Heart of the Arctic Cruise

13 Days from
$6,495 USD
Ship Trip
Highlights

Highlights

  • Journey with scientists, historians, Inuit artists, and culturalists to the heart of the Arctic!
  • Cross the Arctic Circle by ship while enjoying glorious Sondre Stromfjord
  • Visit some of Nunavut’s greatest carvers in their workshops
  • Learn about Inuit art and culture from artists and experts
  • Seek polar bears, marine mammals, and seabirds in the rich waters of Hudson Strait
  • Appreciate Inuit life in Greenland, Nunavut, and Nunavik
  • Immerse yourself in the creative tradition, science, and culture of the Arctic
  • View the spectacular Arctic coastal regions by Zodiac
Map

Map

Map for Heart of the Arctic Cruise

Tour Overview

South Greenland’s stunning coast. The communities of south Baffin. The islands of Ungava Bay. People, wildlife and landscape are the true Heart of the Arctic!

Visit three distinct Arctic regions on this voyage aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Explore the deep fjords and vibrant communities of Greenland, including the world’s smallest capital, Nuuk. Cross the Davis Strait in the wake of the explorers, searching for marine life and seabirds.

South Baffin Island’s Inuit art-making communities are famous throughout the world. Meet the artists. Pick up a carving, a print, or a tapestry. Nunavik, the Arctic coast of Quebec, offers outstanding archeology and wildlife.

Plentiful sea ice means great opportunities for wildlife viewing from the ship or board a Zodiac—or board a Zodiac to seek whales, bears, and caribou. Keep your binoculars ready for thick-billed murres, guillemots, dovekies, and more.

Departures & Cabins

DEPARTURES & CABINS

What's Included

Tour Price Includes

  • Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour
  • Applicable taxes and credit card fees
  • Complimentary expedition jacket
  • Contribution to Discovery Fund
  • Special access permits, entry, and park fees
  • Expert expedition team
  • Guided activities
  • Sightseeing and community visits
  • All Zodiac excursions
  • Port fees
  • Pre-departure materials
  • Educational program
  • Photo Equipment Trial Program
  • Interactive workshops
  • Evening entertainment
  • All shipboard meals

Tour Price Does Not Include

  • Commercial and charter flights
  • Program enhancements/optional excursions
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
  • Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
  • Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
  • Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
  • Optional excursions
  • Additional costs associated with payments by credit card

Itinerary

The 2025 itinerary runs in reverse, beginning in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and ending in Iqualuit, Nunavut.

Day 1: Iqaluit

After your charter flight from Ottawa, ON, transfer to the Ocean Endeavour by Zodiac through Iqaluit harbour. Iqaluit, at the head of Frobisher Bay, is Nunavut’s capital.

A population of nearly 8,000 calls the city home. Local attractions include the territorial Legislature, igloo-inspired St. Jude’s Cathedral, art shops, and more.

Overview of the city of Iqaluit with the Arctic Ocean harbor in the distance

Day 2: Frobisher Bay

Sail through this beautiful bay named for bygone explorer Martin Frobisher and stay on the lookout for wildlife.

Our geologists will have you raving about rocks! Expect compelling scenery and soak up the Arctic splendour.

Heart of the Arctic Cruise

Day 3: Kimmirut (Lake Harbour)

Kimmirut means “the heel” in Inuktitut, referring to an outcrop of marble across the bay, but you may also know this hamlet as Lake Harbour.

Thanks in part to its sheltered setting, this is among the oldest permanently inhabited spots on Baffin Island, with a storied legacy as a Hudson's Bay Company trading post, a producer of Inuit jewellery and ivory scrimshaw art.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of the community as you connect with friendly locals. They'll regale you with captivating stories and lead you to enchanting sites such as the old Anglican church, the RCMP post, the original Hudson Bay post, the Co-op, and Northern stores.

