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- Arctic cruise from Baffin to Greenland
- Join us on August 15th 2016 on an blingual (english/french) arctic cruise to Baffin and Greenland, on board the Ocean Endeavour.
This epic adventure begins at the entrance to the Northwest Passage. We’ll seek bowhead whales in Niginganiq (Isabella Bay)— the world’s first Inuit-initiated whale sanctuary— and polar bears, walrus and muskox on Devon Island’s tundra. We’ll cruise Prince Leopold Island, where Thick-Billed Murres, Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes nest.
At Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), our hosts will welcome us with throat-singing and Inuit games. We’ll visit Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River), Gateway to the Great Fiords, then cross Davis Strait to embrace Greenland’s stirring icescape. There, we’ll zip among the freshly calved bergs off Ilulissat in our Zodiacs, marvel at Uummannaq’s heart-shaped mountain, and explore the wilds around Itilleq. Spectacular Kangerlussuaq Fjord makes a glorious finale to our trip.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Seek bears, whales and walrus in their Arctic feeding grounds
- Learn first-hand about the history and culture of the Inuit
- Voyage along the magnificent fiords of Greenland’s coast
- Visit the burial site of the famous Qilakitsoq mummies
Don't hesitate in contacting our Polar regions specialist to get more information about this amazing expedition cruise to Baffin and Greenland !
Please note that flights, pre and post-cruise bookings can be made by Uniktour on request.
- Day 1 | 15/08 - Ottawa - Resolute
Mandatory charter flight (included) from ottawa to the Canadian arctic town of Resolute.
Qausuittuq is also known the “place with no dawn”. This is truly the land of the midnight sun; it shines twenty-four hours a day from about April 29 to August 13 each year. From archaeological excavations, it has been concluded that there have been at least three stages of occupation at Resolute Bay. The Dorset culture was the first, followed by an early phase of the Thule culture, in which the artefacts found show strong Alaskan affinities. These were probably both short periods of occupation, possibly by only a few families. A late or developed phase of the Thule culture was of longer duration, with a considerably larger population. In 1953, Inuit from Inukjuak (former Port Harrison), Québec and Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) were relocated to Qausuittuq by the Canadian government.
- Day 2 | Beechey Island
In 1845 Sir John Franklin took his expedition of 129 men and two ships into the Wellington Channel. Not a soul returned from the fateful expedition, and it was two years before search parties were launched. Aside from the bodies of the three souls buried here, only relics were found as clues to the disappearance. The three graves found at Beechey Island left no indication as to the fate of the rest of the British party. In the autumn of 2014, Canadian archaeologists discovered remnants of the HMS Erebus in the frozen waters of the Northwest Passage, a discovery that has re-galvanized interest in the fabled region.
- Day 3 | Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay)
Ikpiarjuk, on the northern part of the Borden Peninsula on Baffin Island, has been occupied in some capacity for over 5,000 years. The bay itself is surrounded by high hills on all sides; the hamlet deserves its Inuktitut name, which means “the pocket”. To the southeast, the flat-topped King George V Mountain dominates the skyline.
- Day 4 | Devon Island
Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on earth and comprises over fifty thousand square kilometres. It was first sighted by Europeans in 1616, though it was not inhabited for another three hundred years with the arrival of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The island’s geology consists of reddish Precambrian gneiss and Paeleozoic siltstones and shales; these, combined with its harsh climate, have drawn comparisons with the planet Mars.
- Day 5 | Mittimatalik (Pont Inlet)
Mittimatalik is a bustling Arctic community surrounded by one of the most beautiful landscapes in the eastern Arctic. We will have a chance to explore the town and meet many local citizens who will gladly share their culture. We will be treated to a cultural presentation at the Community Hall. Mittimatalik is a famous region for viewing marine mammals, including the elusive narwhal.
- Day 6 | Exploration du nord-est de l’île de Baffin
Today will be an expedition day in the truest sense as we navigate the fjords of northeast Baffin Island. Baffin’s fjords are striking, affording stunning perspectives on geological processes. The Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for exploring these hidden treasures of the north, as her manoeuvrability and shallow draft allows her to access regions that would be impassable to larger vessels. We will be on alert for changing weather and ice conditions and use our judgement as to which route along the coast will be the most spectacular. As ever, our team will be on deck for the duration, searching for wildlife and contextualizing the mighty landscape through which we travel. Today will feature an expedition stop and an opportunity to get out on the land.
- Day 7 | Nigingnaniq (Isabella Bay)
Niqinganiq is a 336,000-hectare marine region on Baffin Island that is a crucial feeding area for threatened bowhead whale. This is also the world’s first Inuit-initiated and maintained marine mammal sanctuary. The area includes two deep offshore troughs rich in copepods, a main food source for the bowhead whale.
- Day 8 | Karrat Fjord
Today we will cruise one of Greenland’s most spectacular fjords, known for plentiful marine life and inspiring landscapes. Seals use the long leads created by high winds in this region to hunt the rich waters of the fjord. The cliffs within the fjord should give us good opportunities to see colonies of dovekies. Time spent on deck today should result in some good wildlife sightings, not to mention unbeatable photographic opportunities of the majestic rock faces.
