Compare Classic Northwest Passage and Greenland by Adventure Unbound vs Family Canadian Adventure by Explore!
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 13 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 9,595 | $ 4,200 |
| Price Per Day | $ 738 | $ 300 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 Dinners |
|
| Description |
Journey into the Remote Canadian Arctic. Venture into the remote Northwest Passage and cruise the fjords of Baffin Island before crossing to Greenland on this 12-night voyage. Follow in the footsteps of early explorers including Sir John Franklin and Roald Amundsen, cruise the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, witness the skills of traditional Greenlandic kayakers and soak up the incredible wildlife viewing opportunities in the Canadian Arctic. |
Adventure awaits on this family tour of western Canada. From exploring the surface of the Athabasca Glacier to whale watching off the coast of Victoria Island and meeting grizzlies at a bear sanctuary, there's an awe-inspiring experience at every turn. Whether we're canoeing or tree-top walking, drum making or totem pole spotting, there'll be no time for boredom. Each night, we'll make Canada's lush nature our temporary home, camping under the stars and roasting marshmallows over an open fire. Canada's rugged icons - Traverse the Rockies and beyond, taking in Canada's must-see sites from Banff National Park to the Icefield Parkway. Non-stop adventure - From tree-top suspension bridges to nature trails and canoe excursions to glacier explorations, this tour is packed with thrilling activities. Camping under the stars - Get even closer to nature, camping amidst forests and at the edge of lakes. |
Day 1: Edmonton
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Depart Edmonton on your charter flight to Cambridge Bay, a remote outpost on the southern shores of Victoria Island. It’s a hub for hunting and fishing in the region and Amundsen spent two winters here, learning to dog-sled from locals in the lead up to his attempt on the South Pole. Discover its history on a walking tour of the town before embarking your expedition ship, the Akademik loffe, and setting sail for the Northwest Passage.
Day 2: Victory Point
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
As we head further into the Northwest Passage, learn more about the mystery of Sir John Franklin and his “lost expedition” before we encounter his vessels left abandoned in the ice of Victoria Strait. Today they are being brought back to life by the ongoing efforts of Parks Canada’s marine archaeological team and the recent Victoria Strait Expedition. Witness an abandoned lifeboat, cutlery and skeletons at Victory Point, before passing as close to the location of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror wrecks as possible.
Day 3: Coningham Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
This morning we will arrive at Coningham Bay on the shores of Prince Of Wales Island for one of the Arctic's most impressive wildlife encounters. Coningham Bay is famed for its polar bear sightings, with these iconic creatures coming to hunt for beluga whales which get trapped in the rocky shallows.
Day 4: Bellot Strait and Fort Ross
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
This morning we will transit the narrow passage of Bellot Strait where harp seals, bearded seals and polar bears can sometimes be spotted and continue to the historic site of Fort Ross on Somerset Island. This former Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading outpost is surrounded by a number of fascinating archaeological sites which detail more than one thousand years of Inuit inhabitation.
Day 5: Beechey Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Today we will visit Beechey Island where Sir John Franklin’s expedition spent its last winter in 1845 before disappearing into the icy wilderness. Step ashore on its remote beach to visit the grave markers which have been placed here and ponder the bravery of these pioneering Arctic explorers.
Day 6: Devon Island and Dundas Harbour
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
This morning we will enter Lancaster Sound which has been dubbed a wildlife “super highway”. Waters from the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet here, creating an abundant source of nutrients for both marine life and bird species. We will visit the old Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) outpost at Dundas Harbour which is situated on the southern shores of Devon Island, then search for musk ox and Arctic hare on a hiking excursion.
Day 7: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
As we approach the wild north coast of Baffin Island, we’ll navigate through Navy Board Inlet and Sirmilik National Park to visit the remote Inuit community of Mittimatalik. Gain a better understanding of the culture and history of these northern people on a visit the Natinnak Center, see traditional Inuit games being demonstrated and peruse their beautiful carvings, jewelry and traditional crafts.
Day 8: Gibbs Fjord
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
This morning we will cruise through the dark waters of Gibbs Fjord, set against a dramatic backdrop of soaring peaks and snowy glaciers.
Day 9: Baffin Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
We’ll depart the rugged coastline of Baffin Island and cross the Baffin Bay en route to Greenland. Attend lectures on the natural and human history of the Arctic by your team of onboard experts and keep an eye out for fin, sperm and humpback whales which are known to frequent these waters, together with Arctic seals, fulmars and dovekies.