If you’re a hiker, you’ll enjoy walking through Kimmirut’s blooming tundra on the Itijjagiaq Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Arctic games

Day 4: Kinngait (Cape Dorset)

Meet the artists and visit the studios that make Kinngait proud—plus, have the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces of art!

Have a chance to talk with the old and new generations of outstanding artists, carvers, and printmakers who continue to make Kinngait a proud centre for fine art.

Kinngait was ground zero for the Inuit art market when, in 1959, the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative was established—the oldest professional Inuit printmaking studio in Canada.

Art in Cape Dorset

Day 5: Hudson Strait

Join the expedition team out on deck while navigating the icy, fast-moving waters of the Hudson Strait. Enjoy exploring alongside Inuit, gaining an intimate understanding of the region’s charming wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Search for breathtaking Arctic wildlife—polar bears, walruses, whales, seals, and seabirds—to capture the perfect photograph.

We’ll make the most of every opportunity to explore whether on foot or by embarking on a Zodiac cruise amidst stunning backdrops, as we search for the abundant wildlife that call this region home.

Polar bears on sea ice

Day 6 - 7: Ungava Peninsula, Quebec

Explore an area of treeless tundra along the Ungava Peninsula of Nunavik. Delve into its geological wonders, immerse yourself in its rich flora and fauna, and connect with Inuit cultural educators who will guide you through their homeland, leaving a lasting impression on your soul.

Enjoy great hiking and a Zodiac cruise with our expedition team, who will provide insightful interpretation every step of the way. Making the most of every opportunity to explore, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive wildlife that calls this region home.

Delight in the opportunity to bask in the tranquility and become one with the land. Listen to stories from Inuit and allow yourself to forge a deep connection to the places we explore. A visit here will leave here with a sense of fulfillment and a renewed appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Botanists in the Arctic

Day 8 - 9: Ungava Bay

Pay a visit to uninhabited Akpatok Island, the biggest island in Ungava Bay at over nine hundred square kilometres.

It’s named for the akpait (thick-billed murres) that nest on ledges of the lofty cliffs and is home to Canada’s largest colony of breeding pairs.

Take a Zodiac cruise to scout the shorelines and any outlying ice, keeping your eyes peeled for polar bears, walruses, and other marine life.

Large and shallow, Ungava Bay is a rich ecosystem and home to a variety of wildlife, including an endangered beluga population.

Thick-billed Murres

Day 10: At Sea – Davis Strait

Deepen your understanding of the environment, cultures, and history of the region as we sail across the Davis Strait towards Canada. Get the privileged opportunity to engage with and learn from Inuit in their homeland.

Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck! Try your hand at athletic feats during an interactive cultural performance of Inuit games.

Through shared experiences and interactions, develop a deep appreciation for the culture and gain a profound connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse.

Keep your binoculars ready to spot whales and seabirds who follow in our wake.

Northern Fulmar

Day 11: Nuuk

Stop in at vibrant Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Visit the Greenland National Museum, one of the city’s many outstanding features, where the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies rest.

The old harbour includes many buildings dating from Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafés.

Nuuk Greenland

Day 12: Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord

Kangerlussuatsiaq means “the rather big fjord” in Greenlandic, while the Danish name Evighedsfjorden translates to “the fjord of eternity,” underscoring its vastness and seemingly never-ending nature.

See why Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord lives up to its name and marvel at this complex coastal waterway that includes calving glaciers, sheer bird cliffs, and streams cascading against a towering mountain backdrop.

Explore this sublime glacial landscape by ship and by Zodiac. The waters here are relatively warm, due to the West Greenland Current and the subarctic location.

Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord

Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Welcome to Kalaallit Nunaat, or Greenland! Begin your journey by sailing down Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and cross the Arctic Circle on your way.

Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former US Air Force base.

