EXPEDITION CRUISE

High Arctic Expedition: Where Art Meets Land

CRUISE ID # ADVCANADAHI28-1-ON

Kangerlussuaq Havn TO Resolute Bay, Nunavut

High Arctic Expedition: Where Art Meets Land
High Arctic Expedition: Where Art Meets Land
High Arctic Expedition: Where Art Meets Land
Expedition-style programming: take Zodiac rides and visit beautiful places every day, encounter stunning wildlife, learn from expedition team experts and local guides about places you visit, visit local communities and archeological and historic sites, and hike through seldom seen national parks. Please note: this itinerary may be subject to change without notice due to weather, ice, and sea conditions
TRIP STARTS ON
August 09, 2028
SHIP SAILS ON
August 09, 2028
HOTEL NIGHTS
Pre-Cruise: 0, Post-Cruise: 0
SHIP
Ocean Nova
TRIP ENDS ON
August 22, 2028
STOPS
15 Stops, 2 Countries
CRUISE NIGHTS
13
OPERATOR
Adventure Canada
FROM: 

$14,895

WITH SPECIAL SAVINGS APPLIED

FARES SHOWN ARE PER GUEST

Suites & Fares

CHOOSE START DATE 

: August 09, 2028

 
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DEAL
Expedition Fare (incl. Charter Flights)
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Itinerary

15 Ports
2 Countries

The name Kangerlussuaq means "Big Fjord" in the local Kalaallisut language. The settlement of about 500 people is located in western Greenland on flat land at the head of a fjord with the same name. Kangerlussuaq is the site of Greenland's largest commercial airport and most of the economy here is dependent on the air transportation hub and tourism. The rugged lands around the settlement support terrestrial Arctic fauna including muskoxen, caribou, and Gyrfalcons.

Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there is enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has been the primary means of winter transportation for centuries. In fact, the area has been inhabited for approximately 4,500 years. Modern Sisimiut is the largest business center in the north of Greenland, and is one of the fastest growing Greenlandic cities. Commercial fishing is the lead economy in the town‘s thriving industrial base.

Known as the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day. In fact, the word Ilulissat means “icebergs” in the Kalaallisut language. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods of calm and settled weather, but the climate tends to be cold due to its proximity to the fjord. Approximately 4,500 people live in Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland after Nuuk and Sisimiut. Some people here estimate that there are nearly as many sled dogs as human beings living in the town that also boasts a local history museum located in the former home of Greenlandic folk hero and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.

Sail among towering glaciers and drifting bergs, each one a shifting sculpture in white and blue. Fjords echo with the sound of calving ice, and mountains rise sheer above waters crowded with floes. Immense, elemental, and constantly changing, this landscape invites you to consider how something so vast and dynamic can ever be captured in paint, photography, or words.

Greenland’s coast breaks apart here into a vast maze of islands, narrow channels, and drifting ice. Upernavik, meaning “the springtime place,” rises from this intricate seascape in a bright sweep of colourful houses and a working harbour. Fishing and hunting remain central to life across the archipelago, connecting Upernavik with the smaller communities scattered along the coast. Its historic quarter forms the world’s northernmost open-air museum, preserving the church, trading buildings, boats, and tools of an earlier era. Surrounded by rock, sea, and ice, Upernavik reveals the remarkable character of life along Greenland’s northern coast.
Day
Six
Arrival
August 14, 2028
Port
Day at Sea

Venture through Smith Sound, the dramatic channel connecting Baffin Bay with Kane Basin and part of the greater Pikialasorsuaq region. Pikialasorsuaq means “great upwelling” in Kalaallisut and is known in Nunavut as Sarvarjuaq. Recurring open water within the surrounding sea ice makes this the Arctic’s largest polynya and one of the most biologically productive regions north of the Arctic Circle. Nutrient-rich waters sustain an extraordinary abundance of life, drawing whales, seals, and millions of seabirds to this vital Arctic ecosystem.

Venture through Smith Sound, the dramatic channel connecting Baffin Bay with Kane Basin and part of the greater Pikialasorsuaq region. Pikialasorsuaq means “great upwelling” in Kalaallisut and is known in Nunavut as Sarvarjuaq. Recurring open water within the surrounding sea ice makes this the Arctic’s largest polynya and one of the most biologically productive regions north of the Arctic Circle. Nutrient-rich waters sustain an extraordinary abundance of life, drawing whales, seals, and millions of seabirds to this vital Arctic ecosystem.

