Arctic Watch

 

Yellowknife	Explorer Hotel	1 night
Somerset Island	Arctic Watch	7 nights
Yellowknife	Explorer Hotel	1 night

11 days £5200

excluding international flights

IMAGES: All images on this page are used with the kind permission of Canadian Arctic Holidays.

The summer of 2012 will see the 13th season of Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge at Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island, Nunavut. Arctic Watch is a permanent facility, located 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 50 miles from the nearest town, that offers rustic hotel-like accommodations in a remote Arctic setting. Guests experience the beauty and wonder of this fabulous place, whilst enjoying the comforts of home with fine cuisine. Somerset Island is of particular interest to naturalists and photographers because it is a world class beluga whale observation site. It is also home to many muskox and polar bears. The terrain offers easy passage to both hikers and sea kayakers.

DAY 1 – Arrival in Yellowknife.

On arrival in Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories, take a taxi (not included) to your centrally-located hotel. Recommended flights: Air Canada from London Heathrow via Calgary (see below).

DAY 2 – Flight to Somerset Island.

Early in the morning, at the hangar in Yellowknife, Arctic Watch guests meet the private chartered plane that will fly them the 1,000 miles (1,500 km) to Arctic Watch. Your wallet is no longer of any use, your worries from the south are behind you, this the start of your Arctic adventure. The plane is a modern and comfortable aircraft. You will pass from trees, across the treeline and over the barrens; it’s time to sit back and relax. You will also pass over the impressive holes in the earth dug for the Diavik mine. Food will be served during the four-and-a-half-hour flight north. After one stop for refuelling in the community of Cambridge Bay, guests will land in the afternoon on the private airstrip next to Arctic Watch on Somerset Island. A short walk across the tundra, and an even shorter raft ride across the Cunningham River, brings guests to the lodge. Following a tour of the Arctic Watch facilities and some time to get their luggage settled in their cabins, guests assemble in the great room for a welcome and to meet the Arctic Watch staff. Then dinner is served in the cosy dining room.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 3 – Whale-watching. Triple Waterfalls.

Breakfast is served at 8.30. Guests receive a hands-on introduction to driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), which are easy and fun to drive. A short-distance hike to the Cunningham River estuary to watch beluga whales frolic in the shallow water only a few yards offshore among the ice floes is followed by a lunch buffet that includes hot and nutritious soups such as French-Canadian pea, leek, potato and cream of corn; freshly baked sourdough and rye breads; speciality meats and cheeses; fresh vegetables; and homemade desserts. In the afternoon, guests hike to Triple Waterfalls, a five-story torrent of free-falling water. There they can see nesting peregrine falcons and other birds such as loons, snow buntings, sandpipers and rough-legged hawks. Exploring the canyon introduces them to the tiny beauty of wild Arctic flowers. Encounters with muskox are common. All that hiking builds an appetite. Hearty evening meals typically include a main course of baked Arctic char, grilled muskox, barbecued pork tenderloin or other meats. Side dishes of oven-roasted vegetables, red and white wine, fresh bread, and homemade desserts round out the meal. In the evening, there’s free time for local exploration. The library has a broad selection of Arctic and polar titles. The interpretive centre contains collections of local fossils, skeletal remains of Arctic fauna, and a collection of traditional Inuit skin clothing from Canada, Greenland and Siberia.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 – Muskox Ridge. Fishing at Inukshuk Lake. Talk by Richard Weber.

Breakfast, served at 8.30, typically includes fresh coffee, home-baked pastries, muffins, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, yogurt, muesli, French toast or pancakes with Quebec maple syrup, eggs, double-smoked bacon and sausages. Guests will travel by ATV, crossing the Cunningham River delta, then driving along the Muskox Ridge Trail, which provides a scenic overview of the entire area. To date, every excursion to this location has resulted in a muskox encounter. Passing an impressive Arctic fox den, guests may have the opportunity to watch fox cubs at play. Following a picnic lunch at the Arctic Watch shelter at Inukshuk Lake, gear is supplied and guests have an opportunity to “catch-and-release” fish for Arctic char. Returning on ATVs, the tour takes an alternate route via the River Trail so guests can view hoodoos (sculptured sand pillars) and local coal deposits. This evening Richard Weber, internationally recognized polar explorer and owner of Arctic Watch, offers an informal lecture on his North Pole adventures. His historic 1995 unassisted journey to the North Pole and back—a feat that has never been repeated—is highlighted.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 – Cunningham Inlet. Beluga Whales.

Another hearty breakfast is served at 8.30.  Today’s focus is on sea kayaking in Cunningham Inlet. All equipment and basic instructions are provided. Guests will paddle among icebergs, ring seals and bearded seals while watching for beluga whales. Sightings of sea birds, including Arctic terns and eider ducks, can be expected. In the afternoon, guests return to the Cunningham River estuary to watch the beluga whales. This site is unique in the world because of the density of the whale population and their proximity to the guests. With guests standing on the river banks, the beluga whales will come within several metres, close enough to clearly hear their communication calls. To better appreciate the underwater calls, a hydrophone (underwater microphone) is used. Beluga whale researchers from Mystic Aquarium will be based at Arctic Watch. The resident scientist(s) is a resource to visitors during the day by the whales. In the evening there is a lecture on the beluga research being conducted in Cunningham Inlet.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 – Flatrock Falls. Gull Canyon.

