The Arctic has retained its magic and natural beauty to this day. The latter can only be explored by sea. Where waters and islands bear the names of legendary pioneers, there is a pure sense of adventure in the air. Here, on board the small HANSEATIC spirit, you will become a polar explorer yourself. Your route, which is characterised by numerous activities in nature, begins on the west coast of Greenland. On a hike from Ilulissat, you will have fantastic views of ice masses piling up here. The new Icefjord Centre provides lots of fascinating background information about the history of the ice. This will put you in the mood for an even greater experience: Disko Bay. When cruising and riding in the Zodiacs, marvel at the sight of the breathtaking ice formations slowly drifting through the bay. Be on the lookout for humpback whales filtering krill from the sea. Likewise, the waters around the settlement of Uummannaq are known for surfacing whales. Ashore, colourful houses greet you against the backdrop of a heart-shaped mountain shimmering in red.

Equipped with the highest ice class for passenger ships and a crew with polar experience, the HANSEATIC spirit heads safely ever further north. At this time of year, fields of pack ice can be expected, meaning that only a few ships head for the remote regions of north-west Greenland. It is your privilege to visit places that are beyond the reach of most people. In Qaanaaq, pick up the trail of the polar explorer Knud Rasmussen, who started numerous expeditions in the region. Perhaps whales will make an appearance on the way to Greenland’s northernmost settlement, Siorapaluk. Walking through the village, you will gain impressions of the remote life of the barely 50 inhabitants. You will learn more about the formation of moors and the quality of the glacier water on a hike with your experts. The route takes you further north, into Smith Sound, a strait between Greenland and Canada. How far can your small expedition ship venture? From the open deck areas, you will enjoy vast, spellbinding scenery. With a bit of luck, you’ll see polar bears hunting for seals. Off Cape York, the Arctic reveals its glittering, sculptural aspects as you cruise slowly past the bizarre and at times gigantic icebergs.

The aim is clear: take a look behind the curtain of the Canadian Arctic and unlock its intriguing secrets. The HANSEATIC spirit will take its time exploring the deep fjords, high cliffs, lakes and glaciers that shape the rocky scenery. After getting to know a typical Inuit village inPond Inlet, Beechey Island tells of times gone by in the age of the polar explorers. After landing with the Zodiacs, a hike with your experts will reveal the fate of the Franklin expedition. Three of the members were laid to rest here more than 175 years ago. Cruising in Lancaster Sound, you will sail in the wake of great pioneers who once sought the legendary Northwest Passage. If the chances are good, you will once again spot polar bears. Rocky, dry and with reddish soil – on Devon Island, NASA simulates the exploration of the planet Mars. The remains of a Thule settlement in Dundas Harbor (Nunavut) and an abandoned station of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are silent witnesses of remoteness. Thick fog often envelops Croker Bay. When the weather clears, the highly jagged glacier is an impressive sight from the Zodiac. Baffin Island is known for its mighty fjords. Zodiac rides and landings in Icy Arm and Walker Arm will leave you in awe as much as glacier panoramas and Arctic wildlife. A vast, silent and powerful landscape as the crowning finale to the Canadian Arctic.

A walk through the old town of Sisimiut, founded in the 18th century as a missionary and trading post, or a hike to Tele Island – both underline the active nature of discovery on this cruise. The fascination of the Arctic is almost impossible to convey through travel reports or films. It needs to be experienced first-hand – and this very expedition makes it possible.