3 polar travelers stand in yellow jackets on a grassy knoll, overlooking a glacier during The Northwest Passage Canadian High Arctic voyage.

Beechey Island with 3 graves of explorers on a misty day with turquoise water along the brown, rocky shoreline, seen during The Northwest Passage Canadian High Arctic voyage.

A muskox standing in the snow beside dark cliffs above, seen during The Northwest Passage Canadian High Arctic voyage.

5 tandem paddlers travel on icy blue waters with snowy mountains in the background during The Northwest Passage Canadian High Arctic voyage.

2 polar bears stand on a small, snowy berg surrounded by gray boulders, seen during The Northwest Passage Canadian High Arctic voyage.

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Northwest Passage: In The Footsteps of Franklin

Photo by: Michelle Sole/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Acacia Johnson/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Hugo Perrin/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Nicky Souness/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Acacia Johnson/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: David Merron/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Acacia Johnson/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Michelle Sole/Quark Expeditions

Photo by: Nicky Souness/Quark Expeditions

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$13495^USD

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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Northwest Passage: In The Footsteps of Franklin

Winding your way through the icy channels of the legendary Northwest Passage is history brought to life during this expedition in the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland. On this compelling 17-day journey, retrace the steps of the intrepid Franklin Expedition, which left the shores of England in 1845 in search of the last unexplored section of the Northwest Passage—only to become permanently icebound. Its discovery more than a century and a half later by Norwegian Roald Amundsen was a much celebrated moment in polar history.

Explore colorful Inuit villages, and shop for traditional Inuit handicrafts. Hike the endless Arctic backdrop and marvel at the vast, colorful tundra. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive and majestic creatures that make their home in this wilderness, such as whales, walrus, muskoxen and polar bears. Follow in the footsteps of Franklin’s legendary Arctic voyage, and return home with memories permanently etched in your heart.

Aboard the technologically-advanced, 200-guest Ultramarine, take advantage of two twin-engine helicopters and 20 quick-launching Zodiacs to create the quintessential Arctic experience. This modern, purpose-built polar expedition vessel comes equipped with specialized, cutting-edge safety features to provide added security in remote environments like the Northwest Passage.

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

Itinerary

2023 Northwest Passage: In The Footsteps of Franklin Itinerary

The 2023 Northwest Passage: In The Footsteps of Franklin voyage operates round-trip via charter flights from Toronto, Canada. Embark the ship in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, cruise north along eastern Baffin Island and disembark in Resolute, Canada.

Route map of the Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin cruise, operating round-trip via charter flight from Toronto, with embarkation in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and disembarkation in Resolute, Canada, and visits along eastern Baffin Island.

Day 1

Arrive Toronto, Canada

The Arctic expedition begins in Toronto. Explore this vibrant city on your own before spending the night at the well-appointed hotel.

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

n/a

Day 2

Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland & Embark

After breakfast, board the charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, a small seaside community that’s your gateway to Greenland. Enjoy the first Zodiac ride while being transferred from shore to ship. Out on deck, take in new surroundings before the ship sets sail on this Arctic adventure.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 3 - 4

West Greenland

Cruising around the remote regions of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers of long ago. Locals call Maniitsoq the Venice of Greenland, as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround the small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend summer in the waters around here.

The Greenlandic capital of Nuuk is a haven for history and culture lovers. Stroll down to the waterfront to see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue, named for the missionary who established the settlement in 1728. Marvel at the famous remains of 500-year-old fully dressed mummies, discovered under a rock outcrop in 1972 by two brothers out hunting, at the Greenland National Museum. The Nuuk Art Museum and Katuaq Culture Centre are also worth visiting.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5

At Sea

Say goodbye to Greenland’s shores as the ship traverses the Davis Strait in pursuit of the Canadian Arctic. Presentations by onboard experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 6 - 15

Canada's High Arctic

Visit towering fjords, historical sites and traditional Inuit communities while following in the footsteps of famous explorers from long ago in the Canadian High Arctic. The picturesque Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, nicknamed the Switzerland of the Arctic, is nestled beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Duval. An artist’s hub, Pang is renowned for its traditional Inuit arts and crafts, especially lithographs and intricate tapestries. At the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts, watch craftspeople in the tapestry studio and pick up a limited-edition print. A must for visitors, a colorful Pang hat will keep you warm during the remainder of your Arctic voyage. Also visit nearby Kekerten, an uninhabited island that was a major whaling destination in the 1800s.

