THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE:East to West Detailed Itinerary Feb 21/17 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, working our way north to spectacular Kap York. Then, crossing Smith Sound, we ll visit Aujuittuq (Grise Fiord), Canada s northernmost community, and pay respects at the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island. Melville, Banks, and Devon Islands offer opportunities to spot Peary caribou, polar bear, walrus and musk ox and visits to ghostly RCMP and Hudson s Bay Company posts. Prince of Wales Strait affords a striking passage to Amundsen Gulf and our destination: Kugluktuk (Coppermine), the end of our epic journey above the Arctic Circle. To sail the Northwest Passage is to sail living history; join the ranks of the fearless adventurers who have been lured by its spirit. Half the world away is closer than you think. 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 this legendary route aboard a small ice-class expedition vessel Photograph birds and wildlife in their stunning natural habitat Marvel at the Ilulissat Icefjord, where 90% of the north Atlantic s icebergs are born Travel to Greenland, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories within one sailing Learn about Inuit communities, culture and worldview first hand See haunting artifacts of the northern explorers, HBC, and RCMP Departure Dates & Price Aug 22 Sep 07, 17 Triple Cabin Interior Twin Exterior Twin Main Twin Comfort Twin Select Twin Superior Twin Junior Suite Suite - $10595 USD - $12295 USD - $13795 USD - $15295 USD - $16795 USD - $18295 USD - $19795 USD - $21295 USD - $22795 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 1-800-741-7956 UK 0808-234-1714 INTL. 001-416-588-5000
banks Is. kugluktuk melville Is. holman victoria Is. bathurst Is. ellesmere Is. grise fjord qaasuitsup devon Is. beechey is. coburg island baffin Is. foxe basin baffin bay davis strait karrat fjord qeqqata ilulissat kangerlussuaq This is not an ElderTreks operated tour. As such, participants on this tour are not exclusive ElderTreks clients and it may not adhere to ElderTreks maximum size restrictions of our tours. Day 1 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland 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. We begin our adventure by sailing down this dramatic fjord as the sun sets before us. Day 2 Qeqqata Kommunia, Greenland There are a number of charming fishing villages along the west coast of Greenland. Depending on timing and sea conditions, we will call in at one of these communities to experience small town Greenlandic life, or we may navigate into the stunning fjords that line the coast. This is a day in the true spirit of expedition travel and we will avail ourselves of the opportunities that present themselves. 2
Day 3 Ilulissat, Greenland 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 along a boardwalk 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 where we find 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. The glacier has been the object of scientific attention for 250 years. Day 4 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 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 the majestic rock faces. Days 5-7 Qaasuitsup Kommunia To the north of the Upernavik Archipelago, Melville Bay opens to the southwest into Baffin Bay. Its Kalaallisut name, Qimusseriarsuaq, means the great dog sledding place. Ice does not clear from the bay each summer and it is totally isolated and uninhabited. Because of local winds and extensive ice, Melville Bay is the site of dramatic landscape views. Moving into Smith Sound, we will spend a day exploring this fabled body of water that served as the main route for explorers and adventurers searching for the North Pole. Adolphus Greely, Sir George Nares and Elisha Kent Kane all travelled these waters with varying degrees of success. The Sound was named by William Baffin after Sir Thomas Smythe, promoter of voyages to find a Northwest Passage. Between forty-eight and seventy-two kilometres wide and eighty-eight kilometres long Smith Sound is often packed with ice and provides favourable conditions for wildlife viewing. Day 8 Aujuittuq (Grise Fiord), NU Aujuittuq means place that never thaws. It is an apt name for this peaceful hamlet, 1,150 kilometres above the Arctic Circle Canada s northernmost civilian community. We ll be welcomed by the population of about 165. Our activities will centre in the village where we will have a chance to meet members of the community and learn about their way of life. Day 9 Coburg Island At the entrance to Jones Sound is Coburg Island, whose spectacular seabird cliffs are a designated National Wildlife Area. Thirty thousand pairs of black-legged kittiwakes and 160,000 pairs of thickbilled murres crowd the rocky ledges on this island, which is itself almost completely covered by an ice cap. Day 10 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 3
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 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. It was two years before search parties were launched. Aside from the bodies of 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 12 Bathurst Island Good soil conditions and a rare wetland environment produce abundant vegetation here, making Bathurst a major calving area for the endangered Peary caribou. Here we also find the Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, a migratory route for polar bears from March to November. The north half of the island is the proposed Tuktusiuqvialuk National Park. Day 13 Melville Island British explorer Sir William Parry first visited Melville Island in 1819. Not only did he discover the island; ice forced him to spend the winter in 1820 at what is now called Winter Harbour. The island is named for Robert Dundas, second Viscount Melville, who was First Sea Lord at the time. Melville Island is one of two major breeding grounds for a small sea goose, the western High Arctic Brant. DNA analysis and field observations suggest that these birds may be distinct from other Brant stocks. Numbering only 4,000 8,000 birds, this is one of the rarest goose stocks in the world. Day 14 Banks Island In 1820, Sir William Parry named Banks Island in honour of British naturalist and botanist Sir Joseph Banks. Two federal Migratory Bird Sanctuaries were founded in here in 1961. The island is home to two thirds of the world s population of lesser snow geese, and also supports barren-ground caribou, polar bears, and birds like robins and swallows. The first grizzly-polar bear hybrid found in the wild was sighted here in April 2006, near Sachs Harbour. Musk ox, numbering over 40,000, are the most striking of the abundant wildlife on the island. Day 15 Prince of Wales Strait Prince of Wales Strait is part of the Arctic Ocean, extending northeastward for 275 kilometres from the Amundsen Gulf to Viscount Melville Sound and separating Banks and Victoria Islands. It was 4
discovered in 1850 by Irish explorer Robert McClure, who came within sight of Viscount Melville Sound before heavy ice forced him to turn back. Named after Albert Edward, then the Prince of Wales, the strait was not navigated until the RCMP patrol of Sgt. Larsen in 1944. Day 16 Ulukhaktok (Holman) Found on the west side of Victoria Island, The Hudson s Bay Company post was opened at Prince Albert Sound in 1923, moved to Walker Bay in 1928 and finally to Ulukhaktok (Holman) in 1939. The large bluff that overlooks Ulukhaktok was the source that provided the slate and copper used to make ulus traditional Inuit knives and gives the community its name. Printmaking is popular in Ulukhaktok, as are beautifully intricate pieces carved from the horns of the abundant local musk ox population. The musk oxen also provide the community with qiviut, one of the warmest and most luxurious fibres in the world, used to make all manner of clothing and coverings. 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, 1996. The Coppermine River itself 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 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
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 2014. Aurora Lounge aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Exterior Twin Cabin aboard the Ocean Endeavour. 6
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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 (100-320 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 35-55 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.
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