Baffin Island Expedition Cruise
10 nights
Enjoyable for all in reasonable health.
Quality transportation and accommodation in an uncommon environment, with the chance of occasional slight discomfort. E.g. an arctic polar bear tour
Trip Overview |
Map |
Itinerary |
Options |
Accommodation |
Join the Walrus Foundation to explore the east side of Baffin Island, one of the world's great coastlines. The remnants of the Laurentide Icesheet is the backdrop for this rugged mountainous spine. Deep fjords cut into the main Baffin range where we find glaciers spilling down to the sea. The landscape is an artist's paradise, and we will make time for sketching and painting.
Explore the wilder places on this Canada vacation package: the sheer bird cliffs to the north of the Cumberland Peninsula, the ocean trench paralleling Isabella Bay - home to bowhead whales, and the winding fjords above Clyde River on Baffin's northeast shoulder.
Explore the wilder places on this Canada vacation package: the sheer bird cliffs to the north of the Cumberland Peninsula, the ocean trench paralleling Isabella Bay - home to bowhead whales, and the winding fjords above Clyde River on Baffin's northeast shoulder.
Outline
11 Days exploring the east side of Baffin Island- one of the world’s great coastlines
11 Days exploring the east side of Baffin Island- one of the world’s great coastlines
ITINERARY
Your Canada Vacation Package Begins - Ottawa
Canada’s capital city, Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, at the junction of three rivers: the mighty Ottawa, the Gatineau and the Rideau. It is home to the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and in 2007, the Rideau Canal was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Connecting Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal ends in Ottawa with a set of locks right beside the Parliament Buildings. You will have an introduction to this stately city before an overnight in town at the distinguished Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel and your early charter flight in the morning.
Kuujjuaq
Before it was named Kuujjuaq, early fur traders knew this region as Fort Chimo. A mispronunciation of saimuk, which means ‘Let’s shake hands’, ‘chimo’ was often used to welcome early fur traders to the post. Today Kuujjuak, the administrative capital of the Inuit territory of Nunavik, is a bustling community combining traditional Inuit culture with the conveniences of modern day life. You will board the Lyubov Orlova and embark on your adventure from here. Experience culture on vacations in Canada.
Ungava Bay
Located on the northern coast of Quebec, and opening out to the Hudson Strait and Labrador Sea, Ungava Bay can claim the highest tides in the world, tied with the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. Ungava Bay freezes during the winter. At summer breakup, ice floes with seals, polar bears and walrus can be found floating southward into the bay. Travel north on your Canada vacation package towards the tip of Labrador before making your way across the Hudson Strait to Baffin Island.
Southeast Baffin Island (2 days)
Here the mixing of ocean currents from Hudson Strait, Frobisher Bay and Cumberland Sound creates a rich environment for ocean life. A wealth of wildlife abounds from walrus, polar bear, seabirds and whales. Keep your eyes peeled for them all! Rocky outcrops and skerries are perfect hiding places for wildlife, and your Zodiacs are the perfect vehicles for this landscape so we should have some luck with sightings. Ice and tide conditions will determine your activities in this region.
Canada vacation continues to Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River)
Fjords tickle Clyde River’s outskirts, stretching all the way down from the Barnes Icecap. Our visit will provide a wonderful opportunity to engage with the 820 friendly inhabitants, a walking tour and community presentation before heading further north on our journey.
North East Baffin Fjords, Buchan Gulf
We’ll investigate the rugged coastline and towering fjords of the Buchan Gulf and Northeast Baffin by Zodiac. Virtually unknown to modern travellers, we’ll have opportunities to photograph dog-tongued glaciers spilling to the sea, and mountains sculpted by the ancient Laurentian ice sheet that once covered North America.
Bylot Island
Nestled in the northeastern corner of Baffin Island, at the entrance to Lancaster Sound, Bylot Island hosts bold, rugged coasts, glaciers and an interior not conducive to habitation. It is prime habitat for seabirds including Thick-billed Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Bird watching is highlight of high arctic vacations in Canada!
Devon Island
Sailing through Lancaster Sound you will explore one of the large bays along the south coast of Devon Island. Depending on ice conditions, you might search out scenic icebergs, walrus and polar bears, as well as birdlife. Likely sightings are dovekies, and black guillemots, as well as one of the largest fulmar colonies in the eastern Canadian Arctic.
