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South Baffin Explorer 10 Night | One Ocean Expeditions
Canadian Arctic and Greenland South Baffin Explorer: Art, Culture & Wildlife 10 nights
Travel to the South of Baffin Island and explore the home of polar bears and indigenous cultures and art.
This expedition offers a chance to explore the spectacular land and seascapes of the Canadian Arctic. Observe an outstanding variety of marine birdlife and sea mammals and take time to visit indigenous art galleries that showcase the talents of these remote peoples, whose rich output is a major focus of this highly unique and engaging expedition.
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South Baffin Explorer: Art, Culture & Wildlife
Starting Rate: N/A
Number of Nights: 10
Departs from: IQALUIT
Returns to: IQALUIT
This voyage starts from Ottawa on a flight. The voyage ends with a flight to Ottawa.
Experiences:
Available Dates:
Day by Day: What you can experience: South Baffin Explorer: Art, Culture & Wildlife
Please note this is a SAMPLE ITINERARY and subject to change. Reference the full trip notes for your chosen departure details. This new itinerary discovers a barely visited area south of Baffin Island.
All over the world, for countless millennia, indigenous people have expressed their unique cultural heritage through art, keeping precious folklore, stories and traditions alive, so they might be handed down from one generation to the next. Since the mid-1980s with the establishment of numerous art co-operatives in the North, there has been a concerted effort to preserve and promote the beautiful and distinctive sculptures and artworks created by the Inuit people on Baffin Island, many of which are inspired by - and reflect – the wild and craggy environment in which they live and work.
Day 1
Ottawa, Ontario
We depart Ottawa this morning on our scheduled flight to Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, situated on the south-eastern coast of Baffin Island.
We depart Ottawa this morning on our scheduled flight to Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, situated on the south-eastern coast of Baffin Island.
Day 2
Monumental Island
We travel by zodiac to explore the rocky shoreline and hope to encounter polar bears in this vicinity. In good weather a complete circumnavigation ...
We travel by zodiac to explore the rocky shoreline and hope to encounter polar bears in this vicinity. In good weather a complete circumnavigation of the island is possible, and we should see our first large icebergs as they drift south towards Labrador and Newfoundland on the currents of the Davis Strait. Walruses have also been encountered in this area, so we keep a close look out on the shoreline for this iconic species.
Day 3
Kimmirut
A particular focus of our visit is the local art scene and after cruising into a narrow channel we travel ashore by zodiac, where we enjoy a warm w...
A particular focus of our visit is the local art scene and after cruising into a narrow channel we travel ashore by zodiac, where we enjoy a warm welcome from the locals. This community is well known for its arts and crafts including stone carvings, sealskin clothing, jewellery and fine beadwork among other items. Many of Kimmirut's residents are renowned carvers whose art is collected worldwide. There are some great sea kayaking opportunities in this area and our guides will be keen to head out for a paddle.
Days 4 - 5
Cape Dorset
The community of Cape Dorset is Baffin Island’s best-known art centre, referred to as the ‘Capital of Inuit Art’, with almost a quarter of the haml...
The community of Cape Dorset is Baffin Island’s best-known art centre, referred to as the ‘Capital of Inuit Art’, with almost a quarter of the hamlet's residents actively engaged in the visual arts. Much of their artwork reflects the wilderness and environment of Baffin Island, with objects such as whales, narwhals, seals, walruses, bears, wolves, foxes and more providing a focus for artistic expression. Cape Dorset is also blessed with superb Arctic landscapes, home to migratory caribou, seabirds, whales, seals and walruses which can be found in the vicinity. There are some excellent hiking opportunities through rolling hills to secluded waterfalls and lakes, providing great views and chances to observe the local wildlife or watch ice floes drift slowly by.
Day 6
Walrus Island and Coral Harbour
A zodiac cruise at the small outcrop of Walrus Island allows a close encounter with these fascinating animals. Coral Harbour has a fascinating hist...
A zodiac cruise at the small outcrop of Walrus Island allows a close encounter with these fascinating animals. Coral Harbour has a fascinating history. Today the island is an important migratory bird flyway, visited by species including the common eider and lesser snow goose, ptarmigans, snowy owls, peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons are also spotted in this vicinity. On land, caribou are abundant and both the red fox and Arctic fox are sometimes spotted. The hamlet is also known for the production of intricate wall hangings, each telling a unique visual story.
Day 7
Digges Islands
Located at the north-western tip of the Ungava Peninsula, the Digges Islands mark the juncture of the Hudson Strait and north-eastern Hudson Bay, ...
Located at the north-western tip of the Ungava Peninsula, the Digges Islands mark the juncture of the Hudson Strait and north-eastern Hudson Bay, and their rocky cliffs are ideal for seabirds. There are also a number of walrus colonies in the area. Polar bears can be found throughout this region and we will hope to encounter them from a safe distance while cruising in the zodiacs. We continue sailing east, around the northern tip of Quebec, and enter the very remote Erik Cove for an afternoon excursion. The remnants of a Hudson's Bay Company store lie on the southern shore and we enjoy a walk with our guides along the waterfront.
Day 8
Shaftesbury Inlet
Shaftesbury Inlet is a narrow and strikingly beautiful fjord and we’ll likely be on deck as the Captain navigates our ship into this narrow channel...
Shaftesbury Inlet is a narrow and strikingly beautiful fjord and we’ll likely be on deck as the Captain navigates our ship into this narrow channel. This inlet is characterized by steep shorelines and high tides, with tide height changing as much as 10 - 12 metres daily. We will plan to visit ashore at the mouth of a small river and hike up the river valley, eventually reaching a lake.
Day 9
Akpatok Island & Lower Savage Islands
Ringed by steep cliffs, Akpatok Island is home to a staggering abundance of birdlife. It's also a well-known location for walruses and polar bears,...
Ringed by steep cliffs, Akpatok Island is home to a staggering abundance of birdlife. It's also a well-known location for walruses and polar bears, the latter often observed climbing the steep cliffs. Ice floes often surround parts of the island, and these attract both seals and walruses, making this a popular hunting ground for polar bears. The island has historically been a traditional hunting ground for Inuit people.
Day 10
Lower Savage Islands
To the north of Akpatok, the extraordinary Lower Savage Islands are bisected by narrow channels that provide spectacular zodiac cruising opportunit...
To the north of Akpatok, the extraordinary Lower Savage Islands are bisected by narrow channels that provide spectacular zodiac cruising opportunities. The islands are ideally situated between the dynamic flow of the Hudson Strait, and this mixing of nutrient-rich waters makes for a diversity of marine life.
Day 11
Iqaluit, Nunavut
This morning we find ourselves anchored off Iqaluit. We say goodbye to our crew, make our way ashore in zodiacs and are then transferred to the air...
This morning we find ourselves anchored off Iqaluit. We say goodbye to our crew, make our way ashore in zodiacs and are then transferred to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ottawa. On arrival in Ottawa, our journey comes to an end. A transfer is provided to a downtown location.
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Dates and Rates
The following departures are available for this voyage
All prices are listed in USD. Single supplement: 1.5 for the twin occupancy cabins and 2 for the suites (single supplements not available for the triple share cabins).
Sea Kayaking in the Arctic: USD695
GST (Canada): All bookings on voyages that operate domestically within Canada, are subject to a compulsory 5% goods and services tax (GST). This will be itemized separately to the cruise price on the confirmation invoice.
*This voyage starts from Ottawa on a flight. The voyage ends with a flight to Ottawa.
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