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Home , Milne Inlet, Navy Board Inlet, Prince Leopold Island

EXPEDITION HIGH ARCTIC

Journey into the land of the midnight sun, stopping at some of the most pristine destinations in the Arctic. Explore the colourful villages of western Greenland and see the 1,000-foot cliffs that are home to hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds. Visit the ruins of the ill-fated Franklin expedition on . Search the majestic fjords of Northeast Baffin for Narwhal, Beluga and Bowhead Whales, seals and Polar Bears.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Arrive in Kangerlussuaq by specially chartered flight from Copenhagen, and enjoy your first Zodiac-ride to Silver Explorer, waiting at anchor. Once all guests have embarked, a safety briefing will be conducted and we will depart on our exciting expedition into the High Arctic. This evening, you will be introduced to your Expedition Leader and the Expedition Team and attend a Zodiac briefing. While we cruise the 100-mile-long Kangerlussuaq Fjord keep an eye for Peregrine Falcon, as this fjord is home to 130 pairs.

Day 2 Sisimiut, Greenland

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the option to purchase an exciting helicopter excursion to see the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of magnificent Jakobshavn Icefjord by air. ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there exists enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter Day 4 Uummannaq, Greenland and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has been the primary In the iceberg-laden waters surrounding the remote community means of winter transportation for centuries. Today we will meet of Uummannaq it is common to see whales, so be sure to join the owner of a sled dog team and his dogs. He will tell us all the Expedition Team out on deck during our approach. This area about sledding and how the Greenlandic sled dog has been of Greenland is known for its huge basalt mountains, and this bred to be amongst the strongest working dogs in the world. A small hunting and fishing village rests at the foot of a nice hike around the remains of ancient settlements and into heart-shaped Uummannaq Mountain, a name that translates to the outskirts of town is feasible, too. Stroll through the Sisimiut mean in the shape of a seals heart. Together we will take a Museum with its 18th century wooden buildings and see some guided walking tour of Uummannaq to see the granite church of the local handicraft, featuring native stonework and sealskin and learn how village life revolves around the garments. Perhaps we will have a chance to listen to the local halibut/fish-processing factory. The more energetic will have the choir. opportunity to hike to what is known as the summer residence of Santa Claus. Day 3 Ilulissat, Greenland (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Just after sunrise, be out on deck to see the fjord of the Day 5 Upernavik, Greenland northern hemispheres most active glacier Jakobshavn often As we continue our exploration heading north, we stop at surrounded by icebergs in all shapes and sizes and in varying Upernavik, one of the few settlements that we will come across shades of white and turquoise. Known as the birthplace of during our explorations. During our visit we will have a look at icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 20 million tons of the local museum and stroll through the brightly coloured ice each day. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods village. of calm and settled weather, but the climate is a bit colder due to its proximity to the fjord. While here, we may have the Day 6 At Sea Participate in discussions and on-board activities led by the opportunity to see a demonstration of ancient fishing methods Expedition Team, relax in one of the lounges with that book and enjoy some locally caught and prepared fish. During our youve been meaning to read, and meet up with new friends for guided walking tour of Ilulissat, we will visit the local history cocktails. On board Silver Explorer, a variety of diversions are museum, located in the former home of Greenlandic folk hero available, including educational lectures, spa treatments, a and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen. The afternoon tour workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining continues via fishing boat, as we navigate amongst the many experiences. Before turning in for the night, take a stroll on deck icebergs at the fjords entrance. Alternatively, guests have the to take in the solitude of the vast sea and sky.