HX Expeditions (Hurtigruten) has announced the launch of a new shore excursion program in Arctic Canada, developed in collaboration with Inuit Elders, local residents, and community-born staff.
This initiative marks the first time a global cruise company has introduced a community-led land tour program of this scale in the region.
Set to commence in summer 2025, the excursions will be available on HX’s 25-day Northwest Passage sailings. The westbound journey from Greenland to Alaska will be aboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen, HX’s newest hybrid-powered vessel, while the eastbound voyage from Alaska to Greenland will take place on the MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship.
The excursions will debut in the eastern Canadian Arctic communities of Gjøa Haven, Pond Inlet, and Cambridge Bay, which are accessible only during a brief summer period. Each excursion has been co-designed with Inuit hosts to provide guests with opportunities to engage with daily life, culture, and traditions in the Canadian Arctic from the perspective of local residents.
Activities include guided hikes to local landmarks accompanied by Inuit storytelling, participation in the lighting of the traditional Qilliq, small-group discussions with community members about life in the North, Arctic char fishing with local harvesters using traditional weir techniques, visits to summer cabins to learn about living off the land, collaborative art-making sessions using regional techniques and materials, storytelling sessions with respected Elders, and participation in community events such as bingo, card games, or demonstrations of Arctic sports.
A key contributor to the development of these experiences is Mariah Erkloo, an HX Product Planner and Inuk from Pond Inlet. She has played a significant role in shaping the concept and strengthening relationships between HX and local partners.
In the initial phase, HX Expeditions will not take any margin from these excursions. All revenue will go directly to individuals, artists, and local businesses in Nunavut, supporting sustainable economic growth, fostering local pride, and ensuring these experiences remain community-owned.