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The Northwest Passage - In The Wake Of Great Explorers

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 Cruise Length
19 Days
 Cruise Starts
Reykjavik
 Cruise Finishes
Montreal
19 Day The Northwest Passage - In The Wake Of Great Explorers Itinerary (Hurtigruten)
Countries Explored: Iceland, Greenland, Canada
Ship
Ship Class
Expedition
Passengers
200
Crew
75
Launched
2007
Refurbished
2020
Cruise Code
TNPIW.14

Overview

This expedition cruise takes you from Iceland to Greenland’s southern coast before attempting to sail to the heart of the legendary Northwest Passage at Cambridge Bay. Even if we don’t reach it, you’ll be able to admire stunning Arctic landscapes of glaciers, fjords and icebergs and look out for rare wildlife like the iconic polar bear.

Itinerary

Your adventure starts in Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world. Reykjavik is simultaneously quaint and cosmopolitan. This small city is the perfect size for a walking tour, packed full of art, culture and history.  

Take a stroll along Laugavegur, the main shopping street, with its boutiques and outdoor shops. You might like to pick up some Icelandic knitwear, famous for its quality, style, and warmth. You can also head towards the architecturally striking Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral. Art lovers can visit the Reykjavik Art Museum, National Gallery and the many smaller galleries and museums dotting the city. 

Stopping off at the National Museum, the Saga Museum and the Maritime Museum is sure to fill you in about Iceland’s history. And bring your swimsuit if you fancy a dip in one of the city’s 18 swimming pools, many with saunas and hot tubs.     

At Reykjavik’s harbour, MS Fram awaits you. After you collect your complimentary expedition jacket and check-in, you’ll have time to settle in your cabin. There is a mandatory safety drill just before departure after which you can walk around to explore the ship.

The welcome dinner in the evening ends with a toast by the Captain wishing everyone an enjoyable expedition. You’ll then meet the Expedition Team and key members of the crew who’ll take you through an important health and safety briefing.  

Pre-Programme

Why not book a two-day or four-day Pre-Programme with us to spend some extra time discovering Iceland’s nearby Golden Circle. From Reykjavik, whose name means ‘Smokey Bay’ due to the rising steam from the surrounding geothermal features, you’ll be just hours away from geysers, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls. 

Ease into your adventure as you spend today at sea on the way to the Northwest Passage. The Denmark Strait is actually the site of the world’s largest waterfall ... underwater! The mixture of warm and cold currents, plus strong winds means that the waters are sometimes a bit choppy.

Aboard the ship, you’ll have time to relax, get to know your fellow travellers, and check out the onboard facilities. In the Science Center, the Expedition Team will hold lecture programmes on the wildlife and ecosystems of the Arctic, preparing you for the adventure ahead.  

They’ll also talk through important guidelines from AECO, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. You'll learn how you can protect wildlife habitats, keep a safe distance from animals, and visit Arctic communities in a dignified and respectful way. 

If you feel like getting active, you can hit the gym and get your pulse up. You’ll also have access to a sauna, an infinity pool, and two outdoor hot tubs. Drinks can be enjoyed in the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar too, while settling into a sofa and watching the rhythmic ocean waves roll by outside.   

Get ready to marvel at some of the most stunning views on the planet in the Prince Christian Sound region. The Southern Greenland sound connects the Labrador Sea and the Irminger Sea, separating the mainland from Cape Farewell archipelago.

The 60-mile waterway is surrounded by granite mountains with sharp peaks, some reaching up to 7,283 ft. high. You’ll marvel at the maze of geological patterns in the rock face, from deep cracks and crevasses to lines of black lichen that seem to seep from the stone like paint.  

The muted greys and rusted greens of the mountains stand in contrast to the bright white of the many glaciers you’ll see. These slow-moving masses of ice grind their way from the enormous Greenlandic Ice Sheet and flow straight into the sound, calving white-blue icebergs of all sizes, shades, and shapes. You’ll understand why 15th century Italian explorer John Cabot famously described Prince Christian Sound as ‘a river of melted ice’.  

