Polar travelers in a black Zodiac inflatable boat cruise in calm waters with brown & white mountains in the background.
Polar bear cub walks over the ice with sunlit ice behind, seen during the Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska voyage.
Small wooden red house & green & white fishing boat sit in green grass during the Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska voyage.
Tandem kayakers in a yellow inflatable sit-on-top boat hold paddles still on the National Geographic Northwest Passage voyage.
Small expedition ship in background is framed by an iceberg arch in the foreground, on a sunny day with glassy water in the Arctic.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska

On this National Geographic Northwest Passage epic voyage, spend 22 days discovering the otherworldly icescapes of the Northwest Passage that so confounded generations of adventurers. It wasn’t until 1906 that Roald Amundsen finally completed the first sea voyage across the Arctic Archipelago.

Follow in Amundsen’s footsteps aboard 126-guest National Geographic Resolution. Given her high ice rating (Polar Class 5) and her patented X-bow, this ship is able to easily and safely penetrate the ice, allowing you to explore the dramatic coasts of this untouched region–encountering rare wildlife, hardy cultures, and glorious creations of ice and rock at the top of the world.

This National Geographic Northwest Passage voyage offers numerous highlights. Sail the northernmost coastlines of the planet, where few have explored before. Venture into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier. Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visit one of Canada’s jewels of the north: Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for soapstone carvings. Observe polar bears, walrus, ringed seals, belugas and bowhead whales. And meander through the remains of historic dwellings on Herschel Island; a scattered mixture from the Inuvialuit people and the once-booming whaling industry.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises, Canada adventure travel, Alaska trips and Alaska small ship cruises.



Itinerary

Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska Itinerary

The Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska voyage operates from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, along Baffin Island, through the Bellot Strait, along mainland Canada’s northern shoreline and around Alaska’s Far North shoreline, ending in Nome, Alaska, with a mandatory charter flight to Anchorage.

Route map of National Geographic Northwest Passage voyage, from Greenland to Alaska, with visits along Baffin Island.
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Day 1
Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland & Embark

Arrive by chartered aircraft in western Greenland and embark the ship at the head of the picturesque Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

lunch, dinner

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Day 2
Greenland's West Coast & Sisimiut

The massive ice sheet that blankets much of Greenland feeds dozens of fjords and glaciers on the dramatic western coast. Trace these rugged shores on the lookout for humpback and minke whales. Stop at the former whaling port of Sisimiut to visit the museum and stroll among its 18th-century wooden buildings.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 3
Disko Bay & Ilulissat

Sail into Disko Bay to explore the Ilulissat Icefjord, a tongue of the Greenland ice sheet that extends to the bay. The glacier calves huge amounts of ice at an astonishing rate, releasing icebergs that can soar up to 300 feet. A cruise among these gigantic sculptures of ice is a highlight of this voyage. Explore the remains of the historic fishing village of Sermermiut and take in spectacular views of the ice-choked mouth of the fjord.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 4 - 6
Exploring East Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada

Begin the exploration of the Canadian High Arctic with a visit to the small Inuit community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut. Explore some of the beautiful bays and inlets along Baffin Island’s Lancaster Sound, a favorite Inuit hunting and fishing location for hundreds of years. Carved by Ice Age glaciers, Lancaster Sound is also the eastern gateway to the Arctic Archipelago, where European explorers like William Baffin first ventured in the 17th century to search for the Northwest Passage. Days here will be spent searching for ringed seals, arctic foxes, walruses and polar bears, as well as beluga and bowhead whales. Visit Devon Island and take a walk with the ship’s  archaeologist to learn about the Thule people—ancestors of the modern Inuit—that once inhabited this region.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 7 - 16
Exploring the Northwest Passage

The ship navigates through the fabled Northwest Passage—following nature’s path, dependent on ice and weather conditions. Explore the ice-choked channels and glacier-carved islands that stretch for hundreds of miles—a stunning display of raw geology. Explore the rocky, Mars-like terrain of uninhabited Devon Island. Take cues from nature: following wildlife, stopping for hikes on the tundra, dropping anchor in a beautiful fjord or an iceberg-strewn bay to explore and kayak beneath massive ice sculptures and soaring cliffs.

Sail past the northernmost part of mainland North America in the Bellot Strait, one of the narrowest and most infamous of the passage. Cross the top of the Northwest Territory of Canada and search for ringed seals, arctic foxes, musk oxen, walruses and polar bears, as well as beluga and bowhead whales. Learn about the Inuit peoples who have hunted and fished here for thousands of years. And hear heroic stories of the early explorers: Roald Amundsen, John Ross, William Edward Parry and James Clark Ross, among others.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 17
At Sea

Enjoy the ship’s many amenities as she continues along the shores of the Canadian High Arctic. Soak in the ship’s infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, take in panoramic views from the rooftop observation deck, and enjoy talks from onboard experts and reflect on the amazing wildlife and geology seen on the journey so far.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 18
Herschel Island, Yukon Territory

