Hurtigruten Expeditions From Reykjavik to Cambridge Bay - The Northwest Passage

19-day itinerary

Day 1: Starting in Reykjavik

Located in southwestern Iceland, Reykjavik will be the first destination on your captivating expedition cruise.  A city which boasts a rich variety of cultural, historical, and artistic context, Reykjavik is a place worth immersing yourself in.

Take a scenic walk along Laugavegur wits its charming boutiques and outdoor shops, or drop in at the fascinating Reykjavik Art Museum – before boarding the MS Fram located in the city’s harbour. Upon boarding your expedition cruise ship, take time to familiarise yourself with the excellent onboard facilities, and settle into one of the ship’s comfortable cabins.

Depending on how much time you have, there are pre-programme packages available to travellers who wish to experience the highlights of Reykjavik in greater depth.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Danish strait

The expedition will set sail towards Greenland across the Denmark strait. The famous Viking Erik the red sailed this route and he is said to be the first European to settle there.

Over the course of the two-day crossing, be sure to keep a lookout for whales along the way, whilst taking the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the excellent onboard facilities on the MS Fridtjof Nansen. Why not check-in to one of the absorbing lectures delivered by the Expedition Team, taking you through the history and geology of the regions, whilst also going through the protocols of respectfully visiting the fragile natural areas and native Arctic communities.

However, this time at sea is mostly for relaxation and comfort before your experiences ahead. Indulge in the delicious meals served in the onboard restaurants, listen to some fascinating talks and generally get to grips with every amenity and facility available onboard. As you cruise towards Greenland, prepare yourself for the beginning of your unforgettable adventure!

Day 4: Prince Christian Sound

The next aim of the expedition will be to explore the incredible waters of the 60-mile-long Prince Christian Sound on the 4^th day. The sheer contrast between the looming mountain ranges and the bright white glaciers provides an excellent backdrop, while the abundance of wildlife continuously patrols the region’s rugged landscapes.

Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of ringed and bearded seals resting on the ice, with Glaucous Gulls and Black Guillemots soaring across the skies above.

Due to conditions being interchangeable, the expedition may not be able to enter Sound because of the unsafe sea ice. If this is the case, the expedition will instead head to the scenic Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland.

Day 5: Kvanefjord exploration

Witness the glacial beauty of the west coast fjord’s as the expedition reaches Kvanefjord in Sermersooq, which directly translates to ‘Place of Much Ice’.

Make the most of the professional onboard photographer to gain insights not capturing the sheer beauty in all its glory.  Be ready to capture some of Arctic nature’s finest creations including the glistening icebergs and semi-submerged glacial ice – pure white with undertones of deep, striking blue.

This remote fjord is rarely visited, making it even more of a privilege for travellers to spend the day here. The Expedition Team will continually monitor conditions to select the best places to venture ashore and enjoy the unique scenery on a nature walk, or head out on boats to scan for wildlife.

Day 6: Nuuk, Greenland’s vibrant capital

Despite its population of less than 20,000 residents, Greenland’s capital is an enticing mix of old and modern buildings. If you’re a fan of the former, take a leisurely stroll down to the old part of town, where you’ll be able to see the picturesque Nuuk Cathedral, as well as the statue of Hans Egede standing on a hill.

Gain an insight into life here from 500 years ago in the National Museum, whilst taking advantage of the many shopping opportunities and the variation of cafes and restaurants you can drop in to. Alternatively,  join a long nature walk through Paradise Valley and around Mt. Lille Malene as part of an optional excursion.

Day 7: Spectacular Sisimiut

Enjoy a warm welcome to the Arctic Greenland as your expedition reaches Sisimiut, located 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. With its location making it an ideal place to witness the unique Midnight Sun at the height of Summer, Sisimiut is a must-see destination while on this journey.

Old traditions are still alive and well here, and you can visit the local museum to gain further insights into the ancient Saqqaq culture.  If you’re looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.

Day 8: UNESCO recognised Ilulissat Icefjord

A modern-day utopia for a wide variety of wildlife, Disko Bay will be the next stop on your adventure. With the waters scattered by icebergs in many shapes and sizes after coming from the Ilulissat Icefjord, this outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see destination on this cruise. Immerse yourself in the scenery as you walk along the wooden gangway towards the eye-catching icefjord.