Musk ox in arctic valley, Greenland

What to Expect

Our small ship cruising programs allow you to experience the best of the natural world, while enjoying the comforts of our friendly floating hotel. The ship generally makes crossing between islands at night, so every morning you awake to new vistas and discoveries. Every day we offer a combination of interesting shore excursions and fun shipboard activities. You can choose which elements of the program you want to participate in.

This expedition cruise necessitates passengers to be in reasonably good health. Zodiac cruises and transfer times can be lengthy. You must be able to climb stairs between decks on the ship, as well as the external gangway stairs to transfer between the zodiac and ship.

Some of our shore landings will be ‘wet’, requiring waterproof boots. Once you have left the zodiac, you’ll find our shore excursions accommodate both those who wish to enjoy a gentle stroll and those who prefer more active hikes. The excursion may involve walking over uneven or sandy terrain in variable weather conditions. Our onboard specialists will join us on these shore excursions to provide interpretation and narration to these wonderful landscapes and experiences.

Each evening we will gather in the lounge to recount the days events and share memorable stories. Our onboard musician will provide some lively entertainment during happy hour and the expedition leader will outline the following days’s schedule. Our resource staff of naturalists, historians, and other guest speakers will give informative talks at various times throughout the voyage.

Meals in the ship’s dining room are a great opportunity to meet new firends and recount the day’s adventures. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Safety is also a top priority with Eagle-Eye Tours – our team has extensive experience in the field, and all of our Voyages are run in conjunction with operators with the highest safety standards.

When the ship is underway, it is a wonderful time to join a naturalist on deck, take photos of the stunning scenery, or get caught up on some reading in the library.

Weather, ice, government regulations, and community requests may necessitate changes to the planned itineraries and/or the cancellation of certain shore excursions and enhancements. Published itineraries are examples only and we reserve the right to change or modify the itinerary and landing sites at any time prior or during an expedition. Changes will be communicated at your expedition orientation or during your onboard expedition briefings.

We know that everyone travels for different reasons. Over the years, however, we have found one common element among the guest who choose to travel with us – a thirst of knowledge and authentic experience. Knowing this drives us to ensure the highest quality learning experience on our trips, by taking time to carefully design each trip we offer.

Ship & Deck Plan

Ocean Endeavour

Ocean Endeavour

Sailing with a maximum of 198-passengers, Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for expedition cruising. Outfitted with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges and a top deck observation room, she is purpose-built for passenger experiences in remote environments. The Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice class, enabling her to freely explore throughout the Arctic summer.

Launched in 1982, she has had numerous upgrades, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137 meters (450ft) in length, Ocean Endeavour has plenty of interior and exterior space. Enjoy multiple decks offering comfortable lounge chairs, outdoor dining, a swimming pool, sauna and even a hot tub! The spacious interiors allow for multiple workshops and presentations to occur simultaneously. Community is at the heart of Adventure Canada’s expedition experience. We gather together to learn, enjoy a drink, sing a song or share a yarn – connecting with one and other. The three lounges aboard Ocean Endeavour are fantastic public spaces for seminars, events and dialogue.

The Ocean Endeavour’s private spaces are stylish and comfortable. All cabins have private washroom facilities, a phone for internal calls, radio, TV and air-conditioning.

Ocean Endeavour’s crew is experienced, and friendly. Her shallow draft and maneuverability allow her to access isolated fiords, bays and secluded communities. The stylish vessel is at home among the glorious settings we seek. Enjoy the class and comfort of a boutique hotel, while venturing to some of the world’s last great frontiers aboard the Ocean Endeavour!

Learn More

Featured Wildlife

While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds or mammals listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour.

  • Thick-billed Murre
  • Common Eider
  • Black-legged Kittiwake
  • Dovekie
  • Black Guillemot
  • Northern Fulmar
  • Polar Bear
  • Humpback Whale
  • Minke Whale
  • Muskox

Past Tour Checklists

View the list of birds and other wildlife we encountered on our past tours.

Trip Reports & Inspiration

Tour Reviews