Once a thriving whaling village off the coast of the Yukon Territory, Herschel Island is now classified as a Natural Environmental Park. The island protects the wildlife alongside the heritage of the Inuvialuit people and the whaling industry. Wander through this home to the largest colony of black guillemots to see historic dwellings while keeping an eye out for the wildlife residents.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 19 - 21
At Sea

As the ship continues to sail westward along the northern coast of Alaska, reflect on adventures while scanning the water for marine life and enjoying life on board. Take a yoga class, unwind with a massage in the wellness center and curl up next to the fireplace in the  library. Share images with the ship’s certified photography instructor and marvel at footage captured by the ship’s underwater camera. The voyage culminates with a farewell dinner on board.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 22
Disembark Nome, Alaska, Fly to Anchorage & Depart

Arrive in the remote city of Nome, Alaska, on the coast of the Bering Sea. Disembark to explore the town prior to a group charter flight to Anchorage. In Anchorage transfer to flights home.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Expedition parka to keep; accommodations; meals indicated; excursions; services of expedition leaders, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes. Gratuities for all departures of National Geographic Explorer, Orion, Endurance, Resolution, Sea Cloud, Jahan and Lord of the Glens. Complimentary beer & wine on National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Sea Bird, with a complimentary full bar on all other ships (2023); beer, wine & full bar (2024).

Exclusions

Mandatory charter flight from Nome to Anchorage, Alaska ($370 per person, subject to change); immigration fees; air transportation; extensions; meals not indicated; reserve wines & premium spirits; gratuities for all departures of Delfin II, Endeavour II, Islander II, Venture, Quest, Sea Bird and Sea Lion; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD, etc.; and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

For expeditions departing prior to April 1, 2024:
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $3,000 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
180 or more days – $750*
179 to 120 days – 100% of deposit
119 to 90 days – 25% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

*$750 USD will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation, and which only may be applied towards final payment on any future booking.

For expeditions departing April 1, 2024 onward:
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special payment terms apply for groups of 8 or more; inquire for details. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
120 or more days – 100% of deposit**
119 to 90 days – 50% of total trip cost
89 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

**Advance payments will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation, and which may only be applied towards final payment on any future booking.

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Vaccination Requirement
To join this trip, all guests 5 years and older must provide proof of being fully vaccinated (at least 14 days after your final COVID-19 vaccine shot). There may also be COVID-19 testing or other requirements to participate; your Adventure Specialist will provide details of current policies upon booking.

Arrival & Departure

The Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska cruise begins in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (SFJ), and ends in Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan to arrive to Kangerlussuaq by 3:05pm on Day 1 of the itinerary. Plan to depart Anchorage, Alaska, late on the final day of the listed itinerary. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

A group charter flight from Nome to Anchorage, Alaska, is required on this trip’s itinerary. Inquire with an Adventure Specialist for pricing. There is a strict luggage limit of two checked bags weighing up to 57 lbs (25 kg) combined, and one carry-on bag weighing up to 17 lbs (8 kg) plus a personal item that can be stowed under the seat.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Activities included aboard this expedition include Zodiac cruises, hiking and kayaking. Other activities may include yoga and stretching, land treks, photography, glacier viewing and wildlife observation.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Rates are variable per remaining availability and are subject to change.

Jul 24 - Aug 14, 2023
National Geographic Resolution • 22 days
From $37330USD
Per Person
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Jul 23 - Aug 13, 2024
National Geographic Resolution • 22 days
From $41400USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
National Geographic Resolution

The 126-guest National Geographic Resolution is one of the newest additions to the National Geographic fleet. This expedition ship is specifically designed for stability, efficiency, scholarship and long-range exploration in the polar regions.

Deals

Current Deals on This Trip

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Offer expires April 30th, 2023
Save 10% On Two Consecutive National Geographic Expeditions

Save 10% when you book two consecutive cruises aboard a National Geographic expedition ship.

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Offer expires April 30th, 2023
Groups Save 5% On National Geographic Expeditions

Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more on National Geographic expeditions in this special deal.

Expert Reviews

Reviews From Our Experts So You Know What To Expect

Arielle Lightcap • January 7th, 2020
Expert Review: What to Expect on a Polar Bear Cruise

A travel expert lends her Arctic cruise insight on what you can expect aboard a small ship polar bear cruise in the Arctic Svalbard region.

Todd Smith • June 17th, 2022
Expert Aboard: National Geographic Resolution & Endurance Ship Review

Firsthand review of the National Geographic Resolution & Endurance. Learn what makes these the best-in-class next generation expedition ships. From X-Bow design to on deck igloos, this in depth ship review covers what you need to know.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Extend Your Trip

Additional Travel Options Before or After Your Cruise

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8 - 9 Day Land Tour
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Within the Wild

The Within the Wild luxury Alaska adventure brings travelers into the Alaskan backcountry without sacrificing comfort. Enjoy remarkable helicopter- and floatplane-assisted adventures, hiking, sportfishing and a wellness program with massage and yoga.

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East Greenland: Arctic Safari

Discover Greenland like never before! The safari-style Base Camp Greenland offers an eye-level vantage point of Arctic icebergs, whales and seals in frigid waters. Kayak, hike and meet local Inuit who live in harmony with nature.

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Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska

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