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Midnight sun light, Ilulissat

Canadian Arctic & Northern Lights

Example 17 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Experience the legendary Northwest Passage on this 17-day Northern Canada Discovery cruise and trace a path along the ice-filled route that challenged great explorers. As you sail from Greenland through the iceberg capital of the world, gaze in awe at the ice-filled straits and fjords crammed with gargantuan icebergs before seeing some of North America’s greatest wildlife: caribou and polar bears. The northern Canadian coast around Nunavut is a haven for caribou, while in Newfoundland you get to hear the stories of indigenous Inuit people and discover ancient whaling sites. Combining adventure, culture, and nature into a once-in-a-lifetime journey. 
Walrus in the ArcticA polar bear wanders onto an iceberg in GreenlandA reindeer relaxes in the Arctic tundraBoat, barn, and iceberg on Disko BayReflection of colorful houses in GreenlandNuuk structures, GreenlandFjord cruising, Torngat Mountains National ParkVisit the rugged coastline of Nova ScotiaMidnight sun light, Ilulissat
Highlights
  • Explore Ilulissat, a wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit charming Sisimiut, the second-largest town in Greenland
  • Admire Nuuk’s natural beauty and observe the historical Inuit ruins
  • Hike across the Silvia Grinnell Territorial Park west of Iqaluit
  • Look up at towering cliffs crammed with seabirds while narwhals swim below
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavik

Arrive at the airport and head to the hotel via the group transfer to your hotel. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*Pre/Post hotels and flights are always subject to change until the Travel Documents are provided.

Day 2: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland | Embark

Fly from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq and embark on SH Vega for your Polar adventure.

At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-meter tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.
 

Day 3: At Sea

You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board experts.

Day 4: Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island

Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, the largest island in Greenland, on the west coast and part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lyngmark Glacier rises above the town and the area’s lush hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is very fertile and home to diverse species not found elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as you move through floating icebergs and whales.
 

Day 5: Ilulissat

Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world from Disko Bay - or Qeqertarsuaq Tunua - to the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is home to as many sled dogs as people.
 

Day 6: Sisimiut

Just north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in Greenland, Sisimiut remains ice-free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset, and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport and you have a chance to see abandoned settlements but it also has a cool, modern side. Watch out for humpback whales and walruses between Sisimiut and the Thule district in the north.
 

Day 7: Nuuk (Godthab)

Home to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk can easily deceive you that you’re traveling through such a wild and secluded country. Also known by its Danish name of Godthåb (Good Hope), you’ll see the busy old Colonial Harbor with Nuuk Cathedral prominent, colorful wooden houses, avant-garde architecture, and a wonderful array of fjords with clear ice waters and an unspoiled mountain backdrop. Look out for whales and on land arctic foxes, arctic hares, and reindeer.
 

Day 8: At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.
 

Day 9: Iqaluit

The native Inuit are an integral part of Iqaluit, a remote community at the head of Frobisher Bay. Once considered the possible entrance of a Northwest Passage, the bay provides insight into Inuit history and culture including dog-sledding on handmade qamutik sleds led by qimmiiq - North America's oldest and rarest purebred canine. Inuit artworks are showcased at Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum while Inuit history is evident at Crystal II, an ancient Thule Inuit settlement outside of Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park.
 

Day 10: Lady Franklin Island

Most known for its huge vertical cliffs of Archean rocks, reputedly the oldest stones in Canada, Lady Franklin Island is an uninhabited isle off Hall Peninsula on Baffin Island. Black guillemots, ptarmigan, and gulls all nest in this ice-filled area of the Davis Strait. Lumbering walrus haul out to the south at Monumental Island, which is also a well-known denning site for polar bears. Nearby, the Cumberland Sound is home to its own species of beluga whale.
 

Day 11: Torngat Mountains National Park

Staffed completely by Inuit, Torngat Mountains National Park takes its name from the Inuktitut word Tongait, meaning place of spirits. Here, Inuit share their stories of spirits and traditions in their homeland, where for centuries they have been fishing and hunting polar bears and caribou. This magical land made up of dramatically spectacular mountains and deep fjords nudging up to iceberg-filled waters is only accessible by boat.

Day 12: Hebron

The remote Arctic outpost of Hebron, an Inuit community, provides insight into Inuit traditions and Arctic life. The Hebron National Historic Site showcases Arctic landscapes, including fjords, icebergs, and wildlife, while shedding light on Inuit heritage through abandoned mission buildings. In 1959, during an Easter service, Moravian church officials abruptly closed the mission, relocating 58 families to other coastal Labrador towns.

Day 13: At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind, and do whatever you fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Day 14: L'Anse aux Meadows

The 1,000-year-old Norse settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows (Meadows Cove), on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, is the first and only authenticated Viking site in the Americas, believed to have been occupied by Leif Erikson. He was the first European to explore Canada's east coast in around 1021. Some of the 800 original Norse artifacts and eight sod houses are on view during a tour of the recreated village, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 15: Corner Brook

At the end of a picturesque fjord in the Bay of Islands, made more beautiful by the Blomidon Mountains in full fall colors, Corner Brook is a bustling port city on the west coast of Newfoundland. Above the town, Captain James Cook’s monument surveys the land he once charted. This is the gateway to adventure tours - ziplining, fishing, spelunking - in scenic Humber Valley or further north among the sheer cliffs and waterfalls of Gros Morne National Park.

 

Day 16: At Sea

As you cruise to your next port of call, spend the day at sea savoring the ship’s facilities and learning about your destination’s many facets from knowledgeable onboard experts. Listen to an enriching talk, indulge in a relaxing treatment at the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy some downtime in your cabin, and share travel reminiscences with newly found friends: the options are numerous.
 

Day 17: Halifax | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Nova Scotia’s lively capital is rich in nautical history and charm. Its seafaring stories can be discovered in the maritime museums, fortresses, and bunkers throughout the city. There is also an interesting counterculture contingent here, with striking public art and quirky shops on every other corner. Halifax is also home to many fantastic seafood options, from street vendors to fine-dining restaurants. The surrounding shorelines are beautiful and also worth exploring. Peggy’s Cove, with its picturesque lighthouse, is a favorite spot.

On this day, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Take the group transfer to the airport and catch your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Reykjavik - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$20,580 2-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Vega Suite PremiumSH Vega Suite PremiumPremium suitePremium Suite
Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 16 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 15 Dinners
  • 16 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • Flight from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq
  • One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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