Greenlandic Ice Sheet that stretches 2,500 km from North to South and 1,000 km from East to West
• There will be plenty of stops for photos along the way where you might encounter some of the diverse wildlife of Greenland