ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 1
DID YOU KNOW? Home to around 2,000 people, Tasiilaq is the largest community in East Greenland, yet it remains one of the world’s most remote inhabited places. Until the first Europeans arrived in 1884, locals lived in isolation. Legends and spirits were a natural part of everyday life, influencing Greenlandic traditions, art and culture, just as they do today. A society of Tasiilaq hunters, for example, upholds the tradition of giving a polar bear skin to the person who spotted the bear, not the person who killed it.
EXPEDITION IN BRIEF• Explore the Kekerten Island Whaling Station, a National
Historic Site of Canada
• Encounter wildlife such as whales, walrus, puffins and
possibly polar bears
• Cruise in a Zodiac
• Experience an authentic arctic ghost town
• Visit traditional settlements and meet Greenlandic and
Inuit locals
Iceland, Greenland, and Baffin Island: Arctic Circle TraverseThis 18-day arctic adventure is an in-depth exploration of historic, remote regions of Iceland,
Greenland and Canada, venturing to some of the most picturesque places on the planet. These
are untamed lands of glaciers and icebergs, where majestic ice-clad mountains and soaring fjords
open dramatically into the sea. We’ll be awed by massive bird cliffs, mingle with locals, wander
abandoned settlements, soak in spectacular hot springs, and experience rare opportunities to get
up close to arctic wildlife such as whales, polar bears and puffins.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 2
Adventure Options
Booking an Adventure Option as part of your
expedition is a great way to enhance your polar
experience. These options are subject to availability
and fill up quickly, so be sure to book yours early.
Please note that Adventure Options are weather
dependent.
KAYAKING
Imagine gliding along the surface of a bay in the presence of
icebergs and glaciers! Our kayaking adventures are the best
way to feel at one with the sea. Taken by small groups of
10 people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures
are only conducted during calm weather conditions. We
recommend you have some prior kayaking experience,
including the capability to do a wet exit.
More information about your Adventure Options, including
necessary experience, physical requirements and cost, is available
by contacting your Polar Travel Adviser.
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES (VARY BY DEPARTURE)
HIKING
Hiking is a great way to appreciate the immense windswept
landscapes of the Arctic. The tundra comes alive during the
brief arctic summer, with bursts of color from shrubs and
plants that live in this polar environment. You’ll find that
each hike is different: you’ll explore communities, shorelines
or glaciated landscapes, often on the lookout for wildlife.
Hiking participation is optional, and your Expedition Team
will advise you of what levels of activity you can expect prior
to each excursion.
WANT TO STAY LONGER OR ARRIVE EARLIER? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 3
Actual itinerary may vary based on weather conditions.
DAYS 5 AND 6 East Greenland
Now we sail south, dipping beneath
the Arctic Circle. We’ll attempt our
first Greenlandic shore landing, on
the island of Ammassalik, one of the
most isolated inhabited regions on
Earth. This is an ideal area to explore
by Zodiac, offering opportunities to
take some stunning photographs. As
you venture deep into the spectacular
Sermilik Fjord, behold the breathtaking
vistas of massive icebergs set against
DAY 4 At Sea
While we cross the Denmark Strait,
your Expedition Team will keep
you informed and entertained with
educational presentations about
the wildlife, history and geography
of Greenland, your next stop. Join
expedition staff on deck and on the
bridge as they look out for whales and
seabirds, get to know your fellow guests
or simply take in the natural beauty that
surrounds you.
DAY 1 Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive in the capital city of Iceland and
make your way to your included hotel.
You will have the day to explore the city
on your own. In the evening, join us at
your hotel for a welcome reception and
orientation.
DAY 2 Embarkation Day in Akureyri
After breakfast, you’ll board a charter
flight to the northern Icelandic town of
Akureyri, where your arctic adventure
begins. As our ship sets sail, enjoy some
time out on deck, taking in your new
surroundings. Have your binoculars
and camera ready—you may spot
birdlife and whales at sea!
DAY 3 Hornvík, Iceland
Sailing into the peaceful bay of Hornvík,
you’ll reach the northernmost point of
Iceland. This area is encircled by two of
the largest bird cliffs in Europe. You can
hike an old path, once used by fowlers,
out to the majestic Hornbjarg cliffs,
which are dominated by millions of
seabirds, such as Brünnich’s guillemots,
kittiwakes and puffins. Encounters with
arctic fox are common here.
Itinerary
WANT TO STAY LONGER OR ARRIVE EARLIER? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 4
contemplate the surreal scenery around
you as majestic icebergs drift by.