Sail into Kane Basin, where Ellesmere Island and Greenland nearly meet. Glaciers tower above drifting sea ice, and the shifting Arctic light continually transforms the passage. Long travelled by Inuit, these waters later became a route for expeditions seeking both the lost Franklin expedition and a way to the North Pole. The basin bears the name of American explorer Elisha Kent Kane, who crossed it in 1854 during his search for Franklin.

Explore the rugged coastline of Ellesmere, Canada’s northernmost island. Towering mountains, vast ice caps, and deep fjords define a landscape of extraordinary scale. Here, the High Arctic exceeds the images that first inspired us, revealing a world more intricate, dynamic, and alive than any single representation can capture.

Grise Fiord is an Inuit hamlet on the southern tip of Ellesmere Island, in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is one of three populated places on the island; despite its low population, it is the largest community on Ellesmere Island.

Sail through Tallurutiup Imanga, one of Canada’s largest marine protected areas, alive with whales, seals, and seabirds. Beneath towering cliffs and drifting ice, the sea glimmers with shifting light. Step ashore on Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island, where glaciers meet the sea and tundra unfolds in broad, glacial valleys. Here, light and silence create their own compositions, inviting stillness, reflection, and a deep sense of the Arctic’s living beauty.

Devon Island, located in Baffin Bay, is only slightly smaller than Croatia. The eastern side is frosted by the Devon Ice Cap, while on the western half of the island lays the 14 mile wide Haughton impact crater. It was created around 39 million years ago when a meteorite crashed into the land. The landscape surrounding this site resembles the surface of Mars. In fact, for the past decade scientists have conducted research here to determine how humans might live one day on Mars. British Arctic explorers Robert Bylot and William Baffin were the first Europeans to sight the island in 1616. In 1819-1820, William Parry charted the island, naming it North Devon after Devon in England. Despite repeated attempts at trading settlements, the strong wind conditions and cold climate eventually drove everyone away leaving Devon Island as a likely candidate for being the world’s largest uninhabited island.

Beechey Island is a small island off the southwest coast of Devon Island, separated by a narrow waterway called the Barrow Strait. Captain William Edward Parry was the first European to visit the island in 1819. His lieutenant, Frederick William Beechey, named the island after his father, the artist William Beechey (1753–1839). Beechey Island played a significant role in the history of Arctic Exploration. During the winter of 1845-46, Sir John Franklin and his men camped on the island as part of their ill-fated quest to find the Northwest Passage. Mummified remains of three of Franklin’s crew were discovered, giving a better understanding of what happened before the disappearance of the expedition. In 1850 Edward Belcher used the island as a base while surveying the area. Later, in 1903, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen stopped at the island at the beginning of his successful voyage in search for the Northwest Passage. Subsequently, Beechey Island has been declared a "Territorial Historic Site" since 1975 by the Northwest Territories government

Set among the gravel plains and raised beaches of Cornwallis Island, Qausuittuq occupies a strategic place within the waterways of the Canadian High Arctic. Its Inuktitut name means “place with no dawn,” a reference to the long polar night, while the summer season brings light that lingers around the clock. The modern community began with the Canadian government’s High Arctic Relocation of 1953. The Qausuitturmiut who call it home have built a distinct community that now serves as an important centre for northern research, transportation, and expedition travel. Disembark in Qausuittuq and transfer to the airport for the charter flight to Ottawa. Here, at a historic crossroads of Inuit travel, Arctic exploration, and contemporary northern life, the sea journey ends and the route turns south.
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About the Ship

Name

Ocean Nova

Operator

Adventure Canada

Compact, cozy, and purpose-built for polar waters, the Ocean Nova carries just 75 guests in warmth and comfort. Designed for connection—with nature, with others, and with place—it offers panoramic views, swift shore access, and an inviting, community-minded atmosphere at sea.

