Northwest Passage 2027: Toronto to Calgary | Greg Mortimer

Having made your way to Toronto, take the complimentary hotel shuttle and check in at our group hotel at Toronto Airport. Please visit the hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation procedures and the charter flight to Nuuk tomorrow. You will receive cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

Please ensure that your luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Any valuables or personal items should be kept on you throughout the day. Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board.

After breakfast at the hotel, board our charter flight to Nuuk, where the Greg Mortimer awaits. After embarkation, there is time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew.

After a morning sailing north towards the Arctic Circle, we arrive in Sisimiut, Greenland’s second largest town. Sisimiut is located approximately 54 kilometres (33.5 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, meaning that during summer, you can experience the midnight sun here. The town is famous for the old blue church with the gate made of whale bone. In the cosy museum next door to the church, you will find an excellent reconstruction of an Inuit turf house as well as exhibits of local history and early life in Greenland.

Approximately 4,500 years ago, the Saqqaq culture arrived from Canada and settled in the area. They lived here for approximately 2,000 years, after which they mysteriously disappeared from the area. The Dorset culture arrived around 500 CE and stayed until the 1200s until they were replaced by the Thule culture, and today, the majority of the population of Sisimiut are descendants of the Thule culture.

In the afternoon we arrive in Ilulissat. Known as the ‘birthplace of icebergs’, this region produces some of the most dazzling icebergs found anywhere on Earth. Hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord viewpoint and stand in awe of its immensity. Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier, is the most productive glacier – not only in Greenland but the entire Northern Hemisphere. It produces 20 million tonnes of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay.

Explore the remote northern reaches of West Greenland, where traditional Inuit settlements cling to the rugged coastline and towering icebergs drift through the deep, clear waters. Every day presents new possibilities, guided by your expedition team, who will hunt for the perfect location to explore the stunning fjord systems by Zodiac. Vast fjord systems such as Uummannaq Fjord, offers endless opportunities for adventure, every corner revealing jaw-dropping views, monumental icebergs, and vibrant rock formations that beg to be explored. Whether you’re cruising silently through the ice-choked waters, hiking across the colourful tundra, or visiting one of the remote communities that dot the coast, the options for discovery are limitless. Kayakers can paddle among the floating icebergs while keeping an eye out for humpback and minke whales. With the spirit of true expedition cruising, this region invites you to immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Greenland’s northern frontier.

Find a spot in one of our many observation lounges and enjoy the spectacular surrounding landscapes. Our talented and knowledgeable expedition members will present informative and entertaining talks about the region that you’re travelling through.

After clearance into Canada, we hope to visit Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik), a captivating Inuit community nestled on the northern tip of Baffin Island. Surrounded by towering ice-capped mountains, vast glaciers, and pristine fjords, this remote outpost offers an unparalleled wilderness experience. As you step ashore, you'll be greeted by the warm hospitality of the local Inuit, whose deep connection to the land is evident in their culture and lifestyle. Immerse yourself in their traditions through engaging cultural encounters and gain insights into their unique perspective on life in the Arctic.

In genuine expeditionary style, our itinerary for the following days is heavily dependent on weather conditions and unpredictable sea ice. The following places are some that we hope to visit.

Devon Island (Tallurutit)
The largest uninhabited island on Earth, featuring glacial valleys and abundant wildlife. Stops may include Dundas Harbour, Croker Bay, and Maxwell Bay.

Maxwell Bay (Tasiujaq)
A sheltered Arctic inlet ideal for hiking and marine wildlife viewing, with possible sightings of muskoxen, caribou, and polar bears.

Beechey Island (Iluvilik)
A historic site linked to the Franklin expedition, marked by graves of lost crew members and Amundsen’s 1903 landing.

Radstock Bay
Site of ancient Thule ruins beneath striking cliffs, with remnants of past exploration and whaling history.

Prince Leopold Island (Appait)
A vital bird sanctuary with dramatic cliffs and large nesting colonies, also frequented by seals and polar bears.

Port Leopold
A windswept, history-rich bay with relics from 19th-century expeditions and early trading posts.

Elwin Bay (Ikpiarjuk)
Known for polar bear activity and summer sightings of beluga whales, set against tundra and limestone cliffs.

Batty Bay
A scenic fjord with ties to historic expeditions, excellent for tundra hikes and Zodiac wildlife cruises.

Bellot Strait
A narrow, dramatic channel with strong currents and striking scenery, often navigated in pursuit of the Northwest Passage.

In Resolute, farewell the crew, expedition team and fellow travellers before a Zodiac shuttle whisks you ashore. Transfer to the airport for a charter flight to Calgary, where you will transfer to your group hotel and stay overnight.

After breakfast, check out your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.