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Nunavut Arctic Safari - Somerset Island (8 Days)
Arctic Wildlife Observation, Hiking, Kayaking, ATV Touring
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Canada's most northerly wilderness adventure lodge is located on Somerset Island, Nunavut. It is 80 km south (across the Northwest Passage) of the community of Resolute Bay and 800 km north of the Arctic Circle. A visit is an all-encompassing arctic safari. Visitors see thousands of beluga whales, muskox, arctic foxes, birds, and archeological sites. Explore the land and water by foot, sea kayak, raft, mountain bike, and ATV (All terrain vehicle).
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Day 01 Saturday
8:30 - Take the comfortable First Air jet aircraft from Ottawa to Iqaluit on Baffin island, arriving there at noon. Following a short stop-over, the flight continues north, arriving in Resolute Bay at 14:00. In Resolute, you are met by a representative who takes you on a short tour of this remote Inuit village.
In the late afternoon, a charter twin otter aircraft takes you for an exciting 25 minute flight across the legendary Northwest Passage to our lodge.
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As you fly over the ice and water you can see seals and whales. You land on our private gravel airstrip next to the lodge. Everyone receives a tour of the facilities, puts their luggage in their cabin, then meets in the Great Room for a welcome and to meet our staff. Dinner is served in our cosy dining room.
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Day 02 - Sunday
There is a hands-on introduction to driving All Terrain Vehicles (ATV). These practical vehicles are easy and fun to drive. Then we hike a short distance to the Cunningham river estuary for whale watching. Beluga whales frolic in the shallow water only a few yards off shore amongst the ice floes.
In the afternoon we hike to Triple Waterfalls, a five story torrent of free-falling water. There we will see nesting peregrine falcons and other birds such as loons, snow buntings, sandpipers, and rough-legged hawks. We explore the canyon and see wild arctic flowers. Encounters with muskox are common.
After dinner, evening activities include free time for local exploration. The library has a broad selection of arctic and polar titles. Our Interpretive Centre contains collections of local fossils, skeletal remains of arctic fauna, and collection of traditional Inuit skin clothing from Canada, Greenland and Siberia.
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Day 03 Monday
We travel by ATV, crossing the Cunningham River delta, then along the Muskox Ridge trail. This affords a scenic overview of the whole area. To date, every excursion has encountered muskox. We pass an impressive arctic fox den, frequently watching fox cubs at play.
A picnic lunch at our own shelter at Inukshuk Lake is followed by the opportunity to fish for arctic char. Fishing gear is supplied. Returning on ATVs we take an alternate route via the River Trail, viewing hoodoos (sculptured sand pillars), and local coal deposits.
That evening, Richard Weber, internationally recognized polar explorer, offers an informal lecture on his North Pole adventures. His historic 1995 unassisted journey to the North Pole and back, a feat that has never been repeated, will be highlighted.
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Day 04 Tuesday
Today’s focus is on sea kayaking in Cunningham Inlet. All equipment and basic instruction are provided. We paddle amongst icebergs, ring seals and bearded seals, watching for beluga whales. Frequent sightings of sea birds, including arctic terns and eider ducks, can be expected.
This afternoon we are back at the Cunningham River estuary to watch the beluga whales. This site is unique in the world because of the density of the whale population and their proximity to the guests. Frequently we are within a couple of yards of the animals. We can clearly hear their communication calls. To appreciate the underwater calls, we use a hydrophone (underwater microphone).
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Day 05 Wednesday
Following breakfast we depart, crossing the Cunningham River delta, with the ultimate goal of Flatrock Falls. Guests have the option of hiking, or travelling by Mercedes Unimog truck, mountain bike, or ATV. Somerset Island canyons are as yet un-named. They were formed as the result of a shifting fault lines and their walls, mostly vertical, vary from 200 to 1000 feet. Millions of fossils of prehistoric plants and animals litter the ground. Today’s trip also offers opportunities to observe nesting sites of local birds including terns, plovers, and snow geese.
A picnic lunch is served directly on the flat rocks that surround this canyon. After lunch, everyone hikes to Gull Canyon, named by us for the striking biological contrasts between barren canyon and lush gull rookery. This spot was recently visited by the Canadian Wildlife Service, not only to view the gull rookery but also the presence of peregrine falcons. Their comments were that this spot is a unique and special micro-ecosystem.
This evening, guests have the opportunity to watch, or for the more adventurous, participate in, demonstrations of traditional Inuit games and throat singing. Throat singing is unique to the indigenous peoples of the polar regions of the world and is unlike any other vocal music in western culture.
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Day 06 Thursday
Today’s excursion is by ATV to Cape Anne. We visit five Thule sites along coast. The ride includes scenic vistas, icebergs, ancient Inuit campsites and prehistoric giant whale bones. The Thule culture was a bowhead whale hunting culture, ancestors of today’s modern Inuit. The Cape Anne Thule site is the largest in the area and includes the remains of 15 stone and bone houses. Return trip is overland via the Red Valley and guests can expect to be inspired by the magnitude of the landscape.
This evening guests can relax with a lecture by Richard Weber. His presentation includes stunning images and fascinating stories of Arctic expeditions to Baffin, Ellesmere and other High Arctic islands.
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Day 07 Friday
The first leg of today’s journey is covered by Mercedes Unimog truck. Our goal is to reach our raft and kayak put-in on the Cunningham River, 20 kilometres from our lodge. Typically, we hike the final six kilometres through badlands, passing the skeletal remains of two bowhead whales dated at four to five thousand years old. Not uncommonly we encounter muskox, snow geese, jaegers, arctic foxes, sand pipers, and rough-legged hawks.
Our picnic lunch is eaten on the beach beside the river, while the staff prepare the rafts and kayaks. On the return, guests have the choice of paddling their own kayaks, or travelling by raft. The river is swift flowing crystal clear water with no difficult sections or rapids. The views are amazing and include steep canyon walls and at one point, a 180 degree turn. Guests can expect to be on the water for two to three hours.
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Day 08 Saturday
Breakfast is served early as the Twin Otter aircraft arrives about nine o’clock to carry guests back across the Northwest Passage. On arrival in Resolute Bay there is an opportunity to explore the community and purchase souvenirs such as Inuit carvings. Lunch is served in the Co-op Hotel. The First Air flight to Ottawa leaves at 2:30 pm and arrives in Ottawa at 10:00 pm.
Note: Daily activities are subject to desires and abilities of guests and the weather. All activities are lead by a guide.
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RATES PER PERSON
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Adult
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From Resolute Bay
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$3920.00
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From Ottawa
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$5990.00
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From Yellowknife
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$5890.00
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Additional Week
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$2450.00
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TOUR DEPARTURES
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July - August (every Saturday)
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- Transportation from Resolute Bay
- Lodge accommodation
- All meals
- Expert wilderness guide
- Equipment
- Daily activities
- Evening program
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