Arctic Quest: Canada & Greenland
Ottawa to Ottawa

Duration:	18 days/ 17 nights
Dates:	August 25 - September 11, 2008
Cost:	Starting at $14,500 USD

Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. ITINERARY Day 1, Ottawa, Canada Plan to arrive earlier enough to discover one of the world’s most beautiful capitals, Ottawa, Canada, home to over a dozen national museums and galleries. Day 2, Embarkation Day From Ottawa, we fly you above the Arctic Circle to the tiny community of Resolute on Cornwallis Island, where you board our icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. Days 3-4, Lancaster Sound Sailing past Devon Island, we watch for beluga and bowhead whales into Lancaster Sound the habitat of narwhals, polar bears and Arctic seals and about two-dozen species of birds. At Dundas Harbour, we go ashore to visit the remains of millennia old Early Thule winter houses. The icebreaker negotiates iceberg dotted Melville Bay icebergs en route to Cape York, Greenland. Days 5-6, Oaanaaq We continue along the western coast of Greenland, past steep fjords and gigantic blue-white icebergs. Narwhals may reside in this area at this time of year. We plan to sail Murchison Sound to Qaanaaq, the world’s northernmost municipality. We’ll push north into Smith Sound, then into Kane Basin. Our ultimate goal is the Lincoln Sea at the top of Greenland, often impassable due to pack ice. So as usual we must be flexible – and on the alert for wildlife. Days 7-9, Eastern Ellesmere Island On the eastern shore of Ellesmere Island we plan to land at Fort Conger, before exploring Buchanan Bay and its massive twin glaciers. In Alexandra Fjord, we intend to visit Skraeling Island, where archeologists have unearthed artifacts of Small-Tool cultures dating to 4500 BCE. A landing (if conditions permit) is planned at Starvation Camp, Pim Island, where members of Adolphus Greeley’s 1881–84 expedition died. Days 10-11, Coburg Island At Coburg Island, Zodiacs cruise the base of towering cliffs revealing fledged murres diving in fish-filled waters. Bylot Island is a vast migratory bird sanctuary with a diverse avian community, including Greater Snow Geese, Snowy Owls, Peregrine Falcons and Gyrfalcons. We hope to land on the southern shore then end our exploration of the region with a visit to the picturesque hamlet of Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik). Days 12-16, Baffin Island We sail the steep-sided fjords of northeastern Baffin Island, where mountains tower above the sea. Narwhals and beluga are known to inhabit the nutrient-rich waters. Caribou roam the endless tundra. The ship continues southward, crossing the Arctic Circle, rounding the headland into Cumberland Sound. At Pangnirtung we meet local artists famed for the prints and beautifully woven tapestries they create. En route to Iqaluit we plan more landings, taking advantage of local conditions. Days 17-18, Iqaluit to Ottawa We disembark Kapitan Khlebnikov at Iqaluit to fly back to Ottawa to spend our final night at the Fairmont Château Laurier. FEATURES · Landings on Greenland; · Landings on Ellesmere Island; · Landings on Baffin Island; · Shipboard helicopters for flight-seing; · Airfare from Ottawa to Resolute; Explore from Resolute to Iqaluit via Ellesmere Island and Greenland, across waters rich in history, wildlife and icebergs! An early booking discount of $1,000 applies to registration deposits made prior to November 30, 2007. All rates are per person in US dollars based on twin occupancy (except rate for single occupancy). Please ask about our request share program. Triple cabins are identical to twins but with a third pull down berth. Rates Include: • Voyage aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov as indicated in the itinerary. • Flights as indicated in the itinerary. • Pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations in a shared twin room with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship. • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac and helicopter (as included in group excursions with no specific amount of helicopter time guaranteed). • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff. • Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship as indicated in the itinerary. • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. • Comprehensive pre-departure materials and Arctic handbook. • Special expedition jacket. • Detailed post-expedition log. Rates Do Not Include: Airfares to or from the gateway city, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore and supplement for single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided). Any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced onboard.