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Kayaking the Fjords of Ellesmere Island
14 nights
Experience the midnight sun and explore the Arctic fjordland of the Kane Basin, following in the footsteps of polar explorers. After a night in Resolute Bay, fly to Kane Basin to begin the twelve day kayaking adventure. Wind, ice and tides govern the route of travel, but some of the things you may see include the Thule winter village sites on Skraeling Island, as well as walrus on ice pans. Paddle amongst a myriad of picturesque icebergs and pull ashore to explore inland for musk oxen and arctic hares. Spend a night camping on the tundra before returning to Resolute Bay for your final night.
Holiday idea
| Day 1 |
Upon arrival, in Resolute Bay, you will be transferred to downtown Resolute. Remainder of day at leisure. Resolute Bay, also known as Qausuittuq – ‘place with no dawn’ – is a small community which provides the starting point for many expeditions to the North Pole and also to Ellesmere Island National Park. Overnight Resolute Bay. |
| Day 2 |
Board a chartered Twin Otter for a three hour flight to the drop-off site in Kane Basin. After a trip orientation meeting, you and your group will pack your kayaks and get ready to head into the fjord country. (L/D) |
| Days 3-13 |
Ice conditions permitting, you will kayak from the drop-off site along to another site approximately 80 miles away. The direction of travel each day will be governed by wind, ice, and tides, but some of the things you will hope to see include the fantastic Thule winter village sites on Skraeling Island, as well as walrus hauled-out on ice pans. You will paddle amongst a myriad of picturesque icebergs, and then pull ashore to explore inland for muskoxen and Arctic hare. Throughout the course of the trip your guides will provide informal commentary on the flora, geology, birdlife, and geographical features of the High Arctic. (B/L/D) |
| Days 14-15 |
The group will be picked up by Twin Otter and flown back to Resolute Bay; overnight Resolute Bay. (B/L). You and your group will be transferred to the Resolute airport the next day in time for scheduled flights south. |
Meals included: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner
More information
| Dates | Contact us for further information. |
| Prices | Contact us for further information. |
Price includes the services of two fully qualified expedition guides, all group equipment including kayaks, paddles, tents, full ‘cruiser’ suit for each person. A cruiser suit is a nylon flotation suit with closed cell insulation designed to act as a life preserver and prolong life in cold water immersion situations; it is however, quite comfortable, well-ventilated, and nearly waterproof, and many people on these trips even wear them while lounging around ashore, air charter transportation between Resolute Bay and Ellesmere Island, all meals listed in the itinerary as B/L/D.
Price does not include transportation to Resolute Bay, any meals and accommodation in Resolute Bay, personal belongings and gear as per ‘Clothing and Equipment List’, trip cancellation insurance, any extra expenses incurred because of delayed departures of chartered or scheduled aircraft Also, any extra expenses incurred because of delays imposed by conditions at hand on the expedition (ice, wind, etc.), any costs associated with an emergency evacuation from the trip, gratuities for guides. $15 a day per guide recommended.
Disclaimers
1. Important: Due to unpredictability of weather in the Resolute Bay area and the remoteness of Ellesmere Island, we require you obtain travel insurance to cover you in case you miss your scheduled flight.
2. Due to the nature of adventure travel in the High Arctic, the itinerary is always subject to change.
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