In the fertile region of South Greenland,
you’ll visit the well-preserved ruins
of a Norse church in Hvalsey. Walk
amongst the towering stone walls, and
you’ll feel the presence of the settlers
who used to gather here before the site
was abandoned in the 15th century. The
Nearby fells and fjord have not changed
over the centuries.
DAY 11 West Greenland
As you sail toward Paamiut, you’ll be
struck by the beauty of the surrounding
dark blue mountains. Known for its
mysterious fog and pleasing blend of
old and new culture, the town has its
own guardian: the white-tailed eagle.
Inhabitants feel a strong connection
with the king of the birds, and legend
has it that good luck will come to those
who spot it (easy to do, as they’re seen
in large numbers here). Simply smile
at locals, and they’ll enthusiastically
share their fondness for their town,
and fishermen will happily talk about
their trade. You’ll have the opportunity
to hike a nature trail that’s a thousand
years old. You also may be able to spot
fin, humpback, minke or killer whales
from shore.
History and culture buffs will find
plenty to do in the bustling Greenlandic
capital of Nuuk. Wander along to the
waterfront to see the Hans Egede
Church and Hans Egede statue, both
named after the missionary who
founded the settlement in 1728. At the
Greenland National Historic Museum,
you can view the 500-year-old remains
Those who opt to kayak here may be
able to take some up-close shots in the
country where kayaking was invented.
DAYS 7 TO 10 South Greenland
Ships rarely venture into Lindenow
Fjord, the least-occupied fjord in
Greenland. With your Expedition Team
in tow, you’ll cruise by Zodiac in an
arm of the fjord, as our staff use their
years of arctic experience to search for
bearded seals lying on the pack ice. You
may also spot waterfalls along the sheer
rock face.
Prins Christian Sund is made up of a
spectacular series of massive tidewater
glaciers. A mountainous region laced
with fjords, it’s an attractive area to
explore by Zodiac, if the ice allows us to
navigate with ease.
Rounding the southern edge of
Greenland, we’ll land at Narsaq Kujalliq,
also known as Narsarmijit. Founded by
Herrnhut missionaries in 1824, it’s the
country’s southernmost settlement, 31
miles (50 km) north of Cape Farewell.
You’ll explore Herjolfsnes, the site of an
excavated Norse farm, and also have the
chance to hike in the area or soak in a
natural hot spring while icebergs float
by.
Welcome to the land of hot springs!
A common natural phenomenon in
Greenland, heated springs have lured
visitors for thousands of years. On the
uninhabited island of Uunartoq, three
springs form a small stone-dammed
pool that’s warm enough to bathe in.
Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks,
you can relax in this outdoor spa and
a backdrop of soaring snow-clad
mountains.
With a population of just over 2,000,
Tasiilaq is the largest community
in East Greenland. Situated on the
banks of the King Oscar Harbour and
surrounded by steep peaks, the town
offers picturesque views that make a
visit here a must. Composed of five
small settlements, Ammassalik’s chief
community is the perfect place to pick
up traditional crafts such as soapstone
figures, wooden masks and tupilaks
(meaning “soul of the ancestor,” these
carved figures are believed to protect its
owner against enemy attack). You’ll also
want to wander between the vibrant
painted wooden houses that dot the
lush landscape.
South of Ammassalik are many fjords,
which are deep, steep-walled valleys
along coastlines flooded with seawater.
You’ll cruise in a Zodiac through the
Bernstorffs Fjord in search of glaciers.
Bernstorffs Fjord means “ice fjord,” and
there’s a good chance we’ll encounter
calving icebergs at the fjord head. You
also may have an opportunity to go
ashore to hike.
Experience an authentic arctic ghost
town, the abandoned Skjoldungen
settlement. In the early 1960s, as part of
a nationwide program to concentrate
Greenland’s population in a few select
sites, the inhabitants were relocated to
larger, more accessible communities.
After exploring the town’s remains,
you’ll cruise the Skjoldungen Fjord in
a Zodiac and be amazed at the striking
contrast between the deep green sea,
white icebergs and dark mountains.
WANT TO STAY LONGER OR ARRIVE EARLIER? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 5
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Embracing the unexpected is part
of the legacy—and excitement—of
expedition travel. When traveling
in extremely remote regions, your
expedition staff must allow the sea,
the ice and the weather to guide route
and itinerary details. This itinerary
is a tentative outline of what you’ll
experience on this voyage; please be
aware that no specific itinerary can
be guaranteed.
of fully dressed mummies, found in
1972 after two brothers out grouse
hunting discovered their graves under a
rock outcrop. Also worth exploring are
the Katuaq Culture Centre and Nuuk
Art Museum.