Ship Facts
cabin count
No Data
capacity
79
crew count
32
deck count
No Data
currency
USD onboard
gross tonnage
No Data
language
en
launch year
1992
length
73m
speed
13kts
wheelchair count
No Data
width
11m

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DINING
Dining Room

Enjoy open-seating meals in the roomy restaurant, surrounded by ocean views. Adventure Canada expedition team mingle with guests to share their expertise and swap stories over meals.

Breakfast and lunch include a wide variety of tasty and healthy choices. Globally inspired a la carte suppers offer options to suit every taste, including fish and vegetarian options. Desserts, made fresh daily, are a highlight! Food sensitivities, special d....

Entertainment
Panoramic Lounge
Primary meeting room, presentation space, and concert venue with a full bar, 24-hour beverage station, and ample seating. Enjoy forward-facing views while gathering for entertainment, talks, and relaxation.
Aft Saloon
Cozy lounge ideal for small gatherings or quiet reflection. Unwind with serene views from the ship’s stern.
Library
Shipboard library with comfortable seating, perfect for quiet reading and relaxation.
Enrichment
Expedition Programs

Thanks to the Ocean Nova’s intimate group size and our seamless operations, hopping into one of our eight Zodiacs is a breeze—rain, shine, or snow. With the ship’s shallow draft and ability to anchor close to shore, you’ll spend less time ferrying and more time exploring. Need to head back to the ship mid-excursion? No problem. Simply return to the landing site, and we’ll whisk you back in no time. More adventure, less waiting—that’s the Ocean....

USEFUL TO KNOW
Technical Details

Additional Facilities

  • 24-hour beverage station
  • Front deck
  • Back deck
  • Top deck
  • Ocean facing gym
  • Bar
  • Medical clinic
  • Open bridge policy
  • Wi-Fi access (charges apply)
  • Polar boutique
  • Laundry

Technical Details

  • Capacity: 78 passengers
  • Crew: 32
  • Registry: Bahamas
  • Type of vessel: Passenger cruise sh....
Temperatures

In June, July, and August, the temperatures in the regions we visit are usually quite comfortable. It is common to have beautiful sunny days with temperatures reaching a high of 18°C. In the Arctic, we can also experience temperatures close to 0°C. When you are on land and walking around it usually gets quite warm and people tend to take off layers.

European and Canadian maritime destinations tend to be warmer than the Arctic in the summ....

Health & Safety

As a leader in expedition cruising, Adventure Canada has a deep commitment to safety. Our staff are rigorously trained and certified for their roles, and our ships’ crews have lifetimes of experience. We plan our routes in consultation with captain, crew, expedition leaders, and local guides for safe adventuring everywhere.

Special Accommodations

Adventure Canada is committed to extending a high level of customer service to all travellers, including persons with disabilities. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility wherever possible.

Certain mandated safety requirements in the construction and operation of the Vessel inherently restrict maneuverability in many areas.....

Medical Facilities

Adventure Canada expeditions take place far away from hospitals and other institutional medical care and are therefore intended for persons in good health. An adequate medical facility could be 72 hours away or more, and emergency evacuation and adequate medical treatment may be delayed or unavailable in certain areas. Our vessel is not equipped to handle serious medical conditions. Medical and Emergency Evacuation insurance is mandatory. If y....

Activity Level

Adventure Canada expeditions necessitate that passengers 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. You must also be able to climb the external gangway stairs to transfer between the ship and the Zodiacs. Our expedition team and ship crew are available to assist you in and out of the Zodiacs, both on shore and at the gangway. Adventure Canada exped....

Solo Travel Aboard the Ocean Nova

For those travelling solo aboard the Ocean Nova, single occupancy is available at 2.0 times the cabin fare across all cabin categories, except Category 6, which is specifically reserved for solo travellers.

Sharing options are also available and will be held on request until a suitable roommate is found. If no roommate is found, the single supplement will apply.

Drones
Adventure Canada does not permit Passenger use of drones, including underwater drones or other unmanned vehicles. No exceptions will be made.
Age Limitations
Adventure Canada offers family friendly Cruises. There is no minimum or maximum age restriction. Passengers under the age of 18 must have Adventure Canada’s “Agreement for Accompanying a Minor Guest” completed at the time of booking if travelling without their legal guardian. Passengers 16 and under must be accompanied by and share a cabin with a travel companion over the age of 18. No babysitting or childcare services are provided.