Mythical Lands of the North
Embark on a remarkable 17‑day Arctic expedition with HX – Hurtigruten Expeditions as you explore the Grand Greenland – Mythical Lands of the North. Beginning with flights from New York to Nuuk, this immersive voyage takes you into the High Arctic’s legendary Thule region, where some of the northernmost communities on Earth endure in dramatic, glacier‑strewn landscapes. Journey along rugged coastlines, witness immense icebergs in Disko Bay and the UNESCO‑listed Ilulissat Icefjord, and keep an eye out for Arctic wildlife while learning about ancient Inuit cultures and Arctic history.
Throughout the expedition, expert‑led shore landings, engaging lectures, and onboard science programs enrich your understanding of this extraordinary environment, while the comfort and sustainability of a hybrid‑powered Hurtigruten ship ensure a seamless experience. Whether you’re navigating ice‑choked channels, visiting remote villages, or cruising past towering fjords, this once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey into Greenland’s mythical northern lands offers adventure, culture, and wonder at every turn.
What’s Included:
Hotel
Overnight in Nuuk before the expedition cruise, including dinner and breakfast
Flights
Flights in economy class between New York and Nuuk including all taxes
Transfers
Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Nuuk before the expedition cruise
Expedition Cruise
In the comfort of the cabin category of your choice. Click here to view itinerary.
Expedition Gear
Enjoy escorted landings with small expedition boats, with all equipment like boots and trekking poles provided, and get expert guidance from onboard expedition photographers.
Landing Activities
Enjoy escorted landings with small expedition boats, with all equipment like boots and trekking poles provided, and get expert guidance from onboard expedition photographers.
Onboard Activities
Join in-depth lectures and discussions led by the Expedition Team, explore the ship’s Science Center, and participate in the Citizen Science Program. Get photography tips from a professional onboard and attend daily briefings with the crew.
All Inclusive
Experience delicious meals and beverages, all included for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Luxury Nordic Amenities
Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more.
Expedition Cruise Inclusions
Expedition Cruise
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Wine, beer, and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws; excludes premium drinks)
- All day coffee, tea, and soft drinks
- Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- Wind and waterproof expedition jacket
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note that streaming is not supported.
- Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges, and more
- Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX (though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated).
- Range of included activities
Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by our knowledgeable Expedition Team
- Use of our Science Centre, including the library and advanced biological and geological equipment
- The Citizen Science Program allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
- An onboard professional photographer will give tips and tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
- Daily briefing with the Expedition Team about the plans for the next day
Landing Activities
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of rubber boots, trekking poles and other necessary equipment for activities. Your HX travel documents will have a recommended packing list.
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight stay might be needed (not included)
What’s not included
- Additional overnight stay(s) may be required due to the timing of international flights
- Travel protection
- Baggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
- Optional treatments in the on-board wellness and spa area
Starting from $13,025
per person
Grand Greenland – Mythical Lands of the North
What’s Included:
Departure Dates & Pricing:
July 14 – 28, 2026:
- Starting at $13,210 per person
- MS Fridtjof Nansen
July 28 – August 11, 2026:
- Starting at $13,025 per person
- MS Fridtjof Nansen
Expires: 2/28/2026 • Supplier Code: HX
*Pricing and availability subject to change until booked. Pricing, unless noted otherwise, is based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply.
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Itinerary:
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Welcome to the capital of GreenlandYour adventure with HX begins with a morning flight from New York to Nuuk. After landing in Nuuk, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, your home for the night in Greenland´s colourful and compact city. Enjoy an exquisite dinner at the hotel´s own restaurant, where classic Danish dishes are combined with local Greenlandic flavours. For a late evening walk, why not head down to the old part of town by the waterfront, where you’ll find Nuuk Cathedral and the statue of Hans Egede standing on a hill. In the water below, you’ll see the beautiful Mother of the Sea statue. |
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Explore Nuuk and surroundingsIn the morning, you’ll head to Colonial Harbour, known locally as Kolonihavnen, home to some of the city’s oldest buildings, including the Hans Egede House, built in 1728 and now a historic monument. From here, we board a small boat for a scenic ride up Nuuk Fjord to a remote, abandoned settlement where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by breathtaking Arctic landscapes. In the afternoon, the boat will return you to Nuuk, where your expedition ship awaits you in the harbour. Settle in, attend the safety briefing, and enjoy a welcome dinner as your voyage begins. |
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Sailing to Disko Bay Getting ready for adventureSailing towards the Arctic Circle you’ll have time to get acquainted with the AECO rules and recommendations regarding operations and landings in the fragile Arctic environment. Make sure you attend these mandatory presentations if you want to join planned landings as we head north. You will also have time to settle on board, enjoy the state-of-the-art ship facilities and join the first lectures on Greenland related topics, including the Citizen Science projects run on board the ship. At some point during the sailing, we will cross the Arctic Circle, entering the lands of the Midnight Sun at the height of summer. |
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See the jaw-dropping beauty of nature’s artworksToday we’ll reach Disko Bay – a haven for whales and other wildlife. The waters here are scattered with icebergs in many shapes and sizes, and they all come from one place – the Ilulissat Icefjord. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site regularly tops the list of things to see and do in Greenland, and today you’ll find out why. Enjoy the scenery as you walk along the wooden path to the breathtaking ice fjord. Marvel at giant icebergs floating placidly in the deep blue waters as they take on different hues of white, grey and blue. All photographers, regardless of skill, will return to the ship with the most enviable images. Back in pretty Ilulissat, visit the Icefjord Centre to learn more about the ice in this fascinating area and take a hike to Sermermiut to take in the incredible views. |
