Northwest Passage

Expedition Overview:

A Wilder Experience presents a rare Arctic journey: a 21-day guided ski expedition across the frozen sea ice of Nunavut, tracing one of the most storied routes in polar exploration. In spring 2028, we travel from Cambridge Bay to Gjoa Haven, following the path of Roald Amundsen, who completed the first successful navigation of the Northwest Passage over a century ago. This is a journey through history as Gjoa Haven is the community where Roald Amundsen and his crew sheltered for two winters aboard the ship Gjøa, while completing the first successful navigation of the Northwest Passage in 1903–1905. As Amundsen did, we will be relying heavily on Inuit knowledge knowledge to survive and travel. As you ski into the harbour that Amundsen once called "one of the finest in the world", you connect—on skis and under your own power—to a legacy of exploration that still shapes the Arctic today. This is not just a ski trip. It is an immersion into the stark beauty, cultural depth, and historical weight of the high Arctic.

The Journey:

Over three weeks, participants will ski approximately 400 kilometers across shifting sea ice, frozen channels, and windswept tundra. Each day brings a rhythm of steady travel, expedition routines, and connection to the landscape. You will haul your own sled(s), navigate real Arctic terrain, and live fully off-grid. Nights are spent in expedition tents under vast polar skies, with the possibility of northern lights dancing overhead.

A Route Through History:

This route holds deep significance. From 1903 to 1905, Roald Amundsen overwintered in Gjoa Haven while completing the first successful transit of the Northwest Passage. Along the way, he relied heavily on Inuit knowledge—learning survival skills that made his journey possible.Our expedition honours that legacy. We move not just through geography, but through a living cultural landscape shaped by Inuit communities for generations.

Expedition Experience: Participants can expect

Led by experienced polar guides, this expedition is designed for fit, motivated adventurers ready to step beyond conventional travel. You will gain real polar expedition skills, from camp craft and cold-weather systems to navigation and risk management, all within a carefully supported, safety-focused program.

- Instruction in expedition skills including sled hauling, camp setup, and cold weather systems
- Navigation and route-finding in a dynamic sea ice environment
- Wildlife awareness and safety (with the possibility of spotting seals, foxes, and polar bears)
- A tight-knit team dynamic built through shared challenge and purpose

This expedition is designed for adventurous individuals with a solid fitness base and a desire to step beyond traditional travel into something immersive and demanding.

Support and Safety:

Led by experienced polar guides from A Wilder Experience, the expedition emphasizes preparation, safety, and adaptability.

- All guides have extensive experience in long-distance travel in the polar regions, including the Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard and Antarctica.
- AWE assists client preparation by providing extensive pre-expedition training assistance, resources and planning support. 
- Satellite communications and emergency protocols.
- Carefully managed food systems and gear logistics.
- Weather and ice condition monitoring throughout.
- Expedition physician on stand-by 24/7

What's included?

- Experienced polar expedition leaders and assistant guides for the full 21 days on the ice.
- Daily decision-making on route, safety, and camp.
- Iridium satellite communication and emergency response coordination. All group expedition equipment is included.
- Hilleberg Arctic tents and group shelters. Double occupancy.
- Sleds/pulks and hauling systems (traces, harnesses), pulk bag and dry bags. 
- Stoves, fuel, group cookware, repair kits, shovels, saws, and safety equipment.
- GPS units, navigation tools, and group medical kit.Most or all personal technical gear
- High calorie expedition menu, planned for polar travel and cold (breakfasts, trail snacks, lunches, dinners, and hot drinks every day on expedition. Dietary needs accommodated where possible with advanced notice. 

Pre-trip support and preparation: 

- Detailed expedition information package and gear list.
- Individual pre-trip call or video consult to discuss training and equipment.
- Guidance on physical preparation, cold management, and mental readiness. 

On the ground logistics in Nunavut:

 - Group transfer from Cambridge Bay airport to the expedition accommodation/launch point.         -Accommodations in Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven are included in the itinerary (one night pre-trip and one night post-trip based on double occupancy).
 - Polar bear deterrents/protection: bear bangers, guard dog or bear fence, non-restricted firearms. Guides are licenesed to carry non-restricted firearms on this trip for bear deterrence


Exclusions: What you must bring. Please note that a comprehensive gear list will be provided upon confirmation of booking.

 - Expedition-quality sleeping system (sleeping bag appropriate to a minimum of -35 degrees Celsius, liner, and insulated sleeping mat system).
 - Polar-grade boots (Alfa Polar Expedition or Baffin Guide or similar). Overboots rated for Arctic conditions highly recommended.
 - Expedition ski system (skis, bindings, poles, and skins) sized and fitted in advance. We recommend Asnes Amundsen or Fischer E99. Skis must have metal edges and be capable of holding half-skins. 
- Specialized cold-weather clothing (e.g., overpants, down parka, vapor-barrier socks)
- Emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory for all clients. 


Why This Expedition?:

Few places on Earth offer this level of raw, unfiltered experience. This is a chance to traverse a historic Arctic route under your own power, experience true expedition living in one of Canada’s most remote regions and connect with the legacy of exploration and Inuit knowledge. By the time you arrive in Gjoa Haven, you will have crossed more than distance. You will have experienced isolation, resilience, and the quiet power of the Arctic in a way that stays with you long after the ice melts. This is not a trip you check off a list. It is a journey that reshapes how you see the world. A Wilder Experience invites you to step into the story.