HIGHLIGHTS
•
Stand in awe of Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
•
Hike on Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island,
which features stunning geology, fjords and glacial valleys to explore
•
On Beechey Island, visit memorials and graves of explorers from John
Franklin’s expedition
•
Meet remarkable Inuit locals whose lives in this remote part of the
world are anything but ordinary
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Stateroom Triple | Stateroom Twin | Balcony Stateroom C | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom A | Balcony Stateroom Superior | Junior Suite | Captains Suite | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Aug 27, 2025 | Sep 24, 2025 | 50,995 | 52,495 | 56,995 | 59,995 | 64,495 | 70,495 | 88,395 | 104,895 | N/A | N/A |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Stateroom Triple | (Mid-range)
Balcony Stateroom Superior | (High-end)
0 |
|---|
| Aug 27, 2025 | Sep 24, 2025 | 50,995 | 70,495 | N/A |
ITINERARY
Day
1 : Toronto
Having
made your way to Toronto Airport, check-in at our group hotel located
near the airport for an overnight stay. Please visit the Aurora
Expeditions hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to
speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to
share with you about pre-embarkation procedures and also about the
charter flight to Nuuk tomorrow. You will receive Aurora Expeditions
cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your
name and ship cabin number.
Accommodation: Westin
Toronto Airport Hotel
Day
2 : Nuuk
After
breakfast at the hotel, board our charter flight to Nuuk, Greenland,
where our vessel Sylvia Earle awaits. After boarding, there is time to
settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. This
evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s
Welcome Drinks.
Day
3 : Sisimiut
Greenland’s
second largest town, Sisimiut is located approximately 54 kilometres
(33.5 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, meaning that during summer,
you can experience the midnight sun here. The town is famous for the
old blue church with the gate made of whale bone. In the cosy museum
next door to the church, you will find an excellent reconstruction of
an Inuit turf house as well as exhibits of local history and early life
in Greenland.
Sisimiut
offers hiking trails with various degrees of difficulty. The easier
trails take you through the town itself, its outskirts and into the
mountains, where you will find spectacular vantage points.
Approximately
4,500 years ago, the Saqqaq culture arrived from Canada and settled in
the area. They lived here for approximately 2,000 years, after which
they mysteriously disappeared from the area. The Dorset culture arrived
around 500 CE and stayed until the 1200s until they were replaced by
the Thule culture, and today, most of the population of Sisimiut are
descendants of the Thule culture.
Day
4 : Ilulissat
In
the afternoon we arrive in Ilulissat. Known as the
‘birthplace of icebergs’, this region produces some
of the most dazzling icebergs found anywhere in the Arctic. Hike past
the husky sledge dogs to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord and
stand in awe at its immensity. Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as
Jakobshavn Glacier, is the most productive glacier – not only
in Greenland but the entire Northern Hemisphere. It produces 20 million
tonnes of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefjord and
Disko Bay.
Days
5-7 : Northwest Greenland expedition cruising
Explore
the northern stretches of West Greenland, home to traditional
settlements and enormous icebergs that Greenland is famous for.
Possibilities include Zodiac cruises, hikes and a visit to one of the
small communities that are dotted along the coast. Kayakers can enjoy
paddling among the icebergs and keeping watch for whales that frequent
the area.??
Day
8 : At Sea
Our
team of experts entertain us with informative talks about wildlife,
geology and epic tales of early explorers such as Franklin and
Amundsen.
Day
9 : Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik), Nunavut, Canada
After
clearance into Canada, we hope to visit Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik), a
captivating Inuit community nestled on the northern tip of Baffin
Island. Surrounded by towering ice-capped mountains, vast glaciers, and
pristine fjords, this remote outpost offers an unparalleled wilderness
experience. As you step ashore, you'll be greeted by the warm
hospitality of the local Inuit, whose deep connection to the land is
evident in their culture and lifestyle. Immerse yourself in their
traditions through engaging cultural encounters and gain insights into
their unique perspective on life in the Arctic.
