Be among the few to sail in the wake of great explorers on as we attempt a journey through the legendary Northwest Passage. Experience the raw and daunting beauty of wild terrain on a rarely-travelled voyage. Even today, few ships have the capability to navigate this isolated sea passage that cuts through stunning Arctic landscape. Our expertise in extreme conditions makes us one of the few to offer sailings through the Northwest Passage. Sail in the wake of famous explorers, surrounded by a landscape of glaciers, mountains and vast plains – spectacular and unspoilt. Scout for magnificent creatures like walrus and polar bears that hunt on sea ice where few humans have set foot.
°SOL17 offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city. Norwegian settlers named the place Reykjavik (meaning 'Smoky Bay') after the columns of steam that rose from the hot springs in the area and made a profound impression. The surroundings offer fantastic natural beauty with geysers, mountains, glaciers and geothermal baths that are well worth exploring before embarking on MS Fram.
We sail across the Denmark Strait, a crossing used by Vikings to migrate from Iceland to South Greenland some 1,000 years ago. We will spend the days on the crossing preparing you for the upcoming adventure.
Enjoy lectures by the Expedition Team and visit our Science Center or just relax with a book, visit the sauna and hot tub or get to know your fellow explorers.
Prince Christian Sound separates Greenland from Sammisoq and the Cape Farewell Archipelago. If the conditions allow, we will sail through this narrow channel and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The sound itself is around 100 km long and very narrow, sometimes only 500 metres wide. If the channel is blocked with ice, we will sail around Nunap Isua (Cape Farewell).
Kvanefjord is a 48 km long fjord on the west coast of Greenland. We will spend the day exploring this amazing fjord.
Nuuk is the oldest town in the nation, founded in 1728. The name Nuuk means peninsula, as it is located at the mouth of one of the most spectacular fjord systems in the world. Today Nuuk is a place where old and new traditions meet, from picturesque old buildings in ”Kolonihaven” to the modern structure of the Greenland Home Rule building..
Sisimiut is situated 40 km north of the Arctic Circle and is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. Come ashore to explore the colourful town; visit the small museum, hike in the hills and shop for local handicrafts.
Ilulissat is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just outside the town you can often see enormous icebergs that originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere. The icebergs make their way down the 20 km fjord before entering Disko Bay.
Named for English explorer John Davis, who led expeditions here searching for a route through the Northwest Passage between 1585 and 1587. Davis was the first to draw attention to seal hunting and whaling possibilities in the area, and to show that the Newfoundland cod fisheries extended this far north.
Sam Ford Fjord is set on the east coast of Baffin Island. The fjord is known for its glaciers and granite cliffs rising steeply from the shores to heights up to 1500 metres above sea level.
Next, we aim to head into the heart of the historic Northwest Passage. The first recorded voyage here was
led by John Cabot in 1497. The most famous journey was James Cook’s failed attempt to sail the Passage in
1776, and of course the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845. The first to conquer the Passage by ship was
Norwegian Roald Amundsen on an expedition that lasted from 1903 to 1906. The ice varies from year to year,
so we hope to be able to show you some of the following places:
Pond Inlet , called 'Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, is a traditional Inuit community surrounded
by mountains, glaciers, fjords, ice caves, geological hoodoos and drifting icebergs.
Dundas Harbour is an abandoned settlement with an old Royal Canadian Mounted Police camp and
several archaeological sites. Come shore to see the ruins of some of these buildings, along with an
impressive Thule site.
Radstock Bay is dominated by the striking outcropping of Caswell Tower. The shoreline here is
ideal for walks to a pre-historic Inuit dwelling site. Caswell Tower itself features a challenging hike to
the summit for great views.
Beechey Island is known for the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Two ships sailed into the
passage in 1845, but neither were ever seen again. It is known that the Franklin Expedition over-wintered on
Beechey Island in 1845-1846.
Fort Ross is a trading post established in 1937. There are two small huts ashore that are
maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Gjøa Haven honours the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who wintered here from 1903. He was
in contact with the local Netsilik Inuit people, and learned a lot from them about survival and travel in
polar regions.
In Inuinnaqtun, Cambridge Bay is called 'Iqaluktuuttiaq', meaning a 'good fishing place' for the giant char that is caught nearby. Local wildlife is abundant: seals, geese, muskoxen and caribou. This is where our expedition ends, and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Edmonton.
Enjoy the city of Edmonton before your flight home or extend your stay with one of our Post-programmes.
The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of its time, and the achievements of her expeditions are unparalleled. MS Fram brings on the heritage of the original Fram, using the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions.
Enjoy from a wide range of comfortable cabins. They vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade, and as a general rule, outside accommodation on the higher decks has a picture window while the lower decks have portholes.
Choose from a wide selection of innovative dishes based on high quality, local produce that each have a story to tell. Enjoy everything from ultra-fresh seafood to sustainably cultivated root vegetables and free-range reindeer meat, along with excellent cheeses from selected small-scale producers. We recommend topping off your meal with tempting Scandinavian desserts, inspired by the two extremities of Arctic light - the Midnight Sun and Polar Night.
