iceland, greenland, and baffin island: arctic circle traverse · iceland, greenland, and baffin...

ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 1

DID YOU KNOW? Home to around 2,000 people, Tasiilaq is the largest community in East Greenland, yet it remains one of the world’s most remote inhabited places. Until the first Europeans arrived in 1884, locals lived in isolation. Legends and spirits were a natural part of everyday life, influencing Greenlandic traditions, art and culture, just as they do today. A society of Tasiilaq hunters, for example, upholds the tradition of giving a polar bear skin to the person who spotted the bear, not the person who killed it.

EXPEDITION IN BRIEF• Explore the Kekerten Island Whaling Station, a National

Historic Site of Canada

• Encounter wildlife such as whales, walrus, puffins and

possibly polar bears

• Cruise in a Zodiac

• Experience an authentic arctic ghost town

• Visit traditional settlements and meet Greenlandic and

Inuit locals

Iceland, Greenland, and Baffin Island: Arctic Circle TraverseThis 18-day arctic adventure is an in-depth exploration of historic, remote regions of Iceland,

Greenland and Canada, venturing to some of the most picturesque places on the planet. These

are untamed lands of glaciers and icebergs, where majestic ice-clad mountains and soaring fjords

open dramatically into the sea. We’ll be awed by massive bird cliffs, mingle with locals, wander

abandoned settlements, soak in spectacular hot springs, and experience rare opportunities to get

up close to arctic wildlife such as whales, polar bears and puffins.


Adventure Options

Booking an Adventure Option as part of your

expedition is a great way to enhance your polar

experience. These options are subject to availability

and fill up quickly, so be sure to book yours early.

Please note that Adventure Options are weather

dependent.

KAYAKING

Imagine gliding along the surface of a bay in the presence of

icebergs and glaciers! Our kayaking adventures are the best

way to feel at one with the sea. Taken by small groups of

10 people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures

are only conducted during calm weather conditions. We

recommend you have some prior kayaking experience,

including the capability to do a wet exit.

More information about your Adventure Options, including

necessary experience, physical requirements and cost, is available

by contacting your Polar Travel Adviser.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES (VARY BY DEPARTURE)

HIKING

Hiking is a great way to appreciate the immense windswept

landscapes of the Arctic. The tundra comes alive during the

brief arctic summer, with bursts of color from shrubs and

plants that live in this polar environment. You’ll find that

each hike is different: you’ll explore communities, shorelines

or glaciated landscapes, often on the lookout for wildlife.

Hiking participation is optional, and your Expedition Team

will advise you of what levels of activity you can expect prior

to each excursion.

WANT TO STAY LONGER OR ARRIVE EARLIER? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.


Actual itinerary may vary based on weather conditions.

DAYS 5 AND 6 East Greenland

Now we sail south, dipping beneath

the Arctic Circle. We’ll attempt our

first Greenlandic shore landing, on

the island of Ammassalik, one of the

most isolated inhabited regions on

Earth. This is an ideal area to explore

by Zodiac, offering opportunities to

take some stunning photographs. As

you venture deep into the spectacular

Sermilik Fjord, behold the breathtaking

vistas of massive icebergs set against

DAY 4 At Sea

While we cross the Denmark Strait,

your Expedition Team will keep

you informed and entertained with

educational presentations about

the wildlife, history and geography

of Greenland, your next stop. Join

expedition staff on deck and on the

bridge as they look out for whales and

seabirds, get to know your fellow guests

or simply take in the natural beauty that

surrounds you.

DAY 1 Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive in the capital city of Iceland and

make your way to your included hotel.

You will have the day to explore the city

on your own. In the evening, join us at

your hotel for a welcome reception and

orientation.

DAY 2 Embarkation Day in Akureyri

After breakfast, you’ll board a charter

flight to the northern Icelandic town of

Akureyri, where your arctic adventure

begins. As our ship sets sail, enjoy some

time out on deck, taking in your new

surroundings. Have your binoculars

and camera ready—you may spot

birdlife and whales at sea!

DAY 3 Hornvík, Iceland

Sailing into the peaceful bay of Hornvík,

you’ll reach the northernmost point of

Iceland. This area is encircled by two of

the largest bird cliffs in Europe. You can

hike an old path, once used by fowlers,

out to the majestic Hornbjarg cliffs,

which are dominated by millions of

seabirds, such as Brünnich’s guillemots,

kittiwakes and puffins. Encounters with

arctic fox are common here.

Itinerary



contemplate the surreal scenery around

you as majestic icebergs drift by.

