Holiday Overview
Sailing through the Northwest Passage on a state-of-the-art ice-class expedition ship is a captivating journey that blends natural wonders, culture, and history. The passage, once an elusive route for explorers, now offers intrepid travellers a chance to witness breathtaking Arctic landscapes and learn about indigenous communities through first-hand experiences. On this adventure, we’ll attempt to traverse the entire route and beyond, going from Nome in Alaska to Nuuk, Greenland.
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage Cruise includes:
- Flights
- Hurtigruten Expeditions Cruise
Day 1 - Seattle
The adventure begins in the Emerald City of Seattle, on the Pacific coast of the United States.
You’ll spend the night here in Seattle before your connecting flight to Alaska tomorrow.
Featured accommodation
The Edgewater Hotel
Day 2 - Nome & MS Roald Amundsen
Today you’ll take an early flight from Seattle to Nome, Alaska, where your state-of-the art expedition ship awaits to take you on a journey through the famed Northwest Passage and beyond.
Prospectors first came to Nome in 1898, and people still hunt for gold here today. You'll see evidence of the Gold Rush era all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique and intriguing atmosphere.
You’ll be in good company as you explore the town. Wyatt Earp, the famous sheriff, opened a saloon here. Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions.
Upon boarding the ship and after collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to check out your cabin, meet the Expedition Team and explore your new home-from-home. Your adventure has truly begun!
Day 3 - Alaskan Coast
Along the Alaskan coast - Science and wildlife watching at sea
Join your Expedition Team for insightful lectures as we journey through the Beaufort Sea towards Amundsen Gulf, the gates to the Northwest Passage, on this eastbound transit. Topics might include subjects such as wildlife, tectonic activity, glaciology and local history, which will prepare you for the adventures ahead.
The highlights of this transit include:
The Bering Strait
The International Date Line
Sailing across the Beaufort Sea
Wildlife watching
Day 4 - Alaskan Coast
Along the Alaskan coast - Science and wildlife watching at sea
Join your Expedition Team for insightful lectures as we journey through the Beaufort Sea towards Amundsen Gulf, the gates to the Northwest Passage, on this eastbound transit. Topics might include subjects such as wildlife, tectonic activity, glaciology and local history, which will prepare you for the adventures ahead.
The highlights of this transit include:
The Bering Strait
The International Date Line
Sailing across the Beaufort Sea
Wildlife watching
Day 5 - Alaskan Coast
Along the Alaskan coast - Science and wildlife watching at sea
Join your Expedition Team for insightful lectures as we journey through the Beaufort Sea towards Amundsen Gulf, the gates to the Northwest Passage, on this eastbound transit. Topics might include subjects such as wildlife, tectonic activity, glaciology and local history, which will prepare you for the adventures ahead.
The highlights of this transit include:
The Bering Strait
The International Date Line
Sailing across the Beaufort Sea
Wildlife watching
Day 6 - Alaskan Coast
Along the Alaskan coast - Science and wildlife watching at sea
Join your Expedition Team for insightful lectures as we journey through the Beaufort Sea towards Amundsen Gulf, the gates to the Northwest Passage, on this eastbound transit. Topics might include subjects such as wildlife, tectonic activity, glaciology and local history, which will prepare you for the adventures ahead.
The highlights of this transit include:
The Bering Strait
The International Date Line
Sailing across the Beaufort Sea
Wildlife watching
Day 7 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Spend eight days exploring the Western section of the fabled Northwest Passage
Our excursions begin on day seven as we enter the Western Canadian Arctic. Over the next eight days in this section of our voyage we’ll transit through three distinct regions - Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon – and two traditional Inuit Territories – Inuvialuit and Nunavut.
During our time here, we anticipate up to five days of shore excursions and four transit days. Excursion stops and local highlights we hope to be able to visit include:
Herschel Island
Smoking Hills
Ulukhaktok
Coronation Gulf
Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq)
Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuk)
Day 8 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 9 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 10 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 11 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 12 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 13 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 14 - Northwest Passage
Exploration and adventure
Day 15 - Bellot Strait
Into Bellot Strait - Navigate the dividing line between West and East
The ‘Rubicon’ of the Canadian Arctic that divides West from East is the infamous Bellot Strait. This narrow body of water separates the northernmost part of mainland North America from Somerset Island, one of the largest islands in the Canadian Arctic archipelago.
