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Peregrine Travel Centre

Classic Northwest Passage & Greenland – Westbound (RCGS Resolute)

Classic Northwest Passage & Greenland – Westbound (RCGS Resolute)

From USD $13,195

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Description

This iconic voyage explores the colourful villages and vast icefields of Greenland, and the stunning fjords of the Baffin Island coastline while cruising Canada’s remote and historic Northwest Passage. Rich history is accompanied by breathtaking scenery, as we sail into deep fjords, past enormous icebergs and discover the rich culture and people of the region.

We follow in the footsteps of the early Arctic explorers such as Franklin, Amundsen and Larsen, exploring the archipelago of islands and channels that create Canada’s high Arctic region. This is the home of the polar bear, muskox, caribou and walrus and we journey through the wild Canadian North aboard our celebrated ice-rated expedition ship.

Wildlife is a major draw card of our expedition, but there is plenty of historical interest and the stories of that ill-fated expedition by Sir John Franklin nearly 170 years ago is central to our voyage. Franklin made his last heroic foray into the Arctic in 1845 with two ships and 129 men, never to be heard from again.

The fate of the expedition remained a mystery – until September 2014 – when one of the vessels, HMS Erebus, was discovered in a remarkable state of preservation in the frigid waters of the Victoria Strait. The find is undoubtedly one of the great archaeological discoveries of the last 100 years and has been likened to the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. This is small ship expedition cruising at its best.

