The High Arctic Explorer is truly a voyage of adventure and discovery. We will sail out and have some fun investigating the area that challenged the famous explorers of the past. This beautiful but extreme environment is still remote and wild, and to get the best out of it, we will relax and 'go with the floe'. Travel in this region relies on understanding sea ice, and as many explorers before us have found, is truly a 'moveable feast'. We will be visiting an area that overflows with history, and is also renowned for its rare and spectacular wildlife, including polar bear, narwhal and walrus. This is wilderness at its most extreme and beautiful, with towering cliffs and glaciers, flowing tundra and ice in all its forms. We will explore both the eastern Canadian High Arctic and the northwest coast of Greenland, traveling to places that very few people have ever seen, exploring new areas and the discovering new lands. We will also visit some of the world's most remote communities, where we will be shyly welcomed by local Inuit and introduced to both the modern and ancient aspects of their culture. This basic itinerary represents an idealised plan and will change in order to take advantage of the best opportunities that the ice and weather present.
Note: Weather, ice, or other conditions may necessitate changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Charter flight from Ottawa to Resolute, deep in the High Arctic. Board the vessel and depart
| | Day 2 | Wellington Channel and Beechey Island
| | Day 3 | Croker Bay and Dundas Harbour, Devon Island
| | Day 4 | Jones Sound and Grise Fjord
| | Day 5 | Cobourg Island National Wildlife Area
| | Day 6 | Qaanaaq, Greenland
| | Day 7 | Kap York and Melville Bay
| | Day 8 | Baffin Bay
| | Day 9 | Pond Inlet
| | Day 10 | Navy Board and Cape Hay Migratory Bird Sanctuary
| | Day 11 | Port Leopold and Somerset Island
| | Day 12 | Arrive in Resolute and connect with charter flight to Ottawa
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Day 1: Ottawa to Resolute
The expedition begins when you are met at the Peregrine meeting point, the Hotel Crowne Plaza in Ottawa before being transferred to the airport to board a charter flight bound for Resolute. Flying north, the countryside changes from the verdant greens of southern Canada to the rocky scenery of the north. We'll fly over Hudson Bay to the small community of Resolute Bay, at the western end of Lancaster Sound. We'll be met on landing, and in the afternoon we'll begin embarkation on the Peregrine Mariner, our home for the next 11 nights. Once settled in onboard, we'll meet the expedition crew as we sail out of Resolute Bay, keeping a constant lookout for wildlife, ice and adventure.
Day 2: Beechey Island
We'll sail north through Wellington Channel, part of the fabled Northwest Passage which separates Cornwallis Island from Devon Island. Amidst this stunning scenery, we'll hope to find a route through the sea ice as we watch for seabirds and marine mammals.
When the solid pack ice forces us to turn back, we'll sail around the western side of Devon Island. Here we'll explore the small bays and inlets, and sail near glaciers and summer waterfalls created by the melt-waters flowing off the ice.
Later in the day, we'll visit Beechey Island, located at 74 degrees north, just over 15 degrees of latitude from the North Pole. It's here in this bleak spot that we'll come across one of the many failed attempts to find the Northwest Passage. In 1845, three members of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated expedition perished here. The story of what actually happened to these men is still shrouded in mystery, and the search for them has never been officially called off. Depending on ice conditions, we'll go ashore and see the graves that mark the site of the hapless winter camp. Within a few years, the remaining members of the expedition also died during their struggle to return to safety.
Day 3: Devon Island
Leaving Beechey Island, we'll sail east along the southern shore of Devon Island. Here, ice tumbles slowly down to the sea in the form of flowing glaciers, and the remarkable Arctic tundra is a carpet of flowering beauty.
On land, we hope to see rare and endangered muskox and Arctic hare as well as falcons and hawks soaring over the cliffs. Another animal we'll be on the lookout for is the rare and very shy walrus, occasionally spotted near Dundas Harbour and in Croker Bay.
Today we'll hope to stop at the historical site of Dundas Harbour, once a Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost from 1924 to 1951. This abandoned site is one of incredible beauty, nestled against cliffs with summer wildflowers blooming along the rocky point. We can often spot icebergs in the small bay in front of the buildings.
Day 4: Grise Fjord
Continuing in an easterly direction, we arrive at Jones Sound between Ellesmere and Devon Islands. Jones Sound teems with marine mammals and seabirds during the summer. It's also a spectacular location to observe sea ice and icebergs.
