A collection of Canadian Arctic expeditions through the Northwest Passage, Nunavut, Labrador and Newfoundland, combining legendary sea routes, Inuit culture, polar wildlife, remote fjords, Viking history and deep northern exploration.
The Canadian Arctic is where polar geography becomes history.
Its waterways are linked to the legendary Northwest Passage, Franklin, Amundsen, Indigenous navigation, remote communities and the long human effort to understand and cross the northern edge of the world. This region is immense, complex and culturally alive, with Arctic wildlife, tundra, fjords, glacial coastlines and communities whose heritage gives the landscape meaning beyond its remoteness.
This collection brings together two major expedition styles: the historic Northwest Passage through the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland, and a cross-regional journey from Greenland to Newfoundland, travelling through Nunavut, Labrador, the Torngat Mountains and Viking history at L’Anse aux Meadows.
For Exclusive Elite Travel clients, the Canadian Arctic is best suited to travellers who want narrative depth: exploration history, Inuit culture, wildlife, geology, remote coastlines and the feeling of travelling through one of the world’s great maritime frontiers.
Region at a Glance
Primary Region
Canadian High Arctic, Northwest Passage, Nunavut, Baffin Island, Labrador, Newfoundland, Torngat Mountains, Davis Strait, Greenland and Atlantic Canada.
Season
August to September 2027, depending on itinerary and vessel.
Duration Range
14 to 17 days.
Main Ports and Gateways
Reykjavik, Iceland; Nuuk, Greenland; Kangerlussuaq, Greenland; St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Ships
Ultramarine or Ocean Explorer, depending on itinerary and departure.
Core Experience: Northwest Passage navigation, Inuit culture, remote communities, polar bears, walruses, muskoxen, whales, seabirds, tundra landscapes, Viking history, Torngat Mountains, Zodiac cruising, hiking, shore landings, selected helicopter-supported exploration, mountain biking, kayaking and expert-led interpretation.
Pricing
Available on request, according to itinerary, departure date, vessel, suite category, cabin availability and any special offers valid at the time of proposal or reservation.
Departure Availability
Selected departures operate during the Arctic 2027 season. Availability, routing, vessel allocation, suite categories and optional activities should be confirmed privately before proposal.
The Expedition Portfolio
Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route
This 17-day journey follows one of the most storied sea routes in polar exploration.
The itinerary travels through the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland, with embarkation in Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq, depending on departure, and disembarkation in Kangerlussuaq. Charter flight arrangements are connected to Reykjavik.
Operating aboard Ultramarine, the voyage retraces routes associated with the Franklin Expedition and the later success of Roald Amundsen, while also recognising that these waters were known and navigated by Indigenous peoples long before European attempts to cross them.
Possible highlights include Baffin Island, Beechey Island, Dundas Harbour, Greenlandic and Inuit communities, tundra landscapes, wildlife observation, Zodiac cruising, hiking and the chance to explore one of the most symbolically important routes in Arctic travel.
Wildlife may include polar bears, muskoxen, bowhead whales, walruses and migratory birds. Cultural encounters and traditional handicrafts add a human dimension to the journey.
Greenland to Newfoundland: Mountains, Wildlife and Viking History
This 14-day expedition begins in Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland, after a charter flight from Reykjavik, and concludes in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The route crosses the Davis Strait to Nunavut, then continues south toward Labrador, Torngat Mountains National Park and ultimately Newfoundland.
This is a journey of cultural transitions. Guests may encounter Greenlandic culture in communities such as Sisimiut, Inuit and Nunatsiavut traditions in Nunavut and Labrador, Viking history at L’Anse aux Meadows, and the music, hospitality and coastal character of St. John’s.
Possible route highlights include Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nain, Red Bay, Torngat Mountains National Park and L’Anse aux Meadows. The journey may also include hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation, Zodiac cruising and a lively East Coast culinary and cultural finale.
Departures operate aboard Ultramarine or Ocean Explorer, depending on departure.
Ships and Expedition Expertise
The Canadian Arctic collection operates aboard small polar vessels suited to remote routes and field-based exploration.
Ultramarine carries up to 199 guests with 140 staff and crew and has a PC6 ice classification. It is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs, allowing selected helicopter-supported perspectives and efficient off-ship exploration where conditions and regulations allow.
Ocean Explorer carries up to 138 guests with 105 staff and crew and has 1A, PC6 ice classification. Its modern polar design includes the ULSTEIN X-BOW, extensive viewing spaces, Discovery Library, Tundra Spa, sauna, outdoor Jacuzzis and refined Scandinavian-style accommodation.
Across the programme, polar specialists interpret wildlife, glaciology, history, archaeology, Indigenous cultural context, marine biology, photography and the complex conditions of northern expedition travel.
Cultural and Historical Depth
The Canadian Arctic is inseparable from human history.
The Northwest Passage carries the legacy of European exploration, but also the deeper reality of Indigenous knowledge and presence. Communities across Nunavut, Labrador and Greenland bring the region into the present through language, craft, foodways, local knowledge and lived culture.
Selected journeys may include Inuit cultural immersion, traditional handicrafts, storytelling, culinary experiences and community visits shaped through local partnerships.
What the Expedition Programme Includes
Inclusions vary by itinerary, vessel, suite category and departure, but the core framework may include:
A 3-in-1 polar expedition parka to keep
Loan of waterproof neoprene muck boots
Leadership by an experienced polar expedition team
Zodiac cruising and shore landings
Guided walks and hikes
Educational programming and expert presentations
Three meals daily, plus snacks
Complimentary select beer, wine and select cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Basic Wi-Fi where satellite service permits
Taxes and port charges
Online photo journal after the voyage
Included hotels where applicable
Port transfers to and from the vessel
Entrance fees to relevant parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic landmarks
Optional activities vary by departure and vessel. They may include helicopter flightseeing, exclusive heli-landing, mountain biking, sea kayaking, paddling excursions, polar plunge, guided photography and culinary programming.
Extension Possibilities
Because these journeys are connected through Reykjavik, private pre- or post-expedition extensions in Iceland can be arranged.
Options may include Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, Icelandic design and culture, the Golden Circle, waterfalls, black sand beaches and further private travel through Iceland.
For journeys ending in St. John’s, additional Atlantic Canada arrangements can also be considered, depending on routing and air access.
Exclusive Elite Travel Perspective
For Exclusive Elite Travel clients, the Canadian Arctic is the region for travellers who want story as much as scenery.
The landscapes are vast and often austere, but the strongest value lies in their layered meaning: Indigenous presence, Arctic exploration, failed and successful attempts to cross the Northwest Passage, remote communities, wildlife migration and the cultural bridge between Greenland, Nunavut, Labrador and Newfoundland.
This is best suited to travellers who value history, serious interpretation, remote access, cultural intelligence and the patience required for expedition travel in a region where weather, ice and local conditions remain central to the journey.
A request begins with preferred expedition style, desired balance between wildlife and culture, vessel preference, suite category, interest in helicopter-supported access and any pre- or post-expedition arrangements.
