Northwest Passage: The Fabled Transit
July 18 to August 5, 2009
Start: Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Finish: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Day 1
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
More than three centuries before the founding of Anchorage, Martin Frobisher sailed from England on a quest to find the fabled northern route to Asia. Ever since that first expedition, the mystique of the Northwest Passage has drawn adventurers. Our transit begins in Alaska’s largest city at a hotel near the airport.
Day 2-3
Embarkation Day
People boarding our charter flight to Anadyr, Russia, have one thing in common – a compelling desire to become one of an exclusive group that has transited the Northwest Passage. By day’s end you will embark on the dream-fulfilling journey, having lost a day when you crossed the International Date Line.
Day 4-5
Russia’s Chukotka Peninsula
The transit begins at the eastern edge of the Asian continent. There, you’ll explore remote villages and Ittygran – aka whalebone alley. Gigantic bones, weathered by wind and snow, stand erect along the shore, a timeless reminder of 2,000 years of whaling by the indigenous peoples of the region.
Day 6-8
Beaufort Sea
As Kapitan Khlebnikov steams eastward across the Beaufort Sea watch for marine mammals in the water and seabirds swirling about the ship. Should the vessel encounter pack ice, the onboard helicopters will take you aloft to watch as the powerful ship crushes through to open water.
Day 9-11
Canadian Arctic
At the heart of the Northwest Passage lie the islands of Canada’s Arctic archipelago. Early explorers encountered an uncharted maze of impassable ice-choked straits between the islands. Now, a century after Amundsen’s first successful transit, only a handful of passenger vessels have negotiated the entire route. Our icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov has completed more full-transits than any other passenger vessel in this or any other century.
Day 12-14
Amundsen Gulf
At the eastern end of the gulf is Dolphin and Union Strait, crossed in 1851 by Dr. John Rae, two companions, two sledges and five dogs. At the completion of that expedition, Rae and his companions were only 80 km (50 miles) west of the beset ships of Sir John Franklin. Had Rae known, perhaps Franklin’s expedition would have had an entirely different ending. Our in-depth education program will provide the basis for on-going discussions over dinner or in the bar.
Day 15-17
Victoria Strait to Lancaster Sound
Throughout this fabled transit, you’ll visit many historic sites – often going ashore to explore, either by Zodiac or helicopter. Heading north, along the Boothia Peninsula via Larsen Sound and into Lancaster Sound, we will mount a polar bear watch. Should we sight a polar bear all planned activities will be canceled. Polar bear sightings take precedence over all.
Day 18-19
Resolute to Ottawa
After two weeks above the Arctic Circle in continual daylight, there is a final night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa to re-adjust to a world where night and day are distinct.