If the ice permits, we'll attempt a visit to Grise Fjord - known locally as Aujuittuq, the place that never melts. Here on the southern shores of Ellesmere Island, we'll discover pre-Dorset, Dorset and Thule sites dating back thousands of years. The first Europeans known to explore this area were led by William Baffin, in 1616, and since then adventurers have continually been drawn to the area.
Grise Fiord is Canada's northernmost civilian community, located close to the North Pole, just over 1,500 km away. Here in this community, hemmed in by breathtaking glacier-covered mountains, we'll hope to visit with the local Inuit and learn of their fascinating culture that manages to survive in the harsh and unforgiving Arctic environment.
Day 5: Cobourg Island National Wildlife area
We arrive at Cobourg Island at the eastern end of Jones Sound and this is remote High Arctic Canada at it's wild best. Cobourg is 65% ice and the only exposed land juts up in the form of rugged peaks and highlands. It's also a region renowned for plentiful wildlife. Summer currents bring ice and food stocks that lure vast numbers of seabirds, seals and whales to the area.
Nirjutiqavvik, is Cobourg Island's National Wildlife Area, one of only two such parks in Nunavut. Here, we'll be astonished by the profusion of magnificent seabirds. Among them are 30-thousand pairs of blacklegged kittiwakes and 160-thousand pairs of thickbilled murres that occupy tiny ledges on the high cliffs along the coast. We may also hope to spot Northern fulmars and rare ivory gulls that also breed in the area.
We may also make our way south of Cobourg Island to Lady Ann Strait. Here, a polyna keeps the sea from freezing over, resulting in a dependable fishing zone for seabirds when all other waters may have frozen over.
Day 6: Qaanaaq
Leaving Ellesmere Island, we'll sail eastward across the top of Baffin Bay, where the Canadian High Arctic archipelago almost meets Greenland. During our crossing, we'll hope to spot polar bears ice-hopping in search of their main prey, the ringed seal. These extraordinary bears spend much of their summer at sea, searching sea ice for seals and their dens. We'll also be on the lookout for fin, sperm, humpback and sei whales as well as several other seal species.
When we reach northern Greenland, we hope to visit Qaanaaq (pronounced kay-nak). At 77oN, it's one of the northernmost municipalities in the world. Qaanaaq is also a gateway to Greenland. For thousands of years voyagers landed here, including the most recent immigration of Inuit from Baffin Island only 130 years ago. We'll meet some of these friendly locals and learn about their traditional ways that are still followed today including hunting practices for narwhal, polar bears, seals and walrus.
We'll also encounter some European history in Qaanaaq. Knud Rasmussen, the famous Greenlandic explorer, established European roots in the region by initiating the Danish Literary Expedition here in 1903 and 1904. Since then, many more European Arctic expeditions have started from this area, including the Thule Expeditions. Rasmussen's fifth expedition, his famous dog sled journey, took him from here across Canada and on to Alaska then Siberia.
Day 7: Kap York, Melville Bay
After exploring northern Greenland, we'll turn south and investigate Kap York, in Melville Bay. This area, surrounded by glaciers, is known for late summer break-up and early autumn freeze of sea ice. In addition to all the ice, the area is typically hit with windy conditions and stormy seas. But don't let this bother you; these conditions actually add to the area's appeal.
Strong winds and high seas usually ensure the ice is full of long leads, or cracks, that narwhal and seals exploit, enticing polar bears to hunt these waters. In fact, there is so much wildlife in the area that parts of the bay have been declared a national park and hunting is prohibited in certain areas.
We'll hope for favourable sea conditions here so we can relish the splendid wildlife. We'll even find wonderful birds living along the shores of Melville Bay. Thousands of little auks, or dovekies, nest along the cliffs, and via zodiac boats we'll hope to approach some of these incredible nesting sites.
Day 8: Baffin Bay
Today we'll voyage back out into the waters of Baffin Bay, looking for the ice sheet usually found in the middle of these waters. Here, amongst the ice, we'll hope to spot seals, polar bears, whales and various lightweight birds such as the dovekies, Sabine's gulls and several species of jaegers.
This is a challenging area to navigate and our ice pilot will be put to work helping us find (or avoid) the ice. During the crossing back to Canada, we'll explore different types and thicknesses of ice. Our onboard seminars will help us understand how the right ice in the right place is critical to the Arctic environment.
