Viking Expeditions Cruises – NEW! Into the Northwest Passage (Greenland, Canada) 13 Days

Nuuk, Greenland
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Cosmopolitan Nuuk is Greenland’s capital city and one of the smallest in the world, with just 16,000 residents. Located on the southwest coast, the city is home to one of the world’s largest fjords, the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord, whose waters are brimming with marine life; whale sightings are commonplace in these waters. Visitors to Nuuk come to enjoy nature, hiking along the dramatic coastline or exploring the fjord by boat or kayak. Its rugged landscape is dotted with colorful houses, set amid a beautiful backdrop of the Sermitsiaq mountain.

Nuuk, Greenland
Nuuk’s first Inuit settlers arrived on Greenland’s shores from the Canadian Arctic approximately 4,500 years ago, and its people have long celebrated their indigenous roots. In the city’s boutique stores, knitwear designs are woven with Inuit patterns and local art showcases the blend of modern Danish and traditional cultures. The city’s architectural highlights are centered around Colonial Harbor, with its plethora of colorful residences. Nuuk’s showpiece however is the Katuaq Cultural Center, which was inspired by the northern lights and surrounding mountain landscapes.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Sailing by Special Operations Boat
Duration: 1 hour   
Experience the majestic scenery of Nuuk from the water during a ride in a Special Operations Boat. Board your vessel from the ship’s shell door landing for an enlightening voyage on the pristine waters surrounding vibrant Nuuk, near the mouth of Nuup Kangerlua. Once securely on board, lines will be untethered, and your thrilling journey will begin. As you motor across the water, keep watch for the array of wildlife that inhabit the region, particularly the whales who are known to feed along the coast. Your highly maneuverable vessel will allow you to reach less accessible locations along the water’s edge. Knowledgeable specialists will be on hand to explain the natural world that surrounds you and to alert you of wildlife sightings. At the end of your excursion, your Special Operations Boat will return you and your fellow travelers to your ship.

Itilleq Fjord, Greenland
Greenland’s west coast is one of the Arctic region’s spectacularly scenic highways and a favored transportation route for Greenlanders. Iceberg-filled waters drift past changing landscapes, evoking experiences that were once followed by intrepid explorers for centuries. Alfred Wegener, largely regarded today as the founding father of the theory of continental drift, participated in several expeditions to Greenland. His journey provided the inspiration for John Buchan’s 1933 novel, A Prince of the Captivity.

Shore Excursions – Kaffemik & Open Church
Duration: 1 hour     
Enjoy a warm welcome to a private home in Itilleq Fjord for a typical kaffemik experience. This remote settlement, located just over a mile north of the Arctic Circle, is home to around 100 residents. You will transfer to the shore by Zodiac, and in small groups, you will be welcomed into the home of one of the locals to participate in an authentic kaffemik, a cherished cultural tradition that reflects the warmth and hospitality of Greenlandic communities. Join residents as they gather to share tea, coffee and homemade cakes, and gain insight into their daily lives and the customs that shape this small village. Local children will join you to assist with translating and to ensure smooth communication with your hosts, making your visit one to remember. You will also have time at your leisure to visit Itilleq Fjord’s historic church, before returning to your ship.

Ilulissat, Greenland
Home to a rich Arctic heritage, Ilulissat sits along pristine waters at the mouth of its namesake ice fjord. The town’s colorful houses enjoy a front row seat as icebergs drift by. This endless parade of white floating islands, long studied by glaciologists, has earned the ice fjord status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fjord is fed by the Sermeq Kujalleq—one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world, producing massive icebergs that can be seen drifting out to sea. The town is named for its spectacular scenery; Ilulissat is the local Kalaallisut word for icebergs.

Shore Excursions – Kayaking in Ilulissat
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes      
Take to the water and explore your surroundings with a member of your Viking Expedition Team. After a thorough introduction and safety briefing, transfer from your ship to the kayak staging area, where you will receive your paddle and join a fellow traveler in a two-person kayak. Your kayak has been designed to provide a combination of stability and comfort as you paddle your way through the open water. Dressed in a kayak suit and bespoke life jacket for maximum maneuverability, you will be geared up to remain warm and dry during your expedition experience. Set off on the stunning waters of Disko Bay and marvel at the towering icebergs on the horizon as you paddle along the shoreline. Immerse yourself in your surroundings and stay alert for possible sightings of seals, whales and an array of marine birds that can be found in the region.

Uummannaq, Greenland
Founded in 1758, the town’s heart-shaped mountain looms over the rugged landscape and casts a red-hued glow during summer, thanks to the ever-present midnight sun. Historic buildings line the harbor and the town’s history is well-documented at the Uummannaq Museum. The oldest human remains in Greenland were discovered here, preserved for more than 500 years. The Museum pays tribute to Alfred Wegener, who set sail from these shores for his final expedition in 1930. He died on Greenland’s ice cap after successfully delivering supplies for a rescue mission.

