Exploring the Northwest Passage

Your adventure begins with your arrival to the exciting city of Vancouver which is surrounded by a picturesque range of mountains. The city also boasts of a lively culture and natural attractions which makes it ideal for all kinds of travellers to have their own taste. Take your time to explore this city, as we stay in tonight in a hotel, before beginning our journey tomorrow.

After a fulfilling breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flights to Nome. This famous gold rush town is where our ship MS Roald Amundsen await for our boarding. As we will drive by the town, you will notice artifacts of the gold rush era everywhere, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines, and old railroad tracks. Once onboard, take your time to settle down and explore the interiors of the ship, which will act as your basecamp for the rest of the expedition. After a brief and safety drill, whilst we enjoy a welcome dinner, our ship would start sailing.

During these initial days of crossing the sea, we give you amazing views as we sail through the Bering Strait before heading towards the magnificent Chukchi Sea. Our expedition team will provide you with lectures at the science center, and arrange some workshops, preparing you for the days ahead. You will also have plenty time to mingle with your fellow travelers, and enjoy views from the explorer lounge or deck of the birds and other mammals that accompany us. Everyday you will hear from the captain and the expedition leader, as we make our way ahead. We shall cross Point barrow, the northern most point of USA, before entering the deep blue waters of the Beaufort Sea. While here, Be ready with your cameras as you might be able to spot Bowhead and Grey whales in the waters. Beaufort Sea, named for Sir Francis Beaufort who in 1805 developed his eponymous wind scale for describing the force of the wind. He later directed operations to search for Franklin in the Northwest passage. We continue into the Amundsen Gulf, where you will get to see the remarkable smoking hills on the east coast of Cape Bathurst. The local lignite which is a combination of shale and pyrite, spontaneously ignite when exposed to air. This makes the hills emit smoke.

The first to conquer the Northwest Passage by ship was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen on an expedition that lasted from 1903 to 1906. Now in our modern era, we aim to follow the wake of their ships and sail through the centre of the Northwest Passage too, aboard the ship that is named after this legend! Almost 40 expeditions tried to navigate this seaway as far back as 1497. James Cook attempted it in 1776 and the history buffs are familiar with the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845 recounted until this day. Given the place and the fabled fame this region is known to have for the coming days, the ship captain and Expedition Leader will continuously assess the current weather and sea conditions, adapt activities accordingly, and adjust the itinerary to where the sea ice allows us to go. Like all good explorers, we respect and work with nature, not against it. During our times of exploration here , our aim will be to land at sites that are linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and hope to spot Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, seals, and large colonies of seabirds. There will also be opportunities for small boat cruising between ice floes, and in true expedition style, we will go ashore and experience the pristine wilderness firsthand. Here are some of the places in the region that we plan to explore together, subject to favourable conditions: Ulukhaktok Many in the 500-strong community are involved in the local artists co-op, producing prints, tapestries, and other crafts. This is also the location of the the world's northernmost golf course which plays host a tournament each summer. Cambridge Bay Located on Victoria Island, this is the largest stop for vessels traversing the Northwest Passage. It is also called ‘Iqaluktuuttiaq', or ‘A Good Fishing Place’ due to the Ekalluk River which attracts giant char, muskoxen, and caribou. Gjøa Haven Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen wintered at this hamlet in 1903 on his Gjøa expedition. There is an informative walking tour, Heritage Centre, and Hamlet Centre dedicated to the history and culture of the area. Fort Ross An abandoned Hudson’s Bay Trading post located at the southern end of Sommerset Island. The storehouse here is still used as a shelter by occasional travelers, with bunk beds and shelves of canned goods. Beechey Island This is the final resting place for three members of the lost Franklin expedition which sailed into the Northwest Passage in 1845 but never returned. It is customary for explorers to stop and pay their respects, as did Roald Amundsen in 1903. Devon Island Welcome to the largest uninhabited island on Earth. The only signs of human life are at the long abandoned settlement of Dundas Harbour along with several archaeological sites from the Thule period. Pond Inlet Picturesque Pond Inlet, called 'Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, is a traditional Inuit community on Baffin Island. It overlooks Eclipse Sound and the mountains of Bylot Island and is known as a great place to see large pods of narwhal.

After the deep exploration and attempt to sail across the Northwest Passage, we now cross the Davis Strait, a northern arm of the Labrador Sea to head towards Greenland. This strait was named for the English explorer John Davis, who led three expeditions in the area between 1585 and 1587. He was looking for a route through the Northwest Passage, discovering the Hudson Strait in the process. Davis was the first to draw attention to seal hunting and whaling possibilities in the area, and to show that the Newfoundland cod fisheries extended this far north. This and many such facts of history, explorers, climate, practices etc will be shared by expedition team during the lectures arranged. For those seeking a more relaxing time, can head up to the sauna, or enjoy a hot tub while watching the views. The day is yours to spend as you may.

Ilulissat is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just outside the town, at the mouth of the fjord, you can often see enormous icebergs that have run aground that originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere. The icebergs make their way down the 20-km fjord before entering Disko Bay. Marvel at the changes in hue when the iceberg's surface is struck by the Midnight Sun. Listen to the iceberg s soundtrack of cracking and rumbling, as the sounds echo from one end of Ilulissat to the other. While our expedition team here leads all the guests on a walk to the Icefjords, for those keen to do something else, can join in for some optional excursions : a short walk through town to a network of short trails that take you to the shores of the fjord. Or, get out on the water to get close to the ice and maybe whales on a local boat, or go high for an aerial view with a flight-seeing trip by fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. The choice is yours.

En route to Sisimiut, we encourage you to be out on deck to scout for whales. The waters close to the settlement are frequented by several species, such as humpback and fin whales. Harbour porpoise and minke whales can be encountered along the west coast of Greenland. If we are lucky, we might also see large numbers of seals, the most common being the harp seal. Sisimiut is situated 40 km north of the Arctic Circle, and is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. Come ashore to explore the colourful town, visit the small museum, hike in the hills and shop for local handicrafts as we stop here for a half day. Just across the bay is Disko Island and the settlement of Qeqertarsuaq. This is where the Gjøa Expedition and the second Fram expedition stopped to get dogs and other equipment on their way to the Northwest Passage. Whether you are walking the town on paths laid down by our expedition team, or exploring through some optional activities, our experts will remain at your disposal across the town to guide you on highlights to see and any concerns you may have.

We leave Greenland, and sail the southern part of the Labrador sea, to head towards, Newfoundland, Canada. This is also a good time to organise all your photos, and share with your fellow travelers for recounting the great memories of this journey.

We hope to begin today with our arrival to Red Bay, on the coast of Labrador which is a classic outpost of Atlantic Canada. It is a former whaling town which has a population of less than 200. You are invited to explore the rich history of this city where the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Visit the local museum that documents this interesting history or take the trail up to Tracey Hill for scenic views, and where, legends say, pirate captain Kidd buried treasure. You can also join optional excursions offered at this site.

Corner Brook is located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland. It has a population of approx. 20000 inhabitants. It was surveyed by James Cook in 1767 and enjoys a rich history as well. You are invited to explore this town which has many walking trails as well as a rich scenic beauty and a beautiful town centre.

As our adventure comes to an end, we spend another day at sea, heading further down east of Canada. Since this will be our last day at sea, we highly encourage you to step out on deck and experience being at sea as much as possible.

Our journey comes to an end at the capital of Nova Scotia province of Cananda. Its time to bid farewell to our crew and fellow travelers that had become family during your memorable journey! While you are here, wander the charming lanes of this city - red brick heritage buildings, very noticeable citadel, broad-walk by the sea, before heading for home.