party Black Friday sale is now on. Book today and save! View deals arrow
A scenic landscape

Canadian Arctic

Find your next adventure

TRAVELING TO Canadian Arctic

Beyond Canada’s continental north you will find the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, with over 36,000 islands, most lying deep within the Arctic Circle. A cruise in this remote region takes you through incredible wilderness scenery of fjords, glaciers, mountains and pack ice.

A truly wild and rugged landscape, a cruise to the Canadian High Arctic and the Northwest Passage is ideal for American travelers seeking unique wildlife, icy Polar landscapes, and lots of opportunities to immerse in the history and culture of this rarely visited part of the world. 

Why travel on a Northwest Passage expedition cruise?

The Canadian Arctic is also well known for its diverse wildlife, history and rich Inuit culture. It is home to seals, whales, polar bears, caribou, musk ox, walruses, Arctic wolves and foxes as well as thousands of seabirds that nest in the cliffs. On your expedition cruise, you'll visit remote Indigenous communities and the archeological remains of hunting lodges that date back thousands of years.

It is in this region that you can follow in the wake of the legendary explorers Amundsen, Baffin and Franklin who searched for the Northwest Passage, a fabled trade route across the Arctic from Europe to the Far East. The two ships under Franklin’s command disappeared mysteriously before Amundsen made the first successful navigation of the route on his 1903-6 Gjoa expedition. 

As you cruise, your expedition team will also provide information and onboard lectures about the history of these explorers, helping you better understand the waters you're sailing through. 

Discover some of the planet’s most dramatic glaciated landscapes on an expedition cruise to the Canadian Arctic, one of the most intriguing destinations of the Far North where not only the scenery but also the wildlife, history and culture will captivate you.

Plan the best Canadian Arctic cruise with Chimu Adventures 

If you're ready to book, or have questions about how to plan your Canadian Arctic expedition, please contact us. Our experienced team can help you find the ideal cruise for your interests and can also easily package together everything you need, including your international flights, travel insurance, and any additional travel before or after your cruise. 

[ Continue Reading ]

Beyond Canada’s continental north you will find the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, with over 36,000 islands, most lying deep within the Arctic Circle. A cruise in this remote region takes you through incredible wilderness scenery of fjords, glaciers, mountains and pack ice.

A truly wild and rugged landscape, a cruise to the Canadian High Arctic and the Northwest Passage is ideal for American travelers seeking unique wildlife, icy Polar landscapes, and lots of opportunities to immerse in the history and culture of this rarely visited part of the world. 

Why travel on a Northwest Passage expedition cruise?

The Canadian Arctic is also well known for its diverse wildlife, history and rich Inuit culture. It is home to seals, whales, polar bears, caribou, musk ox, walruses, Arctic wolves and foxes as well as thousands of seabirds that nest in the cliffs. On your expedition cruise, you'll visit remote Indigenous communities and the archeological remains of hunting lodges that date back thousands of years.

It is in this region that you can follow in the wake of the legendary explorers Amundsen, Baffin and Franklin who searched for the Northwest Passage, a fabled trade route across the Arctic from Europe to the Far East. The two ships under Franklin’s command disappeared mysteriously before Amundsen made the first successful navigation of the route on his 1903-6 Gjoa expedition. 

As you cruise, your expedition team will also provide information and onboard lectures about the history of these explorers, helping you better understand the waters you're sailing through. 

Discover some of the planet’s most dramatic glaciated landscapes on an expedition cruise to the Canadian Arctic, one of the most intriguing destinations of the Far North where not only the scenery but also the wildlife, history and culture will captivate you.

Plan the best Canadian Arctic cruise with Chimu Adventures 

If you're ready to book, or have questions about how to plan your Canadian Arctic expedition, please contact us. Our experienced team can help you find the ideal cruise for your interests and can also easily package together everything you need, including your international flights, travel insurance, and any additional travel before or after your cruise. 

[ Read Less ]

WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES

  • With over 20 years of experience, Chimu are true Polar specialists. Almost every Chimu team member has traveled to the Arctic, with strong first-knowledge to help make your trip the best it can be. 

  • We have inspected and continue to thoroughly research each individual vessel we work with, selecting only small ships with strong environmental, safety, and ethical credentials.

  • We know all things Polar by heart and will work with you to determine which ship and itinerary is best suited. We'll find the perfect expedition for your interests, travel dates, and budget. 

  • From your initial inquiry until your trip ends, you'll be assigned a personal Destination Specialist who can look after everything you need, including your Arctic cruise, international flights, and any pre or post travel add-ons. 

Canadian Arctic TOURS

Loading...
VIEW ALL TOURS

Canadian Arctic REVIEWS

All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.

Video

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know planning a cruise to the Arctic can be complex, so please reach out to our experienced team for assistance. We'll help you find the perfect ship and itinerary for your interests, schedule, and budget, and can also easily package together everything you need, including flights, transfers, and insurance. 

On cruises to the Canadian Arctic, all meals are provided by your expedition vessel. The food is of a high standard - plentiful, tasty and nutritious, prepared by professional chefs who serve a wide variety of dishes. The majority of meals tend to be buffet style, but dinners may be served to your table. Beverages such as tea, coffee and hot chocolate are included soft drinks. Most ships have well stocked bars and a good selection of wines, and sometimes beer and wine are included with dinner. 
 

The main official language of Canada is English with French being the official language of Quebec. The traditional language of the Inuit is Inuktitut of which there are many dialects.

A high level of fitness is not necessary for Arctic cruises to the Canadian Arctic, but you need to be in good health as although there is generally a doctor on board the ship, you may be a long way from any other medical assistance. The majority of activities are focused around shore excursions and zodiac cruising and so you need to be agile and able-bodied enough to climb into and out of the inflatable zodiacs from both the ship and the shore. On shore landings you may need to negotiate uneven and slippery ground. Shore excursions generally involve some walking.

All of our tours are 100% tried and tested to ensure that when you travel with us, you’re doing so in a controlled and safe environment with trained experts. We consistently monitor weather conditions and will always provide you with the best possible adventure without risk of injury to you or the vessel. While some activities may need to be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, every effort is made to have a contingency plan should such conditions become a reality during your expedition. We use our vast experience and knowledge when picking the vessels we sell to provide you with an adventure that’s unforgettable for all the right reasons.

The wildlife of the Canadian Arctic ranges from polar bears, musk oxen, caribou, seals and whales (including beluga, narwhal and bowhead) to Arctic foxes, hares and wolves and thousands of seabirds.  

Baffin Island is home to prolific wildlife and at the northern tip, Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary provides nesting habitats for over 70 species of birds. The caribou migrate from the north of the island to the south in the winter. Polar bears are found all along the coast but most prevalent where there is pack ice and both Arctic and Baffin Island wolves are found on the island. Ringed seals are year round visitors with harp seals arriving in the summer.

Arctic cruises to the Canadian Arctic vary in length but generally spend 7 to 10 days in the region. Some cruises focus only on Baffin Island with 7 to 10 days spent exploring the island. 
There are also cruises that combine the Canadian Arctic with other parts of the Arctic such as Greenland. These are generally around 2 weeks in duration, with 8 days in the Canadian Arctic.
Northwest Passage Arctic cruises are generally between 17 and 20 days but there are shorter 13 day voyages available.
 
 

Canadian Arctic cruises travel from July to September. The cruise season is short, due to ice and weather conditions. July and August is generally considered the peak season.