THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE:East to West

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1 THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE:East to West Detailed Itinerary Nov 22/17 The Northwest Passage represents the pinnacle of Arctic exploration. On this trip, like the explorers before us, we ll experience the quaint villages, dramatic fjords, and calving glaciers of Greenland. Then, crossing Davis Strait, we ll visit Qikiqtarjuaq, the iceberg capital of Nunavut, and pay respects at the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island. Somerset and Devon Islands offer opportunities to spot Peary caribou, polar bear, walrus, and muskoxen and for visits to ghostly RCMP and Hudson s Bay Company posts. Parry Channel and Peel Sound afford a passage to Queen Maude Gulf and onward to our destination: Kugluktuk (Coppermine), the end of our epic journey above the Arctic Circle. To sail the Northwest Passage is to sail living history. Meet the Inuit who have called this remarkable place home for generations, and join the ranks of the adventurers who have been lured by its legend. Facts & Highlights 17 days Start in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and finish in Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Canada All meals on board included Travel aboard the Ocean Endeavour Sail the waters where Franklin s ships, HMS Erebus and Terror, were recently discovered Enjoy Greenland s unique European approach to Arctic life Visit ancient sites of the Thule and Dorset people with our onboard archaeologist See haunting artifacts of the northern explorers, HBC, and RCMP Marvel at the Ilulissat Icefjord, where 90% of the North Atlantic s icebergs calve Sail the heart of the Northwest Passage in comfort aboard our ice-strengthened expedition ship Experience Inuit communities, culture and worldview first hand Photograph rare birds and Arctic wildlife in their stunning natural habitat Departure Dates & Price Aug 17 Sep 02, 18 Triple Cabin Interior Twin Exterior Twin Main Twin Comfort Twin Select Twin Superior Twin Junior Suite Suite - $10895 USD - $12595 USD - $14095 USD - $15595 USD - $17095 USD - $18595 USD - $20095 USD - $21595 USD - $23095 USD Prices do not include $250 Discovery Fee. Activity Level: 1 Comfort Level: You may experience rolling seas. Very remote. Accommodations All travel aboard the Ocean Endeavour. US/CAN UK INTL

2 victoria Is. baffin Is. kugluktuk prince of wales island queen maud gulf devon Is. beechey is. usqsuqtuuq bylot island baffin bay qikiqtarjuaq foxe basin sisimiut coast ilulissat kangerlussuaq davis strait Day 1 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world, boasts 168 kilometers of superb scenery and calm waters. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, means the big fjord. We begin our adventure by sailing down this dramatic fjord as the sun sets before us. Day 2 Sisimiut Blessed with an ice-free harbor year-round, Sisimiut has been inhabited for the last 4,500 years, first by the the Saqqaq, the Dorset, and then by the Thule (the ancestors of today s Inuit). Their descendants form the majority of its present-day population of some 6,000 inhabitants. It is the largest business center north of Nuuk and the fastest-growing community in Greenland. Days 3-4 Ilulissat Ilulissat translates literally into iceberg, and there couldn t be a more fitting name for this spectacular place. Our visit will include time in the colorful town, famed for its handicrafts, cafes, museums, and picturesque habitation. We ll have a chance to hike out along a boardwalk to an elevated viewpoint where we can observe the great fields of ice. We will 2

