Home > 12 Day High Arctic Explorer
12 DAY HIGH ARCTIC EXPLORER
TRIP DESCRIPTION
Visit three distinct Arctic regions on this voyage aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Meet the artists in South Baffin Island’s Inuit famous art-making communities and explore Nunavik, the Arctic coast of Quebec. Cross the Davis Strait in the wake of the explorers. Explore the deep fjords and vibrant communities of Greenland. Board a Zodiac to seek whales, birds, bears, and caribou. Journey with scientists, historians, Inuit artists, and culturalists to the heart of the Arctic!
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Start Location: Ottawa
End Location: Vancouver
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Special Guest Margaret Atwood (Author)
- Visit the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island
- Watch for marine mammals and wildlife in Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) National Marine Conservation Area
- Hike on Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth
- Enjoy an Inuit cultural welcome at Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
- Take advantage of prime viewing opportunities for the rare Ivory Gull, a Species at Risk
- Cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Qausuittuq (Resolute), Nunavut
After your charter flight from Ottawa, ON, you’ll transfer to the Ocean Endeavour by Zodiac.
Begin your journey in Qausuittuq (Resolute). The community’s name, meaning “place with no dawn,” comes from its dark winters, but during your visit at the height of summer, you’ll experience the midnight sun—a time of no darkness.
Take in the unique geography and geology here, characterized by shoreline gravel flats, rocky coastal bluffs, and deposits of glacial moraine.
Learn about the significance of the origin of the hamlet; in 1953, Inuit from Inukjuak, Québec and Mittimatalik were relocated under false pretences by the Canadian government with the aim of asserting Canadian sovereignty.
Today the community is home to just under 250 people and is an important staging point for High Arctic research, tourism, and military activities.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Beechey Island, Nunavut
Pay your respects at this haunting memorial to Sir John Franklin’s failed expedition.
Learn the compelling history of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror’s attempts to sail through the Northwest Passage.
Franklin’s crew overwintered at Beechey Island, where three of his men died, and numerous search parties later used the spot as a depot and rendezvous. Thomas Morgan of the HMS Investigator was buried here in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men.
Visit their graves and the ruins of nearby Northumberland House while contemplating the poignant history.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3-7: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) and Devon Island
Spend five fun-filled days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of Canada's newest National Marine Conservation Areas.
Cruise by ship and by Zodiac in search of narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales that transit and feed in this area.
Admire Devon Island’s unique geological character, with its flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and substantial ice cap. At the northern edge of Tallurutiup Imanga, it’s the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometres.
Hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears and other wildlife from ship and from shore.
Visit archaeological sites with expert interpretation to learn about the human history of Inuit and their ancestors who once lived on this now-abandoned island.
Then catch a glimpse of more recent history when you visit the remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Nunavut
Attend a cultural performance put on by the talented Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group, featuring drum dancing, throat singing, and storytelling.
Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting—the views of nearby Bylot Island are stunning!
Enjoy exploring the town and take the opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted mementos when available, too.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Davis Strait
Deepen your understanding of the Arctic as we steam across the Davis Strait towards Greenland.
Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck with your binoculars to look for whales, seabirds, and marine wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Western Greenland
Choose the activity you like best during an expedition landing on Greenland’s stunning west coast.
Whether you prefer hiking, walking, photography, or sitting contemplatively, you’ll be delighted!
Admire the mighty mountains and the tiniest tundra flowers—a stop in this area will offer many outstanding features to pique your interest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Ilulissat, Greenland
Visit the town of Ilulissat, with splendid museums, cafés, craft shops, and a busy fishing harbour.
View the icebergs from shore on a hike along the boardwalk at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, then board a Zodiac to cruise your way among them!
Ilulissat translates literally to “iceberg”—an apt name for this site at the mouth of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, a source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Sisimiut Coast, Greenland
Colourful Sisimiut is Greenland’s second largest city. Access the extensive museum through a towering whalebone archway and be sure to stop in at the artisan’s co-operative for the chance to purchase outstanding handicrafts.
Traditional qajaq (kayaking) is in resurgence here, and there’s plenty of other fun outdoor activities for the adventurous to enjoy.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Complete your journey up Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and cross the Arctic Circle one last time on your way.
Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub.
Transfer by Zodiac to shore, then ride to the airport by bus for your charter flight to Toronto, ON.
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
We accept 
Interested in this trip? Contact Us for 2025 dates and prices
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHY CHOOSE ANDERSON VACATIONS?
Anderson Vacations
Other Companies
Small Group Tours
Travel with a limited number of participants for a personalized journey with a tour leader.Experienced Tour Leaders
Who have gone through intensive vetting and training.(But most contract their tour leaders from Anderson Vacations.)
Canadian Travel Experts
With at least 30 years of experience.Min. 95% Satisfaction Rate
From past guests.Travel to unique places, visit more attractions each day.
Without the distractions of tipping.Activities and excursions included as part of the tour.