- Day 9 | Uummannaq
Archaeological excavations at Qilakitsoq, due south of Uummannaq Island, revealed the existence of the ancient Saqqaq culture. Recent evidence indicates that these groups settled Greenland between 2500 BC and 800 BC, and further, that they migrated from Siberia to arrive in Uummaanaq.
Midway up the west coast of Greenland along the fjord of the same name is the town of Uummannaq. Proud home of the world’s northernmost ferry terminal, Uummunnaq also boasts a canning factory and a marble quarry, and is an important hunting and fishing base for the region. The town is dominated by its namesake—Uummunnaq Mountain—1,170 metres in height and nearly 600 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.
- Day 10 | Ilulissat, Groenland
Ilulissat translates literally into “iceberg”, and there couldn’t be a more fitting name. Our visit will include time in the colourful town and a chance to hike out to an elevated viewpoint where we can observe the great fields of ice.
We will also cruise in our fleet of Zodiacs in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord. The Icefjord is home to the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier, one of the most active and fastest moving in the world at nineteen metres per day and calving more than thirty-five square kilometers of ice annually.
- Day 11 | Fjord Itilleq
The west Greenland coastline is a rich mixture of fishing communities, tiny islands and complex coastal waterways. Itilleq was founded in 1847 on another nearby island, and later moved to its present location. Its main trades are fishing and hunting, and a desalination plant provides the community with all of its fresh water.
- Day 12 | 26/08 - Kangerlussuaq, Groenland
We will make our journey up spectacular Sondre Stromfjord, and early risers will have a chance to experience its beauty. Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometres of superb scenery. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, means ‘the big fjord.’
Today we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make our way to the airport for outbound charter flights. Mandatory charter flight (included) to Toronto.
| Fares (on-site) | |
|---|---|
| Price per person | 13500$CAD |
** Budgets displayed on this website are provided for information purpose only and do not have any contractual value, Uniktour cannot be held responsible for any consequences related to this information (departure dates are not indicated). Fares are led to change on a regular basis, depending on exchange rates and the fluctuation in the hospitality industry. For a precise quotation, you may click here.
** Fares applying to the on-site itinerary are not subject to applicable GST (TPS) & QST (TVQ). The displayed budget does not include 0.1% FICAV contribution (The Compensation fund for customers of travel agents)
| Other fees | |
|---|---|
| International Flight | Contact us |
| Insurance package estimation (cancelation-health-luggages) | 991 $ |
| Deposit on Cruise budget | 4040 $ |
| Supplement for triple cabin - Interior | 1838 $ |
| Supplement for double/twin or solo cabin - Interior | 4410 $ |
| Supplement for other cabins (please, ask your agent) | Contact us |
| Tips and gratuities (at your discretion - about 15$ per person per day) | Contact us |
- Budget of the land portion includes:
- Madatory charter flight Ottawa/Resolute + Kangerlussuak/Toronto
- 11 nights onboard - Based a quadruple interior cabin
ABOARD
- The expertise and company of our expedition staff
- Onboard educational presentations
- Interactive workshops, evening entertainment
- All shipboard meals, including on deck barbeques & afternoon tea, 24-hour coffee, tea and snacks
- Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during evening recaps
- 24-hour documentary and film programming
- Fully stocked library
ASHORE
- Introductions to local people and customs
- Sightseeing
- Museum entries, park accesses, port taxes
- Access to pristine wilderness areas
- Zodiac tours and cruises
- On-site archaeology workshops
- Community programming: local performances, presentations, and demonstrations
-
Budget of the land portion doesn't include:
- Charter flights from Ottawa / Back to Toronto
- Pre and post hotel nights in Ottawa and Toronto (on request).
- Mandatory $250 Discovery Fund Fee
- Tips and gratuities (about 10-15 $ USD per passager, per day)
- Personnal expenses
- Mandatory medical / evacuation insurance /Physician's fees confirming you are fit to travel
- Additional expenses in the event of delays or Itinerary changes
- Visas, or inoculations, if required
- Possible fuel surcharges
- Anything not mentioned in the section above 'Budget of the land portion includes
Next departure dates for this travel
- THE BOAT : OCEAN ENDEAVOUR
The 1B ice class ship replaces the Sea Adventurer on explorations beginning with the 2015 Arctic summer. Purpose built for passenger service, outfitted with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges and a top deck observation room, Ocean Endeavour is a stylish and robust vessel perfect for intimate expeditions to remote environments throughout the Arctic, Greenland and Canada’s East Coast.
Built in Poland in 1982, the ice-strengthened vessel underwent extensive renovations in 2010 and 2014. Next season’s passengers will enjoy spectacular views on multiple decks with comfortable lounge chairs and can take advantage of the ship’s exceptional amenities including a sauna, Jacuzzi, gym and spa. The ship’s three lounges provide spacious public rooms for multiple workshops, events and presentations to occur simultaneously, inviting each guest to tailor their onboard experience.
The Ocean Endeavour can comfortably welcome a maximum of 198 passengers.
Guests can select from a variety of cabin categories, ranging from 9-29 square metres (100-320 square feet.) All cabins have private facilities, TV and air-conditioning.
Our Country Specialists
Steve Corriveau
Each travel consultant is specialized in the country or geographical area for which he is responsible for.
