The Northwest Passage - In the Wake of Great Explorers (Itinerary 2)

Enjoy the lively and colourful city of Edmonton on one of our Pre-programmes before your expedition begins.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cambridge Bay. In Inuinnaqtun, Cambridge Bay is called 'Iqaluktuuttiaq', meaning a 'good fishing place', as it is famous for giant char caught in local waters. There is abundant wildlife in the area: seals, geese, muskoxen and caribou. Our expedition with MS Fram starts here.

We aim to head into the heart of the Northwest Passage. Since the late 15th century, the search for this fabled seaway through the Canadian Arctic was a holy grail for hardy adventurers.

The first recorded voyage was led by John Cabot in 1497. The most famous journey here was James Cook’s failed attempt in 1776, and of course the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845. The first to conquer the Passage by ship was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen on an expedition that lasted from 1903 to 1906.

Ice conditions vary, so each voyage here is unique. Subject to favourable conditions, we hope to be able to explore some of the following places:

• Gjøa Haven honours the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who wintered here from 1903 on the Gjøa expedition. He called the place 'the finest little harbour in the world.'  He learned a great deal from local Netslik Inuit people about survival and travel in polar regions.
• Fort Ross was established in 1937. There are two small huts ashore maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard, and occasionally used by the local Inuit for shelter.
• Beechey Island is closely linked to the history of exploration of the Northwest Passage, particularly the voyage led by Sir John Franklin, whose two ships sailed into the passage in 1845, but never returned. It is known that the Franklin Expedition over-wintered here in 1845.
• Radstock Bay is dominated by the rock of Caswell Tower. The shoreline here is excellent for short walks to a pre-historic Inuit site. Caswell Tower itself features a challenging hike to the summit for great views.
• Dundas Harbour is an abandoned settlement with an old Royal Canadian Mounted Police camp and several archaeological sites from the Thule period. 
• Picturesque Pond Inlet, called 'Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, is a traditional Inuit community on Baffin Island. Pond Inlet is surrounded by mountain ranges, with glaciers, scenic fjords, ice caves, geological hoodoos and drifting icebergs to marvel at.
• Sam Ford Fjord is set on the east coast of Baffin Island. The fjord is known for its glaciers and granite cliffs rising steeply from the shores to heights up to 1500 metres above sea level.

Throughout the journey, we will sail in pristine straits that support rich wildlife, so we will be on a constant look out for amazing creatures such as polar bears.

This strait was named for the English explorer John Davis who searched for a route through the Passage between 1585 and 1587. Davis was the first to draw attention to seal hunting and whaling possibilities in the area, and to show that the Newfoundland cod fisheries extended this far north.

The stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord has earned it the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the mouth of the fjord, you can often see enormous icebergs that have run aground. These originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Sisimiut is situated 40 km north of the Arctic Circle and is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. Come ashore to explore the colourful town; visit the small museum, hike in the hills and shop for local handicrafts.

Nuuk is the political and social centre of Greenland and is the oldest town in the nation, founded in 1728. It has a beautiful setting, at the mouth of one of most spectacular fjord systems in the world. This is a place where old and new traditions meet, from picturesque old buildings in ”Kolonihaven” to the modern architecture of the Greenland Home Rule structure.

Kvanefjord is a 48 km long fjord on the west coast of Greenland. We will spend the day exploring this amazing terrain.

We leave Greenland to head for open sea. We will cross the southern part of the Labrador Sea, this time sailing towards Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.

Red Bay, on the coast of Labrador, is a classic outpost of Atlantic Canada, a coastal community with a population of less than 200. In 2013, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around the former whaling town and learn about its interesting history.

Corner Brook is located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland and has approximately 20,000 inhabitants. The area was first surveyed by Captain James Cook in 1767. Explore the charming town centre or enjoy its many walking trails among vibrant autumn leaves.

Enjoy the deep relaxation of a day at sea as the Expedition Team leads a recap of our fantastic voyage.

The British established Halifax in 1749. Enjoy a stroll up to the Citadel-crowned hill overlooking the historic provincial capital. Halifax today is both hip and historic, and well worth an extra day or two before you head back home.