Shore Excursions – Kayaking in Uummannaq
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes     
Take to the water and explore Uummannaq by kayak with a member of your Viking Expedition Team. After a thorough introduction and safety briefing, transfer from your ship to the kayak staging area, where you will receive your paddle and join a fellow traveler in a two-person kayak. Your kayak has been designed to provide a combination of stability and comfort as you paddle your way through the open water. Dressed in a kayak suit and bespoke life jacket for maximum maneuverability, you will be geared up to remain warm and dry during your expedition experience. As you move through the pristine waters, admire the colorful buildings that line the base of the heart-shaped mountain and stand in contrast to the rugged landscape. Stay alert for sightings of icebergs, which drift out of the fjords connected to Greenland’s ice sheet and parade past this island town.

Sail Baffin Bay
Sail Baffin Bay, named after Lieutenant William Baffin, who traversed these waters in May 1616. It is an important part of the Arctic ecosystem, covered in sea ice for much of the year, with floating remnants during summer. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film on our 8K laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula, one of the world’s most advanced venues for learning at sea. This indoor-outdoor experience allows nature to take center stage with its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows that unveil 270° views.

Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Pond Inlet sits on the northern shores of Baffin Island at the eastern entrance to the famed Northwest Passage. Home to a small but vibrant Inuit community, it is nicknamed the “Jewel of the North,” the surrounding Arctic landscape a panoramic mix of glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Pond Inlet is also a gateway to Sirmilik National Park, “the place of the glaciers” in the local language. Covering more than 8,400 sq mi, the park is a declared migratory bird sanctuary and supports an array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, wolves, narwhals and beluga whales.

Explore the Canadian High Arctic, Canada
A region of raw natural beauty, the Canadian High Arctic is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and extended periods of darkness. Explorers long sailed the treacherous waters in search of the famed Northwest Passage; historic Beechey Island is the final resting place for members of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition. Dundas Harbour was once a remote outpost for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and became a base for various Arctic expeditions, while Cape Hay features dramatic coastal cliffs, sweeping vistas and unique Arctic wildlife.

Sail Baffin Bay
Learn about the array of marine life in Baffin Bay, a feeding ground for fish, birds and mammals, including the Arctic cod, Greenland halibut, seals, thick-billed murres and bowhead whales. Soak up the views from the Finse Terrace, a unique outdoor lounge area named after a famous mountain plateau in south-central Norway. Relax amid your surroundings in comfort, with heated couches and lava rock “firepits,” allowing you to enjoy the outdoors no matter the temperature, as you admire the dramatic scenery or expansive ocean vistas.

Sisimiut, Greenland
Greenland’s second-largest city is regarded as a gateway to adventure. The town is surrounded by soaring mountains and wide glacial valleys, and a number of beautiful hikes can be enjoyed offering scenic vistas. Several open-air exhibits are on display at the Sisimiut Museum, as well as a collection of 18th- and 19th-century old buildings, the entrances to which are marked by a set of whale jawbones. Traditional kayaks can be seen along the shores, exploring the region as the Inuit do. The origins of the word kayak come from the Greenlandic word qajaq.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Sailing by Special Operations Boat
Duration: 1 hour     
Experience the stunning vistas of Sisimiut from the water during a ride in a Special Operations Boat. Board your vessel from the ship’s shell door landing and take to the waters surrounding Greenland’s second-largest city, set against a striking backdrop of towering mountains and glacial valleys. Once securely on board, lines will be untethered and your thrilling journey will begin. As you motor across the water, witness dramatic fjord landscapes and keep watch for the seals and humpback whales who are known to frequent the area. Your highly maneuverable vessel will allow you to reach less accessible locations along the water’s edge. Knowledgeable specialists will be on hand to explain the natural world that surrounds you and to alert you of wildlife sightings. At the end of your excursion, your Special Operations Boat will return you and your fellow travelers to your ship.

Shore Excursions – Kayaking in Sisimiut
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Take to the water and explore your surroundings with a member of your Viking Expedition Team. After a thorough introduction and safety briefing, transfer from your ship to the kayak staging area, where you will receive your paddle and join a fellow traveler in a two-person kayak. Your kayak has been designed to provide a combination of stability and comfort as you paddle your way through the open water. Dressed in a kayak suit and bespoke life jacket for maximum maneuverability, you will be geared up to remain warm and dry during your expedition experience. Immerse yourself in your surroundings, marveling at the dramatic scenery of the fjord and staying alert for potential sightings of local marine wildlife, including humpback whales.

Nuuk, Greenland
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.