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Entering through the gateway to the northGreenland’s Far North begins beyond the Nuussuaq Peninsula. Here, life moves at the rhythm of the Arctic – unhurried and guided by the elements. This rugged, beautiful land has drawn people for over 4,000 years. Early settlers navigated its coastline and carved out a life in conditions few could endure. Today, archaeological sites stand as quiet markers of their resilience, including the famous Qilakitsoq mummies discovered in this very region. Potential landings may include visits to small, remote communities like Uummannaq, watched over by its striking heart-shaped mountain, or Ukkusissat. Weather and ice permitting, we’ll explore the Qilakitsoq site, cruise into secluded fjords, or step ashore to take in Greenland’s raw Arctic landscapes – always ready to adapt, as nature allows. |
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Relax and learn at seaWe’ll spend the day on the open seas crossing Melville Bay. This is a huge bay bordering the icy coast of Lauge Koch, where the ice caps meet the sea. Known by the locals as Qimusseriarsuaq, meaning “The Great Dog Sledding Place,” the bay was renamed by British explorers after Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville, in the mid-19th century. As we sail well beyond 70 degrees north, relax on board and join wildlife-watches out on deck with the Expedition Team. You could also learn more about the Arctic with the ongoing series of lectures covering its nature, geology and mythology. |
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Explore life at the edge of the world“Ultima Thule” was the term used in the 4th century BC by the Greek explorer Pytheas to describe a mythical land in the far north. Nobody knows for sure which land Pytheas had in mind when he coined this name, but for some it has come to refer to the far north in Greenland. As we explore here, expect wild beauty at the edge of the inhabitable world. Extreme climatic conditions year-round guarantee isolation and tough living conditions for the inhabitants, and even by Arctic standards the Thule region is harsh and remote. And yet, this was the first region in Greenland ever to be populated by the forerunners of the Inuit, somewhere around 4,500 years ago. How they managed to survive and thrive in that environment still puzzles Arctic archaeologists. The abundant bird and animal life provides sustenance, and the traditional hunting culture has survived better here than elsewhere in Greenland. The polar travel know-how of the locals has been highly sought after on European and American expeditions, either as guides or saviors. In fact, thanks to its position, the region has been the natural starting point for many travelers heading toward the North Pole. Always adapting our program to the changing weather and ice conditions, we will spend the next few days exploring the region. We aim to visit some of the local communities, land with expedition boats and marvel at the power of nature, sail through icy channels and – with a bit of luck – spot some of the giants of the Arctic, including walruses, orcas and perhaps even polar bears. |
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Crossing Baffin BayWe are now sailing south again, our adventures in the north completed. Days at sea are the perfect time to relax on board, perhaps chatting with new friends in the Expedition Lounge & Bar, catching up on any lectures you may have missed and enjoying leisurely lunches. If you haven’t tried the hot tubs yet, now’s your chance. There’s something magical about bathing in warm water as icebergs drift past! Out on deck, the Expedition Team will keep a look out for wildlife. Or they’ll be in the Science Center, revealing new and interesting information to you about Greenland, the Arctic and other topics related to our voyage. Feel free to join in with any of the Citizen Science projects that are running – they’re engaging and fun, and you’ll be contributing something useful to global research. |
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Visit modern towns on the edge of the wildernessThe central west coast of Greenland is a land of contrasts, home to some of the longest fjords in the country and a sprinkling of settlements, including the second-largest town on the island. However, the vastness of the land makes this stretch of the coast a sparsely-populated region, where huge distances are the norm, and the sense of remoteness and isolation is just a part of daily life. As we sail south, we’ll visit communities where Greenlandic traditions remain strong. Possible calls include Qeqertarsuaq, the main settlement on Disko Island, and Itilleq – a small fishing and hunting village perched just north of the Arctic Circle. Further along the coast lies Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-largest town. Though modern in appearance, its roots run deep, with archaeological remains dating back over 4,000 years. Visit the local museum to learn more about the ancient Saqqaq culture, or browse for qiviut scarves, hats, and mittens – crafted from the soft inner wool of musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool. Whether hiking ashore, meeting Greenlanders, or scanning the horizon for wildlife, these final days offer a fitting epilogue to your Arctic expedition. |
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Farewell to NuukToday, as we arrive at Nuuk, you will say a fond farewell to MS Fridtjof Nansen, her crew, the Expedition Team, and the new friends you will have made. The lively capital of Greenland is a metropolis compared to all other towns in the country you have visited over the last couple of weeks From here, you’ll catch a flight back to New York, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories that will no doubt endure. |
Included Programs:
It’s a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages.
Ilulissat – Walk to the Icefjords
Uummannaq – Uummannaq Community Visit
Join us on a visit to Uummannaq, a friendly and picturesque town which is sure to capture your heart.
Siorapaluk – Discover Siorapaluk
Qaanaaq – Community Visit
Qeqertarsuaq – Greenlandic Polka
Itilleq – Discover Itilleq
Ships:
Set sail on a captivating Arctic expedition deep into Greenland’s northernmost reaches with Hurtigruten Expeditions. Journeying roundtrip from Nuuk aboard a hybrid-powered expedition ship, you’ll explore towering fjords, iceberg-dotted bays, and some of the most remote and culturally rich communities in the High Arctic. From ancient Inuit settlements to UNESCO-protected wonders like the Ilulissat Icefjord, this adventure blends immersive exploration with modern comfort. Below are the ships that make this unforgettable voyage through Greenland’s mythical lands possible.
Why Hurtigruten Expeditions?
HX offers over 130 years of adventure travel expertise, combining eco-friendly ships with immersive exploration of remote destinations. When booking through LaMacchia Travel, you’ll enjoy personalized service at no extra cost, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey.