Trip Name
Classic Northwest Passage & Greenland - Westbound (RCGS Resolute)
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Vessel Passenger Capacity: 146 Built: 1993 Named after the HMS Resolute, a British Royal Navy Arctic exploration vessel, as well as the Inuit town of Resolute in Canada’s Nunavut Territory, RCGS Resolute will arrive in Canada in November 2018 for its inaugural polar voyage. RCGS Resolute also carries the name of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), since we are exclusive education, environmental science, and expedition partners in Canada’s north. This longstanding partnership works to the benefit of our guests, who have the opportunity to learn from and interact with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers. With an unsurpassed ice classification, a proven track record for stability and safety, large indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, and exceptional maneuverability, RCGS Resolute is ideally equipped to guide guests through the world’s most pristine regions, further expanding our expertise in exploration and discovery. RCGS Resolute will carry a maximum of 146 passengers in unparalleled comfort, with an array of luxury amenities, educational opportunities and activities tailored to guests’ particular interests, and individual, personalized service.  Superb Design and Layout. Throughout the ship there are spaces ideally suited to every need. Spacious outer decks provide 360 degree viewing platforms perfect for photography, wildlife watching, birding and appreciating expansive views.  The salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water jacuzzi are all located aft of the wellness centre (massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room) and well equipped gymnasium.  Inside there are multiple areas to explore ranging from our well appointed theatre style presentation room, aft observation lounge and bar, forward observation lounge and bar, and both dining rooms. Add in the One Ocean Expeditions multimedia room, and mobile laboratory and the opportunities are endless.  Six Different Cabin Categories. All cabins feature outside viewing ranging from deck three traditional with port holes, up to decks 4 through 6 offering expansive panoramic windows.  Cabins all have lower berths that have the ability to be single beds, or 1 double bed depending on our guests needs.  Extensive renovations have provided new carpets, high quality cabinetry with soft close drawers, contemporary and spacious bathroom design, all paired with soft accent lighting offering options dependant on our guests daily activities and mood. All cabins offer modern sectional lounge quarters, providing a quiet nook to read or catch up on journalling.  Space is exceptional as each cabin offers 22M squared living space, whilst the One Ocean Suites are absolutely palatial offering 44M squared with enough room to entertain or do back - flips (your choice)! Enjoy Great Dining? So do we. At One Ocean Expeditions, the priority is on the expedition.  However with every activity, option, event, or excursion we find we build up incredible appetites to indulge in superb and extensive menu options.  Our bistro dining room provides early birds the option to get their social caffeine or smoothy start to the day, accompanied by light breakfast style snacks.  Full meal service includes buffet breakfast and lunches incorporating an international flare.  For those with special dietary requirements - no problem, we can accommodate that too.  Dinner is a great opportunity to catch up about the day’s events, as well as look to where we expect to explore next.  Five course menu options are offered a la carte, and seating is open in our business casual dining room featuring 180 degree sweeping views.  There’s also an excellent wine list featuring a range of international wines and other beverages of choice.  Join us on the Bridge. There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.  The bridge is closed during times of tricky navigation, pilotage, or weather. Operational Safety. There are no compromises here. The expedition staff and crew onboard RCGS Resolute have the deepest respect for changeable weather in the polar regions and the varying sea and ice conditions. That respect is apparent in every decision made throughout the voyage. The ship carries the most extensive inventory of safety equipment on all excursions and require leaders to undergo vigorous and effective safety training programs. Your expedition team are well prepared, so you can relax and enjoy your voyage.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 / OTTAWA TO KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND
We depart Ottawa this morning on our charter flight toKangerlussuaq, situated on the west coast of Greenland. Uponarrival into Kangerlussuaq we enjoy a short tour before boardingthe ship in the afternoon. After settling in to our cabins andexploring the vessel, we meet our expedition team and fellowpassengers. Excitement is in the air as we cast off and enjoy awelcome cocktail while cruising along Sondre Stromfjord, boundfor the fabled Northwest Passage.
Day 2 - DAY 2 / SISIMIUT, GREENLAND
We will explore the fjord behind the town of Sisimiut beforegoing ashore to explore this beautiful location in the afternoon.Characterised by colorful local houses, the town features atowering granite peak as a backdrop. We hope to meet a few ofthe traditional Greenlandic kayakers and to see a demonstrationof ‘Eskimo rolling’ by one of the former Greenland kayakchampions. A small museum is another interesting diversion.
Day 3 - DAY 3 / ILULISSAT, GREENLAND AND THE JACOBSHAVN ICEFJORD
For many, today is a highlight of the voyage. Truly one of thewonders of the world, the Jacobshavn Icefjord – a UNESCOWorld Heritage site - spews gigantic tabular icebergs out intoDisko Bay. The glacier that creates these stunning monolithsadvances at over 40 metres per day, creating around 50 cubickilometres of ice annually. Our approach to Ilulissat is alwaysdependent on the amount of ice in and around the mouth of thefjord. Our Captain and Officers are skilled ice navigators and ourship has one of the highest ice ratings of any vessel exploringArctic waters.
Day 4 - DAY 4 / AT SEA - BAFFIN BAY
Leaving the rugged coastline of Greenland, our crossing ofBaffin Bay is highly dependent on the extent of the so-called‘middle ice’. We probe northwards seeking out the edges of themiddle ice and plan to follow the line of ice until we reach thecoast of Baffin Island. Our time at sea will be determined by theextent of the ice and amount of wildlife we encounter. As wetransit Baffin Bay we are always on the lookout for fin, sperm,sei and humpback whales as well as the numerous species ofArctic seals and seabirds that inhabit these waters. Our onboardexperts deliver fascinating presentations on board focusing onthe wildlife, history, geology and culture of the Arctic.
Day 5 - DAY 5 / MITTIMATALIK (POND INLET), BAFFIN ISLAND
Nearing the far north of Baffin Island we enter a broad channel- home to the remote Inuit community of Pond Inlet. A highlightis a visit to the Natinnak Centre, where a fascinating culturalexhibit showcases aspects of daily life, culture and historyof the people of the north. Inuit carvings, jewellery and othertraditional crafts are on display and purchasing such items fromthe local artisans is a great way to support the community. Weenjoy meeting the children of Pond Inlet and marvelling at theirathletic abilities as they demonstrate the skills and challenges oftraditional Inuit games. Skills and physical agility developed bysuch games were often those necessary for everyday survival inthe harsh Arctic environment.
