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Your Arctic expedition begins in Toronto. Explore this vibrant city on your own before spending the night at your well-appointed hotel.
This morning, board your charter flight to Resolute, Nuvanut. Upon arrival, you may have a chance to check out some of the town’s sites before being transferred to your ship via Zodiac or helicopter (depending on ship location and weather conditions).
Winding your way around the remote islands of the Canadian High Arctic aboard Ultramarine, the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers of long ago as they searched for the fabled Northwest Passage, the great sea route at the top of the world. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the hardest-to-reach places on the planet— and equipped with two onboard twin-engine helicopters for unparalleled access to areas only Quark Expeditions can bring you—this one-of-a-kind ship, in its inaugural year, will take you beyond the familiar in Polar exploration. Throughout your journey, the Expedition Team will work hard to give you a taste of the best the Arctic has to offer, immersing you in the heart of the Northwest Passage in under a week. Remember that no two Polar voyages are alike, since each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice conditions. While this voyage has no fixed itinerary, our objective is to visit as many of the incredible highlights the season has to offer, using the opportunities provided by the weather and ice to give you the best experience. Each day, your highly skilled Expedition Team will read the conditions and choose the best course to set, but despite their extensive expertise in these areas, each visit brings something new to discover. That said, our expeditions will have some elements in common, including daily Zodiac cruising, land excursions, a robust education program, a community visit and wildlife viewing opportunities. And thanks to our onboard helicopters, you’ll also discover the ultimate Polar expedition experience: as stunning as Polar landscapes are from your ship, they’re even more striking from the air! Conditions permitting, you’ll enjoy ultra-immersive activities like flightseeing (short sightseeing flights around your ship and surrounding areas) and heli-landings (flying to places we could not otherwise access for shore excursions), two breathtaking options that are unique to Ultramarine and give you an exhilarating Polar experience like no other. While this waterway is known to European cultures as the Northwest Passage, this area has nurtured and sustained the Inuit and their predecessors who have called these shores home for almost 5,000 years. Moving through these remote landscapes you will be travelling through the ancestral homelands of this ancient culture, illuminated in person by Inuit guides onboard and ashore. Nunavut is an Inuktitut word meaning “our land” and the Nunavummiut (the people of Nunavut) are renowned for their incredible resourcefulness, hospitality, good humour, and a deep knowledge of the land and animals that has allowed them to thrive in the far north for millennia. Remote and rich in history, the Canadian High Arctic is as awe inspiring as it is informative. Your days spent exploring this mysterious region will have you travelling back in time to the Age of Exploration. While following in the footsteps of famous explorers like Sir John Franklin and Roald Amundsen, you’ll navigate the waters and visit the historic sites in the area around Lancaster Sound that were key to the discovery of the Northwest Passage. You’ll also learn about the scientific, cultural, geopolitical and environmental aspects of the route from our world-class experts, guides and the local communities. Reaching remote lands that have lured adventurers for centuries and few have ever set foot on will be an experience you’ll never forget. Wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed, as many of the areas we hope to explore are home to a surprising number of birds and mammals that thrive in this challenging environment. You’ll likely see Polar bears, Musk ox and several bird species, such as gyrfalcons and dovekies (Little auks). If you’re lucky, you may even spot the elusive narwhal or Arctic wolf, though sightings of these iconic creatures in the wild are rare, even in places where we have the highest chances of encountering them. Coburg Island, for instance, is a wildlife reserve for such birds as Snowy owls and Peregrine falcons, while the impressive vertical cliffs of Prince Leopold Island are dotted with nesting seabirds like Northern fulmars and Black guillemots. The sheltered shores and steep cliffs of Arctic Bay, a hamlet located off of Admiralty Inlet, provide an ideal nesting habitat for various High Arctic birds such as Snow geese, Thick-billed murres (Brünnich’s guillemots) and kittiwakes. Occupied by Inuit nomads for almost 5,000 years, this traditional community is also an ideal spot to go ashore and learn more about the Inuit culture, sampling the local cuisine and mingling with artists, perhaps picking up carvings or other handicrafts as a memento of your Polar adventure. Devon Island is another possible locale for wildlife encounters, as walrus, Polar bears and Musk ox inhabit the area, which is also the location of the remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost, established at Dundas Harbour in 1924 to curb foreign whaling and other activities. Nearby is a small cemetery, one of Canada’s most northerly, still maintained by the RCMP to this day. Another exciting excursion your Expedition Team might offer, conditions permitting, is the opportunity to fly up to explore the Devon ice cap, one of the largest in the Canadian Arctic. At the western end of Devon Island, windswept