Get your camera ready and join the Expedition Team on the observation deck. There are only two signs of human life here: the Danish weather station built by the US during the Cold War at the entrance to the fjord, and the colourful houses of the 100-strong fishing and hunting village of Aappilattoq, which when translated from local Greenlandic Inuit means ‘Sea Anemone’.

You may see ringed seals and bearded seals on the ice, while the likes of Glaucous Gulls and Black Guillemots nest in the steep cliffs. Minke and humpback whales may make an appearance too, although they tend not to swim into the narrow stretches of the sound, preferring the wider sections at the entrance.  

Navigating Prince Christian Sound is only possible in summer each year when sea ice is less packed and icebergs don’t block the entrance. However, weather, sea ice, and gate-keeping icebergs on the day may mean our route is still barred.

If that does happen, don’t worry! It’s all to be expected on an expedition into true wilderness. This is where nature sets the rules, not the other way around. We may instead sail towards Nunap Isua, otherwise known as Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland.

Kvanefjord is a 30-mile-long fjord on the west coast of Greenland in the district of Sermersooq, which means ‘place of much ice’. The fjord extends around six miles inland before branching into three smaller channels, each with a glacier at its head.

We’ll spend the day exploring this amazing fjord and the Captain will seek out places where we can drop anchor and head ashore. There will be plenty of opportunities for scouting out wildlife, either from the deck or on land, or perhaps you’d just like to stretch your legs and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Kvanefjord is also close to Kvanefjeld, an area with one of the largest concentrations of rare-earth mineral deposits in the world. Recent surveys even estimate that a quarter of the world’s rare-earth minerals lie within these hills.

Geological concentrations of uranium and the fabled Greenlandic ruby, the tugtupite – meaning ‘reindeer blood’ make the Kvanefield site particularly noteworthy. Cerium, lanthanum, and other precious metals crucial to modern technology, such as smartphones, electric cars, and MRI machines, are also found here.

Nuuk was settled in 1728, which makes it the oldest settlement in the nation. And although Greenland’s capital is classed as a city, fewer than 17,000 people call it home. The name Nuuk means peninsula, and it’s located at the mouth of a system of spectacular fjords and mountains.

The first thing you’ll notice about this low-rise settlement is how colourful the houses are, with red, green, blue and yellow buildings standing out against the icy black and white backdrop of the mountains.

Today Nuuk is a place where old and new traditions meet, from the picturesque old buildings dotting the edge of the fjord, to the ultra-modern architecture of the Greenlandic Parliament and the wave-shaped Katuaq Cultural Centre inspired by the Northern Lights.

You can visit the oldest building in Greenland at Hans Egede’s House, constructed in 1721, by the Norwegian missionary who is credited as founding the city. Elsewhere in the city, you can look for a statue and a church named after him.

The red-painted Nuuk Cathedral with the typical Lutheran clock tower and steeple is worth a visit too. Drop by the Greenland National Museum to see the Qilakitsoq mummies or admire local paintings at the Nuuk Art Museum, the only private arts and crafts museum in Greenland.

We’ll also be offering a long hike through Paradise Valley and around Mt. Lille Malene as part of an optional excursion. As you follow a path formed by old reindeer tracks, you’ll bask in splendid views of the Greenlandic coast and pass by a small lake and natural springs.

There’s a range of eateries in Nuuk to satisfy all tastes, some of them featuring local delicacies such as musk ox, seal soup and snow crab on the menus. If you’d rather just have a coffee, there are several excellent cafes that serve hot drinks and snacks such as burgers and Danish pastries.

Spectacularly situated Sisimiut – Greenland’s second city – is placed 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the central coastal area of the Davis Strait. It’s a modern settlement but its roots stretch back in time a long way, with estimates that the area has been settled by Greenlandic peoples for over 4,500 years.