In the fertile region of South Greenland,

you’ll visit the well-preserved ruins

of a Norse church in Hvalsey. Walk

amongst the towering stone walls, and

you’ll feel the presence of the settlers

who used to gather here before the site

was abandoned in the 15th century. The

Nearby fells and fjord have not changed

over the centuries.

DAY 11 West Greenland

As you sail toward Paamiut, you’ll be

struck by the beauty of the surrounding

dark blue mountains. Known for its

mysterious fog and pleasing blend of

old and new culture, the town has its

own guardian: the white-tailed eagle.

Inhabitants feel a strong connection

with the king of the birds, and legend

has it that good luck will come to those

who spot it (easy to do, as they’re seen

in large numbers here). Simply smile

at locals, and they’ll enthusiastically

share their fondness for their town,

and fishermen will happily talk about

their trade. You’ll have the opportunity

to hike a nature trail that’s a thousand

years old. You also may be able to spot

fin, humpback, minke or killer whales

from shore.

History and culture buffs will find

plenty to do in the bustling Greenlandic

capital of Nuuk. Wander along to the

waterfront to see the Hans Egede

Church and Hans Egede statue, both

named after the missionary who

founded the settlement in 1728. At the

Greenland National Historic Museum,

you can view the 500-year-old remains

Those who opt to kayak here may be

able to take some up-close shots in the

country where kayaking was invented.

DAYS 7 TO 10 South Greenland

Ships rarely venture into Lindenow

Fjord, the least-occupied fjord in

Greenland. With your Expedition Team

in tow, you’ll cruise by Zodiac in an

arm of the fjord, as our staff use their

years of arctic experience to search for

bearded seals lying on the pack ice. You

may also spot waterfalls along the sheer

rock face.

Prins Christian Sund is made up of a

spectacular series of massive tidewater

glaciers. A mountainous region laced

with fjords, it’s an attractive area to

explore by Zodiac, if the ice allows us to

navigate with ease.

Rounding the southern edge of

Greenland, we’ll land at Narsaq Kujalliq,

also known as Narsarmijit. Founded by

Herrnhut missionaries in 1824, it’s the

country’s southernmost settlement, 31

miles (50 km) north of Cape Farewell.

You’ll explore Herjolfsnes, the site of an

excavated Norse farm, and also have the

chance to hike in the area or soak in a

natural hot spring while icebergs float

by.

Welcome to the land of hot springs!

A common natural phenomenon in

Greenland, heated springs have lured

visitors for thousands of years. On the

uninhabited island of Uunartoq, three

springs form a small stone-dammed

pool that’s warm enough to bathe in.

Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks,

you can relax in this outdoor spa and

a backdrop of soaring snow-clad

mountains.

With a population of just over 2,000,

Tasiilaq is the largest community

in East Greenland. Situated on the

banks of the King Oscar Harbour and

surrounded by steep peaks, the town

offers picturesque views that make a

visit here a must. Composed of five

small settlements, Ammassalik’s chief

community is the perfect place to pick

up traditional crafts such as soapstone

figures, wooden masks and tupilaks

(meaning “soul of the ancestor,” these

carved figures are believed to protect its

owner against enemy attack). You’ll also

want to wander between the vibrant

painted wooden houses that dot the

lush landscape.

South of Ammassalik are many fjords,

which are deep, steep-walled valleys

along coastlines flooded with seawater.

You’ll cruise in a Zodiac through the

Bernstorffs Fjord in search of glaciers.

Bernstorffs Fjord means “ice fjord,” and

there’s a good chance we’ll encounter

calving icebergs at the fjord head. You

also may have an opportunity to go

ashore to hike.

Experience an authentic arctic ghost

town, the abandoned Skjoldungen

settlement. In the early 1960s, as part of

a nationwide program to concentrate

Greenland’s population in a few select

sites, the inhabitants were relocated to

larger, more accessible communities.

After exploring the town’s remains,

you’ll cruise the Skjoldungen Fjord in

a Zodiac and be amazed at the striking

contrast between the deep green sea,

white icebergs and dark mountains.



IMPORTANT REMINDER

Embracing the unexpected is part

of the legacy—and excitement—of

expedition travel. When traveling

in extremely remote regions, your

expedition staff must allow the sea,

the ice and the weather to guide route

and itinerary details. This itinerary

is a tentative outline of what you’ll

experience on this voyage; please be

aware that no specific itinerary can

be guaranteed.

of fully dressed mummies, found in

1972 after two brothers out grouse

hunting discovered their graves under a

rock outcrop. Also worth exploring are

the Katuaq Culture Centre and Nuuk

Art Museum.