Beechey Island
In the 1980’s, three men’s bodies from the ill-fated Franklin Expedition were exhumed from this island. Their death was determined to be caused by lead poisoning. The lead appeared to have come from the lead-soldered tins of provisions from the expedition. Three eerie graves and a cairn marker are all that remain.
Qausuittuq (Resolute Bay)
Arriving in Resolute, your Canada vacation package comes to an end.
Your Canada Vacation Package Begins - Ottawa
Canada’s capital city, Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, at the junction of three rivers: the mighty Ottawa, the Gatineau and the Rideau. It is home to the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and in 2007, the Rideau Canal was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Connecting Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal ends in Ottawa with a set of locks right beside the Parliament Buildings. You will have an introduction to this stately city before an overnight in town at the distinguished Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel and your early charter flight in the morning.
Kuujjuaq
Before it was named Kuujjuaq, early fur traders knew this region as Fort Chimo. A mispronunciation of saimuk, which means ‘Let’s shake hands’, ‘chimo’ was often used to welcome early fur traders to the post. Today Kuujjuak, the administrative capital of the Inuit territory of Nunavik, is a bustling community combining traditional Inuit culture with the conveniences of modern day life. You will board the Lyubov Orlova and embark on your adventure from here. Experience culture on vacations in Canada.
Ungava Bay
Located on the northern coast of Quebec, and opening out to the Hudson Strait and Labrador Sea, Ungava Bay can claim the highest tides in the world, tied with the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. Ungava Bay freezes during the winter. At summer breakup, ice floes with seals, polar bears and walrus can be found floating southward into the bay. Travel north on your Canada vacation package towards the tip of Labrador before making your way across the Hudson Strait to Baffin Island.
Southeast Baffin Island (2 days)
Here the mixing of ocean currents from Hudson Strait, Frobisher Bay and Cumberland Sound creates a rich environment for ocean life. A wealth of wildlife abounds from walrus, polar bear, seabirds and whales. Keep your eyes peeled for them all! Rocky outcrops and skerries are perfect hiding places for wildlife, and your Zodiacs are the perfect vehicles for this landscape so we should have some luck with sightings. Ice and tide conditions will determine your activities in this region.
Canada vacation continues to Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River)
Fjords tickle Clyde River’s outskirts, stretching all the way down from the Barnes Icecap. Our visit will provide a wonderful opportunity to engage with the 820 friendly inhabitants, a walking tour and community presentation before heading further north on our journey.
North East Baffin Fjords, Buchan Gulf
We’ll investigate the rugged coastline and towering fjords of the Buchan Gulf and Northeast Baffin by Zodiac. Virtually unknown to modern travellers, we’ll have opportunities to photograph dog-tongued glaciers spilling to the sea, and mountains sculpted by the ancient Laurentian ice sheet that once covered North America.
Bylot Island
Nestled in the northeastern corner of Baffin Island, at the entrance to Lancaster Sound, Bylot Island hosts bold, rugged coasts, glaciers and an interior not conducive to habitation. It is prime habitat for seabirds including Thick-billed Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Bird watching is highlight of high arctic vacations in Canada!
Devon Island
Sailing through Lancaster Sound you will explore one of the large bays along the south coast of Devon Island. Depending on ice conditions, you might search out scenic icebergs, walrus and polar bears, as well as birdlife. Likely sightings are dovekies, and black guillemots, as well as one of the largest fulmar colonies in the eastern Canadian Arctic.
Beechey Island
In the 1980’s, three men’s bodies from the ill-fated Franklin Expedition were exhumed from this island. Their death was determined to be caused by lead poisoning. The lead appeared to have come from the lead-soldered tins of provisions from the expedition. Three eerie graves and a cairn marker are all that remain.
Qausuittuq (Resolute Bay)
Arriving in Resolute, your Canada vacation package comes to an end.
The Walrus Foundation
- In 2008 this trip is partnered with the award-winning magazine - the Walrus. The joint programs will run as open forums for discussion on all things Arctic, from politics to the environment, and from art to archaeology. Onboard we will have special guests, daily complimentary cocktail parties, and a Walrus Foundation Arctic Embarkation package with everything from clothing to salon products.