3 also cruise in our fleet of Zodiacs in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord. The Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier is one of the most active and fastest moving in the world at nineteen meters per day and calving more than thirty-five square kilometers of ice annually. The glacier has been the object of scientific attention for 250 years. Days 5-6 Western Greenland Today we will cruise one of Greenland s most spectacular fjords, known for plentiful marine life, plentiful icebergs 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 and talus slopes 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 icebergs amid mountain peaks. Day 7 Qikiqtarjuaq Qikiqtarjuaq, a community located on Broughton Island, is known for its wildlife, whale watching, and as an access point for Auyuittuq National Park. It is one of the Nunavut communities closest to Greenland. Qikiqtarjuaq (fondly called Qik, for short) is known as the iceberg capital of Nunavut and was home to a NORAD military station that formed part of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line in the 1950s. Qikiqtarjuaq also boasts a burgeoning traditional Inuit craft industry, and local craftspeople are eager to share their wares. Talented local artists produce Inuit carvings, with a particular focus on intricate ivory work and jewelry. The community is famously warm and welcoming of visitors. Day 8 East Baffin Island Today we will explore the eastern coast of Baffin Island or Qikiqtaaluk in the region of Auyuittuq National Park. Named after English explorer William Baffin, Baffin Island is the largest island in Canada, and home to 11,000 people. Likely known to Pre- Columbian Norse of Greenland and Iceland during the eleventh century, the island is presumed to be the Helluland of the Viking sagas. The Penny Ice Cap and the Barnes Ice Cap are the largest ice caps on the island, both remnants of the Laurentide ice sheet that once covered much of the North American continent. Both are currently in a state of retreat. Day 9 Northeast Baffin Island Today will be an expedition day in the truest sense as we navigate the fjords of northeast Baffin Island. The Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for exploring these hidden treasures of the north, as her manoeuvrability and shallow draft allow her to access regions that would be impassable to larger vessels. Moving through waters known to harbor belugas, narwhals, and other marine mammals, we will be monitoring at all times from the deck and bridge to maximize our wildlife opportunities. Day 10 Devon Island Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on earth and comprises over fifty thousand square kilometers. It was first sighted by Europeans in 1616, though they never set up a base here until the arrival of the Hudson s Bay Company, three hundred years later a short-lived endeavour now long abandonned. The island s geology consists of reddish Precambrian gneiss and Paeleozoic siltstones and shales; a landscape so barren in places that NASA has tested its Mars rovers at Devon Island. Substantial Thule sites are among Devon Island s many treasures. 3

4 Day 11 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. The three graves found at Beechey Island left no indication as to the fate of the rest of the British party, but the island gradually became a touchpoint for those searching for survivors. A fourth grave on Beechey today holds a sailor from one such expedition. In the autumn of 2014, Canadian archaeologists discovered remnants of the HMS Erebus and in 2016, Franklin s second ship, the HMS Terror was also located. Days Peel Sound & Parry Channel Sailing Peel Sound, we get into serious polar bear country and will be on the lookout for good spotting opportunities. Parry Channel is named after Arctic explorer William Edward Parry who got as far as Melville Island in 1819 before being blocked by ice at McClure Strait. Depending on ice conditions, we may make expedition stops along the way among the spectacular landscapes, a perfect setting for hiking and exploring the geological diversity of the area. Day 14 Usqsuqtuuq (Gjøa Haven) In 1903, explorer Roald Amundsen attempted the Northwest Passage, sailing through the James Ross Strait. Unable to proceed due to sea ice, he spent the winters of and in the beautiful harbor he found Usqsuqtuuq. While there, he learned Arctic living skills from the local Netsilik Inuit, skills that would later prove invaluable in his Antarctic explorations. He used his ship, Gjøa, as a base for explorations in the summer of 1904, sledding the Boothia Peninsula and travelling to the magnetic North Pole. Usqsuqtuuq offers a lot to its visitors, including he Northwest Passage Territorial Historic Park, and Canada s most northerly golf course. Although Usqsuqtuuq is becoming more modern, many traditional Inuit activities are still being enjoyed, including throat singing, drum dancing, and hunting. Day 15 Queen Maud Gulf Sir John Franklin s flagship, the HMS Erebus, was a Hecla-class bomb vessel, built in Wales in She was named after the dark region in Hades of Greek mythology and weighed 372 tons. The ship took part in the Ross Expedition from 1839 to 1843, and was abandoned during the legendary Franklin Expedition after becoming icebound during an attempt to locate the fabled Northwest Passage. Her sunken wreck had actually been designated a National Historic Site prior to being located in September of 2014 by a Parks Canada underwater archaeology team. Two years later, Franklin s other ship, HMS Terror, was located, spurring further interest in one of the great mysteries of polar exploration. 4

5 Day 16 Coronation Gulf Located between Victoria Island and the Arctic coast of mainland Canada, the Coronation Gulf is an extensive body of water that is linked to the Arctic Ocean via the Dolphin and Union Strait on the west and by the Dease Strait and Queen Maud Gulf on the east. The gulf was named in 1821 by John Franklin in honor of the coronation of King George IV. The environment and Inuit cultural history of the region was studied by Rudolph Anderson and Diamond Jenness in 1916 as part of the Canadian Arctic Expedition. We will be exploring the area scouting for an opportunistic expedition stop. Day 17 Kugluktuk (Coppermine) Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, southwest of Victoria Island on the Coronation Gulf, Kugluktuk is the western most community in Nunavut. Coppermine reverted to its original Inuinnaqtun name Kugluktuk, meaning place of moving waters on January 1st, The Coppermine River is designated a Canadian Heritage River for the important role it played as an exploration and fur trade route. Copper deposits along the river attracted the first European explorers to the area. Today we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and make our way to the airport to meet our charter flights home. 5