Bellot Strait is approximately 15 nautical miles long and just over half a mile wide at its narrowest point. Our ability to navigate this passage will be determined by ice and weather conditions.
Day 16 - Eastern Canadian Arctic
The Eastern Canadian Arctic - Explore the Eastern stretch of the Passage
On the eastern shores of Somerset Island, we find ourselves in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. The main waterway of this area is Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), the eastern gates to the Northwest Passage.
This chapter of our exploration is likely to be action-packed, with excursions planned on each of the five days we hope to spend in and around this area. Remember, all our excursion plans are weather and ice dependent but, conditions permitting, our days will be filled with excitement and discovery.
Excursion stops and local highlights we hope to share with you include:
Fort Ross
Prince Leopold Island (Appait)
Beechey Island (Iluvilik)
Croker Bay
Dundas Harbour
Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik)
Day 17 - Eastern Canadian Arctic
The Eastern Canadian Arctic - Explore the Eastern stretch of the Passage
Day 18 - Eastern Canadian Arctic
The Eastern Canadian Arctic - Explore the Eastern stretch of the Passage
Day 19 - Eastern Canadian Arctic
The Eastern Canadian Arctic - Explore the Eastern stretch of the Passage
Day 20 - Eastern Canadian Arctic
The Eastern Canadian Arctic - Explore the Eastern stretch of the Passage
Day 21 - Baffin Bay
Crossing Baffin Bay - Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science
Leaving Nunavut behind, our expedition cruise continues to Greenland across Baffin Bay. The Expedition Team will continue their onboard lectures on topics such as the wildlife of the Arctic, Inuit culture and the history of exploration in this region.
Why not take part in one of our Citizen Science projects, helping photograph and track whales, or observing the clouds to help scientists study our climate by contributing to the GLOBE Program.
Day 22 - West Greenland
The Wonders of West Greenland - Discover the magical beauty of Greenland
The final chapter of our journey encompasses the majestic coast of West Greenland.
We will begin by sailing into Disko Bay – a haven for whales and seals. Over the next three days you’ll experience some of the most iconic sites in all of Greenland. Our objectives include:
Ilulissat
Nestled at the edge of the magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Here you’ll find an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs set against a backdrop of colourful houses. In town you can visit a multitude of shops selling local crafts, and on the outskirts walking trails take you along the epic icefjord.
Sisimiut
Sisimiut is Greenland’s second city, situated in a spectacular location just above the Arctic Circle. This area has history spanning more than 4,500 years, and old traditions are alive and well.
Learn more about ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum or stretch your legs on a hike. If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of the musk ox that’s said to be 10 times warmer than sheep’s wool.
Evighedsfjord
As we head north, we plan to offer an exploration day in the magical and pristine Evighedsfjord near Maniitsoq. We'll determine on the day what adventures we can take part in.
The 'Fjord of Eternity' is fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its 2,300 ft deep waters. It's surrounded by mist-cloaked mountains with beautiful white ridges, punctuated by crystal blue ice caves.
Day 23 - West Greenland
The Wonders of West Greenland - Discover the magical beauty of Greenland
Day 24 - West Greenland
The Wonders of West Greenland - Discover the magical beauty of Greenland
Day 25 - Nuuk
Old and new in Nuuk -End your voyage in colourful Nuuk
Today we arrive in Nuuk, Greenland’s colourful capital. It has a population of 18,000, and boasts a striking mix of old and new buildings.
We’ll explore this fascinating city, comparing the old buildings – such as Hans Egede House and Nuuk Cathedral – with the ultra-modern architecture of the Parliament of Greenland.
Your voyage ends with a flight from Nuuk to Reykjavík, and an overnight stay.
Day 26 - Reykjavík
Cosmopolitan Reykjavík - Discover Iceland's modern capital
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and discover the city before connecting to your onwards flight home.
Packed full of art, culture and history, Iceland’s capital is a delight to explore. Visit Laugavegur, the main shopping street, and head towards the striking Hallgrímskirkja church. Or why not explore the many galleries and museums dotted around the city.
Image Gallery
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - MS Roald Amundsen
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - baffin Island
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - greenland
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - Pond Inlet
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - hudson Bay Co
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - Smoking Hills
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - whales
Hurtigruten Northwest Passage - Bellot Strait
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Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 My Canada Trips holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 021 7732 and let one of our Canada Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
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