Accommodation
Various cabin types
Various cabin types
Request A Booking |
Dates + Prices |
HIGHLIGHTS
- The east side of Baffin Island, one of the world's great coastlines
- Deep fjords and glaciers spilling down to the sea
- Sketching & painting with interactive workshops and lectures
- Sheer bird cliffs to the north of the Cumberland Peninsula
- The ocean trench paralleling Isabella Bay
- Bowhead whale spotting
- Onboard naturalists and experts from the Walrus Foundation
- Excursions on shore and aboard Zodiacs
Request A Booking
Reserving Your Trip Is Easy
-
Call us toll free
1 800 667 4744 (US/Can)
0 800 917 5924 (UK)
1 800 992 872 (Aus.)
Office hours:
M-F, 6am - 6pm Pacific Time.
Sat 10am - 4pm.
A personal trip advisor will help you book your perfect trip.
-
Reserve Online using the form at left.
We will contact you as quickly as we can and you will not be under any obligation until after we have confirmed all details with you.
At that time a US$500 per person deposit is payable and you will be subject to our usual terms and conditions.
Reserve your spot without obligation for 48 hours. Our consultants will contact you to confirm details before you pay a deposit.
Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
2008 Package Start Dates
September 2 - 12
Price Notes
• Prices are per person sharing a cabin, please contact us for single occupancy rates
• There are 8 categories of cabin
Category 1-Quad Lower Forward, 2
upper 2 lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 2-Triple Lower Deck, 1 upper 2 lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 3-Double Lower Forward, two lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 4-Double Lower Deck, two
lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 5-Double Main deck, two lower berths, porthole window, private facilities.
Category 6-Superior Double, two lower berths, private facilities, picture window, TV
Category 7-Superior, two berths, TV
in separate area, sofa, private facilities, picture windows
Category 8-Amundsen Suite, two berths, TV/DVD and sofa in lounge area, desk, picture windows
Includes
• Your complete itinerary
• Team of resource specialists- crew, naturalists, musician and Inuit ambassadors
• Welcome reception aboard ship
• Educational program and pre-departure materials
• All meals, except occasional optional meal ashore
• Zodiac excursions
• Service charges and port fees
Not Included
• Flights
• GST
• Mandatory medical / evacuation insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, onboard medical fees)
• Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
• Optional Hotel Nights before or after your included itinerary
• Discretionary gratuities to ship’s crew (approximately $12 per passenger per day)
September 2 - 12
| Price Per Person | ||
| Sep 2 - Sep 12 | USD $ | CAD $ |
| Category 1 | 3,004 | 3,395 |
| Category 2 | 3,447 | 3,895 |
| Category 3 | 3,889 | 4,395 |
| Category 4 | 4,420 | 4,995 |
| Category 5 | 5,128 | 5,795 |
| Category 6 | 5,836 | 6,595 |
| Category 7 | 6,633 | 7,495 |
| Category 8 | 7,429 | 8,395 |
• Prices are per person sharing a cabin, please contact us for single occupancy rates
• There are 8 categories of cabin
Category 1-Quad Lower Forward, 2
upper 2 lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 2-Triple Lower Deck, 1 upper 2 lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 3-Double Lower Forward, two lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 4-Double Lower Deck, two
lower berths, private facilities, porthole window
Category 5-Double Main deck, two lower berths, porthole window, private facilities.
Category 6-Superior Double, two lower berths, private facilities, picture window, TV
Category 7-Superior, two berths, TV
in separate area, sofa, private facilities, picture windows
Category 8-Amundsen Suite, two berths, TV/DVD and sofa in lounge area, desk, picture windows
Includes
• Your complete itinerary
• Team of resource specialists- crew, naturalists, musician and Inuit ambassadors
• Welcome reception aboard ship
• Educational program and pre-departure materials
• All meals, except occasional optional meal ashore
• Zodiac excursions
• Service charges and port fees
Not Included
• Flights
• GST
• Mandatory medical / evacuation insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, onboard medical fees)
• Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
• Optional Hotel Nights before or after your included itinerary
• Discretionary gratuities to ship’s crew (approximately $12 per passenger per day)
