Northwest Passage

The Northwest Passage – a route almost across the top of the world – was long sought by the traders, explorers, and military strategists of Europe, Russian Asia, and the American North. Now in the comfortable “Akademik Ioffe” you can repeat the journey completed by the world’s most successful polar explorer, Roald Amundson. Navigating a course through the Arctic that few people have achieved, this year’s expeditions each promise to be an exciting journey of discovery.

Starting at the eastern end of the Northwest Passage, you will sail southwards through the Arctic Archipelago, looking for the mainland of Canada and a channel heading west. These waterways are renowned for tricky navigation, rapidly changing ice conditions supporting a diverse population of wildlife, ranging from ducks to whales. Here you’ll find evidence of the European legends of discovery, including the most notorious of all, the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845.

The journey begins in the small community of Resolute and takes you south through Prince Regent Inlet to Bellot Strait, where Point Zenith on Boothia Peninsula marks the most northerly point of Canada’s mainland. After arrival at Bellot Strait, you’ll continue south to King William Island, navigating around it and through Simpson Strait to Coronation Gulf. Then you will sail west between Victoria Island and the mainland and up into the Beaufort Sea, hopefully visiting a community on the west coast of Victoria Island before heading south to land on the mainland Northwest Territories. We will turn our ship eastward and head towards Cambridge Bay. Here you end your journey, paying tribute to all of the Arctic explorers that shared the spirit of adventure before us.