Day 9: Pond Inlet
We'll enter Canadian waters further south than at our departure point, and if ice and weather conditions permit, we'll sail down Eclipse Sound to reach Pond Inlet. This Canadian Arctic community, located on the northern end of Baffin Island, spends much of the summer season hunting game and fish such as char and narwhal that abound in local waters.
Upon arrival here, we'll be warmly greeted by the local community. We may even be treated to a remarkable display of Inuit culture including throat singing, drum dancing, Arctic game challenges as well as seeing a display of intricate Inuit carvings, paintings and clothing.
Day 10: Cape Hay Bird Sanctuary
We sail north into Navy Board Inlet, a waterway of remarkable beauty that is often studded with the remains of icebergs that have travelled across from Greenland. As well, there are several large glaciers that flow down to the sea adding Canadian ice to the mix in these waters. Navy Board Inlet and Eclipse Sound are summer gathering spots for much of the world's narwhal population. If we're very lucky, we may hope to see some of these elusive marine mammals passing by.
We'll hope to sail around the north-western corner of Bylot Island, into Lancaster Sound and the Cape Hay migratory bird sanctuary. Here we'll find spectacular seabird cliffs populated by thick-billed murres, black guillemots and kittiwakes.
Day 11: Port Leopold & Somerset Island
We'll spend our last full day in the High Arctic at Somerset Island. This wind-swept island, just north of the Boothia Peninsula, is presently uninhabited, though there is evidence of past Thule habitation. As well, Inuit hunters sometimes pass through the area while hunting caribou. This is a great spot to search for wildlife and Thule artefacts may be found along the stony beaches.
We may visit Port Leopold, on the northeast shoulder of Somerset Island. This was the port where James Clark Ross, the leader of the first Royal Navy expedition in search of the Franklin Expedition, wintered his two ships in 1848 and 1849. After Ross, other European expeditions occasionally used the area before the Hudson's Bay Company built a small trading post here. Later in the day, we'll leave Somerset Island and make our way north across Barrow Strait returning to Cornwallis Island and the waters around Resolute.
Day 12: Resolute
The last day of our adventure will be in Resolute. We plan to arrive early in the morning in preparation for our charter flight out of the Arctic. We'll fly south, reaching Ottawa by the end of the day. Upon arrival in Ottawa, you'll be transferred back to the Peregrine meeting point , the Hotel Crowne Plaza.
Ship's Notes for the Peregrine Mariner (the 'AKADEMIK IOFFE')
These notes should be read in conjunction with Peregrine's Antarctic Trip Information Guide.
The Peregrine Mariner is a modern, ice strengthened vessel that is very comfortable and ideally suited for polar exploration. There is ample space for meetings of the full group as well as smaller rooms for more intimate meetings. Slide and video projection equipment are available, as well as overhead projection. There is a separate bar, lounge, library, video room, and dining space for the full passenger complement in one seating. There is also a gymnasium, sauna and swimming pool.
Comfort
As a relatively new Scandinavian-built exploration vessel, the Peregrine Mariner is very comfortable, especially following refitting and refurbishment over the last five years. All passenger areas are thoroughly heated and air-conditioned. Cabins are tastefully and pleasantly decorated. The vessel is maintained to the highest standards and is kept immaculately clean.
As the ship was built to perform delicate and sensitive hydroacoustic work, she is also designed to run very quietly. In cabins and public spaces there is very little if any ambient noise from engines or machinery. Further, most passenger cabins (except the Main Deck cabins) are on a separate deck from the well-used public spaces and lounge areas, so noise is seldom a bother.
Stability and Safety
This vessel has external stabilizers on her hull. She also has a built-in trimming system which is operated by the flow of water ballast from tanks in either side of the ship. A series of valves causes the water to flow to the side where its presence guarantees greatest stability. Added to her modern hull design, these systems make for a very stable ship.
The Peregrine Mariner carries all current certifications required by law for ensuring passenger safety and wellbeing. All equipment and systems are inspected and tested regularly. A lifeboat briefing and drill will be conducted early in each expedition to ensure that all passengers are familiar with the location of life jackets and lifeboats, and the procedures to be followed in the highly unlikely event of an emergency.
With her two powerful engines this ship rarely suffers significant delays due to inclement weather. She has a cruising speed of 14.5 knots in still-wind/sea conditions. The ship's speed capabilities allow us added flexibility in planning our itineraries.
