TANQUARY FJORD, ELLESMERE ISLAND

August 1-16, 2007

The Arctic – a huge frozen ocean surrounded by wild and beautiful land – is one of the last frontiers on earth. Few people have traveled to this pristine wilderness and even fewer have explored its remote seas and coastal areas by ship. Quark Expeditions is therefore delighted to be able to offer this outstanding program of adventures on top of the world aboard the polar icebreaker ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’.

The Arctic comes alive for just a few short months each year. Summer arrives with a rush, bringing warmth and almost continuous daylight, along with a rich collection of wildlife. Polar bears, musk ox, walrus, ringed seals, bearded seals, belugas, narwhal, killer whales, bowhead whales, wildfowl, waders and seabirds are just some of the animals that take advantage of the brief abundance of food in the otherworldly landscapes of the far north. The region is also home to small numbers of people who, against all the odds, have thrived and developed some of the hardiest societies on the planet.

Only a powerful icebreaker like the ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’ can travel to such remote corners of the Arctic. We marvel as the ‘Khlebnikov’ breaks through ice up to five meters thick; land by expertly-piloted helicopter in the most inaccessible areas imaginable; discover important historic sites; visit isolated communities rarely visited before; and enjoy a wealth of unique and fascinating wildlife.

This is your chance to experience one of the most extraordinary sites on Earth: Tanquary Fjord, a wonderful world of towering mountains, deep rock-walled fjords and massive glaciers. Of course, these words, or any others yet invented, don’t really do justice to this majestic scenery. You’ll just have to go there.

Day 1

The expedition begins in Ottawa, Canada, which is served by flights arriving from the continental United States, Europe and through connecting flights to Asia. You may arrive at any time during Day 1 of the expedition.

The transfer from the airport to the host hotel will take about 30 minutes by taxicab, which is available outside the terminal building. The cost of a transfer in July 2006 was US$23. Transfer to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, located downtown next to Parliament Hill.

At the hotel, please register with the front desk. Note that your room may not be available for occupancy until mid-afternoon. You may store your luggage and explore the community should you arrive early.

Within walking distance of your hotel are shops, restaurants, the National Arts Centre and a number of national museums and galleries, including the National Gallery of Canada.

Day 2

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred as a group to the airport for the flight to Resolute, Nunavut, above the Arctic Circle. Have your identification in your hand. You will need it to board the plane.

In Resolute, you will be ferried to the icebreaker either by Zodiac or helicopter depending on the weather conditions. Once aboard, the Expedition Team will direct you to the lecture hall, for a safety briefing. Emergency procedures are explained then followed by a practical demonstration. One of the enclosed lifeboats may be lowered to give you the opportunity to see what is within and how you would survive in the unlikely event of an emergency at sea.

When the Canadian authorities grant permission, the anchor is raised, a salute is sounded on the foghorn, and the voyage into Lancaster Sound begins.

Although our style is distinctly informal, there may be one or two occasions during this expedition when you choose to wear something a little less informal than expedition gear. The first would be the Captain’s Welcome Reception, an opportunity to meet the Captain and his very experienced officers, who maneuver the ship with such skill during the voyage. The daily program, which is delivered to your cabin each evening, informs you of the next day’s activities and special events such as this one.

Later a three-course dinner with a choice of main courses and a complimentary glass of wine is served in the dining room.

During the after-dinner Welcome Briefing, the Expedition Leader introduces the team of specialists that accompanies every expedition. The EL delivers an overview of the voyage, after which the ship’s doctor may provide practical advice about coping with seasickness.

Day 3

This day and every day while at sea will begin with a wake-up call over the ship’s public address system. You are informed of the ship’s latitude and longitude, sea conditions, and weather. After breakfast, the education program commences with a presentation that could be about the early days of polar exploration. Alternately, you could hear a variety of presentations on the life cycle of the wildlife you will encounter during the voyage.

