This trip takes you to the top of the world!
Join Don Hudson and Greg Shute as they travel well beyond the Arctic Circle and into the far North, exploring from Lancaster Sound, the length of Baffin Island to Ungava Bay. This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel with a small community of friends to an extraordinary part of the world.
The expedition features some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Arctic. Towering mountains, fiords, glaciers and ice caps appear at every turn in this untouched and unspoiled wilderness. Learn about the colorful history of whalers and explorers who, for more than two centuries, lost their lives trying to find an easier path to Asia. Visit villages on the edge of massive fiords and icebergs, where Inuit have lived for generations.
Weather and wildlife encounters are less predictable than elsewhere in the North, but sightings of polar bear, walrus and bowhead whales 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 Montreal to Resolute
We depart from Montreal and fly well north of the Arctic Circle to Resolute on Cornwallis Island. We board the ship and soon enter Lancaster Sound, considered by some to be the Serengeti of the Arctic; this area is rich in narwhals, belugas, bowheads, walrus and polar bears and a wide variety of birds.
Day 2 Beechey Island
During his pursuit for a quick route to Asia it was here that Sir John Franklin remained trapped for two years (1845-47) waiting for ice to clear. We explore remnants of his camp and the headstones of those not lucky enough to survive the ordeal.
Day 3 Lancaster Sound
Lancaster Sound 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!
Day 4 Bylot Island
Bylot Island is a designated Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and a favored nesting place of peregrine falcons, ivory gulls, murres, kittiwakes and snow goose.
Day 5 Pond Island
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.
Day 6 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.
Day 7 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 the coast.
Day 8 Qikiqtarjuaq Island
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.
Day 9 Akpotak Island
Polar bears, walrus and penguin-like thick-billed murres are the only inhabitants of the island of soaring bird cliffs and small rocky beaches. Here we’ll use our zodiacs to scout the beaches in search of exotic wildlife.
Day 10 Kuujjuaq
We arrive in Kuujjuaq, a name that means “Great River” in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit. After a brief tour of the town we will board the plane for our two and a half hour flight south to Montreal.
We choose to partner with Cruise North because like Chewonki, they are educators first. They place a high priority on safety and as an Inuit-owned business, the guiding and interpretation is authentic. They have a strong commitment to the environment and the native communities through which we pass. Don Hudson and Greg Shute will provide additional Chewonki leadership.
The vessel has a capacity of 122 passengers, with 24-32 Chewonki guests. There are bigger Russian icebreakers and other vessels that ply these waters from time to time, carrying more passengers, but they cannot match the appeal (and the price!) of Cruise North Expeditions.
It is expensive to travel in the Arctic and Cruise North has worked hard to provide a memorable educational experience at a reasonable price.
First Air is offering discounted airfare for this charter flight. Cruise North and First Air are both owned by the Makivik Corporation.
DATES: September 6-16, 2010
COST: $6,500-$8,500 per person depending on the berth, includes airfare from Montreal.
CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM: Click here to learn about how to offset the carbon from this trip.
CONTACT US: If you are interested in learning more you may email Don Hudson or Greg Shute directly, or click here to fill out an inquiry form.
