Northwest Passage to Newfoundland Glaciers, Mountains, and Wildlife
Starting from
- Calgary, Canada
Expedition Overview
This exciting new 16-day itinerary takes you on a 2,500-nautical mile journey along the legendary Northwest Passage in the Canadian High Arctic, then down the rarelyvisited east coast of Baffin Island to Newfoundland and Labrador, where we’ll visit magnificent Torngat Mountains National Park and the windswept Viking ruins at l’Anse Aux Meadows UNESCO world heritage site. This voyage of discovery also features a visit to the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.
Setting sail from the northern gateway of Qausuittuq (Resolute) in Nunavut, we start our adventure in the middle of the historic Northwest Passage. Your home away from home during this ground-breaking exploration is our technologically-advanced Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, and a fleet of 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs that enable you to get off the ship quickly and efficiently. Throughout this voyage, we’ll set our sights on remote wilderness areas along the east coast of Baffin Island, Labrador and Newfoundland that are only accessible by water. You will also get to explore Beechey Island National Historic Site, Icy Arm Fjord, the small Baffin Island community of Qikiiqtarjuaq, Cape Mercy on southern Baffin Island at the mouth of Cumberland Sound, Torngat Mountains National Park, L’Anse aux Meadows UNESCO world heritage site, the French archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon and, finally, the historic city of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The geographical range of this expedition is massive. You’ll start at 74.69° N, cross the Arctic Circle at 66.66° N, and ultimately finish your journey in St. John’s, at 47.55° N. Clearly, this is the ideal trip for travelers who long to see as much of the remote Canadian wilderness as possible. In addition to exploring the Territory of Nunavut, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re especially excited to visit Nunatsiavut, the self-governing region that’s home to the Labrador Inuit who are known as Nunatsiavummiut.
Highlights
Visit the Viking ruins at L’Anse Aux Meadows UNESCO world heritage site
Explore the unrivalled wilderness of Torngat Mountains National Park
Journey along the legendary Northwest Passage
Visit the French archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland
Learn about Indigenous culture in Qikiiqtarjuaq
Voyage along the staggeringly beautiful east coast of Baffin Island
Witness unsurpassed views of the Arctic wilderness while heli flightseeing aboard Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters.
Find Your Ideal Itinerary
Your Life Onboard
Enjoy panoramic views while you mingle in our comfy lounges, or head outside and chat with fellow adventurers on the wraparound deck. Our social spaces foster connections & shared experiences.
Engage with world-class experts in our auditorium. Presentations cover wildlife, history, marine biology, ecology, & geology, to enhance your polar knowledge & excitement for exploration.
Enjoy onboard amenities, attend lectures, or watch for wildlife from our observation decks. Sea days offer a perfect blend of education, relaxation, and anticipation.
Find tranquility in our well-stocked library, perfect for reading or quiet contemplation. The glass-domed Observation Lounge offers a peaceful retreat to reflect & enjoy awe-inspiring polar views.
Prepare for off-ship excursions in our spacious mudroom. Kayak, paddleboard, or take a plunge in polar waters. Stay active onboard with our gym, outdoor track, and pool facilities.
What’s Included
Specialist Expedition Leaders
Our team is comprised of the most professional and passionate Expedition Leaders in the world, who bring a wide range of experience and expertise to every adventure.
Immersive Off-ship Activities
Itineraries are packed with adventure options designed to immerses travelers in the polar wilderness, enabling them to connect with the natural wonders of their surroundings.
On-Ship Experiences & Facilities
Designed for comfort and adventure, each ship accommodates no more than 200 guests. Facilities include comfortable cabins, exceptional dining options, wellness treatments, and breathtaking panoramic views of the polar landscape.
Food & Beverages
Premium dining, with a wide selection of options that accommodate a variety of dietary preferences.
Quark Expedition Perks
Complementary Wi-Fi, alcohol on all voyages, and the Official Quark Expeditions parka to take home.
Transfers
Select voyages include essential transportation and accommodation arrangements for guests, ensuring seamless travel to and from the expedition starting point.
International airfare & visa expenses, travel insurance, mandatory expedition gear, on-ship expenses, adventure options and trip extensions are not included.
Included Activities
Flightseeing
Zodiac Cruising
Hiking
Polar Plunge
Photography
Upgrade Your Expedition
Find out what add-on options are available for your expedition.
Adventure Options
These can be booked in advance at an extra cost. Activities vary by itinerary, destination and are weather permitting.
Possible Excursions
When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter, or shore landing.
Named after Frederick William Beechey, an explorer with the Royal Navy, this is one of Canada’s most important Arctic sites and has been deemed a Canadian National Historic Site. During the Franklin expedition of 1845–46, two of Franklin’s ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, anchored here with perilous results. Three of Franklin’s crew died here and are buried at marked gravesites.
Cape MercyIn June 1585, British explorer John Davis (he of the Davis Strait) embarked on the first of three voyages to search for the legendary Northwest Passage. In August 1585, he reached this area at the northern entrance to the Cumberland Sound and named it Cape of God’s Mercy. Now known as Cape Mercy, it’s the site of a dramatic glacial fjord.
QikiqtarjuaqKnown until 1998 as Broughton Island, Qikiqtarjuaq boasts some of the highest mountains in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. From the cape, multitudes of icebergs can be seen coming down Davis Strait, and the rich arctic waters are home to numbers of seals and whales.
Departure Dates & Cabins
Know Before You Go
For your personal safety—and to ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your polar adventure—please assess your mobility and medical requirements before booking. It is essential that guests have a high level of mobility to get in and out of Zodiac boats, and for off-ship activities such as hiking on uneven terrain. Our destinations are remote. Apart from our basic ship infirmary, it could take up to 72 hours to reach adequate medical facilities. For more details to help you assess your mobility and medical requirements before booking your voyage, please review Health & Safety.
Some of our expeditions have included transfers and these will be detailed in your Invoice and Trip Brochure.
Please note that if you have an airport transfer included in your trip, it is only available if you arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary. Please ensure your flight information on your Passenger Forms is up to date so our ground crew know when to expect you. There will be someone with a sign in Arrivals waiting for you. Please look for them and they will direct you to our group shuttle.
If you do not have included transfers, or you are arriving before Day 1, you will need to make your own way to the hotel. Most airports we travel in and out of have good taxi ranks in the Arrivals area, or you can often prebook a transfer online.
Packing is an exciting part of the trip for many of us. You will find a handy packing list towards the end of your Trip Brochure. You will have received a copy of this when you first booked. We also have two excellent videos, which you can check out here: What to Pack
Our Protection Promise allows you to make a purchase decision that will leave you worry-free in the event your plans change down the road. Please review details for each term in our Quark Expeditions Protection Promise.
Whether you are thinking of an expedition, or you’ve booked the trip of a lifetime with Quark Expeditions, review all our FAQs for comprehensive tips to help you prepare for the Polar Regions and how to make the most out of your voyage with the most experienced expedition team in the industry. If your specific question isn’t covered below, please reach out to your Polar Travel Advisor or helpful Client Experience Team at guest@quarkexpeditions.com.