At the southern tip of the Cumberland Sound, Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis (of the Davis Strait), who sailed through it in 1585. The site of an old Distant Early Warning Line installation, it’s an ideal spot to go ashore for a hike. As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, they’re naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuak, the iceberg capital of the world. The icy waters here are sometimes also home to narwhals, beluga and right whales, and ring and harp seals. A hike up to the hilltop inukshuk (a stone figure made by the Inuit) rewards with spectacular views of the community.

Cruising farther north along the east coast of Baffin Island, approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for a large population of bowhead whales. At the northern tip of Baffin Island, near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage, is the picturesque hamlet of Pond Inlet. Spend some time exploring this traditional Inuit community that’s surrounded by scenic mountains, fjords, glaciers and icebergs.

The area around Lancaster Sound affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbour, on Devon Island, visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At nearby Croker Bay, cruise in a Zodiac (at a safe distance) along the face of an actively calving glacier. Keep eyes peeled for the muskoxen and walrus that are known to visit the bay. A hike to a nearby archaeological site is another possible excursion. Farther west, some of the best ancient Thule remains in the Arctic are at Radstock Bay, beside the soaring Caswell Towers, a polar bear observation site. Explore the area and gain insight into how these pre-Inuit people lived.

At the western end of Devon Island, the windswept Beechey Island might be small, but it’s steeped in history. Named after famed British explorer Frederick William Beechey, it’s a Canadian National Historic Site. Visit the small marked graves of three crew members who died during Sir John Franklin’s tragic 1845–46 expedition. Roald Amundsen landed here in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship through the Northwest Passage.

Sailing down the east coast of Somerset Island, hope to spot beluga whales and narwhals, as they feed on the large numbers of Arctic char that enter Creswell Bay in late summer. An important bird Area, the bay also attracts such species as black-bellied plovers, king eiders and white-rumped sandpipers. Explore Fort Ross, where the Hudson’s Bay Company established a now-abandoned trading post in 1937. At the midpoint of the Bellot Strait, a narrow channel that separates Somerset Island from mainland North America, reach the northernmost area of the continental landmass, Zenith Point.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16

Disembark Resolute, Canada & Fly to Toronto

After disembarking in Resolute, be transferred to the charter flight to Toronto and spend the night at the included hotel.

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17

Depart Toronto, Canada

Today, make your way to the airport to catch homeward flights, or spend the day exploring this fascinating city.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Details

Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board; select beer and house wine during dinner; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leaders, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by the expedition team and special guests as scheduled; photographic journal documenting the expedition; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions; official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard the ship; emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US $500,000 per person; Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax.

Exclusions

Mandatory Transfer Package (approximate package price in 2023 is $2,895 and includes one night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Toronto, group transfer from the Toronto hotel to the airport on Day 2, charter flight from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq, group transfer from the Kangerlussuaq airport to the ship on embarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the Resolute airport on disembarkation day, charter flight from Resolute to Toronto, group transfer from the airport to the hotel in Toronto, and one night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Toronto); international airfare; arrival and departure transfers, except where listed in the Mandatory Transfer Package; passport and visa expenses; Canadian eTA required for non-Canadian or U.S. visa-exempt passengers; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above; meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended), or insurance of any kind; excess baggage fees on international flights; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, and any gear not mentioned; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified; phone and internet charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; additional overnight accommodation; any adventure options or excursions.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% 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 holiday payment and cancellation terms apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 180 days – full refund, less $500 admin fee
179 to 120 days – 100% of deposit
119 to 90 days – 50% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days – 75% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

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 eligible guests must provide proof of being fully vaccinated (at least 14 days after your final COVID-19 vaccine shot), including a booster shot (2023 season) for those eligible. 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: In the Footsteps of Franklin voyage begins and ends in Toronto, Canada (YYZ). Plan to arrive any time on Day 1 of the itinerary. Check in time for the included group hotel is 3:00pm on Day 1. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. An included group flight (with airport transfer) to Kangerlussuaq is on Day 2 of the itinerary. The scheduled flight time will be communicated in your final documents.

On Day 16 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00am and 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Toronto. Plan flights to depart Toronto anytime on Day 17. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Group charter flights between Toronto and Kangerlussuaq, and Resolute and Toronto are required on this trip’s itinerary; see the Mandatory Transfer Package information listed above under Exclusions. The flight to Kangerlussuaq is expected to depart early on Day 2 of the itinerary. There is a luggage limit of 44 lbs (20 kg) checked luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between Toronto and the ship. Additional luggage can be stored at the hotel in Toronto. There is no option to pay for additional luggage On Day 16 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00 and 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Toronto.

