The 2022 Northwest Passage Discovery

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)

Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel for your overnight stay. Explore this exciting city, giving you the chance to get a taste of the Canadian city’s rich culture, great restaurants and undeniable natural beauty.

Fly to Nome, Alaska and board MS Roald Amundsen.

Set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula, overlooking the Bering Sea, Nome is perhaps the most famous gold rush town in Alaskan history. There are artifacts of the gold rush era to be seen everywhere, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines, and old railroad tracks.

Days at sea are spent at your leisure aboard the ship. Relax while gazing out at the view, learn more from the knowledgeable Expedition Team in the Hurtigruten lecture series, or chat with your fellow explorers.

Sail through the Bering Strait, before heading into the Chukchi Sea. As you reach Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the USA, enter the Beaufort Sea. Keep a sharp eye open here for bowhead and grey whales and you might also start seeing sea ice.

Continue into the Amundsen Gulf, to observe the remarkable Smoking Hills - an amazing sight, with smoke billowing from the cliffs on the east coast of Cape Bathurst. Lignite – a combination of eroded shale and pyrite – spontaneously ignites when exposed to air, creating this photogenic phenomenon.

Next, head into the heart of the historic Northwest Passage. The first recorded voyage here was led by John Cabot in 1497. The most famous journey was James Cook’s failed attempt to sail the Passage in 1776, and of course 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. Throughout the journey, you will be sailing in amazing straits with unique nature and hopefully enough ice to be on the constant look out for wildlife.

Voyage Highlights (weather dependant)

Ulukhaktok, Many in the 500-strong community are involved in the local artists co-op, producing prints, tapestries, and other crafts. This is also the location of the the world's northernmost golf course which plays host a tournament each summer.

Cambridge Bay, Located on Victoria Island, this is the largest stop for vessels traversing the Northwest Passage. It is also called ‘Iqaluktuuttiaq', or ‘A Good Fishing Place’ due to the Ekalluk River which attracts giant char, muskoxen, and caribou.

Gjøa 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.

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

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.

Devon Island Welcome to the largest uninhabited island on Earth. The only signs of human life are at the long abandoned settlement of Dundas Harbour along with several archaeological sites from the Thule period.

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

This strait was named after English explorer John Davis who searched for a route through the Northwest Passage between 1585 and 1587. Wind down and watch the waves aboard the ship, or enjoy a lecture from the Expedition Team as we head north towards Greenland.

This small town is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the mouth of the fjord you can see enormous icebergs that have run aground. These ice masses originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world. Join one of the many optional excursions here.

Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland, situated 40 km north of the Arctic Circle. It is a modern, growing settlement with a history that goes back 4,500 years. For example, its name means `The People Living in a Place of Fox Dens´. There are a variety of optional excursions to discover the area.

It is time to say goodbye to Greenland, and head out on another stretch of open sea. You will cross the southern part of the Labrador Sea, this time towards Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.

Preserved in the ice-cold waters, the remains of several 17th century Basque whaling ships have led to the town being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the local museum that documents this interesting history or take the trail up to Tracey Hill for scenic views, and where, legends say, pirate captain Kidd buried treasure.

Located at the mouth of the Bay of Islands and Humber River, Corner Brook is the second largest city in the province and local to the core. Explore the city centre or enjoy its many walking trails along the Humber River, decorated at this time of year with vibrant autumn leaves.

Your journey exploring the Northwest Passage comes to an end in Halifax, capital of Nova Scotia. There are red-brick heritage buildings, parks, a landmark citadel, some world-class museums, and a 4km seafront boardwalk.

Transfer to a hotel for your overnight stay

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)