Into Canada's Northwest Passage cruise

Today, you will join your fellow passengers as you board a charter flight from Toronto to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. You will be met on arrival and taken by shared vehicle to your ship. Lying at the head of the longest fjord in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq, 'big fjord' in Greenlandic, is appropriately named as it is 168 km (104 miles) long. Begin your voyage by sailing down the fjord, crossing the Arctic Circle as you go.

The west Greenland coastline is a rich mixture of fishing communities, myriad islands and complex coastal waterways. There will be an expedition stop here at Sisimiut to enable you to explore the Greenlandic landscape. Sisimiut is Greenland's second largest city, and you will have time to visit the museum with a whalebone archway, or the artisan's studio for handcrafted souvenirs.

Visit the colorful coastal town of Ilulissat and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord by Zodiac. 'Ilulissat' means 'iceberg' and makes an apt name as the region is known for its enormous icebergs. We recommend a stop at the Ililissat Icefjord Centre, where you can dive into the narratives surrounding the ice and gain a deeper appreciation for these magnificent natural structures.

In Karrat Fjord you will cruise one of Greenland's most spectacular fjords. During ice break up, narwhals and seals use the long leads created by high winds in this region to hunt the rich waters of the fjord. Time spent on deck today should result in some good wildlife sightings. There may also be the option to set foot on land to hike the Greenland tundra with Inuit expedition team members teaching you about the local flora and fauna.

Explore Upernavik today, including the town cemetery and Old Town Museum. Depending on the weather, there should be fantastic views of the Davis Strait today.

As you sail toward Nunavut, you'll learn more about the Arctic and the Inuit people through workshops, documentaries, and cultural performances. You may also have the chance to participate in Inuit games or sample traditional food. We recommend keeping a keen eye on the waters for the chance to see minke and humpback whales.

The Arctic community of Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) is a busy one in a beautiful setting surrounded by the blue ocean, towering mountains on nearby Bylot Island and green rolling hills. You have the chance to attend a cultural performance by a local Inuit theater group featuring throat singing and storytelling. You also have the chance to visit the town and purchase unique handmade gifts and souvenirs.

Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) is one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut and home to narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales. Spend time here cruising by ship and Zodiac, looking for wildlife with your onboard biologists and ecologists. You may be lucky enough to spot polar bears in the region as well.

Another day exploring Tallurutiup Imanga both by small skiffs and on your cruise ship. The places you visit and the way that you see them will be dependent on the weather and where the wildlife is. As you cruise gently along the sound, learn more about the role the Inuit people play in conserving the biodiversity of the waterways and the connection between the water and the community.

Explore Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island in the world at over 50,000 sq km. The island has a unique character thanks to its glacial valleys, substantial ice cap and flat-topped mountains. While here, you have the opportunity to hike the tundra and cruise by a glacier face to listen for calving icebergs, all the while looking for the local wildlife.

Arrive at Beechey Island today — the final resting place of some of the crew who traveled on the fateful 1845 Franklin expedition to open up the Northwest Passage. The graves and ruins of Northumberland Houses here make a somewhat haunting memorial of the journey. You'll have time to explore here and learn more about the historical expedition.

Bathurst Island is home to Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area — a migratory route for polar bears between March and November. The Prince Regent passage also marks an area rich in marine bird life and mammals. Learn more about the merchants, Hudson's Bay Company while searching for beluga whales, narwhals, ivory gulls and thick-billed murres.

Continue your journey through Bellot Strait, a famed narrow passage only 2 km wide separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. As you sail through, you'll be reaching the northernmost tip of mainland North America. As ever, you'll be surrounded by marine life, and you'll learn about the region's history and explorer Joseph René Bellot, the strait's namesake.

Enter the Kitikmeot region and the ice-strewn waters of the Northwest Passage. This is Nunavut's least-populated region, but the abundance of wildlife, both in the sea and on land, ensures a lively journey. Visit one of the small local communities where you'll learn more about the region and its history from your Inuit hosts.

Continue through the Kitikmeot region today, learning more about the legacy and importance of the waterway. You also learn about Roald Amundsen, an explorer who braved the elements in the bay for two years while searching for the Northwest Passage. Hear the stories of the explorers who made this journey and the vital role the Inuits played in successful endeavours.

Your penultimate day on board is spent at Ulukhaktok on the west side of Victoria Island. You will have your last chance to learn everything you can from your knowledgeable ship team members and to make the most of the wild landscapes, rich history and culture, and fresh food. Settle in this evening for your final water journey.

Arriving in Kugluktuk (Coppermine) today, your cruise comes to an end. After disembarking, board a charter flight to Yellowknife, where you'll catch a further domestic flight to Toronto. On arrival in Toronto, you'll make your own way to the downtown area to check into your hotel for the night.

The morning is free to explore Toronto. There's a lot to see in the downtown area, and we'd recommend a walk along the waterfront and a trip up the CN Tower for panoramic views over the city. You will then make your way back to the airport for your onward flight.