Days
10-12 : Devon Island (Tallurutit), Lancaster Sound
At
a latitude of almost 75° degrees north, we are now truly in the
High Arctic. Here, nutrient-rich waters support an abundance of
wildlife, giving the area the moniker ‘wildlife
superhighway’ of the Arctic. Devon Island (Tallurutit) is the
largest uninhabited island on Earth and features stunning geology, with
flat-topped mountains and glacial valleys giving Devon Island its
unique character. We hope to visit Dundas Harbour to enjoy offers walks
on undulating tundra, and perhaps some birdwatching. A dilapidated
Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost and remnants of a
Hudson’s Bay Company trading post can be found here. In the
bay, walruses are often present. Other possible places that we might
visit include Croker Bay and Maxwell Bay.
At
the western end of Devon Island lies Beechey Island (Iluvilik), where
we plan to land. Named after Frederick William Beechey, the island is a
designated Canadian National Historic Site. During the Franklin
expedition of 1845–46, Franklin attempted to sail through the
Northwest Passage with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, with perilous results
– three of his men are buried here. Roald Amundsen landed at
Beechey Island in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship to
fully transit the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the
Pacific Ocean.
Just
a short distance away, Radstock Bay offers a captivating contrast to
the open sea. Here, we’ll disembark via Zodiac onto a beach
strewn with remnants of the past. Explore the ruins of a Thule village
nestled beneath the imposing Caswell Tower, where well preserved stone
dwellings coexist with artifacts from later explorers. Witness the
stark beauty of this remote bay, characterised by its dramatic cliffs,
gravelly beaches, and the scattered remains of whale skeletons that
have shaped the landscape and the lives of those who called it home.
Days
13–17 : Expedition Cruising
In
genuine expeditionary style, our itinerary for the following days is
heavily dependent on weather conditions and unpredictable sea ice. The
following places are some that we hope to visit.
Prince
Leopold Island?(Appait)
On
the southern side of Lancaster Sound from Beechey Island lie the
towering bird cliffs of Prince Leopold Island (Appait), a historic site
where in 1848, English explorer James Clark Ross overwintered during
the search for the missing Franklin expedition. Prince Leopold Island
is the most important bird sanctuary in the Canadian Arctic, with
approximately 500,000 birds nesting here in summer. Ringed seals are
often spotted on the sea ice around the island and polar bears often
lurk nearby.
Port
Leopold
Port
Leopold, a barren, windswept bay on the northeastern corner of Somerset
Island (Inuktitut Kuuganajuk), is steeped in history. Here, the crews
of HMS Enterprise and Investigator were forced to endure a harsh winter
while searching for the lost Franklin expedition. Their presence is
indelibly marked on a rock engraved with "1849" and the ships'
initials. The desolate landscape is punctuated by a lone Hudson Bay
Company hut, a failed trading post from the 1920s. Hikers will have the
opportunity to explore the coastline, discovering the historic Hudson
Bay Company house and intriguing Inuit archaeological sites. Be amazed
by the otherworldly formations shaped by the region’s
freezing and thawing cycles, which our expedition team will detail
during recap. Nearby, a cairn marks the spot where Ross's rescue
expedition left vital supplies.
Hazard
Inlet (Qariaraajuk)
We
hope to visit an Inuit site inhabited by bowhead whale hunters during
the 15th and 16th centuries. The remains of over 100 bowheads are
scattered across the village and beach, a testament to the community's
reliance on this marine giant. Excavations have uncovered around 20 sod
houses, though evidence suggests there may have been as many as 40. The
cliff face behind the site holds community burial grounds, while
caches, kayak, and umiak stands line the shore. This remarkable site
offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of these Inuit families, who
worked cooperatively to hunt bowhead whales for sustenance and building
materials. It's an extraordinary privilege to experience this piece of
history firsthand.
Point
Zenith
Point
Zenith, a rocky promontory jutting into the ocean, offers breathtaking
panoramic views. As you step ashore, you'll feel a profound sense of
isolation and wonder. This is a place where time seems to stand still,
and the only sounds are the wind and the crunch beneath your
boots.
King
William Island (Qikiqtaq)
Remains
attributed to the Franklin expedition have been found at 35 different
locations on King William Island (Qikiqtaq) and on nearby Adelaide
Peninsula. South of Cape Felix, in Victoria Strait, we hope to Zodiac
close to where the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror were eventually
found in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
Cambridge
Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq)
The
administrative and transportation hub of the region, Cambridge Bay
(Iqaluktuuttiaq) is the largest stop for passenger and research vessels
traversing the Northwest Passage and unofficially marks the midpoint
for voyages of the Northwest Passage. Zodiac ashore for an exploration
of this Inuit settlement located in the high arctic. Enjoy a walk
through the village, where you can visit the local church, visitor
centre and support the local community by purchasing some locally made
handicrafts.