DAY 12 At Sea

Today, we sail across the Davis Strait,

a major summer feeding ground for

walrus and narwhals. Our informative

presentations will prepare you for your

Baffin Island adventures. During this

time at sea, it’s easy to stay entertained:

learn to identify seabirds on the wing,

share photos and swap stories with

shipmates, lounge with a book in our

Polar Library, savor a glass of wine

in the bar or get active in the exercise

room. Or simply stay up on deck,

enjoying the impressive sea views.

DAY 13 Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada

We’ll trace the southeastern coast

of Baffin Island, the largest island in

Canada and the fifth largest in the

world. In this land of glacial lakes, an

abundance of vibrant wildflowers such

as yellow arctic poppies and purple

saxifrage are scattered across the fertile

landscape. Your time here will be

spent going on wildlife excursions by

Zodiac, hiking the tundra and visiting

fishing villages and traditional Inuit

settlements, learning about the local

history and culture.

DAY 14 Pangnirtung and Kekerten Island

Dubbed the Switzerland of the Arctic,

the Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung is

nestled beneath the jagged, frosty peaks

of Mount Duval, at the mouth of the

picturesque Pangnirtung Fjord, which

merges with the Cumberland Sound.

Artists in Pang, as locals call it, are

renowned for their traditional Inuit arts

and crafts, especially intricate woven

tapestries and lithographs. Here, you

can visit the internationally acclaimed

Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts

to watch craftspeople in action in the

tapestry studio, purchase a limited-

edition litho at the print shop, and

even pick up a colorful Pang hat (with

matching scarf and mittens) to keep

you warm during the rest of your arctic

adventure.

Nearby, you’ll explore the historic

remains of a whaling station on the

small uninhabited island of Kekerten,

and imagine what life was like long

ago. Settled in 1840 by Captain William

Penny, a Scottish whaler, the area is

now a National Historic Site of Canada.

During the height of bowhead whaling

in the late 1800s, the station was the

most important one in the Cumberland

Sound area (the slopes along the harbor

were ideal for scouting whale activity).

The site represents the impact that

the industry had on the culture and

economy of the Inuit in the sound, as

locals adapted to the rhythm of the

whaler’s year.

DAY 15 Monumental Island

Expect more wildlife sightings at

Monumental Island, located off the

southern coast of Baffin Island. Though

uninhabited by people, the island is

a well-known habitat of some of the

Arctic’s most magnificent animals. As

you cruise in a Zodiac along the rocky

shores, keep your eyes peeled for

hauled-out walrus and prowling polar

bears.

DAY 16 Lower Savage Islands

Cruising in a Zodiac through the narrow

channels separating the three rocky

islands of this uninhabited archipelago,

there’s a possibility of seeing polar bears

meandering the rugged coast.

DAY 17 Iqaluit

Before disembarking in Iqaluit, you’ll

have a chance to bid farewell to your

Expedition Team and shipmates. After,

board your direct charter flight to

Ottawa, where you’ll spend the night at

your included hotel.

DAY 18 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Today, you can make your way to the

Ottawa airport to connect with your

homeward flight, or spend more time

exploring Canada’s capital if you have

booked additional accommodation.

LET US HELP YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS!To book flights to complement your expedition, contact a Polar Travel Adviser (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all flights.


Arrival & Departure DetailsWelcome! As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested to know the details of your arrival and departure. Since air transportation to and from your voyage is not included in the cost of your expedition, you will need to arrange flights from your home to the starting point, and home again from the finishing point. Quark Expeditions® can assist you with booking air arrangements on an individual basis, or feel free to contact your preferred travel agent or airline. Here are the details for your expedition.

Arrival Day and Embarkation

ARRIVING IN REYKJAVIK

You may arrive in Reykjavik at any time during Day 1 of the

itinerary, and make your own way to the included hotel.

On arrival at the hotel, you will receive a welcome letter

outlining the departure information for the following day’s

flight. An agent representing Quark Expeditions® will be

available in the lobby of the hotel this evening to answer

any questions about the charter flight(s) scheduled for the

following morning.

Please note: There is a strict luggage limit of 44 lbs (20 kg) checked

luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between

Reykjavik and Akureyri, where the ship is docked. Should you

have additional luggage, it can be stored at the hotel in Reykjavik.

There is NO option to pay for additional luggage.

AKUREYRI AND EMBARKATION

Your flight to the Arctic is expected to depart from Reykjavik

to Akureyri on Day 2 of the itinerary, after breakfast.

