For this expedition we are delighted to be working with our associates at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and their five-star vessel, the Hanseatic Inspiration. This unusual voyage combines the remote Canadian Arctic with its diverse wildlife, history and rich Inuit culture with Greenland’s west coast of great towering cliffs, walls of glacial ice, winding fjords, vast icesheets and flowing glaciers.
The expedition begins with five days of exploration of the Canadian Arctic. Lying north of mainland Canada, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago consists of 94 major islands and forms the world’s largest High Arctic land area. Here we follow in the footsteps of the legendary explorers including Amundsen, Baffin and Franklin, who over the course of 300 years risked their lives to search the Arctic for the fabled Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Our journey continues to coastal Greenland, one of the last great wilderness areas where man has made little difference to the landscape and tourists are still a rarity. It is a marvel to behold; for most visitors their first encounter with Greenland is a humbling experience as they witness nature in the raw and look out across a magnificent Arctic world. Experience magnificent scenery as the Hanseatic Inspiration meanders through spectacular colossal accumulations of peculiarly shaped icebergs in Disko Bay followed by a call into Sisimiut, home to some 5300 inhabitants. The region is also home to a rich animal kingdom and we hope to spot seals, whales, polar bears, caribou, musk ox, walrus, Arctic wolves and foxes as well as thousands of seabirds that nest in the cliffs.
Highlights will be numerous and we will make good use of the fleet of Zodiacs as we navigate small bays and view icebergs of all shapes and sizes. After a day of exploring you will return to the Hanseatic Inspiration where you can be assured of excellent service, food and sumptuous surroundings and, in between the landings and while at sea, you can pass the time on deck looking for wildlife, attend the series of lectures by members of the expedition team or simply relax on board enjoying the facilities. This expedition promises to be a unique experience bringing with it new thrills with spectacular natural experiences in a world far away from the stresses of modern life.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
Hanseatic Inspiration
Operated by our German associates, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the Hanseatic Inspiration is a five-star expedition ship launched in October 2019. With a maximum of just 230 passengers (199 passengers in Antarctica), this unique vessel offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere on board with more open deck space than any other expedition ship. There is a qualified expedition team of naturalists who will accompany you ashore and provide informative talks in the comfort of the well-designed HanseAtrium, and a crew of 175 offering the most exquisite and attentive service on board.
Itinerary
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in the Arctic. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan and the exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife encountered.
Day 1 London to Germany.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. Please note that the departure airport for the charter flight to Greenland will be confirmed closer to departure.
Day 2 Germany to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for the specially chartered flight to Kangerlussuaq. On arrival transfer to the Hanseatic Inspiration and embark. Sail this evening.
Day 3 At sea.
Enjoy a day at sea as we cruise towards Uummannaq. Join one of the lectures or relax and enjoy the facilities on board.
Day 4 Uummannaq.
The fascination of the Arctic is almost impossible to convey through travel reports or films; it needs to be experienced first-hand. The largest island in the world greets us with the Greenlandic welcome of “Tikilluarit” and opens the doors to exciting adventures. The first stop is Uummannaq with its colourful houses and the striking backdrop of a heart-shaped mountain shimmering in red. Venture further north in the wake of former pioneers and visit places where polar explorers made history.
Days 5 to 9 Northern Canadian Arctic (Baffin Island, Devon Island & Ellesmere Island).
Baffin Island is filled with the pioneering spirit of its namesake William Baffin. With a flexible itinerary, the Hanseatic Inspiration will take time to explore the deep fjords, high cliffs, lakes and glaciers that shape the scenery. Enjoy first-hand and active experiences with Zodiac rides and landings. Dreams of exploration come true here in places such as Icy Arm and Walker Arm. The largest uninhabited island on earth, Devon Island is craggy, dry and red-soiled. In Dundas Harbor (Nunavut), an abandoned station of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police bears silent witness to the isolation. Keep a lookout for musk oxen and Arctic hares against the striking cliff backdrop. The Hanseatic Inspiration will continue north to reach the southern coast of Ellesmere Island. On the glaciated island, rock formations tell of an ancient sea that existed 400 million years ago, which was displaced by the land masses over time. Discover unique Arctic panoramas in the clear polar air with Zodiac landings and hikes, for instance in Fram Fjord and Starnes Fjord.
Days 10 & 11 Smith Sound & Nares Strait.
The route north takes us to Smith Sound between Greenland and Canada. If we succeed in landing on Pim Island, you will feel the drama of the Greely expedition which fell victim to the icy winter of 1884 on the small, rocky island. With a little luck, we might see some polar bears from the deck. In 1909, American polar explorer Robert Edwin Peary travelled through the more northerly Nares Strait to become the first person to reach the North Pole. What this region means today will become clearer as we reach Hans Island: Canada and Denmark have been laying claim to the island for years – and to rights for fishing and oil production.
Days 12 to 15 Northwest Coast of Greenland (Etah, Siorapaluk, Qaanaaq, Cape York).
