Compare Arctic Expedition: Baffin Island and Greenland by Road Scholar vs High Arctic Explorer - Canada to Greenland (Ocean Endeavour) by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Ottawa

Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Program Registration: At 5:30 PM meet your group leader in the hotel lobby. Orientation: 6:00 PM. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. While on board, rotating members of the ship's resource staff will offer educational presentations on a variety of topics. Many are active researchers with expertise in areas such as history, paleontology, geology, and biology. At each expedition port of call, you will have a choice of field trips that will vary by location such as nature activities (minimal walking), short walks (about .5 - 1.5 miles), longer walks (2-3 miles) and photography sessions led by resource staff. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Expedition ships — more rugged than traditional sailing vessels — are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. These educational adventures have flexible schedules. The itinerary may change daily based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected. The schedule that follows is tentative and a representative outline. Changes in the schedule, including ports of call, can be expected due to weather and other local conditions. Updates will be provided aboard ship. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage options including coffee, tea, water, and a glass of beer or wine; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 2 Explore Ottawa Ottawa

Walking up to 2 miles; paved surfaces.

We will set out on foot to explore Canada's capital city. With a local expert, we will explore some of Ottawa's iconic landmarks, including Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, and Byward Market. We’ll learn about the history, architecture, and culture of the area.

We’ll have independent time to explore Canada’s capital city before meeting back at the hotel for a pre-embarkation briefing.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Hotel plated meal.

Day 3 Charter Flight to Resolute, Embark Ocean Endeavour Resolute

Embarkation via zodiac; staff available to assist. Flight times are subject to the unpredictable Arctic weather and the vagaries of flight servicing in remote destinations. Delays can, and often do occur. Should you require medication during the day please ensure you keep this with you.

Transfer to the airport via motorcoach for our charter flight to Resolute on board a 737 aircraft.

Arrive in Resolute, NU. Qausuittuq, or “place with no dawn” is truly the land of the midnight sun — daylight persists constantly from about April 29 to August 13 each year. The community’s English name, Resolute Bay, honors the HMS Resolute, one of the ships in the Franklin search expedition commanded by Captain H.T. Austin. “Resolute” also describes locals who survived being relocated, in 1953, Inuit from Inukjuak, Quebec, and Mittimatalik by the Canadian government. Upon arrival we'll board a bus and transfer to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation.

At leisure. Rotating members of the ship’s staff will offer fun educational activities and presentations.

Aboard the charter flight to Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU.

Aboard the charter flight.

Aboard ship, we’ll have a 3-course a la carte plated meal with meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, plus water, coffee, tea; other beverages available for purchase. The chefs try to incorporate local delicacies when possible. Each night, we’ll be joined by fellow participants and various members of the ship’s staff.

Day 4 Beechey Island Beechey Island

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

We’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

A field trip to Beechey Island led by a local expert will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England on an attempt to sail through the Northwest Passage for the first time. Not a soul returned from the fateful expedition. The three graves found at Beechey Island left no indication as to the fate of the rest of the British party. With the discovery of Franklin’s flagship, HMS Erebus in 2014, and Terror in 2016, the graves at Beechey Island and nearby ruins of Northumberland House are bound to be a haunting highlight.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with both hot and cold choices and beverage choices of milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

Aboard ship, we’ll have a buffet meal with both hot and cold choices and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water.

Aboard ship.

Day 5 Devon Island Devon Island

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

We’ll set out on an expert-led walking field trip to Devon Island to observe and learn about its unique geology. Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on earth comprising over fifty thousand square kilometers. The island's geology consists of reddish Precambrian gneiss and Paleozoic siltstones and shale; these, combined with its harsh climate, have led NASA to test its Mars rovers on Devon Island!

We’ll continue to explore Devon Island. Its finest features include massive landforms, shining glaciers, long-abandoned ruins, and undisturbed habitats for Arctic wildlife.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 6 Lancaster Sound Lancaster Sound

Zodiac sailing/landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

We will spend the day exploring the ocean wilderness of Lancaster Sound via zodiac with our onboard expert, which is a proposed Marine Protected Area. Large populations of marine mammals, including narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area. We’ll learn about this area’s fascinating marine life. There is a great selection of landing sites available. Weather, wildlife, and sea conditions will influence our choice of landing today. We’ll return to the ship for lunch.

We’ll continue to explore Lancaster Sound via zodiac (weather dependent). We’ll return to the ship with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 7 North Baffin North Baffin

Zodiac sailing/landing dependent on conditions; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff.

