Start your journey by exploring Sondre Stromfjord, one of the longest and most beautiful fjords in the world! Althrough the fjord crosses the Arctic Circle, it does not freeze, making this part of Greenland a center for whaling and fishing all year. Experience the fantastic nature and rich biodiversity of this region and view enormous glaciers which have ploughed deep into the dramatic tundra. On the plain between the fjord and the inland ice find Greenland's biggest herds of musk ox, reindeer, arctic foxes as well as the highest concentration of peregrine falcons in Greenland and more than 250 species of plants.
Highlights
Explore one the longest fjords in the world, Sondre Stromfjord
Experience Greenlandic life at a small charming fishing village
Search for reindeer roaming and humpback whales navigating the fjords
Visit Pangnirtung and learn about its whaling history and art
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Hop on a charter flight from Toronto to embark the Ocean Endeavour and settle in to your cabin before setting sail on your Arctic adventure!
Start the journey by exploring Sondre Stromfjord, one of the longest and most beautiful fjords in the world! Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern mouth, means 'the big fjord.' Although the fjord crosses the Arctic Circle, like the oceans here, it does not freeze. Locals can thank ocean currents for this, making this part of Greenland a center for whaling and fishing all year.
The area is distinguished by fantastic nature and rich biodiversity. There is nowhere else in Greenland where it is so easy to go so far into the interior, and the world’s largest ice cap can be reached in less than an hour. The landscape features enormous glacier formations, which have ploughed deep into the dramatic tundra. On the plain between the fjord and the inland ice you will find Greenland's biggest herds of musk ox, reindeer, arctic foxes as well as the highest concentration of peregrine falcons in Greenland and more than 250 species of plants.
There are a number of charming fishing villages along the west coast of Greenland - depending on timing and sea conditions, call in at one of these communities to experience small town Greenlandic life.
Welcome to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland! Nuuk means "the headland" and is situated at the mouth of a gigantic fjord system. Established as the very first Greenlandic town in 1728, Nuuk's history dates back over 4,200 years. Here you have a chance to spot humpback whales in the fjord, reindeer roaming the land, and birds soaring in the sky. The town itself is home to Greenland's University, a cathedral dating back to 1849, as well as Greenland's National Museum. Visit some of the city's most important sites before spending free time to explore on your own
While crossing Davis Strait, relax and enjoy onboard lectures and opportunities to watch for wildlife from the ship's decks. While out on deck, keep your eyes peeled for humpback and minke whales and other marine mammals, as well as the seabirds.
Pangnirtung—"the place of the bull caribou" in Inuktitut — is located on a narrow coastal plain against a spectacular backdrop of high mountains and a winding river valley. Legend says a hunter named Atagooyuk gave the place its name well over one hundred years ago when caribou had not yet changed their patterns as a result of the incursions of man. Pangnirtung, or ‘Pang’ as locals call it, is a small community bordered by snow-capped mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Pangnirtung has a long history of whaling in Cumberland Sound, where commercial whaling originated in 1820. In 1838 a Scottish whaler named William Penny, along with an Inuk travelling guide, rediscovered Cumberland Sound, which was rich in bowhead whales. By the late 1850's, many Inuit left their camps to work at the whaling stations in Nuvuyen (located on the southern coast) and to Kekerten Island (located on the northern coast). In the mid 1860's, Cumberland Sound was showing signs of being "fished out". By 1870 Nuvuyen was in ruins - hardly any more ships came to hunt whales and the Inuit returned to life in camps scattered throughout the sound. On April 1, 1973, Pangnirtung was incorporated as a hamlet.
Pangnirtung is famed for its art, and one of the great attractions is the Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Center. The Artist Association of the Center welcomes visitors to see the print and weave shops, where local artists create beautifully woven tapestries and prints. Artists from Pangnirtung are known around the world and are exhibited widely across Canada and beyond. The acclaimed “Pang” hats, colorfully patterned crocheted toques, can also be purchased at the center’s gift shop.
Spend two days exploring the southern coast of Baffin Island, the fifth largest island in the world. Our objective is to spend half the time out on the land — hiking, exploring, and taking in the sights — and the remainder cruising the shoreline in our fleet of Zodiacs. The itinerary will have to be adaptable to both weather conditions and the possibility of wildlife sightings, as expeditions to Baffin have proven unpredictable in both respects. The island is home to a wide variety of life, including a notable bear population, and we will be on alert for these kings of the north.
Located on the southern portion of Baffin Island, the scenic oceanside hamlet of Kimmirut is considered one of the most charming communities in the region. Kimmirut means “the heel” in Inuktitut, and refers to an outcrop of marble across the bay from the community that holds a striking resemblance to a human heel. Art has played a major role here and the newly renovated Dewey Soper Building is home to a gallery of outstanding works of art.
Along the northwest shore of Dorset Island, surrounded by rocky hills on one side and by the Hudson Strait on the other side, lies a community that art built. Between 1950 and 1962, Cape Dorset hosted a historic collaboration between James and Alma Houston and local Inuit. The collaboration launched Inuit art onto the world stage. In the distance are the jagged outlines of islands, and the inlets of Baffin Island’s southern coast. Like most other settlements in Nunavut, Cape Dorset is a modern community, with winding gravel roads, small wooden houses, schools, stores, hotels, a nursing station, government offices and churches. But it is the outstanding artists, printmakers, and carvers that have made Cape Dorset the Inuit art capital of the world.
Visit the great bird cliffs of Digges Island. In season, these sheer cliffs, rising hundreds of feet into the air straight from the water, are home to thick-billed murres, among others. On the other side of the island lie the ruins of an ancient Thule site. Ancestors of the present Inuit eked out a life on the shoreline and from the sea. The stone foundations of their meeting place and their dwellings can still be seen amongst the rocks and boulders along the shoreline, and the bones of whales, seals and walrus remain where they were dropped so many years ago.
Kangiqsujuaq, which means “the large bay” occupies an exceptional site, where the village is snuggled in the hollow of a splendid valley surrounded by majestic five-hundred-meter high rocky hills: a landscape of remarkable beauty. The bay takes its name from Captain William Wakeham who, in 1897, led an expedition to determine whether the Hudson Strait was safe for navigation. In a rocky pinching of the bay, known as “the narrows”, we will have an opportunity to examine the base of what were, 1.8 billion years ago, Himalayan-scale mountains.
The uninhabited Akpatok Island features soaring bird cliffs and small rocky beaches. Indeed, the island is named for the akpat — the thick billed murres — that live on the ledges of the limestone cliffs that surround it. Here, take a Zodiac ride to scout the beaches in search of walrus and polar bears.
Day 13: Kuujjuaq, QC
1 Breakfast
Kuujjuaq lies approximately forty-eight kilometres upstream from Ungava Bay, and is the largest village in Nunavik, the Inuit homeland within Québec. The community is located on the western shore of the Koksoak River, and daily life is closely tied to its ebb and flow. The tidal action continually reshapes the landscape and imposes its rhythm upon the lives of Kuujjuaq’s inhabitants. The boreal forest is present around Kuujjuaq and patches of black spruce and larch stand in marshy valleys. Kuujjuaq also witnesses annual migrations of the George River caribou herd that passes through the region throughout August and September.
After exploring Kuujjuaq, take an early evening charter flight to Ottawa, ON, where you continue your travels home or to your next adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,995
Select a Date
Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
Select a Date
Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
Select a Date
Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $1000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.