Small-ship expedition leader Adventure Canada is showcasing its 2026 Arctic expedition program, a collection of four immersive voyages that explore some of the planet’s most storied and culturally rich regions. From the legendary Northwest Passage to the dramatic coastlines of Baffin Island and Greenland’s stunning fjords, the 2026 program offers travellers a rare opportunity to experience the Arctic’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities through respectful exploration.
As global interest in Arctic travel continues to grow and access remains limited, Adventure Canada’s 2026 voyages stand apart for their depth of engagement with itineraries built in partnership with the communities its ships visit.
With small, ice-strengthened expedition vessels, led by an expert team of guides, historians, scientists, and cultural ambassadors, Adventure Canada’s Arctic voyages reflect decades of experience in the region and emphasize learning, respect, and exploration in equal measure.
Iceland to Greenland: In the Wake of the Vikings
June 28-July 10, 2026
Ideal for travellers drawn to exploration history and wild coastlines
This 13-day expedition follows Erik the Red’s original voyage from Iceland to Greenland, starting in the vibrant capital city of Reykjavík before venturing west across the North Atlantic to Greenland’s eastern shores. Along the way, travelers encounter towering cliffs, fjords carved by ice, and landscapes where jagged mountains rise dramatically from green pastures, where history and nature are inseparable. The journey offers the rare opportunity to explore regions few ships reach, blending Viking-era storytelling with contemporary Greenlandic life. With time spent ashore and at sea, the expedition offers an engaging look at Greenland’s archaelogy, history, culture, and iconic wildlife. The trip wraps up in another vibrant capital – Nuuk, known today for its art, shopping, and cafés.
Heart of the Arctic
August 2–15, 2026
An immersive introduction to Arctic culture, landscapes, and communities
This 14-day expedition travels from Greenland to Canada’s eastern Arctic, crossing the Arctic Circle and Davis Strait while exploring Greenlandic fjords, Arctic seas, and vibrant Inuit communities in Nunavik and Nunavut. Highlights include visits to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk; cultural encounters in communities such as Salluit, the second northernmost community in Nunavik, and Kinngait (Cape Dorset), ground zero for the Inuit art market; and exploration of Ungava Bay, a rich ecosystem that is home to a variety of wildlife, and Frobisher Bay, known for its compelling scenery and Arctic splendour. The voyage offers a rich foundation in Arctic history, culture, wildlife, and geography, making it an ideal introduction to the region.
Baffin Island & Greenland: Circling the Midnight Sun
August 15–28, 2026
A classic high-summer Arctic voyage beneath endless daylight
Sailing under the glow of the midnight sun, this expedition connects the dramatic coastlines of Baffin Island with the equally stunning fjords of western Greenland. Beginning in Iqaluit, Nunavut’s capital, travellers explore the wildlife-rich waters and compelling scenery of Frobisher Bay; the rugged landscapes of southeast Baffin Island, including a visit by Zodiac to Kitigtung (Lady Franklin Island) for a wonderful introduction to the geology of the region, as well and time to spend on the nuna itself, the Inuktitut name for ‘land’. Guests will learn about Inuit art, history, and culture in communities such as Pangnirtung, and spend two days exploring the Cumberland Peninsula, a stunning Arctic region steeped in cultural heritage, before crossing Davis Strait to Kalaallit Nunaat, or Greenland, where the ship will visit the town of Ilulissat and its towering icebergs. It is then on to the Sisimiut Coast before concluding and disembarking in Kangerlussuaq. Zodiac excursions, wildlife viewing, and cultural landings define this quintessential summer Arctic journey.
Into the Northwest Passage
August 26–September 11, 2026
A complete east-to-west crossing of one of the world’s most iconic sea routes
One of the most legendary maritime routes on Earth, the Northwest Passage is explored from east to west on this historic expedition. Beginning in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, the voyage sails southwest, crossing the Arctic Circle, and along the stunning glaciers, islands, and fjords of the Sisimiut Coast en route to Ilulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic. Departing Greenland, the expedition then crosses Baffin Bay toward Nunavut, navigating through the High Arctic, towards Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut, and Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometres. There’s a stop on Beechey Island, home to historic sites linked to early Arctic exploration, and then onto Peel Sound, prime polar bear territory, before continuing through Ikirahaq (Bellot Strait) and the Kitikmeot Region, the very heart of the Northwest Passage. Concluding in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, this journey offers travellers a rare opportunity to experience a true Passage crossing shaped by ice conditions, history, rich culture, and Arctic wildlife.
Out of the Northwest Passage
September 11–27, 2026
A late-season perspective on the storied waterways of the Canadian Arctic
The reciprocal voyage to Into the Northwest Passage, this expedition travels west to east through the storied waterways of the Canadian Arctic. Departing from Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Nunavut, the route highlights the eastern Arctic’s dramatic geography, Inuit culture, and autumnal light before continuing toward Greenland via Smith Sound, an ancient Inuit travel route that divides Ellesmere Island from Greenland and served as the main route for explorers and adventurers searching for the North Pole. Seasonal changes bring a distinct perspective on the Passage, with shifting ice, wildlife activity, and atmospheric landscapes.
“The Arctic continues to be at the heart of who we are at Adventure Canada,” says Cedar Swan, CEO of Adventure. “Our 2026 Arctic voyages are designed to go beyond sightseeing. They are journeys for the curious that are centered on understanding place, culture, and history through engaging and impactful exploration that is guided by a deep respect for the communities that call it home.”
Adventure Canada’s Arctic program is built around small-ship exploration, flexible routing guided by ice and weather, and meaningful engagement with northern communities. Each voyage features Zodiac excursions, shore landings, onboard lectures, and opportunities for cultural exchange with noted experts and the people who call this region home.