Its name translates into ‘the people at the fox holes’, a reference to the many burrows of Arctic fox that lie near the city. Another animal local to the area is the musk ox whose wool is used to make a local fabric called qiviut – said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool. You might like to pick up a qiviut scarf, hat, or mittens while you are here.

With a population of around 5,500, Sisimiut is an important regional hub and is often a stopover point for boats heading between Nuuk and the Disko Bay area, with many coming here to enjoy backcountry sports on the Greenland ice cap such as skiing or dog sledding.

The small museum houses artefacts from excavations of ancient Saqqaq settlements near the town, some as old as 4,000 years. There’s also the Taseralik Cultural Centre, the place to go to learn more about the cultural heritage of the area.

For the fit and healthy, we offer a 4 - 5 hour hike up Palaasip Qaqqa mountain, a steady, steep climb to over 1,640 ft. above sea level. The effort to go up will be well rewarded with unique views of Greenland’s exceptional scenery.

Ilulissat – meaning simply ‘Icebergs’ – is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful gem of a town is characterised by its colourful houses sitting down by the fjord which features an ever-changing gallery of icebergs – it really is a picture-perfect kind of place.

It’s also a vibrant hub for adventure seekers who head out onto the polar ice cap, and there are almost as many sled dogs living here as there are people. Each spring, one of the world’s greatest dog sled races takes place here, with 100 sleds.

Just outside the town you can often see enormous icebergs floating in the deep blue waters. They originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, which calves some 35 billion tonnes of icebergs each year. The icebergs make their way down the 12-mile-long fjord before entering Disko Bay, and they’re a photographer’s dream.

You won’t just see these huge, chiselled masses of ice, you’ll also hear them. As they bump into one another and into the shores, the sounds of cracking, rumbling, and creaking echo throughout the fjord.

If that background noise is like the drums, the crumble, crash, and splash of ice calving off the icebergs into the waters below are the cymbals. Take a moment just to sit, watch, and listen to the icebergs in the beautiful surroundings.

Named for English explorer John Davis, who led expeditions here searching for a route through the Northwest Passage between 1585 and 1587. Davis was the first to draw attention to seal hunting and whaling possibilities in the area, and to show that the Newfoundland cod fisheries extended this far north.

We have left Greenland behind and now set course for Canada. While sailing across the Labrador Sea, you can continue to enjoy informative presentations by the Expedition Team. Some of their topics could include wildlife you might see in Northern Labrador, Inuit culture, expedition photography, and historic explorers of the Canadian Arctic.  

We also support a number of Citizen Science projects that you can join. These projects include Happywhale, where your photographs help identify and track the movement of specific whales across the planet due to their distinguishing characteristics.

Or you can participate in the GLOBE Observer project, which combines your observations of clouds and sky conditions from below with data collected by satellites from above. By participating in these projects, not only will you be supporting the scientific community, you’ll also be gaining a better understanding of the world around you.

It’s now time for us to explore the heart of the Northwest Passage. The first recorded voyage here was led by John Cabot in 1497. James Cook attempted but failed to sail the Passage in 1776, and many are already familiar with the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845. The first to conquer the Passage by ship was Norwegian Roald Amundsen on an expedition that lasted from 1903 to 1906.

The ice varies from year to year, but we hope to be able to show you some of the following places:

Pond Inlet, called 'Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, is a traditional Inuit community surrounded by mountains, glaciers, fjords, ice caves, geological hoodoos and drifting icebergs.

Dundas Harbour is an abandoned settlement with an old Royal Canadian Mounted Police camp and several archaeological sites. Go ashore to see the ruins of some of these buildings, along with an impressive Thule site.

Radstock Bay is dominated by the striking outcropping of Caswell Tower. The shoreline here is ideal for walks to a pre-historic Inuit dwelling site. Caswell Tower itself features a challenging hike to the summit for great views.