Beechey Island might be small, but it’s steeped in history, as its flat beach and safe anchorage made a suitable stopover for Arctic expeditions. You’ll want to pay your respects to the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845–46 at the small marked graves of three crew members on the island, one of Canada’s most significant Arctic sites. This is also where Norwegian Roald Amundsen stopped to pay his own respects to his childhood hero, Franklin, during his 1903–06 voyage, which became the first successful transit of the Northwest Passage in history. History buffs will be further intrigued by the chance to explore an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company trading post at Fort Ross, at the southern end of Somerset Island. Nearby is the Bellot Strait. One of the goals of this expedition is to transit this famous channel, one of the most narrow and challenging of the passage. If we’re successful, at the midpoint you’ll sail past Zenith Point, the northernmost point of continental North America. Named for Frenchman Joseph Bellot, one of several explorers who set out in the 1850s to search for Franklin’s doomed expedition, the strait separates Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula on mainland Canada. (On Beechey Island, you can visit the memorial to Bellot, who disappeared during his search for Franklin.) Those looking for even more excitement may have the opportunity to cruise by Zodiac along the face of an active glacier near Croker Bay, Devon Island and possibly even witness the wonders of calving ice, at a safe distance. Listen closely for the steady crackle and loud roars as pieces of ice break off and crash into the water below. You’ll also want to be on the lookout for the walrus that are often seen in the area. There is no shortage of natural beauty, wildlife and history in Canada’s High Arctic. Each day, you’ll discover something new and inspiring, whether it is admiration of the tundra flora to survive the rugged environment, a rare bird species soaring overhead, a Polar bear on the hunt in its natural habitat, or the remains of a century-old hut.
After disembarking in Resolute, you’ll be transferred to your charter flight to Toronto, where you’ll spend the night at your included hotel.
Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend the day exploring this fascinating city.
* 6 nights in a choice of cabin types, all with en suite facilities, 2
nights hotel in Toronto.
* Expedition cruising in comfortable condition
All meals while on the ship included.
*Typical Meals*
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with
excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes,
accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
*Breakfast:* Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit
juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of
bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
*Lunch:* Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ.
*Dinner:* Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice
of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and
coffee.
* 6 nights in a choice of cabin types, all with en suite facilities, 2
nights hotel in Toronto.
* Expedition cruising in comfortable condition
*Travelling Conditions*
The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of
circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers' wishes and
particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere on board is relaxed
and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts,
on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world.
The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to
hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.
On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the
potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind - if you are not dressed
appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of
landings are wet which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to
slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land
(wellington boots are issued to all passengers). There are, of course, no
paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep
snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna
and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or
something stronger from the bar.
*Optional activities*
*Sea Kayaking*
Imagine gliding across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and
glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking program is a great way to intimately explore your
surroundings. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times
per voyage as an alternative to shore landings or Zodiac cruises.
The number of opportunities to kayak is weather dependent, and will be
conducted only during calm conditions. Prior kayaking experience is required,
and you must be able to do a wet exit to participate. Beginners interested in
kayaking should consider participating in the Paddling Excursion.
*Paddling Excursion*
If you’re interested in kayaking but would like to try something a bit less
demanding than Sea Kayaking, you’re the perfect candidate to sign up for a
one-time paddle on our stable sit-on-top kayaks—perfect for anyone with
minimal or no kayaking experience. Rotating groups of passengers will be
taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always present to provide
instruction and help connect you with the Polar sea.
*Polar Itineraries*
All Polar itineraries should be treated as a guide only - it is possible
that, amongst other things, the capricious nature of wind, visibility and
ice, intelligence from previous sailings, changes in local landing
regulations or the expert opinion of the crew onboard may lead to adjustments
to the route published.
