High Arctic Explorer
Two 14-day departures in 2009.
Start: Ottawa, Canada
Finish: Ottawa, Canada
Day 1
Ottawa, Canada
High adventure in the High Arctic begins with a hotel night in Canada’s capital city.
Day 2
Embarkation Day
Flying from Ottawa to Resolute the topography changes from Canadian Shield to tundra. On embarkation you will be more than 10 degrees above the Arctic Circle where daylight is almost continuous.
Day 3
Prince Leopold Island
The sound of thousands of breeding Kittiwakes is unforgettable. Sharp tenor squawks are underscored by a powerful bass line, reminiscent of a gale force wind. You will cruise the base of the island’s towering cliffs in Zodiacs. Pack binoculars!
Day 4-5
Devon and Coburg Islands
Devon Island is a polar desert with a massive ice cap. A portion of the island has been likened to the surface of Mars. Regardless of where you go ashore, you will know you are far from home in a world where the elements rule.
Day 6
Melville Basin
Whale watching is a popular activity at sea. At any time of day or night, should whales be sighted, an announcement will be made over the public address system. If the call comes after midnight, slip your feet into your boots and throw your parka over your pajamas. No one will notice, they’ll be too busy taking photos or peering through binoculars!
Day 7
Qaanaaq, Greenland
Tidy houses painted in a rainbow of colors rest on slopes that rise from the sea to the hills that surround the tiny community of 600. The architecture is only one difference between Greenlandic communities and those on Baffin Island. Take note so you can compare.
Day 8
Cape York
The ice and weather conditions associated with Cape York (Kap York in Greenlandic) combine to create a friendly environment for narwhal and seals. The presence of seals and pack ice may draw hungry polar bears. A wildlife watch will be kept so you won’t miss a thing.
Day 9
Baffin Bay and Pond Inlet
Our heading will be south and west on the journey across Baffin Bay. Our destination will be Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) on Baffin Island. While there we will attend a cultural demonstration that will include drumming, throat singing and dancing. The local artisans carve stone sculptures that are collected avidly by art lovers around the globe.
Day 10
Cape Hay Migratory Bird Sanctuary
The majestic cliffs of Cape Hay, Bylot Island, are breeding grounds for Murres, Guillemots and Kittiwakes. We’ll cruise in Zodiacs along the base of the remarkable seabird colony.
Bylot Island is situated where the waters of Baffin Bay mix with the water of the Arctic archipelago, creating a rich feeding ground for seals, whales and seabirds.
Day 11
Devon Island
Our return to Devon Island may include a hike across an apparently barren landscape. We’ll encourage you to look more closely. A rich variety of wildflowers grow closest to the ground on the tundra, an adaptation that allows even the most fragile flowers to survive.
Day 12
Beechey Island
A proper High Arctic expedition must include mention of Sir John Franklin’s fatal attempt to find the Northwest Passage. The first to die were buried on Beechey Island in 1845. Their grave markers still stand. Expeditions to find the lost ships have been mounted as recently as 2008.
Day 13
Resolute to Ottawa
Fly from Resolute to Ottawa, where you spend the night.
Day 14
Ottawa, Canada
Depart for home.
A free information kit is available from request expedition dossier.