Beechey Island is known for the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Two ships sailed into the passage in 1845, but neither were ever seen again. It is known that the Franklin Expedition over-wintered on Beechey Island in 1845-1846.

Fort Ross is a trading post established in 1937. There are two small huts ashore that are maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Gjoa Haven honours the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who wintered here from 1903. He was in contact with the local Netsilik Inuit people, and learned a lot from them about survival and travel in polar regions, which eventually gave him the upper hand in the race for the South Pole years later

Throughout the journey, we will be sailing spell-bindingly scenic straits and on the constant look out for wildlife such as the mighty polar bear.

Cambridge Bay is a hamlet with fewer than 2,000 residents. There’s a clue to the region’s hunting and fishing heritage in the name: Cambridge Bay in Inuinnaqtun is called ‘Iqaluktuuttiaq’ meaning a ‘good fishing place’. Fly-fishing for giant char in the river nearby remains a draw to this day.

The abundant wildlife, including musk oxen and caribou, is an obvious pull for explorers to these parts. Others also come to visit the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, a world-class centre for the study of climate change.

It’s only fitting that your expedition draws to an end here, where Arctic explorers of old seeking the Northwest Passage often sheltered. You can add your name to an illustrious list which includes the legendary Roald Amundsen. From here, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Montréal where you’ll spend the night.

Your adventure concludes in Montréal, the largest city in the beautiful province of Québec, and the second most populous in Canada. Occupying the Island of Montréal and its surrounds, the city is a hub for Canadian history and culture with a modern cosmopolitan feel, infused with both French and British influences. If you choose to remain for a few days following your cruise, you’ll find plenty to appreciate in this lively city.

Discover shopping, cuisine, and culture in the city’s exciting downtown area, marvel at Notre Dame Basilica while exploring the historic streets of Old Montréal, or find a kaleidoscope of colour and quirks in the city’s buzzing Plateau district. Montréal is also famous for its year-round festive atmosphere, thanks to a calendar full of events.

For those looking to satisfy their inner foodie, Montréal is one of the finest cities in Canada for its diverse food markets, range of restaurants, and charming café culture. Make sure to treat yourself to local delicacies, including smoked meats, freshly baked bagels, and maple sweets, washed down with a beer from one of the many craft breweries in the city.

After spending the day exploring, you can take your pick from the pubs and bars in Downtown’s social hub, Crescent Street. Unwind and people-watch while enjoying a cocktail on the terrace or re-live your adventure among friends over a beer or two in one of the city’s lively bars.

Add some extra time and join our optional half-day Montréal Sightseeing & Savoir-Vivre Tour. You’ll see how culturally diverse Montréal is and visit the landmarks that make it such a unique and wonderful city. We’ll also stop to pick up some of Montréal’s famous bagels, and swing by Little Italy to enjoy a tasting of local produce at the popular Jean-Talon market.

Life Onboard MS Fram

MS Fram
MS Fram

Purpose built for a pure expedition experience and offering a comfortable base camp for remote exploration. Read more

Expert Expedition Team
Expert Expedition Team

Enjoy a fascinating onboard program and exciting excursions delivered by your dedicated Expedition Team. Read more

The Science Centre
The Science Centre

The home of edutainment and scientific learning on board, complete with lecture spaces and specialist equipment. Read more

Gourmet Dining
Gourmet Dining

Enjoy homely flavours in the informal main dining room and gourmet Nordic cuisine in the Scandi-chic specialty restaurant. Read more

Embrace 'Hygge'
Embrace 'Hygge'

Experience a famously relaxed cruise complemented by a sense of cosiness, comfort, and contentment. Read more

Recreation & Wellness
Recreation & Wellness

Facilities include a gym, outdoor hot tubs, and a soothing sauna. Because even explorers need a comfortable base camp. Read more

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Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Hurtigruten. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Hurtigruten. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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