HX Expeditions Launches Community-Led Shore Excursions in Arctic Canada with Hurtigruten

HX Expeditions, a division of Hurtigruten, has announced a groundbreaking initiative to introduce community-led shore excursions in Arctic Canada. This program has been crafted in close collaboration with Inuit Elders, local residents, and staff from the community, marking a significant first for a global cruise line in the region.

Beginning in the summer of 2025, these excursions will be part of HX’s 25-day Northwest Passage sailings. Guests will embark on the MS Fridtjof Nansen, a state-of-the-art hybrid-powered vessel, for the westbound route from Greenland to Alaska, while the eastbound journey will be on the MS Roald Amundsen, recognized as the world’s first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship.

The program will launch in eastern Canadian Arctic communities such as Gjøa Haven, Pond Inlet, and Cambridge Bay, which can only be accessed during a limited summer window. Each excursion is designed in collaboration with local Inuit hosts to immerse guests in the daily life, culture, and traditions of the Canadian Arctic.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in various activities that include guided hikes to significant landmarks accompanied by Inuit storytelling, the traditional lighting of the Qilliq, and small-group discussions about Northern life. Additional offerings include Arctic char fishing using traditional weir techniques, visits to summer cabins to learn about sustainable living, collaborative art sessions using indigenous materials, storytelling with respected Elders, and participation in beloved community events like bingo and card games.

Mariah Erkloo, an HX Product Planner and Inuk from Pond Inlet, has played a crucial role in developing these unique experiences and fostering strong connections between HX and local communities. Notably, HX Expeditions will not profit from these shore excursions; all generated revenue will be directed to local artists, individuals, and businesses in Nunavut, promoting sustainable economic development and reinforcing community ownership of these experiences.

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