*Booking Conditions*
Please note that the booking conditions for this trip differ from our
standard conditions.
As with all Polar holidays and voyages, the required deposit is 20% per
person of your selected travel arrangements (minimum £1000 per person or
equivalent) and the balance of the price of your travel arrangements must be
paid at least 133 days before your departure date. The deposit is
non-refundable, and at 133 days before departure date, our cancellation
penalties are 100% of the holiday cost.
Ultramarine
The *Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage *is offered
on the *Ultramarine *which is a Polar Adventure ship. Full board
accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of
cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Please visit the Polar
Fleet page [1] for Ship Information and Deck Plans.
*Polar Adventure Ship:*
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate
adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff,
so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to
keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and
many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food
and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of
this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any
traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
[1] node/935
The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement, enjoying the relaxed,
intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into smaller groups to
facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises in conjunction
with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants will join an
international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally
some of these may be younger than 12 years old, the Exodus' stated minimum
age for this trip. We work with many fine Expedition Leaders and Polar
Experts, bringing a diversity of interests including zoology, Polar history,
geology, ornithology and ocean sciences. The ship’s operating crew is
Russian and have many years of experience in Polar Regions and are committed
to ensuring a safe and memorable journey. Each day your cabin will be
serviced by the housekeeping crew, and your meals served by the friendly and
attentive restaurant staff. There is also a resident medical officer.
All meals while on the ship included.
*Typical Meals*
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with
excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes,
accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
*Breakfast:* Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit
juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of
bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
*Lunch:* Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ.
*Dinner:* Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice
of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and
coffee.
During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are
accessible only by Zodiac landing craft. Designed for expedition work, these
large and heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe.
*Travelling land only: 9 days starting and ending in Toronto*
Your trip starts at our hotel in Toronto in the afternoon of Day 1 of the
itinerary listed. Details of how to reach the start point are given in the
Final Joining Instructions.
Boots – Rubber boots are essential for a Polar expedition, but to eliminate
these from your packing list we will loan you a pair for the duration of the
voyage.
Parkas – A complementary Quark parka will be provided on the ship.
Trousers – Waterproof trousers are essential for Zodiac travel as well as
activities on shore.
Gloves – To keep your hands warm and dry, pack a minimum of two pairs of
gloves: a pair of thin polypropylene gloves to be worn underneath warm outer
gloves.
Hat and Scarf – Pack a warm, woollen hat or cap that covers your ears, as
well as a scarf, neck gaiter or other face protection.
Socks – For maximum warmth, we suggest that you wear two pairs of socks to
wear inside the rubber boots.
Outer Clothing – Pack woollen or fleece jumpers and tops, plus several
turtlenecks for layering.
Underclothing – Pack silk or polypropylene underwear since it will keep you
warm without adding bulk.
Knapsack or Backpack – To keep your hands free for shooting photograph,
bring a water resistant or waterproof knapsack or backpack.
Shoes – Non-slip shoes for walking around the vessel.
Swimsuit
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Camera, extra batteries, film or memory cards
Protective sunscreen
Electric converter with adapter plug set
Small medical kit containing prescription medicines and over-the-counter
medication for basic ailments such as stomach upsets, allergies, headaches
and seasickness
Snow poles or trekking poles
On board the ships all transactions are in US dollars.
At the conclusion of your voyage, you will be presented with an account. This
will include any drinks from the bar, laundry or ship’s shop purchases for
which you have signed. You may pay for this in US Dollars cash, credit card
(Visa or MasterCard ONLY) or US dollars Traveller’s Cheques.
Please note: on the last evening, once your ship account has been settled,
credit card payments are no longer accepted. It is therefore advisable to
bring at least some US$ cash if you wish to purchase drinks from the bar or
any items from the on board shop at this time.
The appropriate amount to tip the staff and crew is a personal matter but it
is customary to provide an end-of-cruise gratuity (as a rough guide
approximately US$13-15 per day per passenger would be appreciated)
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Mandatory transfer package (including return charter flights between
Toronto and Resolute) which is £1700 per person (or equivalent in booking
currency) paid on booking
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.