Northwest Passage - In the Footsteps of Franklin

Northwest Passage - In the Footsteps of Franklin

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17 Days From

$10742

$10447

Northwest Passage - In the Footsteps of Franklin

17 Days Starting and ending in Toronto

Visiting: Toronto, Kangerlussuaq, Greenland , Greenland, Pangnirtung, Resolute

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

PMP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 199

Physical rating:

Low, Leisurely

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Hiking, Sightseeing

From:
$10742
$10447 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$295
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Tour Overview

Winding your way through the icy channels of the legendary Northwest Passage is history brought to life. On this compelling 17-day journey aboard our new vessel, Ultramarine, passengers retrace the steps of the intrepid Franklin Expedition, which left the shores of England in 1845 in search of the last unexplored section of the Northwest Passage—only to become permanently icebound. Its discovery more than a century and a half later was a much-celebrated moment in Polar history.On Ultramarine, guests benefit from two twin-engine helicopters that will provide spectacular aerial views of the Arctic landscape, the most extensive portfolio of adventure options in the industry, more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than any other expedition ship its size, and 20 quick-launching Zodiacs to get you closer to ancient glaciers, dramatic fjords and towering icebergs. Explore colourful Greenlandic villages, and shop for traditional Inuit handicrafts. Hike the endless Arctic backdrop and marvel at the vast, colourful tundra. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive and majestic creatures that make their home in this wilderness, such as whales, walrus, Musk ox and Polar bears. Come aboard Ultramarine, follow in the footsteps of Franklin’s legendary Arctic voyage, and return home with memories to last a lifetime.

Highlights

  • Explore colourful Greenlandic villages and shop for traditional Inuit handicrafts

  • Experience highlights of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic

  • View iconic Arctic wildlife, such as whales, walrus and Musk ox

  • Enjoy flightseeing and heli landings with Ultramarine’s two onboard helicopters

  • Accompanied by extremely qualified Expedition Staff

  • Cruise in a Zodiac to get up close to glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more

  • Travel in a small expedition vessel

  • Hike the colourful tundra

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Start Toronto, Canada.

Location: Toronto

Meals Included: No Meals

Enjoy an included night in Toronto and meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2 : Fly To And Board The Ship.

Location: Kangerlussuaq

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 3 - 4 : Exploring West Greenland

Location: Greenland

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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—and equipped with two onboard

twin-engine helicopters for unparalleled access to areas only Quark

Expeditions can bring you—this one-of-a-kind ship, in its inaugural year,

will take you beyond the familiar in Polar exploration. Throughout your

journey, the 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.

Day 5 : At Sea

Location: Greenland

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 6 - 15 : Exploring Canada's High Arctic

Location: Pangnirtung

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit towering fjords, historical sites and traditional Inuit communities as you follow 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. The Expedition Team will also keep its eyes peeled for the Musk ox 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 have a chance of spotting 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 White-rumped sandpipers. You’ll also have time to explore Fort Ross, where the Hudson’s Bay Company established a now-abandoned trading post in 1937. At the midpoint of the Bellot Strait, a narrow channel that separates Somerset Island from mainland North America, you’ll reach the northernmost area of the continental landmass, Zenith Point.

Day 16 : Disembark In Resolute, Fly To Toronto

Location: Resolute

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After disembarking in Resolute, you’ll be transferred to your charter

flight to Toronto, where you’ll spend the night at your included hotel.

Day 17 : End Toronto

Location: Toronto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend

the day exploring this fascinating city.

What's Included

  • Meals
    6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners.


* All meals while on the ship
* Beer and house wine during dinner
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Full complement of qualified Expedition Staff
* We can include flights from the UK.  Please contact us for a quote.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Mandatory transfer package (including charter flights Toronto to Kangerlussuaq & Resolute to Toronto) which is £2200 per person (or equivalent in booking currency) paid on booking

Food

All meals while on the ship included.Typical MealsThe ships galley offers
good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing
international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide
variety of drinks from around the world on sale.Breakfast: Buffet style –
unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including
bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and
jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet,
or the occasional BBQ.Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup
and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a
dessert, with tea and coffee.Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for
on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary
requests so that our local team can be well prepared.

Accommodation

The Northwest Passage - In the Footsteps of Franklin is offered on the Ultramarine which is a Polar Adventure ship. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Polar Adventure Ships These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    No visa required for British passport holders.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific health risks.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Dates & Availability

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Thursday - Saturday

Aug 01, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024
$10742 $10447 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$295 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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