Compare Classic Northwest Passage and Greenland by Adventure Unbound vs Active West Coast Canada Discovery by G Adventures

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 Vancouver/Sooke

Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Vancouver before catching the ferry to Sooke on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There’s a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group.

Day 2 Sooke

After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You’ll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group.

Day 3 Sooke

Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping.

Day 4 Sooke/Parksville

In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Valley where you'll go out on canoes and kayaks in Cowichan Bay. In the afternoon the group will travel to Parksville and walk in Rathtrevor Park along the beach. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the waves crashing, see old growth forests along the shoreline, and look for wildlife in the tide pools. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors.

Day 5 Parksville/Squamish

Leave Parksville behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Once across the water, the group will drive to Squamish and hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region’s best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refuelling after the day’s adventure.

Day 6 Squamish

Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you’ll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it’s certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you’ll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night.

Day 7 Squamish/Whistler

In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you’ll have free time to enjoy Whistler. Consider checking out the ​​Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you’ll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire.

Day 8 Whistler/Vancouver

Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.

Please book any departing flights no earlier than 4:00pm.