6 The Ocean Endeavour details: Maximum: 198 passengers Outfitted with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges and a top deck observation room, the Ocean Endeavour is purpose-built for passenger experiences in remote environments. The Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice class, enabling her to freely explore throughout the Arctic summer. Launched in 1982, she has had numerous upgrades, most recently in 2010 and Aurora Lounge aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Exterior Twin Cabin aboard the Ocean Endeavour. 6

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10 Questions & Answers 1. How big are the groups? The Ocean Endeavour is a 198 passenger vessel. On board you will also have between 15 to 20 resource staff. 2.what is included in the tour price? From day 1 to disembarkation meals, entrance fees, and accommodations are included. 3.what is not included in the tour price? International & charter flights, tips, Discovery Fund fee of ($250USD). Personal expenses like alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, internet & laundry are not included and put onto their ship board account which is payable in USD the night prior to disembarkation. Ships crew gratuities are not included, we suggest between $10-$14 per day per passenger.this goes into a lump sum and distributed to the entire crew equally. 4.what is the Discovery Fund? The Discovery Fund is the result of committed passengers longing for a way to give back to the regions they have visited during their expeditions. Our local supplier has made a point to support local organizations and groups focusing on the environmental, cultural and educational needs of each region you will visit. Our local supplier, in cooperation with their friends in the North, assess where the demand is the greatest and supports each cause through monetary donations. Each passenger who travels with our local supplier donates an additional $250 USD to ensure the longevity and success of the initiatives in these regions. Throughout the voyage you will see some of the projects that we have funded over the years. Your donation goes a long way and helps ensure that many of these important organizations, many at the grassroots level, are able to carry on. Most of these local initiatives do not have charitable status and thus do not have the ability to issue tax receipts. If it is essential for you to obtain a tax receipt for your donation, the local supplier will send your portion to an organization which has this capability. 5. Are these educational tours? Yes, in the broadest sense of the word, educational. We visit museums and local villages. We also have talks and discussions on many aspects of the history and culture in the areas travelled, but this is only one aspect of what we do. We believe that it is equally educational to meet new people on a non- commercial basis. Sometimes the most educational moments are spent having a cold drink with the locals. 6. How do we travel during the tour? We cruise on our vessel and often use zodiac s for our adventure excursions. 7.what are our accommodations like? The ship offers interior and exterior cabins. All cabins have private washroom facilities, a phone for internal calls, radio, TV and air-conditioning. There are a variety of cabin categories available ranging from 9-30 m2 ( sq ft). Please call for pricing and cabin availability. 8.what about the weather? We travel during the northern summer season. In general, we can experience temperatures between F (1-12 C). 9. when is payment due? A non-refundable deposit of $1500 USD (plus insurance if you desire it) is due as soon as you decide to go and will reserve your place on the tour. The balance of the land payment is due 120 days before departure. Cancellation charges are applicable and these are outlined in the Terms & Conditions section of our brochure.

11 10. Is medical insurance required? Insurance coverage is not included in the cost of your trip. Please note that medical insurance is required for this adventure with a minimum of $75,000 coverage for evacuation insurance, including air ambulance. We strongly recommend cancellation and interruption insurance as well! ElderTreks offers comprehensive travel insurance and we are happy to provide you with a quote if you call our office. If you are purchasing insurance elsewhere, please ensure you provide the details to ElderTreks as soon as possible. 11. what meals are included? All meals are included, starting with dinner on day 1 and finishing with breakfast on departure day. 12.what should I take on the tour? There is a detailed What to Take list in our Trip Kit, which we will send to you after you have booked the trip. 13. can you arrange my flights? We would be happy to take care of your air arrangements. ElderTreks offers personalized flight itineraries, not group flights. Stop over enroute, come in a few days early, or extend your stay. Call us for a customized itinerary. 14. what if I would like more information? If you have any further questions about the adventure, please call our office for more details. A Trip Specialist will be happy to answer your questions. A Trip Kit containing further details on the destination will be sent to you once you have booked the trip. 11

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