Northwest Passage 2027: Calgary to Toronto | Greg Mortimer

Having made your way to Calgary, you will be met by a representative and transferred to our group hotel located in downtown Calgary. Upon arrival at your included hotel, 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 Calgary 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 Resolute, where the Greg Mortimer awaits. After boarding, there is time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew.

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.

At Elwin Bay (Ikpiarjuk) on Somerset Island, polar bears patrol the ice edge while beluga whales and Arctic foxes are sometimes spotted along the scenic coastline. The raw, rugged beauty of this inlet makes it a paradise for photographers.

Port Leopold tells a sombre tale of survival, where search parties for the lost Franklin expedition overwintered in 1849. Here, a solitary Hudson Bay hut and a rock engraving from the era serve as haunting reminders of Arctic hardship.

Prince Leopold Island (Appait) is a vital Arctic bird sanctuary, home to half a million nesting seabirds in summer. Its towering cliffs and surrounding sea ice also attract seals and prowling polar bears.

At Radstock Bay, explore Thule village ruins beneath the dramatic Caswell Tower, where ancient artifacts and whale bones offer insights into past life in the Arctic.

On Beechey Island (Iluvilik), the graves of Franklin’s crew and Amundsen’s historic landfall connect you directly to some of the most significant moments in Arctic exploration history.

Maxwell Bay (Tasiujaq) offers a rich blend of hiking, Zodiac cruising, and wildlife encounters - from caribou and muskoxen on land to walruses, seals, and seabirds in sheltered waters and quiet coves.

On Devon Island (Tallurutit) - the largest uninhabited island on Earth - you’ll witness spectacular geology and possibly land at Dundas Harbour, where abandoned RCMP and Hudson’s Bay outposts stand amid rolling tundra, frequented by walruses and nesting birds.

Today 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.

Tucked away on the eastern shores of Baffin Island, Feacham Bay is a spectacular, pristine corner of the Canadian Arctic that offers incredible wildlife viewing and unforgettable scenic beauty. Surrounded by towering cliffs and deep fjords, this remote bay is often a haven for wildlife, where muskoxen and Arctic foxes roam the rocky shores, and seals haul out on the ice. The crystal-clear waters of the bay are ideal for Zodiac cruises, where you may spot elusive polar bears hunting along the coast or perhaps witness whales feeding in the nutrient-rich waters.

We exit Canada and cross Baffin Bay to Greenland. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Disembark in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, where you say farewell to the crew and expedition team and transfer to the airport for our charter flight to Toronto for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out of your room and continue your journey. Make your own way to Toronto Airport with the hotel complimentary shuttle.