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Day 7 , , than 70 different species of birds can be found on . Located in northern Pond Inlet is a small, largest breeding colony of Greater Snow Geese in the predominantly Inuit community with a population of roughly Canadian High Arctic is on this island. 1500 inhabitants. In 1818 the British explorer John Ross named a bay in the vicinity after an English astronomer and Day 9 Prince Leopold and Beechey Island, Nunavut, Canada today Pond Inlet is considered one of Canadas jewels of the Prince is an oval-shaped island measuring North. Several glaciers and mountain ranges nearby make this roughly 14 by 8 kilometres. Located in the one of the most picturesque communities. Many archaeological island is a Canadian Important Bird Area, a federally listed sites of ancient Dorset and Thule peoples can be found near migratory bird sanctuary, and a Key Migratory Bird Terrestrial Pond Inlet. The Inuit had long hunted caribou, Ringed and Harp Habitat site with large numbers of Thick-billed Murres, Northern Seals, fish, Polar Bears, walrus, Narwhals, geese, ptarmigans Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes breeding there between and Arctic Hares, before European and American whalers came June and September. Prince Leopold Island has a greater here to hunt Bowhead Whales. Pond Inlet is known as a major variety and larger numbers of birds than any other Canadian center of Inuit art, especially printmaking and stone carving. Arctic island. We will use our Zodiacs to get a close look at the View a variety of techniques and styles used in creating these different colonies of seabirds nesting here and Silver Explorer unique pieces in the galleries in town. will cruise along the shore of Prince Leopold Island. Fringed by a narrow beach, windswept and barren, Beechey Island is Day 8 and , Nunavut, Canada associated with the tragic Franklin Expedition looking for the Cruising Milne Inlet and Navy Board Inlet, we will be next to . Three graves of members of the expedition Bylot Island. Found at the northern end of Baffin Island Bylot as well as a cairn and some small buildings were found here Island runs 180 km from east to west and 110 km from north to during the search for the survivors of the expedition. Parts of south. Bylot is one of the largest uninhabited islandsin the Northumberland House, a supply depot and emergency shelter world. Vertical cliffs and numerous glaciers are found along the dating back to the 1850s and the Belcher Expedition, can still shore of Bylot Island. Polar Bears are known to den here, while be seen on the island today. The search for the lost Franklin Beluga and Bowhead Whale, Narwhal and Harp seal, as well as expedition led to the exploration and mapping of a large part of Ringed Seal frequent the area. The covers the Canadian and only very recently (in much of this area and harbours large populations of Thick-billed September 2014) has the surprisingly well-preserved Erebus Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes which we intend to see. The been finally discovered off OReilly Island some 485 miles importance this area has for birds is shown in its designation as further south. We will go ashore to have a look at the remains of Important Bird Area (actually three different ones) and Bylot Franklins unfortunate stop and a monument that has been Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The southwest corner of Bylot erected in memory of those who had perished on that Islands southern end has moist lowland tundra that is ideal expedition. nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and songbird and more

