Ellesmere Island and North Greenland: Journey to the Top of the World

Beneath the lingering glow of the Arctic summer sun, Qausuittuq, “the place with no dawn,” welcomes you to the High Arctic. Set amid gravel flats and rolling moraine, this community carries stories of adaptation and renewal, from relocation in 1953 to its role today as a gateway for Arctic research and travel. Take time to orient yourself to the land and its stories before embarking aboard the Ocean Nova. The North awaits.

Enter Tallurutiup Imanga, a thriving marine sanctuary where whales, walrus, seals, and seabirds gather among towering cliffs, deep fjords, and endless horizons. Step ashore on Devon Island, where glaciers meet the sea and archaeological traces reflect centuries of Inuit use and knowledge of this land.

Set against a backdrop of mountains and drifting sea ice, Qaanaaq is one of the world’s northernmost towns and a centre of Inughuit culture. Here, ancient skills and modern life flow together in rhythm with the sea ice. Traditions such as dog-sledding and hunting remain vital parts of community identity, reflecting deep connections to place. Meeting the people of Qaanaaq offers a glimpse of extraordinary adaptation and continuity—life shaped, still, by ice, animals, and seasons.

Sail into Kane Basin, where the shores of Ellesmere Island and Greenland almost meet. Towering glaciers, drifting sea ice, and Arctic light set the stage for an unforgettable journey through one of the North’s most dramatic waterways. For generations, Inuit navigated these passages with exceptional skill, later followed by explorers heading toward the Pole. Over these two days, you’ll feel the spirit of exploration alive in the shifting light and every drifting floe.

Set foot on Tartupaluk—a place few will ever visit. Perched in the middle of the Nares Strait between Canada and Greenland, this small, rocky island has long been a crossroads for Inuit, who travelled these waters freely for generations. In modern times, it became the focus of a good-natured yet symbolically potent territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark. In 2022, a historic agreement resolved the issue, establishing shared stewardship between Canada and Greenland and affirming Inuit mobility rights. Standing on Tartupaluk, with Greenland to one side and Canada to the other, you’ll feel the quiet power of shared care for the North—and the enduring movement of Inuit across these waters.

Venture through Smith Sound, the dramatic channel linking Kane Basin to Baffin Bay and the southern entrance to Sarvarjuaq/Pikialasorsuaq (The North Water Polynya) — “The Great Upwelling.” Surrounded by shifting sea ice, this vast recurring area of open water is the largest Arctic polynya and the most biologically productive region north of the Arctic Circle. Its nutrient-rich waters breathe life into the Arctic, drawing whales, seabirds, and seals. 

Set amid stark mountains and sweeping tundra, Aujuittuq,“the place that never thaws”, is Canada’s northernmost community. Here, stories of relocation and adaptation shape daily life. Walking with local hosts, you’ll hear how knowledge of land, sea, and seasons continues to sustain the community—a living testament to strength and ingenuity at the top of the world.

Vast and elemental, Devon Island reveals a world shaped by ice and time. Here, broad valleys and exposed rock tell of ancient forces, while bursts of Arctic wildflowers bring unexpected colour to the tundra. Along the shore, traces of Inuit presence remind us that even in the quietest landscapes, human stories endure. Immense views, striking geological formations, and profound silence combine to make this one of the most atmospheric stops of the journey.

Come ashore on Beechey Island, where Arctic history feels close and tangible. This windswept National Historic Site holds the graves of three Franklin expedition members and another who died in the search that followed. Here, Inuit knowledge has been essential in revealing the fate of the lost ships. Along the shoreline, the stark landscape invites reflection on the intertwined narratives of exploration, survival, and knowledge that still shape our relationship with the North.

Disembark in Qausuittuq and board your charter flight to Ottawa. As the Arctic stretches out beneath you, reflect on the light, stories, and relationships that have shaped this journey—connections that continue long after the voyage ends.