NARWHAL & POLAR BEAR, A FLOE EDGE SAFARI
About the Experience
8 days/ 7 nights
May 18 – May 25, 2021
May 26 – June 02, 2021
June 03 – June 10, 2021
June 11 – June 18, 2021
Experience the classic spring floe edge where you may have the opportunity to view polar bears, narwhal and icebergs under the Midnight Sun. Travel to the northern reaches of Baffin Island where the sea ice meets the open water, and marine mammals and other wildlife congregate at the floe edge – also known as the “line of life”.
Want to go to the best places in the Arctic for narwhal watching with added polar bear viewing? Enjoy an experience with dramatic landscapes and icebergs of Sirmilik National Park, and possibly wildlife. Revel in the stunning landscapes of towering granite cliffs, glaciers and icebergs at our Tented Safari Camp with stunning views of Bylot Island, access to Sirmilik National Park and the world-renowned floe edge of Eclipse Sound.
Guided by Inuit and traveling in small groups, travel to the floe edge for days of discovery, with good conditions there’s fantastic narwhal watching with the chance to see a variety of seabirds, polar bears, seals as well as possibly beluga and bowhead whales.
Perfect for families, first-time visitors to the Arctic, and also professional photographers looking for the ultimate floe edge experience, watching narwhal, and chance to see polar bears in the wild.
Trip Itenarary
Day 1
When arriving in Iqaluit, you will be required to leave the secured area to board your onward flight. Upon landing in Pond Inlet, you will be welcomed by our local Arctic Kingdom representative and transferred to a local hotel. Meet your Expedition Leader for a trip briefing and hot dinner. Overnight in hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast and snack (in-flight), Dinner
Day 2
After breakfast, an orientation from Parks Canada, meet your guides on the beach in preparation for your departure to our camp on Eclipse Sound. Travelling to our Arctic Safari Camp by qamutik (a traditional Inuit wooden sled with suspension or foam padded seats pulled behind a snowmobile), you will experience the exhilaration of gliding across the ice. The journey’s time will vary depending on ice conditions but will include tea and coffee stops. Our Arctic Safari Camp will be set up a few kilometers back from the floe edge.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 3 - 6
During the next few days, our excursions will include trips out to the floe edge to look for wildlife. Enjoy the mild spring weather and engage in a variety of activities at the floe edge. Snorkel and kayak amongst sea ice when conditions permit. One of the greatest highlights for many guests on this safari is the opportunity to observe a variety of Arctic wildlife in their natural habitat. Migratory birds are also in abundance, and with the stillness of the Arctic, you are able to hear the songs of the birds before you even see them. Ice conditions permitting, you may also visit the Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where more than 200,000 birds choose to nest each year. For birders, the earlier departures are best for this activity.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 7
After breakfast, depart camp by qamutik and snowmobile to Pond Inlet. Enjoy your final night in Pond Inlet with a special Inuit cultural presentation. Overnight in hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Depart for Ottawa with the spirit of the Arctic, and a full album of memories and friendships.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (in-flight)
ACCOMMODATIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS
TENTED SAFARI CAMP ON ICE
While they may appear like a tented camp from the outside, our Tented Safari Camp continues to surprise and delight our guests with its roomy and warm interior. Large and spacious, the specially-designed tents for cold weather are tall enough to stand with ample space for all your cameras and luggage.
FEATURES:
- 2 m (6’ 9”) tall with an interior of 14 m2 (150 ft2).
- All sleep tents contain two twin beds with mattresses, duvets, comforters, and full-size pillows.
- Each tent will also have it’s own small pop-up tent with a camp toilet for personal use.
- Central dining/lounge area to dine and relax in with other guests.
- Shared washrooms with other guests.
Partners
- Round-trip flights Ottawa to Pond Inlet
- Services of Inuit Guides and Arctic Kingdom expedition staff
- Accommodations:
- 1 night in an Iqaluit hotel
- 6 nights in Tented Safari Camp on ice
- All transportation for duration of stay in camp, Pond Inlet & Iqaluit
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and snacks, 7 dinners
- Use of kayaks
- Drysuit, mask, fins, hood, gloves for snorkelling
- Accommodation & transportation in Ottawa
- Tips, gratuities, personal expenses
- Travel, medical and evacuation insurance, cancellation insurance. Evacuation insurance is mandatory and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended as any additional costs associated with weather and/or layovers in Pond Inlet, Iqaluit or Ottawa are not included
- Polar Clothing Rental Package – strongly encouraged