DAY 12 At Sea
Today, we sail across the Davis Strait,
a major summer feeding ground for
walrus and narwhals. Our informative
presentations will prepare you for your
Baffin Island adventures. During this
time at sea, it’s easy to stay entertained:
learn to identify seabirds on the wing,
share photos and swap stories with
shipmates, lounge with a book in our
Polar Library, savor a glass of wine
in the bar or get active in the exercise
room. Or simply stay up on deck,
enjoying the impressive sea views.
DAY 13 Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada
We’ll trace the southeastern coast
of Baffin Island, the largest island in
Canada and the fifth largest in the
world. In this land of glacial lakes, an
abundance of vibrant wildflowers such
as yellow arctic poppies and purple
saxifrage are scattered across the fertile
landscape. Your time here will be
spent going on wildlife excursions by
Zodiac, hiking the tundra and visiting
fishing villages and traditional Inuit
settlements, learning about the local
history and culture.
DAY 14 Pangnirtung and Kekerten Island
Dubbed the Switzerland of the Arctic,
the Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung is
nestled beneath the jagged, frosty peaks
of Mount Duval, at the mouth of the
picturesque Pangnirtung Fjord, which
merges with the Cumberland Sound.
Artists in Pang, as locals call it, are
renowned for their traditional Inuit arts
and crafts, especially intricate woven
tapestries and lithographs. Here, you
can visit the internationally acclaimed
Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts
to watch craftspeople in action in the
tapestry studio, purchase a limited-
edition litho at the print shop, and
even pick up a colorful Pang hat (with
matching scarf and mittens) to keep
you warm during the rest of your arctic
adventure.
Nearby, you’ll explore the historic
remains of a whaling station on the
small uninhabited island of Kekerten,
and imagine what life was like long
ago. Settled in 1840 by Captain William
Penny, a Scottish whaler, the area is
now a National Historic Site of Canada.
During the height of bowhead whaling
in the late 1800s, the station was the
most important one in the Cumberland
Sound area (the slopes along the harbor
were ideal for scouting whale activity).
The site represents the impact that
the industry had on the culture and
economy of the Inuit in the sound, as
locals adapted to the rhythm of the
whaler’s year.
DAY 15 Monumental Island
Expect more wildlife sightings at
Monumental Island, located off the
southern coast of Baffin Island. Though
uninhabited by people, the island is
a well-known habitat of some of the
Arctic’s most magnificent animals. As
you cruise in a Zodiac along the rocky
shores, keep your eyes peeled for
hauled-out walrus and prowling polar
bears.
DAY 16 Lower Savage Islands
Cruising in a Zodiac through the narrow
channels separating the three rocky
islands of this uninhabited archipelago,
there’s a possibility of seeing polar bears
meandering the rugged coast.
DAY 17 Iqaluit
Before disembarking in Iqaluit, you’ll
have a chance to bid farewell to your
Expedition Team and shipmates. After,
board your direct charter flight to
Ottawa, where you’ll spend the night at
your included hotel.
DAY 18 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Today, you can make your way to the
Ottawa airport to connect with your
homeward flight, or spend more time
exploring Canada’s capital if you have
booked additional accommodation.
LET US HELP YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS!To book flights to complement your expedition, contact a Polar Travel Adviser (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all flights.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 6
Arrival & Departure DetailsWelcome! As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested to know the details of your arrival and departure. Since air transportation to and from your voyage is not included in the cost of your expedition, you will need to arrange flights from your home to the starting point, and home again from the finishing point. Quark Expeditions® can assist you with booking air arrangements on an individual basis, or feel free to contact your preferred travel agent or airline. Here are the details for your expedition.
Arrival Day and Embarkation
ARRIVING IN REYKJAVIK
You may arrive in Reykjavik at any time during Day 1 of the
itinerary, and make your own way to the included hotel.
On arrival at the hotel, you will receive a welcome letter
outlining the departure information for the following day’s
flight. An agent representing Quark Expeditions® will be
available in the lobby of the hotel this evening to answer
any questions about the charter flight(s) scheduled for the
following morning.
Please note: There is a strict luggage limit of 44 lbs (20 kg) checked
luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between
Reykjavik and Akureyri, where the ship is docked. Should you
have additional luggage, it can be stored at the hotel in Reykjavik.
There is NO option to pay for additional luggage.
AKUREYRI AND EMBARKATION
Your flight to the Arctic is expected to depart from Reykjavik
to Akureyri on Day 2 of the itinerary, after breakfast.
