Exploring the Arctic In Depth from Greenland to Alaska and Vancouver by Expedition Cruise

Relax on an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

This afternoon you'll board a charter flight from Duesseldorf to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Flight time is approximately 5 hours.

Welcome aboard!
Take some time to get settled in to your cabin- your home for the next 25 days. Explore the length of the ship, and get ready to meet some of your fellow expeditioners this evening. You'll overnight at anchor.

Today you'll begin your first day of cruising, along the western side of Greenland. The small towns and natural scenery are wonderful sights.

Deep fjords, mighty glaciers and the heritage of the Inuit - Greenland is the perfect introduction to your Expedition Northwest Passage. You'll visit the settlements Aasiaat and Qeqertarsuaq that were already founded at the end of the 18th century.

Incredible natural scenarios await you in Disko Bay. While you cruise with your expedition ship or the Zodiacs, bizarre ice formations will silently drift past you, calved into the sea from one of the largest glaciers in the northern hemisphere. These are fantastic moments when the ice reflects the light of the polar sun in shades of pure white to turquoise.

The fishing village Uummannaq is one of the prettiest settlements in Greenland, the inhabitants of which will welcome you with their traditional hospitality.

Today is a full day spent at sea, sailing onward toward your next area of exploration, Nunavut.

The Inuit call it Nunavut – ”our homeland“ – and your cruise vessel is also in its element here along the rugged coasts of Canada. Thanks to the low draught, the ship effortlessly makes its way through the intricate island worlds – for spectacular views and wildlife observations which are crowned by thrilling Zodiac rides. Like, for example, in Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. Listen to the typical throat singing of the indigenous people - perhaps while belugas are splashing around in the waters off the coast of the picturesque settlement.

With a bit of luck, you will see the impressive musk oxen at the edge of the tundra in Dundas Harbor before the history of explorers comes to life on Beechey Island - three lonely seamen’s graves bear witness to the Franklin expedition, which failed in the search for the Northwest Passage.

Resolute owes its name to one of the ships that were searching for the missing explorers. As you continue on your route, you could hear the call ”Polar bear ahead!“ at any time because the king of the Arctic prowls through the region in his hunt for food, crossing the Peel Sound on the ice, which is frequently pushed into the narrow waterway.

Relaxing day at sea.

Relaxing day at sea.

Relaxing day at sea.

Today is your final day spent sailing aboard your cruise vessel, before you reach the Northern Passage.

Today marks the first of nine consecutive days exploring the Northwest Passage, as you navigate from Lancaster Sound to the Beaufort Sea.

Make your way to Jenny Lind Island today, famous for its abundant bird population. You may be able to spot some musk oxen on the island as well.

No less exciting than Jenny Lind Island is the encounter with the heritage of Roald Amundsen in Cambridge Bay - here lies the wreck of the ”Maud“, the ship with which the legendary explorer successfully tackled the Northeast Passage.

You might see some musk oxen again at Ross Point if you cast your eyes across the barren tundra.

In the small settlement of Ulukhaktok (formerly Holman), you will find out how skilled the Inuit are in handling tools and the creation of colourful art prints.

Despite the artful skill of the Inuit at Ulukhatok, it is not a human work of art, but a wonder of nature that will cast its spell on you at the Smoking Hills - mystical wafts of mist shroud the coast where pyritic rock strata self-ignited centuries ago. With the Zodiacs, you will get as close to the mysterious phenomenon as possible.

Explore the former centre of American whaling on Herschel Island. With a little luck, you will be able to watch the majestic marine mammals from the Zodiacs.

Cruise the rugged frontier coastline in the Zodiacs, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way.

Today you have the opportunity to go on a tour of discovery together with Canadian rangers, in the course of which you may see rough-legged buzzards or even brown bears.

Now cruising Alaska, Barrow is also associated with whales - numerous schools of whales pass by the coast of the most northern town of the USA every summer.

The igloos of the ancient settlement which you can visit in Point Hope are partially built of whalebones – final impressive evidence of the adaptability of the Inuit to the harshness of their natural environment and the befitting finale to your own personal Northwest Passage.

Today is your last day at sea, as you sail to Nome, Alaska, where you will end your cruise journey tomorrow morning.

This morning you'll disembark from your ship and bid farewell to the crew.

Board a charter flight from Nome to Vancouver, the last moments you'll spend with your fellow expeditioners before officially bidding them farewell.

Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with professional driver. 

Discover the highlights of Vancouver, a city of mountains, seascapes, forests and unique architecture, including the soaring cedars of Stanley Park, exotic Chinatown and historic Gastown. You can choose to start your tour in Stanley Park, which covers 1,000 acres, of which 800 acres are forested. Stop at the totem pole collection before you continue past Brockton Point Lighthouse to Prospect Place for a glimpse of the North Shore Mountains, West Vancouver and the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Meandering through the park toward English Bay, you will travel though downtown Vancouver to historic Gastown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood. On your way out of the downtown area, you will pass through the second largest Chinatown in North America. With your private driver and professional tour guide, you can customize your tour to your interests. Take your time and see the sights that interest you, and find some hidden gems!

Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with professional driver.