Iceland, Greenland And Northwest Passage – Great Explorer Trail

Discover Iceland's modern capital

Your Grand Expedition Cruise to Greenland and the Northwest Passage begins in Reykjavík, Iceland's cosmopolitan capital.  

Packed full of art, culture and history, it's well worth taking time to explore Reykjavík, either before or after your cruise.  

Take a stroll along Laugavegur with its boutiques and outdoor shops, head to the striking Hallgrímskirkja church or fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum. Or why not join one of our optional Pre-Programmes.  

MS Fram awaits you in Reykjavík Harbour. Find your cabin, meet your Expedition Team and explore the ship –  your adventure has begun. 

Crossing the Denmark Strait 

Today we sail to Greenland across the Denmark Strait. 

Your Expedition Team will explain the protocols of visiting wildlife habitats, and how we interact with the Indigenous Arctic communities respectfully.  

In the Science Center, you can learn more about Greenland's geology, or join one of our Citizen Science projects. Why not hit the gym or relax in the panoramic sauna before enjoying a delicious meal in one of our onboard restaurants. 

Largest fjord system on Earth 

You'll spend the next nine days exploring the vast wilderness of Scoresby Sund, the world's largest fjord system. 

Cruising peacefully against a backdrop of looming mountains, blue icebergs and mirror-like waters, you'll seek out wildlife like whales and Greenlandic Gyrfalcons. Making the most of the conditions, we pack in as many shore landings, nature walks, kayaking tours and wildlife sightings as possible.  

You'll visit Ittoqqortoormiit – the most remote inhabited community in the Western Hemisphere, and if conditions allow, we'll sail towards the ever-changing east Greenland Sea ice edge to scout for wildlife. 

If you want to do your bit, you can participate in Citizen Science projects that help preserve the region for future generations. 

Heading back to Iceland

After exploring the remote beauty of Greenland, we set our course back for Iceland. Spend the days at sea recapping your experiences with new friends, studying nature in the Science Center, listening to a lecture or two, or just relaxing on deck. Look out for the seabirds that follow our ship and keep an eye out for whales. 

 As you reflect on the first leg of your Grand Expedition Cruise, from witnessing the delicate ecology of the fjord systems to the ethereal elegance of the floating ice, east Greenland's beauty is sure to have left its mark on you. 

Enjoy an outdoor spa experience at the Blue Lagoon 

Returning to Reykjavík, you'll now have another opportunity to explore the delights you may have missed on your first visit. In this city of art and culture, there are plenty of galleries and museums to enjoy. Or if you simply wish to relax, why not take a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon.   

Enjoy an unforgettable outdoor spa experience as you relax the geothermally heated water that gets its iconic bright blue colour from silica and other minerals carried down from the volcanic landscape. As you soak, enjoy a drink and a chat with locals and fellow guests as you look forward to the next step on your adventure – west Greenland and the Northwest Passage! 

Heading towards Greenland and the Northwest Passage 

We sail to west Greenland across the Denmark Strait once again, the route taken by Erik the Red, supposedly the first European to have settled there.  

Get ready to explore the west coast of Greenland. Most Greenlanders live on the west side of their country, and you'll be exploring some of the towns and settlements scattered along this coast – as well as its awe inspiring fjords, glaciers and mountains.  

Breathtaking panoramas and abundant wildlife 

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We aim to explore the incredible waters of the 60-mile-long Prince Christian Sound today. Sharp-peaked granite mountains provide a stunning contrast to the bright white glaciers. Look out for icebergs and colourful houses in the village of Aappilattoq. 

Nature is abundant here. Keep an eye out for ringed and bearded seals resting on the ice, and Glaucous Gulls and Black Guillemots soaring above. You may even spot minke and humpback whales.  

If sea ice prevents us entering the sound, we'll head to craggy Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland. 

Discover the glacial beauty of the west coast fjords  

Experience your first sight of Greenland's sublime west coast fjords as we reach Kvanefjord in Sermersooq, meaning 'Place of Much Ice'.  

Have your camera ready for glistening icebergs and semi-submerged glacial ice – pure white with undertones of crystalline blue. These sculpted ice blocks are some of Arctic nature's finest creations.  