Although the scheduled flight time will be communicated in
your welcome letter, there is significant variability based on
weather conditions. You should be prepared to depart the
hotel for the airport on our group transfer at any time.
CONTINGENCY PLAN
In the unlikely event that the plane is unable to depart on
the planned date of the charter flight, you will be provided
a full day of activities in Reykjavik, meals included. If
the weather is not suitable on Day 3, you will enjoy an
additional day of activities and meals in Reykjavik. On
Day 4 should the charter flight not be able to take off by
14:00, Quark Expeditions® will officially cancel the voyage
and provide letters for all clients to submit to their travel
insurance providers under the trip delay/interruption and
cancellation clause.
Quark Expeditions® will make every effort to ensure your
program takes place, but due to weather conditions, flying in
this region can be difficult and is beyond our control. Quark
Expeditions® will not offer passengers a refund in the event
of a trip delay or cancellation due to the charter flight being
unable to depart as planned.
We strongly recommend that all expedition guests purchase
a comprehensive travel insurance policy including trip delay,
cancellation and interruption insurance, in addition to the
required medical coverage. Please note that international
airfare may not be covered by insurance in the event of a
cancellation. Please ask your Polar Travel Adviser about
travel insurance.
LET US HELP YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS!To book flights to complement your expedition, contact a Polar Travel Adviser (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all flights.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 7
Final Day and Departure
DISEMBARKATION IN IQALUIT
Your ship is scheduled to arrive back at the pier in Iqaluit,
between 7 am and 8 am local time. After breakfast, and once
the ship has docked, you will have time to bid farewell to
your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing
your disembarkation. The process takes about an hour.
After disembarkation, you will transfer to the airport for the
return charter flight to Ottawa.
DEPARTING FROM OTTAWA
Upon arrival in Ottawa, there will be a group transfer to your
included post-expedition hotel. After breakfast the following
morning, you may make your way to the airport to connect
with your homeward flight, or stay longer if you have
booked additional accommodation.
Please note: Weather conditions can always delay our arrival,
and airline schedule changes have also been known to occur.
Booking flexible tickets is always encouraged, as we cannot be held
responsible for delays due to unforeseen circumstances.
Included Hotel Accommodations
Your included accommodation begins on Day 1 of your
itinerary, and the specific hotel(s) will be indicated on your
final voyage confirmation. If you are arriving prior to Day 1
of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation
day, please contact your Polar Travel Adviser for hotel
options. Since accommodation space is limited, you are
encouraged to request any extra nights as early as possible.
Arrival and Departure Transfers
REYKJAVIK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Arrival transfers in Reykjavik are not included; however,
your Polar Travel Adviser can arrange them for you.
OTTAWA AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Departure transfers in Ottawa are not included; however,
your Polar Travel Adviser can arrange them for you.
EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 8
Note: Baggage allowance on charter flights is 44 lbs (20 kg)
checked and 11 lbs (5 kg) carry-on.
MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES
• Charter flight from Iqaluit to Ottawa• Transfer from Ottawa airport to hotel• One night’s post-expedition hotel
accommodation in Ottawa with breakfast
Package cost: $695
THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES
• Mandatory transfer package*
• International airfare
• Passport and visa expenses
• Canadian eTA required for non-Canadian or US
visa-exempt passengers
• Government arrival and departure taxes not
mentioned above
• Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
• Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical
travel insurance—strongly recommended
• Excess-baggage fees on international flights
• Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or
any other gear not mentioned
• Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges
unless specified
• Phone and Internet charges
• Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for
shipboard staff and crew
• Additional overnight accommodation
• Optional kayaking activities
THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES
• Shipboard accommodation with daily
housekeeping
• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on
board
• All shore landings per the daily program
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our
experienced Expedition Leader
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily
program
• Formal and informal presentations by our
Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled
• Photographic journal documenting the
expedition
• Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore
landings
• An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
• Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
• Comprehensive predeparture materials,
including a map and an informative
Arctic Reader
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
throughout the program
• All luggage handling aboard the ship
• Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum
benefit of US$500,000 per person
• One night’s pre-expedition hotel
accommodation in Reykjavik with breakfast
• Transfer to the Reykjavik airport on Day 2
• Charter flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri
• Transfer from Akureyri airport to the ship
• On disembarkation day, group transfer to Iqaluit
airport
Inclusions
HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONSTo book your cabin or inquire about the availability of Adventure Options, contact a Polar Travel Adviser 1.888.892.0073 (+1.203.803.2666).
1-888-892-0073ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 9
Mandatory transfer package available for $695.
All rates per person in USD.
