Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage

Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage

Welcome to Toronto, Canada! Transfer to your hotel to rest and refresh before discovering this electrifying and multicultural city. Start your exploration at the CN Tower, perhaps the city's most iconic landmark, known for its glass floor walk, revolving 360-degree restaurant and a lookout that affords arguably the best views of the city. The 100-year-old Royal Ontario Museum is worth a visit, too; it welcomes a million visitors every year and houses over 6,000,000 artefacts from around the world. Dig into the freshest produce, a fabulous spread of cheese and dishes from countries near and far at the famous St. Lawrence Market, a magnet for foodies. Your final stop for the day will be Casa Loma, a castle built in the early 1900s that once served as a residence to a wealthy financier. Amble through its richly decorated rooms and staircases and discover its secret passageways. Spend time in the beautifully maintained gardens, and take in sweeping views of the city.

Start this once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the Arctic with a flight to the town of Resolute. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport, where you will board a private charter flight. Resolute is one of Canada's northernmost communities and one of the coldest inhabited places in the world. In the Inuktitut language, Resolute is known as Qausuittuq or the 'place with no dawn'.

The town is home to Cold War-era plane wrecks, and spotting beluga whales, walruses and seals in the waters surrounding the town is not uncommon. If you are lucky, you might spot a majestic polar bear or two in the area. Closer to your departure time, you will be guided to a Zodiac vessel or helicopter, depending on weather conditions and taken to the Ultramarine, the ship that will be your home for the next few days.

Journey into Canada's High Arctic (Day 3 - 7)

Sail through the legendary Northwest Passage passing by remote islands, navigating through frozen inlets, bays and channels and taking in the surreal beauty surrounding you. Take a ride in the Ultramarine's helicopters and marvel at the blue and white layers that spread out in front of you from above. Sign up for Zodiac cruises and helicopter landings at remote locations and experience the geography of this incredible part of our planet up close. Spot the region's fantastic wildlife, including polar bears, muskoxen, and Arctic wolves. Do note that spotting wildlife is a matter of luck, and there are no guarantees. 

Onboard, learn more about the indigenous communities that live in these harsh conditions and their way of life. Visit local communities, sample their cuisine heavily influenced by the weather and geography and take home hand-carved artefacts, a wonderful reminder of a memorable holiday. Get up close with nature at Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island in the world and head to the Devon Ice Cap. At Beechey Island, you can visit the graves of those who perished in the Franklin Expedition. Sail the Bellot Strait to reach Somerset Island, where history lovers will enjoy exploring an abandoned Hudson's Bay Company trading post. Go Zodiac cruising along active glaciers near Croker Bay; you might even get to see the ice calving off a mighty glacier.

Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage (Day 8)

Your adventure comes to an end at Resolute. Look back on an unforgettable journey as your ship makes its way back to the starting point. Enjoy cocktails and drinks and swap stories with newfound friends and fellow travellers at the bar or sit back and relive the entire experience while browsing through images in your camera and sipping on coffee at the lounge. Say your goodbyes to the expedition team, disembark from the Ultramarine in Resolute, and board a private charter flight back to Toronto. Return to your hotel and spend the last night of your journey exploring the city or relaxing in your hotel.

Arrive in Toronto and transfer to your hotel. Continue exploring this vibrant city or take the flight home, depending on the available time. 

There is plenty to see, do and experience in Toronto. Visit the Toronto Zoo, a must-see place for the young and the young at heart. Stroll through ChinaTown, enjoy a delicious meal, and clink your glasses at some of the city's hippest bars at the Distillery District or hop on a ferry to Toronto Islands and relax by the water.