Days
18-22 : Coronation and Amundsen Gulfs
Your
experienced expedition team will create your day-by-day itineraries
based on sea ice and weather conditions. Apart from Franklin, other
heroic explorers including Amundsen explored this territory, and we may
visit the same places as early explorers. We hope to meet the resilient
locals who make the extreme far north their home.
Below
are some of the places in the area that we may visit:
Johansen
Bay, Edinburgh Island (Egloovikan)
We
hope to enjoy a Zodiac excursion within an estuary of at the northeast
end of Johansen Bay and up the river towards the lake. Wildlife
including caribous, reindeer,?arctic foxes, hares and peregrine falcons
frequent the area.
Nearby,
Edinburgh Island (Egloovikan) is a small and uninhabited island in
Canada’s Nunavut region. The scenery consists of colourful
flowering shrubs, beaches tinged in stunning ochres, while the
surrounding cliffs shaded in rich, deep tones. A possible walk to a
lookout overlooking the lake offers spectacular views over lakes, sea
and mountains.
Port
Epworth (Kugluktoalok)
The
Tree River area on the mainland — also known a Port Epworth
— provides a spectacular backdrop our possible exploration,
with its river and shallow lakes, striking sedimentary rock outcrops,
and bright autumnal colours of tundra. This area is also known for its
stromatolites – the petrified remains of ancient mounds of
algae, formed some two billion years ago by the same microorganisms
responsible for producing the oxygen we breathe today.
Smoking
Hills (Ingniryuat), Franklin Bay
The
Smoking Hills (Ingniryuat) in Canada’s Northwest Territories
have been smouldering, sending plumes of gas across the landscape, for
centuries. Technically sea cliffs, you would be forgiven for thinking
that the multicoloured fiery natural phenomenon is the set to an
apocalyptic movie depicting the end of the world. The smoke is caused
by layers of combustible, sulphur-rich lignite (brown coal) that
ignites and emit sulphurous gas into the air, when exposed to erosion
and landslides, which also creates a dazzling colouration of the
rocks.
Days
23-25 : Beaufort Sea
Excitement
builds as we sail the Beaufort Sea. Whether you are out on deck or in
the comfort of one of the observation lounges, watch as the captain
navigates our state-of-the-art vessel through these waterways, which
are frozen for most of the year. Keep a close watch for wildlife
including Beluga whales and polar bears that are often seen
here.
Cruising
further west, we hope to Zodiac cruise (subject to permitting) to
Herschel Island. This historic island, inhabited by the Thule people
for over a millennium, was first charted by Sir John Franklin in 1825.
It later transformed into a bustling whaling station during the late
19th century, supporting a winter community of hundreds and a fleet of
ships. However, the industry's decline in the early 20th century led to
the island's gradual abandonment. Today, protected as a territorial
park, Herschel Island offers a unique glimpse into the region's rich
history and stunning Arctic wilderness.
At
Prudhoe Bay, we farewell Canada and enter the United States.
Days
26-27 : Chukchi Sea and Bering Strait
As
we sail westwards to Nome, along the northern coast of Alaska to where
the U.S and Russia are only 100 km (60 miles) apart, separated by the
Bering Sea, there is ample time to reflect on our adventures while
scanning the water for marine life. Share, edit and submit pictures in
our photo competition and attend final lectures from our team of
onboard experts. We hope to get permission to ship cruise close by
Point Hope, Little Diomede and King islands in Alaska.
Day
28 : Disembark in Nome, fly to Anchorage
During
the early morning, we cruise into Nome and disembark at approximately
8.00 am. Farewell your Expedition Team before transfer to the airport
for a charter flight to Anchorage for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Captain
Cook Hotel Anchorage
Day
29 : Depart Anchorage
Transfer
to the airport for your onward journey.
Greg Mortimer (Luxury Expedition, 120-guests)
Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards. It is designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of Auroras more than 25 years of experience.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Adventure
Options:
- Bird watching
- Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and
destinations
- Near shore cruises
- Photography
- Polar plunge
- Trips ashore
- Walking
- Whale and mammal spotting
- Zodiac cruises