Bar
On the main deck to the aft of the lobby there is a separate room which is operated as a bar, with an adjacent lounge area. It is a very comfortable room with outside views and an exit to the main outer deck and has seating for about 25 people in comfortable sofas, armchairs. There are also a number of traditional bar stools surrounding a large semi-circular bar. There is a stereo with CD player in the bar area. If you are interested in where we are going, there is also a television monitor showing video of the view from the bridge at all times as well as a modern chartplotter located in the corner.
Bridge
On Deck 6 the ship's bridge is open to passengers virtually 24 hours each day. With an officer and sailor (and often the captain) on watch, you are always able to learn something. The chart and navigation room is open to everyone, as are places to view the equipment and instruments. The bridge is a fascinating part of the ship and often a great place for sightseeing and bird watching - it provides a great view!
Communications
The ship carries all required communications and navigation facilities and equipment. She has Immarsat telephone and fax equipment as well as a variety of shortwave, SSB, and VHF radio systems. She also carries fully current GMDSS (Global Marine Distress and Safety System) equipment.
Dining Room
Located on the main deck our dining room seats all passengers comfortably in one sitting. It is attractively lit and comfortably furnished. There are outside windows and it is immaculately maintained. In one corner there is a bar which is used for meal times. There is also a comfortable lounge area in this corner. Lunches and dinners are served to the table by our ship's stewards, and breakfast is served here also but is buffet style. In the dining room there is also a television monitor relaying video images of the view from the bridge at all times.
Elevator
In addition to the stairs between decks, there is one lift/elevator on the ship operating between all passenger deck levels and to the bridge level. (Please note that this does not remove the need for passengers to have a reasonable level of mobility, as ship access to and from zodiacs is by way of a staired gangway (please see Trip Information Guide).
Gift Shop
On the Main Deck there is a small kiosk and gift shop. It carries a selection of souvenir items such as postcards, hats, t-shirts, and books to bring home from a voyage. It also has a basic supply of toiletries such as sunscreen, lip balm, usually some film and some camera batteries. It is open each day.
Gynasium
There is a small gymnasium on the ship with a set of free weights, exercise bike, rowing machine, and step trainer.
Infirmary
(Please refer also to Peregrine's Antarctic Trip Information Guide.)
On Deck 5 there is a basic infirmary and crew doctor available for passengers. As the ship was designed for extended projects, she carries an impressive list of equipment and supplies. However, passengers are reminded that this facility is intended as a basic or emergency service. While the inventory of medicines and equipment is extensive, passengers should bring their own basic firstaid kit as detailed in the Trip Information Guide for any minor problems, and if using specific medications should ensure they bring a supply adequate to last the entire journey. If there is a need to consult the ship's doctor and to receive medications, etc., from the infirmary passengers will be invoiced for the cost of any items supplied.
Library
On deck five and forward, situated in a quiet part of the ship, there is a library area. With a large conference table, comfortable chairs, and sophisticated decor this serves as a great, quiet space to read from our selection of expedition reference materials, atlases, magazines, novels and the like. There are attractive wooden bookcases and quality lighting. There are also windows which overlook the bow of the ship for good sightseeing from indoors.
Just outside the library itself there is another quiet area with good lighting and very comfortable armchairs which is usually also reserved as a reading room. The library also has a slide screen and whiteboard for smaller discussions and meetings. It seats about 20.
Lounge
In the aft part of the ship and reached through the bar is the television lounge. It seats about 25 and has an exit to the main outer deck space. It also has outside views. There is a television and VCR for educational and entertainment programming as well as watching the relayed video images of the view from the bridge. There is a collection of games and puzzles, maps, and a piano. This area, along with our bar, serves as the main social area of the vessel.
Mud Room
Towards the aft section of the main deck, and not far from where you will disembark from the zodiacs, there is a "mud room" where you can change out of your wet-weather gear on returning from shore excursions and leave your waterproof rubber boots.
Presentation Room
Our presentations take place in the dining room. All passengers can be seated there at the same time and it has a PA system to ensure everyone can hear talks and announcements. It has a TV and VCR to help in programming as well as modern projection facilities and screens.
Sauna and Swimming Pool
On Deck 5 there is a small swimming pool and a sauna. A plunge pool really, the former is filled on special occasions or on request and is on the outer deck just outside the sauna. It gets a certain level of use, even in the Antarctic waters! The sauna is open each afternoon and evening and seats about six people - it is a great place to relax after your shore excursions. It also has a change room and shower room.
Top Deck
There is also a spacious open top deck; from here you can enjoy spectacular views.