Today will be an expedition day in the truest sense as we navigate the waterways surrounding Northern Baffin Island on an expert-led field trip. We’ll learn about the local wildlife as we take in the beauty of this remote island. This region is a habitat for thick-billed murres and kittiwakes, among other seabirds. Baffin’s mountains are striking, and provide experts with stunning insights on geological processes. After enjoying the views, we’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

On board, we’ll enjoy a Road Scholar exclusive cocktail party with complimentary snacks and drinks. The remainder of the afternoon is free.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 8 Lancaster Sound Mittimatalik

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Possibility of walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

We will continue exploring Lancaster Sound. Once home to Inuit and their ancestors, we will visit archaeological sites with expert interpretation to learn about the human history of this now-abandoned island. We’ll also catch a glimpse of recent human history as we visit the remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbor. We’ll return to the ship for lunch.

We’ll continue to explore Lancaster Sound. We’ll return to the ship with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 9 Mittimatilik (Pond Inlet) Davis Strait

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

We’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

We’ll journey to Mittimatalik. This bustling Arctic community is surrounded by one of the most beautiful landscapes in the eastern Arctic. We will have independent time to explore the town, including its excellent library and other facilities. Next, we will gather in the Community Hall for a cultural presentation from local citizens that will include traditional throat singing and arctic games. We’ll return to the ship with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 10 At Sea, Davis Strait Uummannaq

Minimal walking; ample seating available; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet.

While crossing Davis Strait towards Canada, we'll relax and enjoy onboard lectures and opportunities to watch for wildlife from the ship's decks. Resource staff will be on deck for the duration, searching for wildlife and contextualizing the mighty landscape through which we travel.

Relax aboard the Ocean Endeavour as you enjoy onboard lectures from the knowledgeable resource staff.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 11 Western Greenland Uummannaq

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

A field trip to explore Greenland’s west coast led by a local expert will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. From mighty mountains to the tiniest tundra flowers, Greenland’s west coast offers a stunning array of wildlife.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 12 Ilulissat Ilulissat

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.

Ilulissat translates literally into “iceberg”, and there couldn’t be a more fitting name for this remarkable place. With an onboard expert, we will sail in our fleet of Zodiacs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The icefjord is the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier and is one of the most active and fastest moving in the world at nineteen meters per day. Calving more than thirty-five square kilometers of ice annually, it creates the majority of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.

Free time in Illulissat. Explore the bustling town, with museums, cafes, craft shops, and a busy fishing harbor, or use this time to hike out to an elevated viewpoint to observe the great fields of ice.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 13 Sisimiut Sisimiut

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get we; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain.

Today we will visit the small town of Sisimiut. People have lived in the area for 4,500 years. With a local expert, we’ll set out on a field trip to explore the fish market and folk museum. We’ll experience modern and historic Greenland, side by side.

We’ll continue to explore Sisimiut via Zodiac with an onboard expert. Warmed by the West Greenland current, the waters around Sisimiut are free of sea ice, making the area an important fishing and shipping center as well as a habitat for marine mammals. We’ll learn about the local wildlife.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard the ship, join the ship's crew and our fellow participants for a lively dinner that will include song and dance.

Day 14 Kangerlussuaq, Disembarkation, Charter Flight to Toronto Toronto

Zodiac landing; possibility of rough seas; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven and hilly terrain. Flight times are subject to the unpredictable Arctic weather and the vagaries of flight servicing in remote destinations. Delays can, and often do occur. Should you require medication during the day please ensure you keep this with you.

Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometers of superb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord as the sun rises to greet us. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s only international flight hub. Here we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and transfer to the airport for our return charter flight to Toronto.

In flight to Toronto.

Evening arrival to Toronto. We'll gather our baggage and check-in at the hotel as a group. Relax for the rest of the evening after a full day of travel and prepare for check out and departure in the morning.

Aboard ship.

Boxed lunches available prior to disembarkation.

Served onboard en route to Toronto.

Day 15 Program Concludes Toronto

Hotel check out 12:00 p.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Day 1 Ottawa to Qausuittuq (Resolute), Canada

Your Arctic adventure begins in Ottawa, Canada, from where you’ll hop aboard an included early morning charter flight to Qausuittuq (Resolute), in Canada’s Nunavut region. Here you’ll find the Ocean Endeavour ship, your home for the next 13 days. Board a Zodiac boat which will take you to the Ocean Endeavour – these sturdy inflatable vessels will get you on and off the ship throughout your journey. With a name meaning ‘place with no dawn’, Qausuittuq experiences long, dark winters, but your visit in the peak of summer means day-round sunlight. The unique topography of the landscape is characterized by shoreline gravel flats, rocky coastal bluffs, and deposits of glacial moraine. First established in 1953, the community began under false pretenses, as the Canadian government relocated Inuit families from Inukjuak, Québec and Mittimatalik, in an attempt to assert Canadian sovereignty. Learn about this dark chapter in Canadian history and how the community lives on today. Qausuittuq now serves as an important staging post for High Arctic research, tourism and military activities.

