Baffin Island Explorer

Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation: Resolute

If you have purchased the optional charter air transportation, you will fly from Ottawa to Resolute. Embarkation is in the late afternoon in Resolute.

Day 2: Beechey Island

After three years, with no word of the fate of Sir John Franklin’s expedition to find the Northwest Passage, a massive rescue mission was mounted. On Beechey Island are the graves of three of Franklin’s men and one of sailor who lost his life searching for the missing expedition. Go ashore near the grave sites.

Days 3-4: Devon and Baffin Islands

Tales of Mounties, beasts with long tusks, and prehistoric, goat-like creatures will occupy you as you explore Dundas Harbour on Devon Island. The abandoned RCMP outpost is surrounded by tundra, the habitat of musk oxen. Sailing into Croker Bay, you’ll watch for walrus on ice floes.At Pond Inlet on Baffin Island, you’ll meet Inuit artists who have made international reputations sculpting in stone. Other residents will demonstrate throat-singing, drumming and dancing.

Day 5: Gibb Fjord

Deep fjords incise the northeastern coast of Baffin Island. Sheer cliffs rise from the water, while glaciers flow down to the sea. At Scott Inlet, you sail into Gibb Fjord. If conditions permit, the ship will drop anchor to go ashore. Explore a lateral moraine, a lush tundra covered valley, and if conditions permit, a lemming colony.

Day 6: Clyde River

The mouth of the Clyde is known for its abundance of Arctic char, a freshwater and saltwater fish closely related to both salmon and trout. The residents of Clyde River make their living fishing for the delicacy. You will learn about the lifecycle of char and how it impacts the lives of the residents, as you explore the village.

Day 7: Central Baffin Island

It is impossible to predict in advance exactly which fjords you will explore as you sail the coast of Central Baffin Island. That is the exhilaration of expedition style travel: Every day begins with the element of the unknown.

Day 8: Pangnirtung

The village of Pangnirtung – known as Pang to the locals – is the gateway to Auyuittuq National Park. You’ll visit the park’s interpretation center located in the village. Pang also has an artists’ co-op where you will see demonstrations of print-making and weaving.

Day 9: Monumental Island

Walrus and polar bears are known to frequent the small rocky island with outlying islets, where marine mammals haul out. If local conditions permit, the Expedition Leader will lower the Zodiacs for a cruise around the island and a bit of wildlife spotting.

Day 10: Iqaluit

If you have purchased your optional charter air transportation, you will fly from Iqaluit to Ottawa upon disembarkation.