Few people venture into this remote fjord, making it even more special to spend the day exploring here. The Expedition Team will select places to venture ashore and enjoy the beautiful scenery on a nature walk, or head out in boats to scout for wildlife.

Experience Greenlandic culture, old and new, in Nuuk 

After several days exploring remote, varied landscapes, you'll cruise into Nuuk, Greenland's colourful capital. With a population of 18,000, it has a striking mix of old and new buildings. 

Compare the old buildings – such as Hans Egede House and Nuuk Cathedral – with the ultra-modern architecture of the Parliament of Greenland building. 

Visit the national museum to gain fascinating insight into life here 500 years ago and see the six Qilakitsoq mummies. Or join a long nature walk through Paradise Valley and around Mt. Lille Malene. 

Explore ancient traditions in Arctic Greenland 

We reach Sisimiut, Greenland's second city. It sits in a spectacular location just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This area has history spanning more than 4,500 years.  

Old traditions are alive and well here, and you can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum.  

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. Or why not explore the area by foot and stretch your legs on a hike. 

The town where you can see and hear the ice flow 

Our expedition cruise reaches Disko Bay – a haven for whales and seals. You're in for a unique experience. Nestled in the magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Against a backdrop of colourful houses is an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs.  

Marvel at giant icebergs floating past in the deep blue waters as they take on different hues of white, grey and blue. With the help of the ship's photographer, enthusiasts will be able to capture the nuances of these sculptures of nature. 

Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science  

Leaving Greenland behind, our expedition cruise continues to Canada across the Labrador Sea. We'll enter the Davis Strait, named after English explorer John Davis, who led expeditions here in the 16th century. The Expedition Team will continue their onboard lectures on topics such as the wildlife of Northern Labrador, Inuit culture and the history of Arctic exploration.  

The strait is known for its abundance of seals, whales and cod. Why not take part in one of our Citizen Science programme projects, helping photograph and track whales, or observe the clouds to help scientists study our climate by contributing to the GLOBE Program. 

Crossing a historical sea corridor through Canada's Arctic archipelago 

Like the pioneering explorers who've come before you, we won't have an exact itinerary as we attempt to sail our state-of-the-art ice-class ship from the Atlantic to the Pacific via this famed sea route. Stops might include Pond Inlet, Dundas Harbour, Fort Ross, Gjoa Haven, and Cambridge Bay.  

As we explore, we'll land at sites linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and look out for Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, narwhals, seals and seabirds.  

You'll go small expedition boat cruising between ice floes, and go ashore to experience the pristine wilderness first hand. Your Expedition Team will adapt activities to ice and weather conditions, giving you the best experience possible.  

We'll try to reach Pond Inlet and the Inuit community of Mittimatalik on Baffin Island. On Devon Island – the largest uninhabited island on Earth – we'll visit Dundas Harbour and learn about its Thule heritage. We may even pay our respects at the graves of three Franklin expedition team members on Beechey Island.  

We'll continue west to Fort Ross, a former Hudson Bay Trading post, before sailing to Gjoa Haven, where Roald Amundsen learned polar survival tips from the Netsilik Inuit people. If we are able to land here, we'll take a walking tour to learn more.

Wildlife and conservation in this fish-rich bay 

Our expedition cruise continues into wildlife-rich Cambridge Bay, where you'll disembark. Here, you might see Arctic char, musk oxen and caribou. You'll also find the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, an important centre for climate change research. 

Home to only 2,000 residents, Cambridge Bay is popular with fly-fishers, keen to net giant Arctic char or lake trout. Its local name 'Iqaluktuuttiaq' even means ‘a good fishing place'. 

Walk around and explore before we take our evening flight to Montréal. 

A blend of Canadian cultures in Québec's premier city  

Your adventure concludes in Montréal, the largest city in the beautiful province of Québec. It's a hub of Canadian history and culture, with a cosmopolitan feel and a year-round calendar of events.  

There's plenty to see and do, from shopping, cuisine and culture, to the Basilica of Notre Dame, found among the historic streets of Old Montréal. You'll find a kaleidoscope of colour in the city's Plateau district, and a lively atmosphere in the downtown social hub of Crescent Street.  

If you'd like to explore more, you can always join an optional Post-Programme.