Few other ships sail the waters of Northwest Greenland, so it is a privilege to explore these places that are beyond the reach of most. In the 20th century, you would have reached the geomagnetic pole in Etah. Today, it lies further west. However, this deserted place in the vast landscape will still draw your pioneering spirit and Knud Rasmussen and Robert Edwin Peary had base camps here. Perhaps you might spot whales and seals as our route continues to Siorapaluk. Greenland’s most northerly settlement lies directly on the fjord, surrounded by mighty sandstone mountains in shades of light red and purple. In Qaanaaq, pick up the trail again of the polar explorer Knud Rasmussen, who started numerous expeditions in the region. Experience expedition cruising in the purest sense off Cape York on a Zodiac ride between the icebergs.
Day 16 At sea.
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Join one of the lectures in the HanseAtrium or relax with a book in the lounge.
Days 17 & 18 West Coast of Greenland (Ilulissat, Disko Bay, Sisimiut).
The impressive glacier in Ilulissat is a colossal natural sculpture. A hike with the onboard experts will allow you to enjoy the glittering, shimmering ice masses that gather here – this will set the tone for an unforgettable experience in Disko Bay. Sisimiut provides diverse insights into Nordic life, where the museum village and another hike trace the millennia-old Inuit culture. You may feel reluctant to return to the present, however, these intensive moments in the land of Arctic extremes will stay with you forever.
Day 19 Kangerlussuaq to Germany.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for the chartered flight from Kangerlussuaq to Germany. On arrival transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. Please note that the arrival airport for the charter flight from Greenland and hotel details will be confirmed closer to departure.
Day 20 Germany to London.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
4 to 23 August 2023 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
1 Outside cabin Deck 4, 5 & 6 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
2 Panoramic cabin Deck 4 & 5 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
3 French balcony cabin Deck 6 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
4 Balcony cabin Deck 5 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
5 French balcony cabin Deck 7 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
6 Balcony cabin Deck 6 & 7 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
7 Balcony cabin Deck 6 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
8 Balcony cabin Deck 7 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
9 Junior suite with balcony 6 & 7 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
10 Grand suite with veranda Deck 6 & 7 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
2 Panoramic cabin for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCHI040823
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel between London & Germany • Specially chartered air travel between Germany & Kangerlussuaq • Two nights hotel accommodation in Germany with breakfast • 17 nights aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration on a full board basis • Mini-bar with soft drinks in your cabin restocked each day • Zodiac excursions • Expedition team including onboard lectures • Gratuities • Transfers • Landing fees • Port taxes • Airport taxes • Loan of waterproof boots and parka during cruise.
Not Included: Travel insurance, visas.
N.B. Flight schedules are yet to be released at the time of going to print and the itinerary may change on their release. Itinerary subject to change based on weather and ice conditions.

During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
-
Deckplan
Hanseatic Inspiration
Operated by our German associates, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the Hanseatic Inspiration is a five-star expedition ship launched in October 2019. With a maximum of just 230 passengers (199 passengers in Antarctica), this unique vessel offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere on board with more open deck space than any other expedition ship. There is a qualified expedition team of naturalists who will accompany you ashore and provide informative talks in the comfort of the well-designed HanseAtrium, and a crew of 175 offering the most exquisite and attentive service on board.
Also of Interest
Passage to Iceland
An exploration from Scotland to Iceland aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Hebridean Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Oban / St Kilda / Stac Lee / Sudroy / Torshavn / Vestmanna / Hofn / Neskaupstadur / Mjoifjordur / Husavik / Grimsey Island / Siglufjordur / Akureyri / Hrisey Island / Vigur Island / Stykkisholmur / Reykjavik
Norwegian Coastal Odyssey
A voyage from Aberdeen to Tromso aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Hebridean Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Aberdeen / Haugesund / Rosendal / Bergen / Dalsfjord / Bygstad / Loen / Runde / Alesund / Smola / Hitra / Bronnoysund / Torghatten / Lofoten Islands / Trollfjorden / Tromso
From the Norwegian Fjords to the Baltic Sea
A voyage from Tromso to Malmo aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Hebridean Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Tromso / Lofoten / Bronnoysund / Torghatten / Trondheim / Smola / Alesund / Runde / Loen / Bergen / Rosendal
Greenland & Beyond
An expedition along the Western Coast of Greenland to Labrador, Newfoundland & the St Lawrence River aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration
Hanseatic Inspiration
Itinerary at a glance
- Germany / Kangerlussuaq / Western coast of Greenland / Southern Coast of Greenland / Newfoundland / Tadoussac / Baie Eternite / Cruising on the Saguenay / Quebec / Seven Locks of St Lawrence River / Passage through the Thousand Islands / Cruising on Lake Ontario / Toronto
In the Realm of the Polar Bear
An Expedition exploring the Svalbard Archipelago aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration
Hanseatic Inspiration
Itinerary at a glance
- Spitzbergen / Svalbard / Longyearbyen
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000