The fabled sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Northwest Passage has gripped imaginations for centuries. On this captivating 17-day voyage, we invite you to explore this fascinating waterway with an incredible range of on-board comforts and off-ship adventures no other vessel can offer. Passing through the Canadian Arctic archipelago, guests will journey back in time to the height of Arctic exploration, navigating the waters explored by sailors from different lands while visiting areas that Inuit people have made their home for thousands of years. Marvel at highlights of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland’s stunning west coast, stopping at Inuit and Greenlandic communities. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Ilulissat Icefjord, whose Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves off enormous icebergs. And keep your eyes peeled for the elusive and majestic creatures who make their home in these harsh, remote landscapes, such as whales, walrus, muskoxen and polar bears. Come aboard and venture to the legendary route that for centuries held explorers in its thrall, and return home forever bound to the spirit of Arctic adventure.
Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime, this unforgettable voyage begins above the Arctic Circle at Spitsbergen, the “wildlife capital of the Arctic,” ventures to the spectacular, remote landscape of East Greenland, and ends in Iceland. In Spitsbergen, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts, steep-walled fjords and wind-swept tundra, where wildlife sightings include walrus, polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and thousands of birds. During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. The towering cliffs, massive glaciers, rugged fjords and vast swaths of untouched tundra in these breathtaking environments will provide sights, sounds and scenes you’ve never experienced, permanently transforming your connection to the planet we call home. Explore the amazing Arctic, immerse yourself in the beauty and fragility of a wondrous region, and return with unique memories that will last a lifetime.
Explore two of the last unspoiled wilderness areas on the planet with the Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland itinerary. Cruising along Iceland’s mountainous Vestfjords and Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system in the world, you’ll discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes rich in iconic arctic wildlife. Immersed in the untamed beauty of the Arctic, you’ll experience Inuit culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs and towering bird cliffs. If you’re lucky, you may also catch sight of the spectacular northern lights dancing across the sky. The Arctic has been inspiring explorers for centuries, and our expeditions offer the chance for you to discover why. We’re excited to host you on your unforgettable adventure! Feel free to reach out to our team of Polar Travel Advisers or your travel professional, who can answer your questions and provide assistance at any time.
Iceland, the mystical island nation sculpted by fire and ice, is popular for its thunderously cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, geysers spontaneously erupting in full furies of steam, stunning shorelines dotted with fishing villages, expansive glaciers, rarely-visited wild places, and hard-to-reach coastal areas of breathtaking splendor.
Most visitors have confined themselves to very established tourist routes, largely by automobile, and thus have limited their experience of Iceland.
That’s the challenge we presented to our team of innovators: how can you do it all on a trip through Iceland? How can you authentically explore the entire country, take in all of its main attractions—while also exploring the rarely-visited side of Iceland?That kernel of inspiration led to the creation of our 12–day Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers and Volcanoes, which enables us to take travelers around the entire island—a complete circumnavigation starting and ending in Reykjavik—and explore by small polar ship, Zodiac, coach bus, kayak and helicopter.
Iceland is sculpted by fire and ice and is popular for its cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, geysers that spontaneously erupt and stunning shorelines dotted with fishing villages and glaciers. On this 12-day trip aboard the technologically advanced Ultramarine, you’ll circumnavigate Iceland and explore all it has to offer. On this once in a lifetime adventure, your days will be spent sightseeing, glacier and volcano hunting and hiking through wild landscapes. Starting and ending in Reykjavik, explore the many wonders of this part of the world by small polar ship, Zodiac, coach bus, kayak and helicopter.
Explore two of the last unspoiled wilderness areas in Iceland and East Greenland. Over 14 days, you’ll cruise along Iceland’s mountainous Westfjords and Greenland’s remote northeast coast – home to the largest fjord system in the world. Discover diverse and rugged landscapes, rich in arctic wildlife. Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the Arctic and experience Inuit culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit. Visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, see massive icebergs and towering bird cliffs and if you’re lucky, you may also see the spectacular northern lights dancing across the sky!
The Northwest Passage has gripped polar explorers for centuries. On this 17-day voyage, you’ll hop aboard the Ocean Explorer and explore this fascinating waterway with an incredible range of off-ship adventures by Zodiac and helicopter. Passing through the Canadian Arctic archipelago, you’ll journey back in time to the height of Arctic exploration, visiting areas that the Inuit people have made their home for thousands of years. See all the highlights of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland’s west coast, stopping at Inuit and Greenlandic communities. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ilulissat Icefjord, whose Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves off enormous icebergs, and keep your eyes peeled for the marine creatures who make their home in these harsh, remote landscapes –keep your eyes peeled for whales, walrus, muskoxen and polar bears.
Take an incredible 14-day polar cruise from Greenland to Newfoundland and explore both Arctic and boreal environments. This means you’ll experience boreal biomes – cold, dense forests dominated by coniferous trees, boreal woodlands and boreal wildlife – while looking out for caribou, black bears, red and Arctic foxes and peregrine falcons. This is a sharp contrast to what you’ll experience in Arctic biomes – home to treeless regions marked by extreme winters, low vegetation and wildlife like polar bears, seals and migratory birds. Learn about Greenlandic culture, Inuit and Nunatsiavut culture and Viking history. Experience East Coast hospitality in St. John’s, famously steeped in Celtic music thanks to its vast population of Irish descendants, and visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites – Ilulissat Icefjord, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station and the 11th century Viking ruins at l’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. This exploration really is the trip of a lifetime!
Reykjavik, Greenland Sea, Nain, L’Anse Aux Meadows, St John, Kangerlussuaq, Maniitsoq, Ilulissat, Pangnirtung, Cape Mercy, Torngat Mountain National Park
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Cruising along Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system in the world, discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes—and possibly cap off a day of Arctic exploration with a nighttime show of the dramatic Aurora borealis as this is a region where the Northern Lights are regularly visible. Immersed in the untamed beauty of the Arctic, experience Greenlandic culture first hand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs and against a spectacular mountain backdrop.
Put down your mobile phone and answer the call of the wild on this adventure across the waters of the Canadian Arctic. Encounter Inuit culture, explore landscapes that bring the drama, spot unique wildlife and holiday like an explorer of old (except, you know, with a sauna and helicopters). From Reykjavik, fly to the western shores of Greenland and begin your Arctic exploration on board a state-of-the-art expedition vessel. Cross the Davis Strait to remote landing sites on Baffin Island, scouring the skies for migrating birds and the waters for whale pods. Your journey will take you high to the Northwest Passage, sailing through immense fjords, past calving glaciers and to some of the world’s most remote shores. True wilderness has never been closer than during these 17 days in the Arctic.
Explore some of the last unspoiled wilderness areas in the world on this 11-day adventure to Northeast Greenland through the Arctic Circle. Cruise along the remote northeast coast – home to the most extensive fjord system in the world – on the Ocean Explorer and discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes. If you’re lucky, you’ll cap off your days of Arctic exploration with a night-time show of the dramatic Aurora Borealis – yes, the Northern Lights are regularly visible here! On this trip, you’ll learn about Greenlandic culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs set against their mountain backdrops. Look out for migrating whales, seabirds, seals, polar bears and muskoxen along the way – your handy expedition team are always there to ensure you’re getting the best wildlife spotting opportunities.