Devon Island, your first Arctic landing, is the largest uninhabited island in the world. It is here that living organisms, called hypoliths, are found under rocks. The rock protects the organism from ultraviolet radiation and the scouring action of the wind.

Your first landing of the expedition is planned to occur near Dundas Harbour. Here in 2004, a team of scientists and journalist established a temporary research station. They used Devon Island’s Mars-like environment to simulate working and living on the planet.

Day 4

Local people had long recognized that Coburg Island (Nijutiqavvik is the name the local people use) and the waters that surround it were of biological significance. The natural areas of open water, known as polynias that occur even in winter, moderate the temperature so that Coburg Island may be several degrees warmer than areas of similar latitude, but which are ice-locked.

The island’s steep cliffs provide an ideal nesting habitat for seabirds. Some rookeries extend for 6km (4 miles) along the coast. Thick-billed Murres, Northern Fulmars, and Black-legged Kittiwakes breed here between June and September.

Since 1975, when Coburg Island and the surrounding water were designated as an International Biological Programme Site, efforts have been made to permanently protect the area. In 1995, with the establishment of Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area, the efforts of local residents and visiting scientists were rewarded.

After a landing at Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area, you may return to the ship to listen to one of our specialists speak in greater detail about polynias or the lifecycle of the seabirds you have encountered in the wild. Perhaps, the artist-in-residence may introduce you to a style of art known internationally as Inuit. Hand-crafted in a variety of media, it is the work of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic.

In the evening a film such as the classic Nanook of the North or the recent award-winning Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner could be shown.

Day 5

When the Kapitan Khlebnikov begins sailing westward, Ellesmere Island will appear on the starboard side, to port will be the northern coast of Devon Island. You will be passing through Jones Sound. The first European to record sighting it was William Baffin in 1616, who named it for one of his patrons.

If conditions permit, the Captain will navigate Hell Gate, a narrow channel with a very strong current that takes great skill to transit. From the bow you will have an unforgettable view of the ship in action.

Throughout the voyage our extremely talented chefs host many themed dinners, such as the ‘black and white dinner,’ during which fun trumps formality. These special dinners celebrate many of the different nationalities represented by your fellow adventurers.

Movies will be shown in the auditorium in the evenings after dinner.

Day 6, 7, 8 and 9

Above the Arctic Circle, from spring to autumn, daylight can last anywhere from 18 to 24 hours. During those long boreal summer days, the icebreaker will make its way northward along the western coast of the third-largest island in Canada. You will board the helicopters for aerial views of the island’s ice cap, with ice nearly 900 m thick. When you reach Tanquary Fjord you will be surrounded by towering mountains, some made of rock 100,000 years old.

Landings will occur as the ship continues northward. Perhaps a ranger from the national park will board the ship to present an illustrated talk about the park and the activities planned for your landing. There could be a walk along the shore of Kettle Lake to see the remains of paleo-Eskimo huts. The park has an informative visitors center, with equipment and supplies from the 1960’s when the first detailed survey of the region was conducted.

D ay 10 and 11

Axel Heiberg Island lies to the west of Ellesmere. After sailing Eureka Sound, and visiting an ancient petrified forest, you will participate in flight-seeing over Axel Heiberg to search for musk oxen, wolves and artic hare.

Day 12

Through Norwegian Bay and Belcher Channel you may encounter ice floes. To whet your appetite for the ice-breaking to come, the Expedition Team may deliver presentations on glaciology and the formation of polar ice. You may also learn how the Captain will use the icebreaker’s 24,000 horsepower diesel-electric engines to crush the ice into submission.

Day 13

If weather and ice conditions permit, the helicopters will be deployed for flight-seeing to provide aerial views of Kapitan Khlebnikov breaking ice. The ship’s officers can deploy an air curtain system to assist ice-breaking – air at 2.5 kg cm² may be discharged through vents from forward to midships 2 m above the keel. The ship’s pumps can move 74 tonnes of water per minute between ballast tanks (fore and aft) and heeling tanks (athwart ships). This allows motion of the hull to sally (a rush forward) the ship in ice.

