Traveling ever northward past the Arctic
Circle and into the polar desert, we explore
the length of Baffin Island to the fabled
Northwest Passage.
Simply put, our High Arctic expedition
features some of the most breathtaking scenery
the Arctic has to offer. Towering mountains,
fiords, glaciers and ice caps seem to appear
at every turn. Share what is truly a
magnificent opportunity to view this untouched
and unspoiled wilderness. Learn about the
colorful history of whalers and explorers who,
for more than 200 years, embarked on an
ultimately unsuccessful quest to find a
shorter and easier path to the riches of the
Orient.
Weather and wildlife encounters are less
predictable than elsewhere in the north, but
sightings of polar bears and walrus are not
unusual. This is also the best time of year to
see the night sky bathed in the eerie green
glow of the Aurora Borealis dancing above your
head.Day 1:
Kuujjuaq
We depart from Montreal to Kuujjuaq, a name
that means “Great River” in Inuktitut, the
language of the Inuit. After a brief tour of
the town and buffet lunch, we transfer to
the ship and prepare for our expedition.
Days 2-11: Among
the places we may visit are:
Akpotak Island
Polar bears, walrus and penguin-like
thick-billed murres are the only inhabitants
of this island of soaring bird cliffs and
small rocky beaches. Here we’ll use our
zodiacs to scout the beaches in search of
exotic wildlife.
Qikiqtarjuaq
The island community of Qikiqtarjuaq sits in
the path of icebergs drifting southward and
features a local bay that is home to many
types of sea mammals including seals,
narwhals and walruses.
Some of the most incredible examples of
glacial landforms in Canada are found on
Baffin Island, where several glaciers reach
the sea. Mammoth bowhead whales frequently
join us along this coast.
Baffin Island
Some of the most incredible examples of
glacial landforms in Canada are found on
Baffin Island, where several glaciers reach
the sea. Mammoth bowhead whales frequently
join us along this coast.
North Arm Fiord
North Arm Fiord is a breathtaking wilderness
of jagged mountain peaks, treeless valleys,
and cascading glaciers, remnants of the last
Ice Age.
Pond Inlet
The many Thule and Dorset archaeological
sites attest to the long history of Pond
Inlet. We may hike to the Thule historic
site at Salmon River, or stay near the bay
where giant icebergs float by.
Bylot Island
Bylot Island is a designated Migratory Bird
Sanctuary, and favoured nesting place for
rare peregrine falcons, ivory gulls, murres,
kittiwakes and snow goose.
Lancaster Sound
Known as “The Serengeti of the Arctic?, this
is one of the richest wildlife areas in the
North. It is the summer home to a myriad of
Arctic species: the thick-billed murre,
bearded and harp seals, walrus, beluga
whales and narwhals. If you notice a ‘feed
slick’, a greasy-looking concentration of
plankton floating on the water, watch for
whales
Beechey Island
Sir John Franklin spent two long years
(1845-47) on Beechey Island waiting for the
ice to clear. We walk along the remnants of
his camp and the headstones marking the
graves of those who did not survive the
ordeal.
Resolute Bay
Following breakfast on board, we disembark
and prepare for the flight south, enriched
by many wonderful memories of our northern
adventure.
Reverse itinerary for September 5
departure.
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