Northwest Passage: Footsteps of Franklin | Ultramarine
17 Days
Save Up To 7%
WAS From AUD 23,900 Now From AUD 22,450
STYLE: Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACQENPF
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Toronto, Canada
Finish: Calgary, Canada
SHIP: Ultramarine
Destination
Arctic, Greenland, Canadian Arctic
Accommodation
Cabin
DEPARTURE DATES
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OVERVIEW
Retrace the incredible expedition of the Franklin Expedition on this remarkable 17 day voyage into the heart of the Northwest Passage. Discover remote and vast Arctic landscapes, from towering fjords, wild tundra and towering icebergs. Encounter unique Greenlandic villages and have the opportunity to shop for traditional Inuit handicrafts. Undertake a true Arctic expedition from the West of Greenland to Canada's High Arctic.
*Offers & Discounts are correct at the time of publishing and are only available for sale on selected cabins and departures. Discounts are subject to change, availability will be confirmed at time of booking. The below prices may also include a 'Pay in full at time of booking' which is a 5-10% early payment bonus. Further conditions may apply,, contact us for more information.
ITINERARY
Your Arctic expedition begins in Toronto. Explore this vibrant city on your own before spending the night at your well-appointed hotel.
After breakfast, board your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, a small seaside community that’s your gateway to Greenland. Enjoy your first Zodiac ride as you’re transferred from shore to ship. Out on deck, take in your new surroundings before you set sail on your Arctic adventure.
Cruising around the remote regions of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic aboard Ultramarine, the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers of long ago. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the hardest-to-reach places on the planet this one-of-a-kind ship, in its inaugural year, will take you beyond the familiar in polar exploration. Throughout your journey, your Expedition Team will keep an eye toward immersing you in the best the Arctic has to offer at the top of the world. Locals call Maniitsoq the Venice of Greenland, as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround the small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend summer in the waters around here.
The Greenlandic capital of Nuuk is a haven for history and culture lovers. Stroll down to the waterfront to see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue, named for the missionary who established the settlement in 1728. Marvel at the famous remains of 500-year-old fully dressed mummies, discovered under a rock outcrop in 1972 by two brothers out hunting, at the Greenland National Museum. The Nuuk Art Museum and Katuaq Culture Centre are also worth visiting.
Say goodbye to Greenland’s shores as you traverse the Davis Strait in pursuit of the Canadian Arctic. Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.
Visit towering fjords, historical sites and traditional Inuit communities as you follow in the footsteps of famous explorers from long ago in the Canadian High Arctic.
The picturesque Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, nicknamed the Switzerland of the Arctic, is nestled beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Duval. An artist’s hub, Pang is renowned for its traditional Inuit arts and crafts, especially lithographs and intricate tapestries. At the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts, watch craftspeople in the tapestry studio and pick up a limited-edition print. A must for visitors, a colorful Pang hat will keep you warm during the remainder of your Arctic voyage. You’ll also visit nearby Kekerten, an uninhabited island that was a major whaling destination in the 1800s.
At the southern tip of the Cumberland Sound, Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis (yes, he of the Davis Strait), who sailed through it in 1585. The site of an old Distant Early Warning Line installation, it’s an ideal spot to go ashore for a hike.
As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, they’re naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuak (formerly known as Broughton Island), the iceberg capital of the world. The icy waters here are sometimes also home to narwhals, beluga and right whales, and ring and harp seals. A hike up to the hilltop inukshuk (a stone figure made by the Inuit) rewards with spectacular views of the community.
Cruising farther north along the east coast of Baffin Island, we’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for a large population of bowhead whales.
Stacked side by side, the dozens of soaring cliffs of Sam Ford Fjord make for a majestic site as you sail by. One of the most isolated places on the planet, the big-wall playground attracts climbers eager to scale the sheer rock faces that shoot straight out of the sea.
At the northern tip of Baffin Island, near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage, is the picturesque hamlet of Pond Inlet. Spend some time exploring this traditional Inuit community that’s surrounded by scenic mountains, fjords, glaciers and icebergs.
The area around Lancaster Sound affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbour, on Devon Island, you’ll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At nearby Croker Bay, cruise in a Zodiac (at a safe distance) along the face of an actively calving glacier. Your Expedition Team will also keep its eyes peeled for the muskoxen and walrus that are known to visit the bay. A hike to a nearby archaeological site is another possible excursion. Farther west, some of the best ancient Thule remains in the Arctic are at Radstock Bay, beside the soaring Caswell Towers, a polar bear observation site. Exploring the area, you’ll gain insight into how these pre-Inuit people lived.