(Not as add-ons.)Sustainability
Planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour
- Applicable taxes and credit card fees
- Complimentary expedition jacket
- Contribution to Adventure Canada’s Discovery Fund
- Special access permits, entry, and park fees
- Expert expedition team
- Guided activities
- Sightseeing and community visits
- All Zodiac excursions
- Port fees
- Pre-departure materials
- Educational program
- Photo Equipment Trial Program
- Interactive workshops
- Evening entertainment
- All shipboard meals
EXCLUSIONS
- Commercial and charter flights
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Possible fuel surcharges
- Pre/post accommodation
- Meals not listed
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Can't find what you're looking for?
Our specialists can take away the stress and create a custom trip tailored to your exact interests and budget.
Get A Custom Quote
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore
Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Tour Code
ADHA
12 Day High Arctic Explorer
12 days
Created On: 23 Nov 2024
Highlights
- Special Guest Margaret Atwood (Author)
- Visit the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island
- Watch for marine mammals and wildlife in Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) National Marine Conservation Area
- Hike on Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth
- Enjoy an Inuit cultural welcome at Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
- Take advantage of prime viewing opportunities for the rare Ivory Gull, a Species at Risk
- Cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Inclusions
- Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour
- Applicable taxes and credit card fees
- Complimentary expedition jacket
- Contribution to Adventure Canada’s Discovery Fund
- Special access permits, entry, and park fees
- Expert expedition team
- Guided activities
- Sightseeing and community visits
- All Zodiac excursions
- Port fees
- Pre-departure materials
- Educational program
- Photo Equipment Trial Program
- Interactive workshops
- Evening entertainment
- All shipboard meals
Exclusions
- Commercial and charter flights
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Possible fuel surcharges
- Pre/post accommodation
- Meals not listed
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Qausuittuq (Resolute), Nunavut
After your charter flight from Ottawa, ON, you’ll transfer to the Ocean Endeavour by Zodiac.
Begin your journey in Qausuittuq (Resolute). The community’s name, meaning “place with no dawn,” comes from its dark winters, but during your visit at the height of summer, you’ll experience the midnight sun—a time of no darkness.
Take in the unique geography and geology here, characterized by shoreline gravel flats, rocky coastal bluffs, and deposits of glacial moraine.
Learn about the significance of the origin of the hamlet; in 1953, Inuit from Inukjuak, Québec and Mittimatalik were relocated under false pretences by the Canadian government with the aim of asserting Canadian sovereignty.
Today the community is home to just under 250 people and is an important staging point for High Arctic research, tourism, and military activities.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Beechey Island, Nunavut
Pay your respects at this haunting memorial to Sir John Franklin’s failed expedition.
Learn the compelling history of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror’s attempts to sail through the Northwest Passage.
Franklin’s crew overwintered at Beechey Island, where three of his men died, and numerous search parties later used the spot as a depot and rendezvous. Thomas Morgan of the HMS Investigator was buried here in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men.
Visit their graves and the ruins of nearby Northumberland House while contemplating the poignant history.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3-7: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) and Devon Island
Spend five fun-filled days exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of Canada's newest National Marine Conservation Areas.
Cruise by ship and by Zodiac in search of narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales that transit and feed in this area.
Admire Devon Island’s unique geological character, with its flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and substantial ice cap. At the northern edge of Tallurutiup Imanga, it’s the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometres.
Hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears and other wildlife from ship and from shore.
Visit archaeological sites with expert interpretation to learn about the human history of Inuit and their ancestors who once lived on this now-abandoned island.
Then catch a glimpse of more recent history when you visit the remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Nunavut
Attend a cultural performance put on by the talented Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group, featuring drum dancing, throat singing, and storytelling.
Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting—the views of nearby Bylot Island are stunning!
Enjoy exploring the town and take the opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted mementos when available, too.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Davis Strait
Deepen your understanding of the Arctic as we steam across the Davis Strait towards Greenland.
Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck with your binoculars to look for whales, seabirds, and marine wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Western Greenland
Choose the activity you like best during an expedition landing on Greenland’s stunning west coast.
Whether you prefer hiking, walking, photography, or sitting contemplatively, you’ll be delighted!
Admire the mighty mountains and the tiniest tundra flowers—a stop in this area will offer many outstanding features to pique your interest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Ilulissat, Greenland
Visit the town of Ilulissat, with splendid museums, cafés, craft shops, and a busy fishing harbour.
View the icebergs from shore on a hike along the boardwalk at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, then board a Zodiac to cruise your way among them!
Ilulissat translates literally to “iceberg”—an apt name for this site at the mouth of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, a source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Sisimiut Coast, Greenland
Colourful Sisimiut is Greenland’s second largest city. Access the extensive museum through a towering whalebone archway and be sure to stop in at the artisan’s co-operative for the chance to purchase outstanding handicrafts.
Traditional qajaq (kayaking) is in resurgence here, and there’s plenty of other fun outdoor activities for the adventurous to enjoy.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Complete your journey up Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and cross the Arctic Circle one last time on your way.
Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub.
Transfer by Zodiac to shore, then ride to the airport by bus for your charter flight to Toronto, ON.
Meals: Breakfast