Day 6 - DAY 6 / LANCASTER SOUND AND DUNDAS HARBOUR
We are now at almost 75° degrees north of latitude. Cruisingthe coastline of Devon Island, we are now in the waters ofLancaster Sound – a rich, bio-diverse region often referred toas the wildlife ‘super highway’ of the Arctic. These massivevolumes of water from Baffin Bay to the east, Beaufort Seato the west, and from the archipelago of islands to the north,combine to make a rich cocktail of nutrients supporting anabundance of Arctic wildlife. We plan on visiting the old RoyalCanadian Mounted Police (RCMP) outpost at Dundas Harbour,situated on the southern shores of Devon Island.
Day 7 - DAY 7 / MAXWELL BAY, DEVON ISLAND
A large bay on the south coast of Devon Island, Maxwell Bayoffers some wonderful hiking opportunities ashore and greatwildlife watching from the water. Muskox and caribou can befound here as well as polar bears. Harp seals, ringed seals,bearded seals and even walruses have been spotted in thevarious coves and inlets of the bay
Day 8 - DAY 8 / BEECHEY ISLAND
Continuing Beechey Island holds great historic importance onour journey through the Northwest Passage. It is here that SirJohn Franklin’s ill-fated expedition spent its last ‘comfortable’winter in 1845 before disappearing into the icy vastness,sparking an incredible series of search expeditions that wouldspan almost three decades. The mystery of what happenedto Franklin was partially solved in September 2014, when ajoint Parks Canada and Royal Canadian Geographic Societyexpedition found the long lost Franklin shipwreck, HMS Erebus,in the Victoria Strait. One Ocean Expeditions played a vital rolein the search by carrying underwater search equipment on ourship as well as scientists, historians, researchers, dignitaries andsponsors of this history-defining mission.
Day 9 - DAY 9 / PRINCE LEOPOLD ISLAND
Having crossed Prince Regent Inlet overnight, we approachthe towering bird cliffs of Prince Leopold Island in the morning.The island is home to thick-billed murres, black guillemots,northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. Numbering inthe order of several hundred thousand birds, Prince LeopoldIsland is one of the most significant Migratory Bird Sanctuariesin the whole of the Canadian Arctic and makes for fantasticzodiac cruising. The sea ice around Prince Leopold Island isa great place for spotting ringed seals and wherever we findringed seals - we usually find polar bear. Nearby Port Leopoldis an historic site where in 1848, English explorer James ClarkRoss wintered here during the search for the missing Franklinexpedition. In addition to Port Leopold’s historical attraction,the shallow gravel beds along the shoreline are attractive to thebeluga whales who tend to moult in this part of the Arctic eachsummer.
Day 10 - DAY 10 / FORT ROSS AND BELLOT STRAIT
Continuing to navigate the ship south into Prince Regent Inlet,we approach the eastern end of Bellot Strait. The historic site ofFort Ross, located at the southern end of Somerset Island, is aformer Hudson’s Bay Company fur-trading outpost. Fascinatingarchaeological sites nearby tell a story of more than a thousandyears of habitation by the Inuit and their predecessors. Havingexplored Fort Ross, we attempt a transit through the narrows ofBellot Strait. The aim is to enter at slack tide if possible, in orderto avoid a current that roars through the passage at more thanseven knots during the peak flow. The mixing of waters in thisStrait provides an abundant food source for marine mammalsand we keep our eyes peeled for harp seals, bearded sealsand even polar bears. The skill of the Captain and Officers andcapabilities of the ship becomes apparent during this excitingday of Arctic navigation.
Day 11 - DAY 11 / CONINGHAM BAY
Having emerged from Bellot Strait, we cross the Victoria Straitand arrive at Coningham Bay on the shore of Prince of WalesIsland. Here, in the heart of the Northwest Passage, we hope toencounter one of the most remarkable wildlife sites in the Arctic.This is a known hotspot for polar bears. They come here tofeast on beluga whales often caught in the rocky shallows at theentrance to the bay. It is not unusual to find the shoreline litteredwith whale skeletons – and very healthy looking polar bears.
Day 12 - DAY 12 / VICTORY POINT, KING WILLIAM ISLAND
Heading further into the Northwest Passage, the mystery of SirJohn Franklin and his ‘lost expedition’ is beginning to unravel.Prior to the recent discovery of the HMS Erebus in September2014, very little was known of how the Franklin Expedition spentits last months in the frozen Arctic. The vessels, abandonedin the ice of Victoria Strait are just coming to life thanks to theongoing efforts of Parks Canada’s marine archaeological teamand the recent Victoria Strait Expedition. On Victory Point alifeboat left abandoned, bits and pieces of copper and iron,cutlery and buttons and a skeleton here and there all tell a storyof a desperate race south in search of rescue that never came.We hope to visit Victory Point and the Victoria Strait, travellingvery near the actual location of the wreck of HMS Erebus, allthe while learning about the quest for exploration that eventuallyopened up the Arctic. On this, our last night of the expedition,we enjoy a celebratory dinner, attended by the Captain of theship and reflect on our epic voyage .
Day 13 - DAY 13 / CAMBRIDGE BAY, NUNAVUT TO EDMONTON, ALBERTA
Our journey is all but complete as we approach the communityof Cambridge Bay. This remote outpost is a centre for hunting,trapping and fishing. The Inuit have had summer camps in thevicinity for hundreds of years. Amundsen spent two winters inthis area, learning how to master dog-sledding from the localsprior to his attempt on the South Pole. We say farewell to ourcrew and make our way ashore by Zodiac. A special charterflight returns us to Edmonton
Day 14 - Please Note:
Polar exploration can be unpredictable. Specific sites visited will depend on prevailing weather and ice conditions at thetime of sailing. The above itinerary should be read as a ‘guide only’ and may change. The ship’s Captain in conjunction with the Expedition Leadercontinually review the sailing plan throughout the voyage, making adjustments to the itinerary along the way to take advantage of optimal weatherand ice conditions or to maximize our encounters with wildlife. Decades of experience spent exploring these waterways mean we have a largenumber of outstanding landing sites and zodiac cruising locations to consider, even when the weather conditions may not be ideal or when heavyice may hinder our planned route. A flexible approach is something we encourage you to bring to the ship.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-08-202030-08-2020USD $13,195Triple Private
18-08-202030-08-2020USD $16,595Twin Private
18-08-202030-08-2020USD $17,895Superior
18-08-202030-08-2020USD $18,195Superior Plus
18-08-202030-08-2020USD $19,495Shackleton Suite
18-08-202030-08-2020USD $21,495One Ocean Suite

Inclusions

    • Outstanding wildlife observation on shore, on zodiac cruises and from the ship
    • Historic locations of early Arctic exploration
    • Cultural interaction and understanding through visits to remote Inuit communities
    • Spectacular glacial landscapes and colourful Greenlandic villages

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