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to capture stunning images of the pristine landscape, while marvelling at the giant icebergs floating in the serene blue waters. Once back in Ilulissat, visit the icefjord Centre to learn more about the history of the ice is in this otherworldly area, whilst also taking a hike to Sermermiut to revel in some more of the fascinating views.

Day 9-10: Crossing the Labrador Sea

As the expedition leaves Greenland behind, you will then be continuing to Canada, crossing the Labrador Sea in the process. Upon entering the Davis Strait, named after British explorer John Davis, you will be able to gain more insights from the Expedition Team regarding a range of different topics including, Northern Labrador’s wildlife, Inuit culture and the history of Arctic exploration.

Passengers will be offered the unique opportunity to join Citizen Science programmes, contributing towards scientific study. With the strait being rich in wildlife, help photograph and track whales, or observe the clouds in the skies above, to aid research in the GLOBE programme.

Day 11-17: The Northwest Passage

Prepare to enter full adventure mode as the cruise begins its crossing of Canada’s stunning Arctic archipelago. Due to conditions being continually interchangeable, you will get to fully experience the trials and tribulations suffered by pioneering explorers who have previously visited the region. However, your spectacular MS Fram cruise ship is completely acclimated to these harsher conditions, with your experienced captain navigating the surroundings to successfully travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific via this iconic sea route.

Some potential destinations on your journey include Pond Inlet, Dundas Harbour, Fort Ross, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Smoking Hills. While exploring these sites, be sure to keep a keen eye out for the abundant array of different Arctic wildlife, such as whales, seals, narwhals and even the elusive polar bear.

As ever, ice and sea conditions may change unexpectedly, and the veteran Expedition Team will adapt to conditions to ensure landings are carried out as efficiently as possible.  If weather permits, the team will take you on small expedition boats cruising through ice floes, whilst also heading ashore to witness the idyllic wilderness up close and personal.

The cruise will attempt to reach Pond Inlet and the  Inuit community of Mittimatalik on Baffin Island. There will also be an effort to visit the world’s largest uninhabited island, Devon Island, to learn about Dundas Harbour’s Thule heritage.

You’ll also head to an historic Hudson Bay Trading Post in Fort Ross, before gaining insights about how the legendary Roald Amundsen learned polar survival tips from the Netsilik Inuit while at Gjoa Haven.

Day 18: Wildlife of Cambridge Bay

The cruise then continues into another utopia for wildlife – Cambridge Bay. Home to only 2,000 residents, this isolated bay has been sparsely occupied since around 4,000 years ago and still holds on to much of its cultural history. Known locally as ‘Iqaluktuuttiaq’ which translates to ‘a good fishing place’, the bay is very popular with fly-fishers who are looking to catch the Arctic char or lake trout, while musk oxen and caribou can frequently be seen roaming the region’s landscape.

Prior to your flight to Montreal, why not take some time to explore more of what Cambridge Bay has to offer. The Canadian High Arctic Research Station, an important centre for climate change research is also nearby if travellers wish to further bolster the scientific knowledge they have acquired over the course of this trip.

Day 19: Exciting Edmonton

As your remarkable expedition cruise comes to its conclusion, be sure to spend time exploring the city of Edmonton before boarding your return flight home. Alternatively, travellers will have the option to extend their holiday by joining one of the available post-programmed packages, in order to discover more of what Edmonton has to offer.

Flights

• Economy class flight from Cambridge Bay to Edmonton

Hotel

• Overnight in Edmonton after the expedition cruise, including breakfast

Transfers

• Transfer from the ship to the airport in Cambridge Bay after the expedition cruise.
• Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Edmonton after the expedition cruise

Expedition Cruise

• A stay in a cabin of your choice
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages* in restaurant Aune
• À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board†
• Complimentary reusable water bottle
• English-speaking Expedition Team who organise and accompany activities on board and ashore
• Range of included activities

Onboard Activities

• In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
• Full use of our Science Centre, library and advanced biological and geological equipment
• Citizen Science Programme where you can assist with ongoing scientific research
• Photography tips and techniques for capturing landscapes and wildlife from our onboard professional photographer
• Use of the ship’s hot tubs, sauna and indoor gym
• Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings

Landing Activities

• Escorted landings with small expedition boats
• Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
• Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
• Expedition photographers on hand to assist you

Notes

• All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
• Excursions and activities are subject to change
• Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
• No gratuities expected

What’s not included

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional shore excursions with our local partners
• Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team

MS Fram