Dates Days Start/End Triple Lower Deck
Main Deck Porthole
Main Deck Window
Superior Deluxe Suite Owner's Suite
August 28 -
September 14, 2017
18 Reykjavik/
Ottawa
$8,995 $11,695 $12,895 $14,195 $15,695 $17,295 $19,095 $21,095 • •
Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship OCEAN ADVENTURER (formerly known as SEA ADVENTURER)
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND Arctic Circle Traverse
Dates & Rates
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 10
IcelandPOSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
REYKJAVIK
Iceland has been named by the United Nations as the best
country in which to live. Its capital city was named by the
country’s first settler, Smoky Bay. He was inspired by the
geothermal mist that rose from the ground.
HORNVÍK
The peaceful bay of Hornvík, the northernmost tip of
Iceland, is a nature lover’s paradise. Millions of seabirds,
such as golden plovers, kittiwakes and razorbills, call this
area home during the short sub-Arctic summer. The world’s
largest colonies of common and Brünnich’s guillemots can
be found along the bird cliffs, which are also nesting grounds
for puffins. Arctic fox roam the mountains and beaches.
IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected
is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition
travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions,
your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the
weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary
is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this
voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be
guaranteed.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 11
GreenlandPOSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
NUUK
Home to 15,000 people, Nuuk is the capital of Greenland
and is the largest settlement on the island. The Hans Egede
Church and the statue of Hans Egede near the waterfront
are named after the missionary who founded the settlement.
The Katuaq Culture Centre and Nuuk Art Museum are also
worth exploring.
HERJOLFSNES
Nearing the southernmost tip of Greenland, Herjolfsnes
is a historic stop, with a Viking church setting the scene
for a mysterious and inteesting tale. In the early 1900s, sea
levels began to rise, exposing clothing and the remains of an
ancient settlement here, once the site of a church graveyard.
KAP FARVEL
The southernmost point of Greenland, Cape Farewell
is located on Eggers Island. In the Uunartoq area, the
geothermal waters of natural hot springs are an ideal spot to
watch the icebergs as they pass by.
SKJOLDUNGEN FJORD
This fjord provides a welcome shelter from the open sea,
offering contrasting colors of bright green water and piercing
white ice. Waterfalls pour down the tall cliffs, with the
Thryms Glacier in the distance. The fjord was once home
to the Skjoldungen settlement, which was abandoned—
evacuated by the government—in 1961. This stop allows for
an interesting day of exploring an arctic ghost town.
IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected
is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition
travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions,
your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the
weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary
is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this
voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be
guaranteed.
ICELAND, GREENLAND, AND BAFFIN ISLAND: ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAVERSE EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 12
Last updated January 5, 2017
IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected
is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition
travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions,
your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the
weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary
is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this
voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be
guaranteed.
Baffin IslandPOSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
IQALUIT
The capital of the territory of Nunavut was originally named
Frobisher Bay, after the body of water on which it is situated.
It was founded in 1942, during the Second World War, as an
American air base.
MONUMENTAL ISLAND
A rocky, remote island off the southern coast of Baffin Island,
Monumental Island is completely uninhabited—except for
the plentiful walrus you’ll likely encounter. The area is also
a prime spot for viewing polar bears wandering along the
shore in search of food.
PANGNIRTUNG
When the Hudson’s Bay Company built a trading post in
Pangnirtung in 1926, local Inuit families moved to the tiny
settlement. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment
was established two years later. A hospital was opened in
1929, but it wasn’t until 1962 that most of the Inuit who lived
on Cumberland Sound relocated to “Pang.” The community
has become internationally renowned for the tapestry and
prints by local artists.
LOWER SAVAGE ISLANDS
Located just off the southeastern tip of Baffin Island, this
now uninhabited and appropriately named archipelago
situated near the mouth of Hudson Bay was, for several
centuries, the location of an annual trading fair between the
Inuit and the Europeans. Long, narrow channels separate
the three rugged islands and provide the perfect means for
exploring by Zodiac. Polar bears can often be seen prowling
the steep slopes along the coast.
KEKERTEN ISLAND
This small island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is of
great historic significance. Not long after Scottish whaler
Captain William Penny established a whaling station here
1840, the entire Cumberland Sound area became a major
whaling destination. The most important station in the
area from 1860 to 1880, during the height of bowhead
whaling, the site eventually became a trading outpost of
the Hudson’s Bay Company, until it was abandoned around
1926, after whaling declined and local Inuit families moved
to the nearby community of Pangnirtung. The remains of a
whaling station, burial ground and shipwreck make up this
National Historic Site of Canada, which is spread across
three islands.