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Day 1

Arrive in Ottawa and overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 2

Depart Ottawa for Iqaluit and onto Pond Inlet (approximately 4hrs of flying time). Your journey begins when you arrive in Pond Inlet. After dinner, enjoy a truly authentic cultural presentation of Inuit throat singing, drum dancing, and storytelling by local elders.

Overnight in Pond Inlet hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast, meet your guides on the beach (yes, there are sand beaches in the Arctic!) and depart for the floe-edge where ice meets open water. You will travel Inuit style by qamotiq (kamoo-tik) and snowmobile across the sea-ice. This journey of almost 90km (3-6 hours) may include tea-stops at historic grave sites, hanging glaciers, and an abandoned whaling station. In the late afternoon you’ll arrive at base camp and set up just back from the ice edge (conditions permitting.)

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Narwhal and Polar Bear SafariBook now! June 10-17, 2012 June 17-24, 2012 June 24 -July 1, 2012 Cost: $11,500 Air package: $3250 Single Supplement: $3000 Beneficiary: Polar Bears International Nestled between the majestic mountains of north Baffin Island and Bylot Island, Sirmilik National Park, is home to abundant wildlife, which only a few have seen. The spring floe edge is a fascinating eco-system where wildlife thrives. During this time in spring, wildlife gathers and pods of narwhal rest only meters from the edge. Their misty breathe sparkles in the 24-hour sun. In addition, you’ll have a good chance of seeing polar bears, a variety of species of seals, an incredible variety of sea birds including thick billed murre, kittiwake, guillemot, and ivory gull, along with many other species of gull. Bowhead and beluga whales also frequent this area. A senior Inuit guide will explain the traditional ways of Inuit life over five days as you embark on a journey of discovery of the arctic, the abundant wildlife, and its beauty. Hiking on the land, breaking icicles off of glaciers, gazing up at thousands of birds at the nearby bird cliffs, and drinking glacier melt-water on day excursions are just a few of the activities that you can participate in. For the more adventurous, a snorkeling option is available to attempt to swim with the narwhal! These inquisitive whales often curiously approach snorkelers, swimming to within three meters underneath. While on their backs, they take a quick look – almost saying ‘hello’ -- then circle below and away. It is a moment of joy and exhileration none shall soon forget.

Day 8

Return to Pond Inlet late in the afternoon, explore the hamlet, and have the opportunity to purchase soapstone carvings or local prints.

Overnight in Pond Inlet.

Day 9

Morning departure via Iqaluit for Ottawa.

Narwhal and Polar Bear Safari Logistics

Cost includes:

The services of highly qualified Inuit guides and Expedition Leaders
All transportation for the trip duration beginning in PondInlet
Accommodation: 2 nights Pond Inlet hotel, 5 nights arctic safari-style luxury base camp
All meals during expedition including those in Pond Inlet
All activities as listed in itinerary

Cost does not include:

Ottawa hotels, transfers and meals

Days 4-7

Your safari style base camp on the ice edge is the best location to explore wildlife-rich Lancaster Sound, deemed the “Serengeti of the Arctic.”

While enjoying warm, spring-like temperatures, watch for narwhals, ring seals, and more than 15 species of migratory birds. During the week there is a chance to observe polar bears in the pack ice possibly on the prowl for seals, and you may get lucky and see bowhead whales.

Pure white ivory gulls, king eider ducks, low flying northern fulmars, thick-billed murres and kittiwakes are just a few of the bird species in the area. Ice conditions permitting, visit Bylot Island’s nearby bird cliff sanctuary in Sirmilik National Park.