Day 10: Ilulissat Icefjord
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Today we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord where immense tabular icebergs are released into the waters of Disko Bay. These spectacular monoliths are created by a glacier which is advancing up to 40 meters per day and the high ice rating of our vessel allows us to explore in comfort and safety.
Day 11: Sisimiut
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Spend the morning on a zodiac excursion exploring a picturesque fjord behind the town of Sisimiut, then step ashore to visit its colorful houses. Backed by towering granite peaks, this small settlement is home to a museum, as well as traditional Greenlandic kayakers who will demonstrate their distinct watercraft skills.
Day 12: Sondre Stromfjord
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Today will be spent cruising up one of the world’s longest fjords, Sondre Stromfjord, with plenty of opportunities to jump aboard the zodiacs or kayaks to explore its small side fjords. You may also opt to go hiking to spot muskox along the shores, as well as white-tailed sea eagles which can often be spotted riding the thermals above the ridges.
Day 13: Kangerlussuaq and Ottawa
This morning we will arrive in Kangerlussuaq where you will bid farewell to your crew and be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Ottawa.
Day 1 Trip starts in Vancouver
Our Canadian family tour begins in Vancouver. Known as the Jewel of North America, and easily one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Canada, Vancouver eases us into the country's wonderous nature, backed by Mount Seymour and set on the Pacific Coast. Due to the number of evening flights into Vancouver, our tour leader - who is also our driver for the duration of the tour - will meet you on the morning of day two. A message will be left in the hotel reception with timings and anything you might need for the following day. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive into Vancouver at any time. If you\ d like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Vancouver International Airport (YVC), which is a 40-minute drive from the hotel. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, our hotel is centrally located in the downtown area and is the perfect base to explore some of the city's highlights. You might like to head to the enormous rainforest in Stanley Park or to see the Granville Island public market.
Meals Provided : None
Day 2 Explore Vancouver and catch ferry to Vancouver Island
This morning, we'll explore Vancouver including visiting Granville Island and its public market, Chinatown, the Gastown area of the city and Stanley Park. We'll enjoy a picnic in one of Vancouver's parks that overlook the bay and catch the afternoon ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island where we'll camp on the outskirts of the city. Although the island stretches almost 500 kilometres from north to south, it has a population of just 500,000 and, with its numerous provincial parks, it's easy to escape into the wilderness.
Meals Provided : Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 Whale watching trip and discover Victoria and its totem poles
Vancouver Island is one of the best places in the world to spot marine wildlife, being situated on the main migration route of several species of whale including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whales, and Minke. We'll board a catamaran for a whale-watching excursion around the surrounding islands. It may also be possible to spot Osprey, Bald Eagle, and other marine birds on our tour. Upon returning to shore, we'll explore Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, including sites such as the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and the impressive Empress Hotel on the harbourfront. We'll finish our guided tour at Thunderbird Park, home to numerous totem poles that were carved by First Nation citizens, the original inhabitants of modern-day Canada. The rest of the day is free for optional visits, including to the Royal British Columbia Museum or Butchart's Gardens which is world-renowned for its beauty.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 4 Return to the mainland, treetop adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge and drive to Squamish
We'll take the morning ferry back to the mainland and stop off at Capilano Suspension Bridge for a treetop adventure 70 metres above the Capilano River. Manoeuvre from one Douglas Fir tree to another on a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 30 metres above the forest floor. Afterwards, we'll continue to Squamish, situated at the end of the Howe Sound and surrounded by mountains, arriving in time to enjoy an evening meal cooked by our tour leader.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 Visit a First Nations cultural centre and make a traditional drum, continue to Hat Creek campground
This morning, we'll visit the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre and learn about the indigenous people of the region who'll show us how to make a traditional mini drum. In the afternoon, we'll drive northeast to the Hat Creek campground, in the grounds of a historic ranch built in the Gold Rush era.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 Drive to Clearwater via Spahats Creek Falls viewpoint, canoe in Wells Gray Provincial Park
Today, we'll explore more of the historic Hat Creek site and indigenous village. Continuing towards Wells Gray Park, we'll make a stop at Spahats Creek Falls viewpoint and take in the scenery while we tuck into a picnic lunch in the park. Upon arrival at Wells Gray, our local guide will give us a detailed introduction to paddling techniques and environmental ethics before we take to canoes for a three-hour journey to our wild camping spot. Please note, for the next two nights, we'll go back to basics as we wild camp. There'll be no showers or running water.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 Full day in Wells Gray Provincial Park, canoe on Clearwater Lake and wild camp