Activities

Various optional activities may be available on your The Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin voyage. The sea kayaking program must be reserved in advance. Included is a weather-dependent, small-group, 10-15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion, as well as a helicopter transfer to a landing site; additional helicopter activities may be available for purchase on board. Please contact AdventureSmith to reserve activity space with your booking. Sea kayaking is $695; and flightseeing, hiking, Zodiac cruising, daily presentations, photography guides and the polar plunge are optional and included.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Single cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will be guaranteed the double rate. Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x (2x for Premium cabins) the per-person listed rate in select cabins based upon availability. Premium Cabins are as follows:
Ultramarine: Deluxe Balcony Suite, Terrace Suite, Penthouse Suite, Owner’s Suite & Ultra Suite

Families & Children

At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.

Travel Insurance

Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of up to $500,000 USD per paying traveler provides coverage between the first and last day of ship-based travel and is included in the cost of this trip. For ship- and land-based trips, additional days of travel pre- and post-expedition are not covered. Travelers are responsible for having adequate international medical coverage prior to embarkation, with a minimum benefit of $50,000 USD. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers also protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. 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.

2024 Northwest Passage: In The Footsteps of Franklin Itinerary

The 2024 Northwest Passage: In The Footsteps of Franklin voyage begins with a charter flight from Toronto, Canada and ends with a charter flight to Calgary, Canada. Embark the ship in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, cruise north along eastern Baffin Island and disembark in Resolute, Canada.

Day 1

Arrive Toronto, Canada

The Arctic expedition begins in Toronto. Explore this vibrant city on your own before spending the night at the well-appointed hotel.

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

n/a

Day 2

Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland & Embark

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 3 - 4

West Greenland

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5

At Sea

Say goodbye to Greenland’s shores as the ship traverses the Davis Strait in pursuit of the Canadian Arctic. Presentations by onboard experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 6 - 15

Canada's High Arctic

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16

Disembark Resolute, Canada & Fly to Calgary

After disembarking in Resolute, be transferred to the charter flight to Calgary and spend the night at the included hotel.

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17

Depart Toronto, Canada

Today, make your way to the airport to catch homeward flights, or spend the day exploring this fascinating city.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Details

Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Exclusions

Mandatory Transfer Package (approximate package price in 2024 is $1,995 and includes one night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Toronto, group transfer from the Toronto hotel to the airport on Day 2, charter flight from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq, group transfer from the Kangerlussuaq airport to the ship on embarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the Resolute airport on disembarkation day, charter flight from Resolute to Calgary, group transfer from the airport to the hotel in Calgary, and one night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Calgary); international airfare; arrival and departure transfers, except where listed in the Mandatory Transfer Package; passport and visa expenses; Canadian eTA required for non-Canadian or U.S. visa-exempt passengers; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above; meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended), or insurance of any kind; excess baggage fees on international flights; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, and any gear not mentioned; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified; phone and internet charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; additional overnight accommodation; any adventure options or excursions.

Payment & Cancellation

Terms & Conditions

Arrival & Departure

On Day 16 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00am and 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the charter flight to Calgary. Plan flights to depart Calgary anytime on Day 17. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

A group charter flight between Toronto and Kangerlussuaq, and Resolute and Calgary are required on this trip’s itinerary; see the Mandatory Transfer Package information listed above under Exclusions. The flight to Kangerlussuaq is expected to depart early on Day 2 of the itinerary. There is a luggage limit of 44 lbs (20 kg) checked luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between Toronto and the ship. Additional luggage can be stored at the hotel in Toronto. There is no option to pay for additional luggage On Day 16 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00 and 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the charter flight to Calgary.

Activities

Various optional activities may be available on your The Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin voyage. The sea kayaking program must be reserved in advance. Included is a weather-dependent, small-group, 10-15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion, as well as a helicopter transfer to a landing site; additional helicopter activities may be available for purchase on board. Please contact AdventureSmith to reserve activity space with your booking. Sea kayaking is $695; the culinary Tundra to Table experience is $125; an exclusive heli-landing is $395; and flightseeing, hiking, Zodiac cruising, daily presentations, photography guides and the polar plunge are optional and included.

Room Configuration

Families & Children

Travel Insurance

Itinerary Notes

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

2023 2024

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Jul 30 - Aug 15, 2023

Ultramarine • 17 days

From $13495^USD

Per Person

Aug 01 - Aug 17, 2024

Ultramarine • 17 days

From $17095^USD

Per Person

Helicopter Activity

Kayaking

Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship

Ultramarine

The new Ultramarine 200-passenger polar ship is purpose-built for safety and far-off exploration in Antarctica and the Arctic. Dual helicopter pads and an incredible 70-day cruising range allow access to the hardest-to-reach places.

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