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During this 13-day active adventure from
Iqaluit to Resolute, via Greenland, we intend
to position the ship on August 1, to afford a
view of a total solar eclipse. En route,
optional kayaking will be available. We`ll
cruise in Zodiacs along the base of bird
cliffs and hike tundra carpeted hills.
Day 1: Embarkation
Iqaluit
You can add charter air transportation from
Ottawa to Iqaluit to your package. If you do
so, a transfer from a pre-arranged location in
Ottawa to the airport is included.
Day 2: Monumental
Island
If there is pack ice near the island, then
we’ll be on the alert for walrus and polar
bear. The survival of both marine mammals
depends on the presence of pack ice.
Day 3: Pangnirtung,
Baffin Island
Inuit art is coveted by art collectors around
the world. Our exploration of “Pang” includes
a visit to the Artists’ Co-op to learn the
importance of print-making and weaving to the
local economy.
Pangnirtung is the only community on the
shores of Cumberland Sound, which is about 250
km (155 miles) long and 80 km (49 miles) wide.
Belugas and orcas frequent the massive sound,
so we’ll be keeping watch.
Day 4: Davis Strait
Our Adventure Ship will sail across Davis
Strait to Greenland. En route, we will cross
the Arctic Circle to enter a world of
virtually continuous daylight.
Some of the deepest waters in the Eastern
Arctic are in southern Davis Strait, which is
name for John Davis, who explored the area
nearly 425 years ago.
Days 5-7: From
Sisimiut to Uummannaq, Greenland
Perhaps the most significant difference
between the Canadian Arctic and Greenland is
the production of icebergs. More are produced
in Greenland than any other area in the
Arctic.
Ilulissat – Greenlandic for iceberg – one of
the island’s most productive icefjords has
been designated a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO. We plan to explore the town at the
head of the fjord as well as cruise among the
icebergs.
Days 8-9: Baffin Bay
While we sail to Greenland via Baffin Bay our
Expedition Team will deliver illustrated
presentations about Arctic wildlife, its
indigenous peoples, and the life cycle of ice.
Days 10-11: Devon
Island and Solar Eclipse
At Dundas Harbour, we will explore an
abandoned Royal Canadian Mounted Police
outpost, nestled among tundra covered hills.
The Expedition Leader will be reviewing charts
and weather reports to identify the best
location to view the solar eclipse. According
to NASA, the event should occur August 1, 2008
at 04:20. Our goal will be to go ashore on the
northeastern tip of Somerset Island, near Port
Leopold. From there we hope to get an
excellent northerly view of the eclipse. The
event should occur just above the horizon,
northwest of Port Leopold
Following the eclipse and a morning nap, we
will visit Prince Leopold Island’s towering
limestone cliffs. They are renowned as a
breeding ground for many species of Arctic
seabirds. If the conditions are right, we’ll
see thousands of birds in flight or at rest on
the cliffs.
Day 12: Beechey
Island
In 1845, three members of Sir John Franklin’s
expedition in search of the Northwest Passage
died on Beechey Island. Their grave markers
are silent reminders of the sacrifice
explorers made to find the northern sea route
to the Orient.
Day 13:
Disembarkation: Resolute
We offer optional charter air transportation
between Ottawa and Resolute. If you include
the optional airfare in your package price,
we’ll transfer you to the airport from a
pre-determined departure point.
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