Although the scheduled flight time will be communicated in

your welcome letter, there is significant variability based on

weather conditions. You should be prepared to depart the

hotel for the airport on our group transfer at any time.

CONTINGENCY PLAN

In the unlikely event that the plane is unable to depart on

the planned date of the charter flight, you will be provided

a full day of activities in Reykjavik, meals included. If

the weather is not suitable on Day 3, you will enjoy an

additional day of activities and meals in Reykjavik. On

Day 4 should the charter flight not be able to take off by

14:00, Quark Expeditions® will officially cancel the voyage

and provide letters for all clients to submit to their travel

insurance providers under the trip delay/interruption and

cancellation clause.

Quark Expeditions® will make every effort to ensure your

program takes place, but due to weather conditions, flying in

this region can be difficult and is beyond our control. Quark

Expeditions® will not offer passengers a refund in the event

of a trip delay or cancellation due to the charter flight being

unable to depart as planned.

We strongly recommend that all expedition guests purchase

a comprehensive travel insurance policy including trip delay,

cancellation and interruption insurance, in addition to the

required medical coverage. Please note that international

airfare may not be covered by insurance in the event of a

cancellation. Please ask your Polar Travel Adviser about

travel insurance.

LET US HELP YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS!To book flights to complement your expedition, contact a Polar Travel Adviser (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all flights.


Final Day and Departure

DISEMBARKATION IN IQALUIT

Your ship is scheduled to arrive back at the pier in Iqaluit,

between 7 am and 8 am local time. After breakfast, and once

the ship has docked, you will have time to bid farewell to

your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing

your disembarkation. The process takes about an hour.

After disembarkation, you will transfer to the airport for the

return charter flight to Ottawa.

DEPARTING FROM OTTAWA

Upon arrival in Ottawa, there will be a group transfer to your

included post-expedition hotel. After breakfast the following

morning, you may make your way to the airport to connect

with your homeward flight, or stay longer if you have

booked additional accommodation.

Please note: Weather conditions can always delay our arrival,

and airline schedule changes have also been known to occur.

Booking flexible tickets is always encouraged, as we cannot be held

responsible for delays due to unforeseen circumstances.

Included Hotel Accommodations

Your included accommodation begins on Day 1 of your

itinerary, and the specific hotel(s) will be indicated on your

final voyage confirmation. If you are arriving prior to Day 1

of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation

day, please contact your Polar Travel Adviser for hotel

options. Since accommodation space is limited, you are

encouraged to request any extra nights as early as possible.

Arrival and Departure Transfers

REYKJAVIK AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Arrival transfers in Reykjavik are not included; however,

your Polar Travel Adviser can arrange them for you.

OTTAWA AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Departure transfers in Ottawa are not included; however,

your Polar Travel Adviser can arrange them for you.

EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.


Note: Baggage allowance on charter flights is 44 lbs (20 kg)

checked and 11 lbs (5 kg) carry-on.

MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Charter flight from Iqaluit to Ottawa• Transfer from Ottawa airport to hotel• One night’s post-expedition hotel

accommodation in Ottawa with breakfast

Package cost: $695

THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES

• Mandatory transfer package*

• International airfare

• Passport and visa expenses

• Canadian eTA required for non-Canadian or US

visa-exempt passengers

• Government arrival and departure taxes not

mentioned above

• Meals ashore unless otherwise specified

• Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical

travel insurance—strongly recommended

• Excess-baggage fees on international flights

• Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or

any other gear not mentioned

• Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges

unless specified

• Phone and Internet charges

• Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for

shipboard staff and crew

• Additional overnight accommodation

• Optional kayaking activities

THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES

• Shipboard accommodation with daily

housekeeping

• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on

board

• All shore landings per the daily program

• Leadership throughout the voyage by our

experienced Expedition Leader

• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily

program

• Formal and informal presentations by our

Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled

• Photographic journal documenting the

expedition

• Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore

landings

• An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep

• Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin

• Comprehensive predeparture materials,

including a map and an informative

Arctic Reader

• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges

throughout the program

• All luggage handling aboard the ship

• Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum

benefit of US$500,000 per person

• One night’s pre-expedition hotel

accommodation in Reykjavik with breakfast

• Transfer to the Reykjavik airport on Day 2

• Charter flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri

• Transfer from Akureyri airport to the ship

• On disembarkation day, group transfer to Iqaluit

airport

Inclusions

HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONSTo book your cabin or inquire about the availability of Adventure Options, contact a Polar Travel Adviser 1.888.892.0073 (+1.203.803.2666).

