Hanseatic Inspiration, INT Greenland & Labrador ex Kangerlussuaq to Goose Bay – 22 Jun 2021

14 Night cruise departing from Kangerlussuaq to Goose Bay onboard Hanseatic Inspiration.

This cruise will not leave anybody cold; it will surround you with great pioneering history and an inspiring feeling of freedom. A premiere route from Greenland’s icy world to an insider tip in Canada.

Highlights of this cruise:

West and south coast of Greenland (Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Disko Bay, Qeqertarsuaq, Paamiut, Qassiarsuk, fjords of Greenland)
Be there when the Arctic lifts its white curtain and offers you unforgettable insights. Renowned experts from various disciplines will lend extra depth to your expedition. Fascinating talks on board, thrilling Zodiac rides and hikes will bring you closer to the polar region. Greenland will take your breath away with its spectacular and diverse Arctic landscape. Immerse yourself in an astonishing world just like the legendary explorers. The first chapter of your very individual polar story begins in Sisimiut, home to the Saqqaq culture from over 4,000 years ago. This picturesque city welcomes you with colourful wooden houses that add flecks of colour to the hilly landscape. Pass through a gate made of whale jawbones into the old town, which resembles a museum village. When the HANSEATIC inspiration heads for Ilulissat, you will draw closer to the first highlight of your expedition: even well-travelled visitors are left speechless by the imposing ice fjord. Pieces of ice of various sizes break off the Jakobshavn Glacier, the world’s fastest and most active glacier, and gather in this area. The variety of ice in the famous Disko Bay is even more impressive: huge glistening formations drift in the sea – one of Greenland’s greatest spectacles. Enjoy the panorama of this magical world from the glass balconies and open deck spaces. Captivating moments are guaranteed on the ship and in the Zodiacs. Standing by the water against a rugged mountain backdrop, the colourful little houses of Qeqertarsuaq provide a stunning contrast to the white of the bizarre ice sculptures and the dark-blue sea. Walk through the Arctic tundra to the Windy Valley or past hot springs to the rugged basalt coast. Paamiut has the largest population of humpback and fin whales. You might even spot a sea eagle, the area’s guardian angel, as you walk through the old town with its characteristic buildings. Qassiarsuk, where Erik the Red settled in 982, will immerse you in the time of the Vikings. Ruined Norman walls and replicas of Thjodhild’s church and Erik’s long house bring the Norsemen back to life. The fjords of Greenland will open up a millennia-old book on the history of the earth’s creative power. Taking a flexible route through this monumental natural wonder, the HANSEATIC inspiration emphasises the vivid expeditionary nature of this cruise. Majestic mountain ranges alternate with deeply carved coastlines. Reflect on these impressions with some relaxing days at sea before a spectacular country appears on the horizon: Canada, a dream destination for fans of the outdoors. Do you know its hidden natural landscapes – far away from the familiar? After this expedition, you will!

Labrador/Canada (Hopedale, Cartwright, Battle Harbour)
Labrador, Canada’s most easterly province, is a place of breathtaking scenery. Rock formations rise up to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) out of the sea. Remote locations invite you to go hiking. Rivers rush through the landscape like lifelines. The home of moose, wolves and caribou. The coast is also home to seals and whales. Head into these regions that just a few years ago could only be reached by seaplane or sled. What is it like to live in such a secluded, vast expanse? Find out when you visit Hopedale on the north coast – also known by the Inuit as the “place of the whales”. Visit the museum for an insight into Inuit culture with artefacts that are 2,000 years old. The country’s cultural heritage includes an ensemble of warehouses belonging to the Moravian missions, which have been active here since 1782. Around 1,000 years ago, Nordic seafarers referred to the strips of coast at Cartwright as “wondrous beaches”. How will you describe their beauty when the HANSEATIC inspiration visits for the first time? Battle Harbour is a reminder of simple bygone times. The restored 19th-century fishing village is made up of historic houses nestled in the wild natural surroundings like splashes of white. Once the vibrant capital of the cod-fishing industry, today it is a homage to a slower pace of life.

Goose Bay/Canada, arrival 21.00 hrs
Travelling through the fjord-like Hamilton Inlet and cruising on Lake Melville, the HANSEATIC inspiration will draw closer to Goose Bay. A breathtaking mountain backdrop set against deep-green forests in the heart of Labrador concludes your cruise with a premiere: this is the first time in our expedition history that a cruise has ended here.