Prices per person:
| Main Deck Triple Cabin | £3,175 |
| Main Deck Double | £3,965 |
| Upper Deck | £4,145 |
| Superior | £4,365 |
| Superior Plus | £4,630 |
| Peregrine Suite | £4,850 |
| Cook Suite | £5,150 |
| Deposit | £10% of cost |
Kayaking option |
£240 |
Please note that the above prices may still be subject to change.
Accommodation: Cabins as described above subject to availability.
Travel: Flights from regional UK airports may also be available; please enquire for details.
Leaders: Guides from Peregrine Adventures
The prices are per person, and are fully inclusive of transfer from Peregrine meeting point in Ottawa to airport on day one & vice versa on last day of the voyage, charter flights to/from Resolute airport from Ottawa and port transfers & vice versa in Resolute, shipboard accommodation, all onboard meals, afternoon teas most days if not on shore, shore excursions by zodiac boat and onboard lectures, videos, slide and film shows, highly experienced expedition leader, crew and lecturers, access to public viewing areas, onboard medical officer, port taxes, and comprehensive pre-departure booklet and expedition manual
The prices exclude flights UK/Ottawa, Canada (allow around £ 800 pp for flights, accommodation and transfers), arrival and departures in Ottawa, travel insurance, meals ashore, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, and other personal expenses. passport and visa expenses (if applicable), government arrival and departure taxes, pre-cruise or post-cruise accommodation, meals ashore, supplement for single hotel accommodations, excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges and optional tips to leaders and crew.
Other:
These notes should be read in conjunction with Peregrine's Arctic - Trip Information Guide booklet that is provided to you shortly after booking (or which can be requested prior to booking). A second manual dealing with Arctic history, geology, geography, marine and birdlife will also be provided prior to departure.
1. Itinerary. Please note that due to the exploratory nature of this expedition, weather, ice, wildlife or other conditions may require changes be made to the itinerary and/or cancellation of certain shore excursions. Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary, within the limits of safety and time constraints. We shall fit in as many stops as is practical along the way allowing you to experience as much as possible of this wonderful area. The locations mentioned in this itinerary are just some of the highlights of our fascinating expedition of discovery and exploration and we shall attempt further landings wherever and whenever time and local conditions permit.
2. Budgeting. In addition to funds for on-board expenses, it is possible to purchase souvenirs in some locations in the form of books, t-shirts, stamps, postcards, wind-cheaters, caps and especially really good knitwear on many of the shore excursions which include visits to towns or villages. In addition some museums and sites charge entry fees, and in some locations you may wish to buy some food and drink (although the meals on the ship are very good and plentiful!). Canadian communities will accept local currency, and sometimes $US. Credit cards are of limited use. Please note, however, that there is almost nowhere in Greenland that will take credit cards and very, very few places willing to accept foreign currency. Danish Kroner are a must for Greenland and they should be purchased before your trip starts.
3. Clothes. Please read our Arctic - Trip Information Guide booklet carefully. You do not need to make expensive, specialist clothing purchases, but you must have adequate protection against the cold, and against possible wet conditions.
(Sea spray is common onboard zodiacs). It's recommended that you have warm, waterproof clothing available for use upon arrival in Iqaluit to protect against inclement weather. A zodiac transfer from the pier to the ship will take place on Day 1 so please be prepared with appropriate clothing.
4. Onboard. Some of your sailing will be in the open sea. The Peregrine Mariner is one of the most stable ships in its class but it is impossible to remove all motion. Unless you are certain you are impervious to the problem, you should take precautions against seasickness. Your doctor can advise you as to the best methods for avoiding this uncomfortable condition.
5. 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. The amount can be paid by Visa or Mastercard.
6. Sea kayaking is offered on this trip. Please check the relevant sections of our web site, Trip Information Guide and the Kayaking Trip Notes for further information. Please note that this option must be booked prior to your departure from home: it cannot be booked on the ship. Some prior experience is required
7. Arrival/Departure. One night pre-voyage and one night post- voyage in Ottawa is mandatory due to the charter flight schedule. Please be aware that because of the remote airports in Iqaluit and Resolute, charter flights may be delayed or cancelled because of bad weather. Full details of the charter flights and boarding procedures will be supplied with your final expedition documentation.
8. Safety is paramount. Onboard you will be asked to participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and zodiac operations.
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Ivory Gull
Peregrine Mariner/Peregrine Voyager