Hurtigruten Expeditions The Northwest Passage - Through the Arctic Labyrinth (Greenland to Alaska)

26-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 Fridtjof Nansen 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: Colourful Nuuk

Despite its population of less than 20,000 residents, Greenland’s vibrant 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. From here, you will be boarding the MS Fridtjof Nansen ahead of your expedition cruise, brimming with excitement as your unforgettable adventure awaits.

Day 3-5: Western Greenland

Over the course of the next few days, you’ll be exploring some of the most iconic sites in Greenland, including:

Enchanting Evighedsfjord

After reaching the northernmost point, the expedition will begin to head south on the tenth day towards Evighedsfjord, sometimes referred to as the ‘fjord of eternity’. Fed by an ice-cap that plunges titanic icebergs into its 2,300 ft deep waters, Evighedsfjord is surrounded by eye-catching mountains with stunning white ridges, accompanied by crystal blue ice caves beckoning you in.

Within this area, nature continues to reign supreme, with the only sigs of human life being the isolated fishing hamlets which cling to the shores. The Captain and Expedition Team will navigate the conditions as efficiently as they can, while on the lookout for Artic flora and wildlife such as whales and seabirds.

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.

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.

Day 6-7: Sailing across Baffin Bay

After completing the wondrous adventures in western Greenland, the cruise expedition will then be sailing towards Nunavut across Baffin Bay. Spend this time broadening your knowledge of Arctic Canada by attending one of the fascinating lectures held by the onboard Expedition Team, or visit the Science Centre to check out some of the Citizen Science on offer for you to contribute towards.

Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely day making the most of the hot-tub and sauna facilities on the MS Fridtjof Nansen as you sail serenely past the iceberg-studded waters. The onboard team will also be on hand to carry out wildlife watches so that you can witness more of Greenland’s ecosystem, with the Explorer Lounge and Bar being open to travellers who wish to catch up with their fellow travellers over a refreshing drink.

Day 8-11: Eastern Canadian Arctic

After the two-day crossing of Baffin Bay, you will then reach Lancaster Sound, also known as Tallurutiup Imanga, and the gateway to the Northwest Passage.

This outstanding region is home to absorbing Arctic wildlife, stunning scenery, and vibrant Inuit communities. The plan for the expedition here is to sail deep into the south, and over the course of the next three days, possible exploration sites include:

Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik): Situated on the northern tip of Baffin Island near scenic fjords, glaciers and icebergs, this traditional Inuit community of 1,300 inhabitants is also a great place to see large pods of narwhal.

Dundas Harbour: Located on the southern shores of Devon Island, this harbour was previously used as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police post (RCMP), as well as a base for scientific research and exploration. Musk oxen can be frequently spotted in the region, so keep a keen eye out for them during one of the planned hiking trips.

Croker Bay: Possibly the most scenic and idyllic bay on the south coast of Devon island, Croker Bay is home to two large outlet glaciers plunging down from the island’s ice-cap. With the conditions making it an optimal area for small boat cruising, see if you can spot walruses lounging around the calved ice floes.

Beechey Island (Iluvilik): Holding a significant place in the history of Arctic exploration, this spot is known in particular for the ill-fated Franklin expedition back in 19^th century. Home to several well-preserved grave sites of expeditions members, the island also has a distinct monument dedicated to commemorating previous Arctic exploration efforts.

Prince Leopold Island (Appait): is an island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada.

Fort Ross: You’ll also head to an historic Hudson Bay Trading Post in Fort Ross.

Day 12: Bellot Strait

Often referred to as the ‘Rubicon’ of the Canadian Arctic, the Bellot Strait divides the East from the West, separating the northernmost port of mainland America from Somerset Island.

The strait, being approximately 15 nautical miles long and just over half a mile wide at its narrowest point, regularly provides challenging conditions. The Captain will continually monitor the ice and weather conditions to ensure a smooth passage.

Day 13-20: Entering the west

During the next eight days of adventure, you will be extensively exploring three major regions in the western section of the Northwest Passage. These regions include Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon – as well as the traditional Inuit Territory of Inuvialuit.

According to the expected itinerary, there will be four days of transit and up to five days of excursions on shore, with highlights including:

Cambridge Bay

• Coronation Gulf 
• Ulukhaktok 
• Smoking Hills 
• Herschel Island 

• Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuk)

Day 21-24: Along the Alaskan Coast

The Expedition Team will continue their series of absorbing lectures as the cruise prepares to journey through the Bering Strait and the Beaufort Sea. As sea ice conditions can drastically fluctuate at a rapid rate, the Captain and onboard crew will monitor the conditions to ensure that you enjoy a smoot passage as you sail through.

The main highlights of the journey include:

• The Beaufort Sea
• The Bering Strait
• The International Date Line
• Wildlife watching

Day 25: No place like Nome

Prior to your fight to Seattle for an overnight stay, enjoy a day of exploration discovering the mysteries of Nome. With explorers visiting the region since the late 1800s in search for gold, Nome still displays its Gold-Rush era heritage, with abandoned dredges, steam engines and old railroad tracks, all adding to the sombre and unique atmosphere in the area.

A key strategic point for many explorers, the legendary Roald Amundsen used Nome as the end point for three of his polar expeditions, with arguably the most notable expedition being an aircraft attempt to reach the North Pole in 1926.

Day 26: Bustling Seattle

As you wake up in your comfortable Seattle hotel, this will unfortunately signal the conclusion of your Arctic Labyrinth adventure. However, before you fly back home, take the opportunity to experience the best of what the Emerald City has to offer.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park to witness incredibly immersive views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains. If you have time, be sure to visit the iconic Pike Place Market, home to everything from buskers and bars to salmon-throwing fishmongers.

Hotel

• Overnight in Reykjavík before the expedition cruise, including breakfast
• Overnight in Seattle after the expedition cruise, including breakfast

Flights

• Economy class flight from Reykjavík to Nuuk before the expedition cruise
• Economy class flight from Nome to Seattle after the expedition cruise

Transfers

• Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Reykjavík before the expedition cruise
• Transfer from the airport to the ship in Nuuk before the expedition cruise
• Transfer from the ship to the airport in Nome after the expedition cruise
• Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Seattle after the expedition cruise

Expedition Cruise

• A stay in a cabin of your choice
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks)
• All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
• Meals and take-away available throughout the day during Fredheim restaurant opening hours
• Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
• A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
• A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX kit
• Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
• Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note, streaming is not supported
• Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more
• Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX – though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
• Range of included activities

Landing Activities

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

Onboard Activities

• In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
• Full access to the ship’s Science Centre
• Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
• Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
• Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings

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
• Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight might be needed (not included)

What’s not included

• International flights
• Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional shore excursions with our local partners
• Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
• Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area

MS Fridtjof Nansen