Day 2 Beechey Island

Make a sobering visit to the Franklin Expedition historic site on Beechey Island, a memorial to the failed expedition of British explorer Sir John Franklin in 1845. Attempting to cross the Northwest Passage, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror vanished – searches for the wrecks were unsuccessful for 170 years, only to be both be discovered in 2014 and 2016. Pay your respects while learning the stories of the men who are buried here as you visit their graves and the nearby ruins of Northumberland House.

Day 3-7 Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) and Devon Island

The next four days will be spent exploring the rugged landscapes of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (Lancaster Sound). The area is home to narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales who feed in this area – set out in search of them by ship and Zodiac. Stop by Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island. The vast, barren landscape is dotted with glacial valleys, flat-topped mountains and ice caps, and while it may not be a place you’d want to live, it’s certainly a joy to explore. Hike over tundra, cruise a glacier face and keep a lookout for polar bears and other wildlife from ship and shore. Let expert guides show you ancient archaeological sites that unearth the history of the Inuit people and their ancestors who once laid roots on this now abandoned island. Visit the eerie remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.

Day 8 Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)

A world away from Ottawa where your adventure began, see a different side of Canada in the beautiful Arctic community of Mittimatalik. With a population of just 1600, this place may be small, but there’s so much Inuit culture and history to uncover here. Dive straight in with a performance by the Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group, where they will take you on a journey with their drum dancing, throat singing and storytelling. After the performance, enjoy some time to explore the town and soak in the spectacular views of nearby Bylot Island. There are often gorgeous handcrafted goods for sale if you want to pick up a keepsake to remember your time in this unique corner of the world.

Day 9 At Sea, Davis Strait

Cross the Davis Straight today on your way towards Greenland. This day at sea is the perfect opportunity to add a deeper layer to your discoveries of the Arctic. Enriching workshops and presentations delivered by experts on board the Ocean Endeavour paint an in-depth picture of the region’s fascinating history, geology, wildlife and cultural heritage. There’s even a workshop on how to best use your binoculars, so put your new skills into practice and get out on deck in search of whales, seabirds and other marine life.

Day 10 Western Greenland

An expedition landing on Greenland’s wild and wonderful west coast means the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You may like to get active with a rewarding hike, or stretch your legs with a more easygoing stroll through the everchanging landscapes. There’s plenty of unbelievable photography opportunities here, or you may prefer just to sit back and take it all in. However you choose to spend the day, the sights of soaring mountains and vibrant tundra flowers are sure to stick with you long after your adventure is over.

Day 11 Ilulissat

After travelling south overnight, disembark the ship and head out to explore the town of Ilulissat and its surrounds – the name Ilulissat directly translates to ‘icebergs’ in Kalaallisut, Greenland’s official language, and you’ll soon find out why! Neatly organised colourful houses make the town postcard-pretty, but it’s the nearby icefjord that really puts this place on the map. A walk along a boardwalk will lead you to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where towering white ice formations dwarf the buildings of the nearby town. Spend some time soaking up this memorable sight, and perhaps have a wander around Ilulissat’s charming shops and museums, then set out on a Zodiac cruise to admire the icefjord from a different perspective. Weave and bob your way around impressive icebergs – this really has to be experienced to be believed!

Day 12 Sisimiut Coast

Today will be spent exploring western Greenland along the Sisimiut Coast. You’re going to want to have your camera ready for this journey – prepare to pass by glaciers, fjords and islands against a staggering backdrop of mountains. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get off the ship and hike through the inspiring landscape, or set off on a Zodiac cruise for a closer look at these natural wonders. As you traverse the complex waterways, learn the stories of the Saqqaq, Dorset, Thule and modern Inuit people who have called the Sisimiut region home for 4500 years.

Day 13 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Toronto, Canada

It’s time to say goodbye to the Arctic after a day cruising down the Kangerlussuaq Fjord for your final dose of epic scenery, crossing the Arctic Circle one last time. The 190-kilometre-long fjord is flanked by snow-dusted mountains and dramatic glaciers, ensuring your last day in the Arctic will be one to remember. Bid farewell to the Ocean Endeavour as you disembark and take a Zodiac transfer for your included charter flight to Toronto, Ontario. Your Arctic adventure comes to an end upon your arrival at Toronto airport – prepare to leave with memories to last a lifetime.