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Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic (Ocean Explorer)

17 days • No reviews yet

17 days

Start

Calgary, Canada

Finish

Reykjavik, Iceland

Trip Code

BQMM

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - null

Physical Rating

Meals

16 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners

Transport

Ship, Zodiac, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (2 night) Expedition Cruise ship (14 nights)

From £17,854(17 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Experience the many highlights of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland’s West Coast aboard your ship – with comfortable onboard amenities and an expert crew, you’ll get the best opportunities.

Visit Inuit and Greenlandic communities, soaking up the culture, heritage and history of these fascinating settlements that made their homes thousands of years ago.

Look out for the Arctic wildlife that calls this part of the world their home – your onboard experts will help you spot whales, walrus and muskoxen, as well as plenty of birdlife.

Explore the Ilulissat Icefjord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and if you’re lucky, here the thunderous sound of the carving ice.

Cruise in a Zodiac to explore icebergs, glaciers, fjords and more – these onshore landings provide an insight into lesser-known areas and often unexplored settlements.

Is this trip right for you?

As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the Essential Trip Information's 'Packing' section.

Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.

The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.

Itinerary

Sail the Northwest Passage and explore the High Arctic of Canada and Greenland

The Northwest Passage has gripped polar explorers for centuries. On this 17-day voyage, you’ll hop aboard the Ocean Explorer and explore this fascinating waterway with an incredible range of off-ship adventures by Zodiac and helicopter. Passing through the Canadian Arctic archipelago, you’ll journey back in time to the height of Arctic exploration, visiting areas that the Inuit people have made their home for thousands of years. See all the highlights of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland’s west coast, stopping at Inuit and Greenlandic communities. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ilulissat Icefjord, whose Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves off enormous icebergs, and keep your eyes peeled for the marine creatures who make their home in these harsh, remote landscapes –keep your eyes peeled for whales, walrus, muskoxen and polar bears.

DAY 1
Day 1 • Calgary, Canada
Welcome to Canada! Your Arctic expedition begins in Calgary with a free day. You can arrive at any time and explore this vibrant city at your own pace, before spending the night at your hotel. Tomorrow morning, your adventure officially kicks off!
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Calgary, Canada - Fly to Resolute and Embark
This morning after breakfast, you’ll board your charter flight to Resolute. When you arrive, you’ll have a chance to walk around this small Arctic town before heading out on your first (of many) Zodiac cruise transferring you to your ship. Tonight, you’ll settle into your home for the next two weeks – the Ocean Explorer!
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
DAY 3
Day 3-6 • Canada’s High Arctic
Cruising around the remote regions of the Canadian Arctic aboard Ocean Explorer, the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers in the past. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the hardest-to-reach places on the planet, this ship is equipped with two onboard twin-engine helicopters. Over the next couple of days, you’ll explore Canada’s High Arctic.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (4 nights)
Meals
Breakfast (4)
Lunch (4)
Dinner (4)
DAY 4
Day 7-8 • Smith Sound
Before saying goodbye to Canada, your ship will try to cruise as far north as possible, exploring both sides of Smith Sound – the uninhabited passage between Ellesmere Island and Greenland. While cruising, you can also enjoy the onboard amenities and look out for wildlife.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (2 nights)
Meals
Breakfast (2)
Lunch (2)
Dinner (2)
DAY 5
Day 9 • Qaanaaq, Greenland
Your first stop in Greenland is Qaanaaq – formerly known as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world. Here, local Inuit share their culture and traditions and the museum sheds more light on what it’s like living near the top of the world. Today, you’ll explore the area and learn about the history.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 6
Day 10 • At Sea
As you sail south along the west coast of Greenland, you’ll attend presentations by your onboard experts, preparing you for the adventures that lie ahead.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 7
Day 11-15 • West Greenland
With spectacular glaciers, soaring fjords and vibrant communities, the west coast of Greenland will leave you breathless. Nuussuaq (formerly known as Kraulshavn) is the only mainland community in the Upernavik Archipelago. Founded in 1923 as a trading station, it’s one of the most traditional hunting and fishing villages in Greenland.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (5 nights)
Meals
Breakfast (5)
Lunch (5)
Dinner (5)
DAY 8
Day 16 • Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and Fly to Reykjavik
Say goodbye to the Ocean Explorer as you head out on one last Zodiac ride to shore, where you’ll board your charter flight back to Reykjavik, Iceland. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your included hotel for a free night.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
DAY 9
Day 17 • Reykjavik, Iceland
Today, your adventure comes to an end. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this fascinating city at your own pace.
Meals
Breakfast

Inclusions

Meals

16 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners

Transport

Ship, Zodiac, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (2 night) Expedition Cruise ship (14 nights)

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Friday Aug 21, 2026

Sunday Sep 06, 2026

Trip size max: - 1103 spaces left

£21,005£17,854

Monday Aug 31, 2026

Wednesday Sep 16, 2026

Trip size max: - 1103 spaces left

£21,005£17,854

Important notes

This trip starts in Calgary, Canada and finishes in Reykjavik, Iceland

Your voyage is operated by our polar partner Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure.

Please refer to the "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions.

ADVENTURE OPTIONS

Kayaking and day paddle are optional activities that can booked on this voyage. They must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. To participate in kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential.

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DAY 6
Day 10 • At Sea
As you sail south along the west coast of Greenland, you’ll attend presentations by your onboard experts, preparing you for the adventures that lie ahead.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

DAY 9
Day 17 • Reykjavik, Iceland
Today, your adventure comes to an end. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this fascinating city at your own pace.
Meals
Breakfast

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

DAY 9Day 17 • Reykjavik, Icelandexpand_moreToday, your adventure comes to an end. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this fascinating city at your own pace. restaurant_menu MealscircleBreakfast

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

DAY 9
Day 17 • Reykjavik, Iceland
Today, your adventure comes to an end. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this fascinating city at your own pace.
Meals
Breakfast