This exciting excursion begins as we depart Montreal by air and land in Resolute Bay. After a brief tour of the town and buffet lunch, we transfer to the ship and prepare for our expedition.
During this amazing voyage you will cross the Arctic Circle and experience breathtaking wilderness, narrow fiords and the cliffs of Bylot Island. Wildlife sightings may include walrus, bowhead and beluga whales, polar bears and murres. With troves of amazing experiences to cherish, once in Arctic Bay we depart on our flight back to Montreal.
Traveling ever northward past the Arctic Circle and into the polar desert, we explore the length of Baffin Island to the entrance of the fabled Northwest Passage.
The scenery is all mountains, fiords, glaciers and ice caps. We call at traditional Inuit communities, and learn about the colorful history of whalers and explorers who for more than 200 years pressed on against all odds in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to find a shorter and easier path to the riches of the Orient. This is the best time of year to see the night sky bathed in the eerie green glow of the Aurora Borealis.
Day 1 Resolute Bay
Depart Montreal, fly to Resolute Bay. Lunch then transfer to the ship and prepare for our expedition. Overnight onboard.
Day 2 through 9
Spend next seven days exploring the Arctic land and seascape. Among the places we may visit are:
North Arm Fiord
A breathtaking wilderness of jagged mountain peaks, treeless valleys, and cascading glaciers, remnants of the last Ice Age.
Qikiqtarjuaq
Near an iceberg driftway, the south-facing landscape is mountainous. Area is home to sea mammals including seal, narwhal and walrus.
Auyuittuq National Park
Rough-edged mountain peaks, treeless valleys and flowing glacial rivers. The park is home to the Penny Ice Cap, a remnant of the last Ice Age. Walk on shore and interact with naturalist guides.
Baffin Island
Brilliant glacial landforms including a few that reach the sea. Planned remote landing in a narrow fiord in hopes on spotting bowhead whales.
Pond Inlet
Thule and Dorset archaeological sites abound. Planned hikes to the Thule historic site at Salmon River.
Bylot Island
Designated Migratory Bird Sanctuary and nesting place for rare peregrine falcons, ivory gulls, murres, kittiwakes and snow goose.
Beechey Island
Sir John Franklin spent two long years (1845-47) on Beechey Island waiting for the ice to clear. We walk along the remnants of his camp and the headstones marking the graves of those who did not survive the ordeal.
Lancaster Sound
Summer home to many arctic species such as the thick-billed murre, bearded and harp seals, walrus, beluga whales and narwhal.
Day 10 Kuujuuaq
Breakfast on board, disembark. Fly to Montreal. Depart Montreal.
As with all our expeditions, weather, ice, tides and other conditions will dictate our itinerary and shore excursions. Unusually strong tides and currents combined with drifting sea ice means our route and landing sites will vary from one expedition to the next. Wildlife sightings and some activities depend on favorable conditions.