Arctic- Northwest Passage (14 Days)

Following your spirit of adventure into the Canadian High Arctic is an epic journey now available to intrepid and meandering explorers of the modern age. Gone are the days of wooden beams and plates of iron as the only separation between adventurous souls and towering icebergs. Explore, discover and dream as we sail in comfort through the same areas of exploration that Barrow, Parry and Franklin experienced almost a century ago.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

August 28, 2011 - Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Nunavut
Our journey of discovery begins in Edmonton as we board our charter flight to Kugluktuk Bay and the Arctic. We will board our flight at 54°34'N and disembark north of the Arctic Circle. From the airport in Kugluktuk, we will transfer to the beach and prepare to embark our zodiac inflatable boats for the shuttle out to the ship.

August 29, 2011 - Bernard Harbour
The Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-1918 was divided into two parties. The Southern Party, under the leadership of Dr. R.M. Anderson was based from 1913 until 1916 at Bernard Harbour and used this base to chart the coast of the Beaufort Sea and to conduct ethnographic surveys of the people of the Coppermine Region. Ethnographer and anthropologist, Diamond Jennies was part of this expedition and we will learn about his work as we explore the party's former base camp.In addition, those interested in hiking will head inland looking for signs of the elusive barren ground grizzly bear (or signs of it) at the northernmost extent of its range.

August 30, 2011 - Johannsen Bay, Coronation Gulf
An anvil-shaped bay on the south coast of Victoria Island, Johanssen Bay is a wonderful place for a variety of hiking and water-based activities., Hike onto the ridge on the north shore, kayak up a small river at the east end of the bay or follow the shore on a zodiac cruise. Our fast paced hike will head for an abandoned DEW line site (Distance Early Warning Radar base) and learn a little about the Cold War exploration of the Arctic. Johanssen Bay is also a great place to spot musk ox and we will spend some time looking for them before continuing west.

August 31, 2011 - Cambridge Bay, Victoria Island
Weather conditions permitting, we will visit the small community of Cambridge Bay, on the southern shores of Victoria Island. Cambridge Bay, also known as Ikaluktutiak or ''good fishing place'', is a centre for hunting, trapping and fishing. Local Inuit have had summer camps in the locality for hundreds of years. Today ships visit the region annually bringing supplies. Amundsen spent two winters in this area learning how to master dog sledding from the locals. Previous to this, McClintock found solid evidence of the Franklin Expedition here in 1859, including naval artifacts, sledges, graves and letters.

September 01, 2011 - Victory Point, King William Island
Little is known of how the Franklin Expedition spent its last months in the frozen Arctic. The vessels, abandoned in the ice of Victoria Strait, have left no trace. An abandoned lifeboat, bits and pieces of copper and iron, cutlery and buttons and a skeleton here and there all tell a story of a desperate race south in search of rescue - a rescue that never occurred. We will visit Victory Point and continue to reflect on the quest for exploration that opened up the Arctic, while sacrificing some of its bravest explorers.

September 02, 2011 - Bellot Strait and Fort Ross
We will attempt the passage of the Bellot Strait entering at slack water, if possible, in order to avoid a current that can be more than seven knots during the peak flow. The mixing of waters in this strait provides an ample food source for marine mammals and we will keep our eyes peeled for harp seals, bearded seals and even polar bears as we sail through. On exiting the strait, we will stop at Fort Ross, on the southern tip of Somerset Island. Fort Ross is a former Hudson's Bay Company fur trading outpost. Ancient archaeological sites nearby tell a story of more than a thousand years of habitation at this site by the Inuit and their predecessors.

September 03, 2011 - Fury and Hecla Strait, South of Baffin Island
Long thought to be the entrance to the fabled Northwest Passage, Fury and Hecla Strait is a narrow and treacherous waterway that separates the Melville Peninsula from Baffin Island. Many an expedition sailed north from Hudson Bay into Foxe Basin, looking for a navigable waterway to the west, only to run into impenetrable ice at the southern end of Fury and Hecla Strait. Given optimal ice conditions, we will cruise through this waterway without the trouble encountered by many an expedition during the 19th century.

September 04, 2011 - Igloolik, Nunavut
Very few ships visit Igloolik, a community located just south of Fury and Hecla Strait. In fact, we may be the only expedition cruise vessel to pass the strait and visit Igloolik during the summer season.

September 05, 2011 - Cape Dorchester, Foxe Peninsula, Baffin Island
There will be many opportunities to hike during the voyage and Cape Dorchester will provide one such option. Whether you are interested in a wander along the beach or a strenuous hike inland, options will be provided to ensure that your interests are met on this southwestern point of Baffin Island.

September 06, 2011 - At Sea
We will transit Foxe Channel and enter into Hudson Strait. Our onboard team of Arctic experts will take advantage of a day aboard the vessel to continue the educational program, bringing more light to places already visited and preparing for the excursions during our last few days onboard.

September 07, 2011 - Kimmirut (Lake Harbour), Nunavut
We will delight in visiting this small town on the south coast of Baffin Island. At the head of a narrow inlet, Kimmirut is a beautiful town with a rich history. In addition, the artists of Kimmirut are renowned for their carvings and we will have the opportunity to watch a carver shaping the soapstone into a work of art.

September 08, 2011 - Lower Savage Islands
A group of small islands bisected by narrow channels, the Lower Savage Islands are an incredible place to zodiac cruise, kayak and hike. Located at the southeastern end of Baffin Island, this region is in the centre of a biologically important mixing of water from Davis and Hudson Straits. As such, it is a region of high marine biodiversity and we will be on the lookout for the various Arctic seals known to frequent these waters.

September 09, 2011 - Monumental Island
A cliff towering from the ocean, Monumental Island is host to numerous bird species and is known to be an excellent place to spot both the gyrfalcon and the Peregrine falcon. From time to time, walrus have been known to haul out here in great numbers and we will keep our eyes peeled as we approach in the hope that we will experience the sight and smell of a large haul out.

September 10, 2011- Iqaluit, Nunavut
We drop anchor off the beach in Iqaluit and make our way ashore by zodiac. Depending on flight times, we may have a chance to explore the capital of Nunavut before making our way to the airport.

Please note
Specific sites visited will depend on ice and weather conditions experienced and the itinerary will be updated throughout the voyage in order to take advantage of favourable conditions.

Operated by One Ocean Expeditions

Departures: August

• Contact usfor more information, current costs and to make a booking on this expedition.