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HX Expeditions Is Partnering With the Inuit Community to Launch Excursions in Arctic Canada—What to Know
Journeys into the most remote, untouched corners of the planet is nothing new for HX Expeditions (HX), an adventure cruise company that has done things differently since they charted a new route to the Arctic in 1896. Now, they're pushing the envelope again by offering Arctic excursions that were developed alongside locals—in this case, the Inuit community of Nunavut, a sparsely populated territory in Arctic Canada that can only be accessed by plane or boat.
The excursions are the first community-led program of this scale in the region, marking a first for the global cruise industry.
To create the excursions, HX teamed up with Inuit Elders, local residents, and community-born staff. The offerings are launching this summer on HX's 25-day Northwest Passage sailings—a route that has been transited fewer than 450 times by ship in recorded history.
'This kind of collaboration is exactly what's needed in Arctic tourism. It's encouraging to see it begin in a way that centers Inuit voices and priorities. From the community side, if this model continues to grow with care, it will strengthen the experience for both locals and visitors. I look forward to seeing how it evolves and the lasting positive impact it will have for our communities and the people who travel through them,' Mariah Erkloo, an HX Product Planner and Inuk who was born and raised in the Nunavut community of Pond Inlet, said in a release shared exclusively with Travel + Leisure .
And perhaps most importantly, HX shared in the release that '100 percent of excursion revenue goes directly to individuals and businesses in Nunavut' in order to keep the experiences community owned and to support economic growth.
So what can travelers expect from these excursions? They range from guided hikes with Inuit storytelling and discussions with locals on life in the North to Arctic char fishing using traditional techniques. The groups average 10 to 12 guests and offer travelers the rare chance to engage with the daily life and traditions of the people who call these remote islands home.
'These intimate excursions are an opportunity for travellers to create meaningful personal connections with local residents and experience the beauty of Inuit hospitality like never before,' Alex McNeil, HX's Chief Expedition Officer, said in the release. He shared that the partnership is just the beginning for HX, adding that 'we believe the future of exploration lies in collaboration—with the people who have called these regions home for generations.'
The new Canadian Arctic excursions are available aboard HX's Northwest Passage sailings that run westbound from Greenland to Alaska aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen and eastbound from Alaska to Greenland aboard MS Roald Amundsen . The excursions take place in Erkloo's hometown of Pond Inlet, along with Gjøa Haven and Cambridge Bay.
Pricing ranges from $50 CAD (around $36 USD) to $425 CAD ($305 USD). For a full list of excursions with details and pricing, visit travelhx.com.
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