Hurtigruten to Offer Greenland Voyages From May to September, 2013

Hurtigruten's expedition ship MS Fram is arriving in Greenland, allowing its 318 guests to explore, meet and chat with locals and learn from onboard guides and expedition experts. Four different itineraries sail between the end of May and September, 2013. Early-booking fares, offering a savings of 20 percent, ranging from $6,781 to $9,005 for the nine-day ‘Heart of Greenland’ to $8,266 to $12,044 for a newer creation now with two departures – a 15-day expedition that takes in Spitsbergen, the rarely-visited North East Greenland National Park (world’s largest) and several stops in Iceland.

Highlights include the seafaring town of Sisimiut, Greenland’s second largest; the port of Qeqertarsuaq, home to an Arctic research station; the scenery of Uummannaq at the foot of a heart-shaped mountain, where guests are greeted by local school children and offered traditional “kaffemik” (a friendly cup of coffee); the traditional settlement of Ukkusissat; the impressive three-mile-long glacier front of Eqip Sermia; the huge complex of fjords that surround Narsaq; and some of the best preserved ruins from the Norse period located in Hvalsey.  Most itineraries include visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat and the small island of Itilleq, where guests can join in or watch a traditional football (soccer) match.  Three of the itineraries begin or end in Iceland with several stops included.

Guests can further explore the Inuit culture and icy landscape of Greenland by taking advantage of a wide range of optional excursions. Options include a helicopter flight to Ilulisat Glacier, the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere; a polarcirkel landing at Eqip Sermia, complete with a barbecue on the outside deck of the ship; an exploration of the Viking ruins in Narsaq; and a visit to Great Greenland tannery, the only tannery in the country, where guests learn about the processes used to treat the furs. Two of the hiking expeditions offered – in Qeqertarsuaq and Ilulissat – are included at no extra cost in both itineraries.

Rates are subject to availability and include accommodation in cabin or suite of your choice; full board; educational lectures and all aspects of the onboard program; flight between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq when required; transfers; wind and rain resistant jacket; landing Polarcirkel boats; and specific excursions as indicated within each itinerary. International flights, optional excursions and cruise fuel surcharge are additional.

For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.us.