After a hearty breakfast, we'll head back out onto Clearwater Lake to further explore the waters. After an hour of canoeing, we'll reach Eagle's View, where we can take in the vistas over the lake. There's a beach where we'll stop with time to enjoy a dip in the lake. Back at our camp, this afternoon we'll learn some bushcraft skills as we prepare a campfire and assist our guide in making our evening meal. We'll spend the evening roasting marshmallows on the campfire and stargazing.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 Walk along the Fraser Canyon and stay in Jasper
This morning, we'll paddle back to the launch and swap our canoes for our bus. If time permits, we'll make another stop along the road to complete our Wells Gray Park exploration, visiting either Helmcken Falls or Bailey's Chute. Heading northeast towards Mount Robson Provincial Park, we'll see Mount Robson itself which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters. It's so tall that it has its own weather patterns and if we're lucky we'll be able to view it from top to bottom. From here, we'll enjoy a walk along Fraser Canyon to Overlander Falls (a one-kilometre round trip/45-minute walk) and then drive on to Jasper, our destination for today. Look out for black bears, elks, and eagles en route, many of which can usually be spotted from the road. We'll set up camp for the next two nights in the National Park.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 Visit Maligne Canyon and walk the Bald Hill Trail
We'll dedicate today to Maligne Canyon. The canyon has a reputation for being one of the most spectacular gorges in the Canadian Rockies, with sheer, limestone walls that plunge 50 metres into the waters of the Maligne River. We'll take a short walk along the canyon passing by springs, waterfalls, bridges, and forests before visiting Maligne Lake, the largest lake in the Rockies. After enjoying a picnic lunch near the lake, the afternoon sees us hiking along the Bald Hills Trail (around 13 kilometres/four-to-five hours of walking). There are several routes that we might take, and our leader will choose which one is best based on the makeup of the group. There are also opportunities to explore the lake by canoe or cruise boat (optional), before we drive back to Jasper through the Maligne Valley.
Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch
Day 10 Drive Icefield Parkway, snow glacier tour and arrive in Golden
Today's drive takes us along the Icefield Parkway to Golden. The road negotiates its way through a landscape of coniferous forests, towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and impressive glaciers. Possible scenic stops en route include Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Athabasca Falls. Along the way, we'll hop on board the Ice Explorer, a vehicle designed especially for glacial travel, for an excursion across the surface of the Falls Glacier. In the afternoon, we'll continue our drive to Golden with wildlife spotting as we go, so be on the lookout for black bears, elks and eagles. Tonight, we'll stay in Golden, a small town in the heart of the Columbia Valley.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 Visit grizzly bear refuge and walk in Yoho National Park
This morning, we'll head to the remarkable Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge, the world's largest enclosed grizzly bear habitat. It offers us a unique opportunity to watch a grizzly behaving exactly as it would in the wild. After a short hike to the reserve, you'll have a chance to meet Boo, the refuge's very own orphan grizzly, and learn more about the life of these magnificent bears from one of the centre's resident naturalists. Next, we head for Yoho National Park, to take a short walk up to Takkakaw Falls which is the second-highest waterfall in Canada. You can either relax at our campsite or stretch your legs on one of the nearby trails.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12 Walk by Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and drive to Banff
This morning, we'll drive for around three hours to Banff National Park - a landscape of mountains, meadows, and crystal-clear lakes. On our way, we'll stop for a walk around the postcard-perfect Lake Louise and Moraine Lake - the walk will be based on the groups\ abilities with a choice of routes ranging from six kilometres (around two-and-a-half hours) to 14 kilometres (around five hours). You'll also have the option of renting a canoe and heading out on Lake Louise. If time permits, we might have the chance to visit Banff on the way to our evening's campground for a bit of exploration.
Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch
Day 13 Explore Banff before hiking in Banff National Park and drive to Calgary
This morning, we'll take a hike in Banff National Park, which is rich in wildlife with over 60 species of mammals and 280 species of birds being recorded here, including golden eagles, cougars, and black bears. We'll then drive to Calgary and spend the afternoon exploring on foot. There's the option to climb Calgary Tower for a 360-degree panoramic view over the city, set against a backdrop of the Rockies.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 14 Trip ends in Calgary
There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you\ d like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Calgary International Airport (YYC), around a 20-minute drive from the hotel.
Meals Provided : None