Following breakfast, cross the Cunningham River delta for a trip to Flatrock Falls. There guests have the option of hiking or travelling by Mercedes Unimog truck. Somerset Island canyons, which guests will visit, are as yet unnamed. They were formed as the result of shifting fault lines and their walls, mostly vertical, vary from 200 to 1,000 feet. Millions of fossils of prehistoric plants and animals litter the ground. Today’s trip also offers opportunities to observe nesting sites of local birds, including terns, plovers and snow geese. A picnic lunch is served directly on the flat rocks that surround this canyon. After lunch, guests travel to Gull Canyon, named by Arctic Watch owners Richard and Josée Auclair, where they will see the striking biological contrasts between barren canyon and lush gull rookery. The Canadian Wildlife Service recently visited this spot to view the gull rookery and observe the presence of peregrine falcons. They claimed this spot to be a unique and special micro-ecosystem. In the evening, Arctic Watch’s house scientist will give an informal lecture.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 – Cape Anne. Red Valley. Talk by Richard Weber.

An 8.30 breakfast starts another day at Arctic Watch.  Today’s excursion is by ATV to Cape Anne. Guests visit five Thule sites along the coast. The ride includes scenic vistas, icebergs, ancient Inuit campsites and prehistoric giant whale bones. The Thule culture was a bowhead-whale-hunting culture, ancestors of today’s modern Inuit. The Cape Anne Thule site is the largest in the area and includes the remains of 15 stone and bone houses. The return trip is overland via Red Valley and guests can expect to be inspired by the magnitude of the landscape. At the end of a long day, guests will enjoy another delicious dinner at Arctic Watch. This evening guests can relax with a lecture by Richard Weber. His presentation includes stunning images and fascinating stories of Arctic expeditions to Baffin, Ellesmere and other High Arctic islands.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 – Cunningham River. Kayak or raft trip.

Guests begin this final day at the lodge with one of Josée’s hearty homemade breakfasts. The first leg of today’s journey is covered by Mercedes Unimog truck. Guests will reach the Arctic Watch raft and kayak put-in on the Cunningham River, 20 kilometres from the lodge. Typically, the final six kilometres require a hike through the Badlands, passing the skeletal remains of two bowhead whales dated at eight thousand years ago. The voyage includes encounters with muskox, snow geese, jaegers, Arctic foxes, sandpipers and rough-legged hawks. While guests savour a picnic lunch on the beach beside the river, staff prepare the rafts and kayaks.  On the return to Arctic Watch, guests have the choice of paddling their own kayaks or travelling by raft. The river is swift-flowing crystal-clear water with no difficult sections or rapids. The views are amazing and include steep canyon walls and, at one point, a 180-degree turn. Guests can expect to be on the water for two to three hours. Guests enjoy their final dinner and evening at Arctic Watch.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 9 – Activities. Return to Yellowknife.

By their last day in the High Arctic, guests are familiar with the area of Somerset Island occupied by Arctic Watch. If there is an activity that was missed during the week or one that a guest particularly enjoyed and wants to repeat, there is time today to do these things. In the late afternoon, the plane will arrive to take guests back to Yellowknife.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 10 – Depart for London.

Take a taxi (not included) to the airport for your homeward journey.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 11 - Arrive UK.

Arrive UK in the morning.

International Flights.

There are no direct flights to Yellowknife. We recommend the services of Air Canada from London Heathrow via Calgary to Yellowknife. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Calgary. Depart at 16.15; arrive Calgary at 18.45
Calgary/Yellowknife. Depart at 19.55; arrive Yellowknife at 21.59
Yellowknife/Calgary. Depart at 15.00; arrive Calgary at 17.10
Calgary/Heathrow. Depart at 18.40; arrive Heathrow at 10.30 (next day)

Arctic Canada Holidays: Arctic Watch (Tour Reference: WDCA012)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Thursdays	Price
6, 13, 20, 27 Jul	£5200

The price includes:

• Private flights between Yellowknife and Somerset Island (and v.v.) including airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities. At Arctic Watch, each room has a private marine toilet and cold water sink. Shower facilities are shared (see hotel description for further details).
• 9 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• All sightseeing and activities as shown, including use of equipment.
• The services of a Naturalist tour leader/guide for all included sightseeing and activities. NB: Daily activities are subject to the desires and abilities of guests and weather.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Transfers in Yellowknife. Taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive (approximately 13 Canadian dollars or £7 each way).

A deposit of £1,000 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Arctic Canada holiday must be paid at least 3 months before your departure date.