Baffin Bay Experience
Iqaluit, Nunavut to Kangerlussuaq Sondre Stromfjord, West Greenland
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10 NIGHTS/11 DAYS (KAYAKING)
Overview
An exploration of the wildlife and culture of the Canadian Arctic coupled with the glaciers and icebergs of Greenland.
Day 1 - Iqaluit
Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, is located at the head of Frobisher Bay, on Baffin Island. The adventure starts when we board our expedition vessel by zodiac.
Day 2 - Monumental Island
Sailing out of Frobisher Bay, we turn north and sail along the coast of Baffin Island. Monumental Island is part of a small group of islands south of the Lady Franklin Group. A great place to find wildlife, we will look up for gyrfalcon and peregrine falcon, scan the shoreline for polar bear and the water for walrus.
Day 3 - Pangnirtung
Nestled in the heart of Cumberland Sound and the gateway to Auyuittuq National Park, Pangnirtung is beautifully situated between the mountains and the sea. This town is known for its arts and crafts and a visit to the art gallery is a must. In addition, the Angmarlik Visitor Centre has a wonderful interpretive display featuring the lifestyle of the Thule and of the modern Inuit.
Day 4 - Cape Mercy
Protecting the northern entrance to Cumberland Sound, Cape Mercy is an exposed headland jutting out into Davis Strait. As the Baffin Bay middle ice recedes throughout the summer, the stretch of Baffin coast from Cape Mercy to Cape Dyer is a great place to find polar bears coming ashore. We will have all eyes searching as we sail this region.
Day 5/6 - Baffin Bay
Our crossing of Baffin Bay will depend on the extent of the so-called ‘middle ice’. Our goal will be to find the edge of this and then follow it as we cross Baffin Bay. Our time at sea will be determined by the extent of the ice and amount of wildlife. Pilot whales, as well as numerous species of Arctic seal and seabirds abound in Baffin Bay. As we approach the Greenland coast, we will start to see icebergs calved from the mighty glaciers of Greenland.
Day 7 - Uummannaq Fjord, Greenland
We will visit the town of Uummannaq after sailing into spectacular Uummannaq Fjord. Sculpted, castellated icebergs will accompany us as we cruise into the fjord. Keep an eye open for whale blows as we sail these waters. The town of Uummannaq is set at the base of a dramatic cliff and on a small island often surrounded by large icebergs. Enjoy a walk around the town, drop into the supermarket or sit on the patio at the Hotel Uummannaq and enjoy a coffee as your eyes feast on the view.
Day 8 - Ilulissat and Jacobshavn Icefjord
One of the wonders of the world, the Jacobshavn Icefjord spews massive tabular icebergs out into Disko Bay. Our approach to Ilulissat will depend on the amount of ice in and around the mouth of the icefjord. Ilulissat was the hometown of Knud Rasmussen, one of Greenland’s most famous explorers and anthropologists, born here in 1879.
Day 9 - Qeqertarsuaq (Disko Island)
A very large island in the mouth of Disko Bay, Qeqertarsuaq is a site of both geologic and historic interest. A possible summer fishing camp for the Viking colonists in Greenland, mineral deposits containing native iron and hot springs are all part of the allure of this island. We will visit the southern coast, cruising the spectacular rock arches before visiting the town of Qeqertarsuaq.
Day 10 - Sisimiut
We will explore the fjord behind the town of Sisimiut before visiting the town in the afternoon. We will hope to meet a few of the traditional Greenlandic kayakers and perhaps see a demonstration of “Eskimo Rolling” by one of the former champions of the Greenland Kayaking Championships.
Day 11 - Kangerlussuawq (Sondre Stromfjord)
One of the world’s longest fjords, Sondre Stromfjord cuts into the interior of Greenland. We will disembark here and take a transfer to the airport for our flight home.
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.
Proof of our Polar Commitment
When travelling with One Ocean Expeditions, you will discover how much we care about the places and people we visit. We demonstrate this by finding ways to give back as well as taking away so many incredible memories. For more information on our commitment to responsible tourism, please review our document entitled, “Our Environmental Commitment”.
Before you Book – Important Voyage Details
Itinerary Changes – We put safety first and that means weather, ice, wildlife, political or other conditions may require us to modify the itinerary as we go. We consider this half the intrigue of Polar exploring. In every expedition, our undertake is a little different. It may mean we have to cancel certain shore excursions if conditions are not suitable but we always find other fun things to do. Polar exploring is not predictable which is one of the many reasons we think it is so special.
Medical Documentation - Once you have booked your voyage to the Polar Regions, you will be required to complete a Medical Information Form. This form must be completed, signed and returned to One Ocean Expeditions no later than 90 days prior to departure.
Passport - Well before travelling, please ensure you have a current passport with an accurate photo, valid for at least six months after your scheduled return flight home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require you to have a return air ticket or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.
Budgeting – It is a good idea to bring along some $US cash. There are some onboard expenses such as those incurred at the bar, in our gift shop, and for satellite communication, as well as several souvenir shopping opportunities throughout the voyage.
Clothes – We do not need to tell you it is cold in the Arctic. So make sure you come prepared with clothes that will adequately protect you from the weather and wet conditions (sea spray is common onboard Zodiacs). Expensive specialty gear is not required, but you should be dressed in warm, waterproof clothing available upon your arrival in Iqaluit. Please read the One Ocean Expeditions Pre-departure Information for more details about what to bring on the journey. We also have foul weather gear available on board of the ship. You should prearrange the rental of this gear should you require it.
Onboard – Like the weather, sea conditions can also be unpredictable. You will be safe and comfortable aboard with your experienced crew in control of our ship, but you may suffer the effects of motion sickness, unless you have taken precautions. We recommend visiting your doctor prior to departure for medication that can help you avoid this easily treated condition.
Gratuities - We suggest you allow the equivalent of $US10 a day for gratuities for the crew and expedition staff. This is usually collected just prior to the end of the cruise. If you wish, the amount can be paid by Visa or MasterCard.
Sea Kayaking – If you have some experience sea kayaking and are interested in doing this activity during the expedition, you will need to book this option prior to departure from home. We cannot book this activity once onboard. There is a separate document for sea kayakers that you will need to review beforehand.
Embarkation Protocol - Guests arrive with the rest of the group accompanied by the One Ocean Expeditions’ Representative. Full details of embarkation/disembarkation procedures will be supplied with your final documentation. Once onboard, you will be participating in an obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and Zodiac operations.
Insurance - On all One Ocean Expeditions’ voyages, you must have comprehensive travel insurance. Your own domestic government medical insurance and private health care plans will not cover you in most overseas countries. Your travel agent can recommend a policy designed to cover participants on these cruises. Your policy must provide coverage for your medical costs in case of hospitalization, emergency travel and repatriation. We require that you obtain adequate insurance before joining the voyage. Cancellation insurance is also recommended.
Please check the terms of your policy carefully, particularly with regard to limits of cover (i.e. replacement of photographic equipment, baggage loss, claims procedure, costs due to airline delays etc). Also ensure you are familiar with the procedure for making claims (for example, most policies stipulate that claims must be made within a certain time after completion of your journey). Once you have paid your deposit or full payment, certain fees will apply if you have to cancel your holiday (see the cancellation provisions in our terms and conditions). For this reason you should take out insurance at the time of paying your deposit, which should then protect you in such a situation.
Visas - Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing and vary for different nationalities. You should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travelling.
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind and check with us if you want to be sure about anything. The document was correct at time of printing but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff. We are here to help you!