Take plenty of film or a 1 GB memory chip with you – you will want to spend every second taking pictures as ice floes snap in two.

Day 14

Lancaster Sound is home to most of the narwhals in the world. These single-tusked whales are extremely difficult to encounter in the wild. The Expedition Team, augmented by volunteers, may mount a narwhal watch once the ship enters the Sound.

The routes followed by Amundsen and Franklin coincide in Lancaster Sound, where Beechey Island is located. There three members of Franklin’s expedition were buried by their companions. If conditions permit, you visit the grave sites.

The last day at sea is “packing day.” A briefing is always held, final remarks are made, and instructions for disembarkation are delivered.

The Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party, which often occurs on the last evening aboard, is an excuse to dress after weeks in expedition gear. This is an opportunity to thank the Captain, and officers, whose skills were essential to the success of the expedition and to our safety.

Day 15

We fly you from Resolute to Ottawa, where you spend the night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

Day 16

After breakfast, you will make your way to the airport in Ottawa for your flight home.

Note: please read this itinerary as a guide only. Our exact program will depend on local permissions and will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to experience wildlife. This is an expedition into a very little traveled area and flexibility is the key to the success.

SUMMARY

Inclusions:

Trip grade:  Easy

Cost:

Triple private           US$ 12,500
Twin private            US$ 15,500
Twin private            US$ 26,350  (single occupancy)
Suite                         US$ 17,500
Corner Suite            US$ 19,500  

All rates are per person in US dollars based on twin or triple occupancy (except rate for single occupancy). Triple cabins are identical to twins, but with a third pull-down berth.

Please ask us about the significant savings solo travelers can from our Request-Share program, which matches solo travelers of the same gender.

All cabins are smoke-free. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas only.

‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’

A world-class icebreaker with comfortable accommodation

Russian icebreakers are considered to be among the best and most powerful icebreakers in the world – and the ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’ is an outstanding example. Built in 1980 and launched a year later by the world’s leading builder of icebreakers - the Wartsila Company of Finland – the ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’ was designed as a hard-working ship for the challenging conditions in the frozen Arctic seas of northern Siberia. 

Since its original refurbishment, in 1992, it has been sailing with adventurous travelers to some of the most remote corners of the world. No other expedition vessel has navigated more polar waters and, in 1997, it became the first ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers. 

Quality accommodation

Refurbished to accommodate passengers in 54 first-class outside cabins and suites, the ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’ is extremely comfortable. All cabins feature private facilities, two lower berths (one fixed berth and one convertible sofa bed), a desk and large closets. Public areas include two dining rooms, a lounge and bar, well-equipped auditorium, indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna. Views are excellent from the Navigation Bridge. Our ship also has a library of polar books and videos, a shop, a passenger elevator and a small infirmary with a western doctor. 

European catering staff and international cuisine

European chefs prepare excellent international cuisine using fine provisions from around the world. A European barman attends the popular forward lounge that features a well-stocked bar with a good selection of wines, champagne and spirits. The dining room is attended by a combination of Russian and western staff.

Sophisticated technical gear

With 24,000 horsepower and a massive icebreaker hull, we navigate high latitude waterways closed to conventional shipping safely and efficiently. The ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’ is also equipped with the latest satellite navigation and communications equipment, including convenient Inmarsat telephone, facsimile and e-mail. 

Expert polar officers and crew

The ‘Kapitan Khlebnikov’ is staffed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in polar navigation. Russian captains are recognized the world over as experts in icebreaker operations. 

Experienced expedition staff and lecturers

Every voyage is accompanied by a dedicated, experienced and highly qualified team of expedition leaders, naturalists, historians, geologists and other experts from all over the world, offering a unique, informative and entertaining educational program.

Unique Zodiac and helicopter excursions