At the western end of Devon Island, the windswept Beechey Island might be small, but it’s steeped in history. Named after famed British explorer Frederick William Beechey, it’s a Canadian National Historic Site. You’ll visit the small marked graves of three crew members who died during Sir John Franklin’s tragic 1845–46 expedition. Roald Amundsen landed here in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship through the Northwest Passage.
Sailing down the east coast of Somerset Island, you may be fortunate to spot beluga whales and narwhals, as they feed on the large numbers of Arctic char that enter Creswell Bay in late summer. An Important Bird Area, the bay also attracts such species as black-bellied plovers, king eiders and whit
After disembarking in Resolute, you’ll be transferred to your charter flight to Calgary, where you’ll spend the night at your well-appointed hotel.
Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend the day exploring this fascinating city.
WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?
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You will have the opportunity to encounter unique Arctic wildlife including whales, walrus and musk oxen.
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Experience the highlights of both Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
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Embark on unique zodiac adventures to get up to glaciers, fjords and icebergs.
Ultramarine
The newest ship of this expedition fleet; Ultramarine; takes guests to the most isolated and breathtaking wildernesses on the planet. The ship has been purpose-built to meet the specific demands of the polar regions and is well appointed to let guests explore The Arctic and Antarctica safely and comfortably. It offers a robust portfolio of adventure activities. The mix of sustainability features create innovative operations to offer ultra-immersive polar experiences to guests on board . Experience the Antarctic in comfort as you sail aboard Ultramarine. The Expedition Ship can accommodate a maximum of 199 passengers and offers the most spacious suites in its category . The cabins are all elegantly designed and feature oversized windows with sleeping views, flatscreen TV’s and DVD players and spa - inspired bathrooms. Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features a best-in-class 70-day operational range and an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.
Ice Class:
Length: 128m (420ft)
Breadth: 21.5m (70.5ft)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed:
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:199
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Accommodation
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Standard
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Superior
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Deluxe
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Pricing per person
 | Solo PanoramaFeatures:-
| 4 % off AUD 40,800 AUD 39,350Available Enquire Now
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 | Explorer TripleFeatures:-
| 7 % off AUD 23,900 AUD 22,450Available Enquire Now
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 | Explorer SuiteFeatures:-
| 29 % off AUD 30,500 AUD 22,787Available Enquire Now
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 | Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 29 % off AUD 33,400 AUD 24,962Available Enquire Now
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 | Deluxe Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 38,600 AUD 27,205Available Enquire Now
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 | Terrace SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 40,100 AUD 28,255Available Enquire Now
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 | Penthouse SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 40,800 AUD 28,745Available Enquire Now
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 | Owner's SuiteFeatures:-
| 32 % off AUD 51,800 AUD 36,445Available Enquire Now
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 | Ultra SuiteFeatures:-
| 32 % off AUD 57,000 AUD 40,085Available Enquire Now
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| Solo PanoramaFeatures:-
| 10 % off AUD 49,850 AUD 45,280Available Enquire Now
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| Explorer TripleFeatures:-
| 10 % off AUD 28,650 AUD 26,200Available Enquire Now
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| Explorer SuiteFeatures:-
| 28 % off AUD 36,750 AUD 27,622Available Enquire Now
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| Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 28 % off AUD 40,050 AUD 29,998Available Enquire Now
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| Deluxe Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 46,650 AUD 32,837Available Enquire Now
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| Terrace SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 48,250 AUD 33,917Available Enquire Now
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| Penthouse SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 49,750 AUD 34,930Available Enquire Now
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| Owner's SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 62,950 AUD 43,840Unavailable Enquire Now
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| Ultra SuiteFeatures:-
| 33 % off AUD 69,350 AUD 48,160Available Enquire Now
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Important Information
Inclusions
Cabin accommodation on board ship
All meals whilst on board
All scheduled landings and excursions
Guiding and leadership by expert exploration team and crewExclusions
International flights
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel Insurance
Beverages (other than tea and coffee)Mandatory Transfer Package:
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Toronto
- Group transfer from the Toronto hotel to the airport on Day 2
- Charter flight from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq
- Group transfer from the Kangerlussuaq airport to the ship on embarkation day
- Group transfer from the ship to the Resolute airport on disembarkation day
- Charter flight from Resolute to Calgary
- Group transfer from Calgary airport to hotel
- One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Calgary
- 2 (light adventure)
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Please note this itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
Season and availability