1-888-892-0073ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 9

Mandatory transfer package available for $695.

All rates per person in USD.

Dates Days Start/End Triple Lower Deck

Main Deck Porthole

Main Deck Window

Superior Deluxe Suite Owner's Suite

August 28 -

September 14, 2017

18 Reykjavik/

Ottawa

$8,995 $11,695 $12,895 $14,195 $15,695 $17,295 $19,095 $21,095 • •

Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship OCEAN ADVENTURER (formerly known as SEA ADVENTURER)

ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND Arctic Circle Traverse

Dates & Rates


IcelandPOSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

REYKJAVIK

Iceland has been named by the United Nations as the best

country in which to live. Its capital city was named by the

country’s first settler, Smoky Bay. He was inspired by the

geothermal mist that rose from the ground.

HORNVÍK

The peaceful bay of Hornvík, the northernmost tip of

Iceland, is a nature lover’s paradise. Millions of seabirds,

such as golden plovers, kittiwakes and razorbills, call this

area home during the short sub-Arctic summer. The world’s

largest colonies of common and Brünnich’s guillemots can

be found along the bird cliffs, which are also nesting grounds

for puffins. Arctic fox roam the mountains and beaches.

IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected

is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition

travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions,

your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the

weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary

is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this

voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be

guaranteed.


GreenlandPOSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

NUUK

Home to 15,000 people, Nuuk is the capital of Greenland

and is the largest settlement on the island. The Hans Egede

Church and the statue of Hans Egede near the waterfront

are named after the missionary who founded the settlement.

The Katuaq Culture Centre and Nuuk Art Museum are also

worth exploring.

HERJOLFSNES

Nearing the southernmost tip of Greenland, Herjolfsnes

is a historic stop, with a Viking church setting the scene

for a mysterious and inteesting tale. In the early 1900s, sea

levels began to rise, exposing clothing and the remains of an

ancient settlement here, once the site of a church graveyard.

KAP FARVEL

The southernmost point of Greenland, Cape Farewell

is located on Eggers Island. In the Uunartoq area, the

geothermal waters of natural hot springs are an ideal spot to

watch the icebergs as they pass by.

SKJOLDUNGEN FJORD

This fjord provides a welcome shelter from the open sea,

offering contrasting colors of bright green water and piercing

white ice. Waterfalls pour down the tall cliffs, with the

Thryms Glacier in the distance. The fjord was once home

to the Skjoldungen settlement, which was abandoned—

evacuated by the government—in 1961. This stop allows for

an interesting day of exploring an arctic ghost town.








guaranteed.


Last updated January 5, 2017








guaranteed.

Baffin IslandPOSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

IQALUIT

The capital of the territory of Nunavut was originally named

Frobisher Bay, after the body of water on which it is situated.

It was founded in 1942, during the Second World War, as an

American air base.

MONUMENTAL ISLAND

A rocky, remote island off the southern coast of Baffin Island,

Monumental Island is completely uninhabited—except for

the plentiful walrus you’ll likely encounter. The area is also

a prime spot for viewing polar bears wandering along the

shore in search of food.

PANGNIRTUNG

When the Hudson’s Bay Company built a trading post in

Pangnirtung in 1926, local Inuit families moved to the tiny

settlement. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment

was established two years later. A hospital was opened in

1929, but it wasn’t until 1962 that most of the Inuit who lived

on Cumberland Sound relocated to “Pang.” The community

has become internationally renowned for the tapestry and

prints by local artists.

LOWER SAVAGE ISLANDS

Located just off the southeastern tip of Baffin Island, this

now uninhabited and appropriately named archipelago

situated near the mouth of Hudson Bay was, for several

centuries, the location of an annual trading fair between the

Inuit and the Europeans. Long, narrow channels separate

the three rugged islands and provide the perfect means for

exploring by Zodiac. Polar bears can often be seen prowling

the steep slopes along the coast.

KEKERTEN ISLAND

This small island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is of

great historic significance. Not long after Scottish whaler

Captain William Penny established a whaling station here

1840, the entire Cumberland Sound area became a major

whaling destination. The most important station in the

area from 1860 to 1880, during the height of bowhead

whaling, the site eventually became a trading outpost of

the Hudson’s Bay Company, until it was abandoned around

1926, after whaling declined and local Inuit families moved

to the nearby community of Pangnirtung. The remains of a

whaling station, burial ground and shipwreck make up this

National Historic Site of Canada, which is spread across

three islands.

iceland, greenland, and baffin island: arctic circle traverse · iceland, greenland, and baffin...

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