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Day 10 At Sea Narwhals, Bowhead Whales, caribou, Arctic Hare, Arctic Fox and Participate in on-board activities, attend a lecture by a member numerous species of migratory birds. Whale hunting is still of the Expedition Team, or simply be on the look-out for wildlife being allowed and apart from the meat that is being eaten, this far north. A spa treatment, a visit to the Sauna, a workout bones are an important by-product of the catch: The local in the Fitness Centre, there are many choices of how you want carvers produce interesting artefacts and the to spend the day. In the evening enjoy another special dining artists are famous for their whalebone carvings. Apart from experience. whalebone stone sculptures are also created here from a light green stone found north of Clyde River. The local carvings and Day 11 Gibbs Fjord, Nunavut, Canada sculptures are highly sought after. At Gibbs Fjord we might do a spectacular ship cruise or even a

Zodiac-cruise along the steep cliffs, seemingly impenetrable Day 14 Isabella Bay, Nunavut, Canada fortress of 4,000-foot walls, towers, and buttresses that is Some 150 to 200 Bowhead Whales, once extensively hunted, SIllem Island, dividing Gibbs and Clark Fjords. The geological have found a protected area where they can feed and socialize. formations make for excellent photo opportunities. If possible An extensive area off the coast of Baffin Island, known as we would like to go ashore looking for Arctic Flora and Fauna, Ninginganiq, has become Canadas newest proposed National and perhaps even Thule ruins. Wildlife Area. There are two deep offshore troughs rich in copepods and a shallow shelf at the entrance to the bay that Day 12 Sam Ford Fjord, Nunavut, Canada provides protection from Orcas. Other animals found here are The Sam Ford Fjord area of Baffin Island is one of the most Polar Bears, Ringed Seals, Arctic Char, and halibut, Narwhal, impressive concentrations of big walls in the world. It is a Canada Geese, Snow Geese and King Eider. As a result of the 68-mile waterway lined with vertical walls, results of ancient formation of the Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area the eastern glaciers. What makes this area truly unique is that many of bowhead population may now be as high as 14,000. these walls rise straight out of the deep fjords. We will continue to look for Narwhal, seals, and other marine mammals. Day 15 Cape Dyer, Nunavut, Canada Cape Dyer is situated at the most easterly projection of Baffin Day 13 Clyde River Island into . The Upper Camp of the former Main Clyde River has attracted people for many centuries. Its local Radar Station occupied the highest available site on the eastern name Kangiqtugaapik (nice little inlet in Inuktitut) should tip of a peninsula, 2300 feet above sea level. Sheer cliffs, over indicate why this is so: it is located in a protected little bay. 2000 feet high can be seen along the coastline in this area. In Dramatic mountains, fiords, glaciers, ice caps, tundra slopes, the last years the area has been cleaned of all the leftover from and the rugged arctic coastline are so beautiful the entire area the former Radar Station. On the northern side of the Cape Dyer has been proposed as a territorial park site. Some 850 (mostly) region of the Cumberland Peninsula you can still find areas that Inuit live here. Wildlife found here includes Polar Bears, seals, are so seldom visited that fiords, valleys, and mountains lack

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com English names. Some parts of the area have received names After breakfast, disembark the Silver Explorer and transfer to the relating to Norse mythology, e.g. Mount Asgard or Mt. Thor, airport for your charter flight to Copenhagen. while a fjord near Cape Dyer, has a nameless valley and glacier running 18 miles south to their head near the Arctic Circle. Please Note: Other parts were visited by Baffin and Bylot in the early 17th Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible century and have names like Sunneshine Fjord or Baffin experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Island... Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into Day 16 Cumberland Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada account the prevailing weather and wildlife activity. Expedition During our expedition day we continue our exploration of the Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change Cumberland Peninsula. Whether it is ships cruising, or cancellation. Zodiac-cruises or a hike ashore will be determined by the Captain and the Expedition Leader based on local conditions and permits.

Day 17 Lady Franklin Island and , Nunavut, Canada Named in honour of Sir John Franklins widow uninhabited Lady Franklin Island is 40 kilometres off of Baffin Islands Hall Peninsula. There are at least seven smaller, unnamed islands off its northwest shore that lend themselves to be explored by Zodiac, while Lady Franklin Island offers an abundance of bears, caribou, ducks, seals, and walrus.

Day 18 Cruising the Davis Strait Participate in final discussions and attend lectures that recapture our experiences in the Canadian Far North. Take time to go through your pictures and to edit them, but definitely you want to attend our videographers presentation of our journey. Tonight our Captain would like to invite you to the Farewell Cocktail and Farewell Dinner.

Day 19 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: SILVER EXPLORER

YOUR SHIP: Silver Explorer

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Silver Explorer's all-inclusive dining, service and shore excursions means that this is luxury expedition cruising at its very best. Award-winning itineraries make this ship the perfect combination of adventure and comfort. The purpose-built Silver Explorer expedition ship (formerly the include: Prince Albert II) has been designed specifically for navigating Butler service waters in some of the world's most remote destinations, Refrigerator and bar setup stocked with your preferences including both of earth's polar regions. A strengthened hull with Luxury bath amenities a Lloyd's Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger vessels Pillow menu enables Silver Explorer to safely push through ice floes with Personalised stationery ease. Umbrella A fleet of Zodiac boats allows guests to visit even the most Direct dial telephone(s) off-the-beaten path locations and an expert Expedition Team 220-volt outlets provides insight and understanding to each unforgettable Silver Unlimited Standard Wifi Explorer cruise adventure. Flat-screen television(s) with Interactive Media Library Silver Eplorer features 2 x restaurants, a fitness suite, 2 x French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors loungers, a beauty spa and a library. Twin beds or queen-sized bed Suites Marbled bathroom with shower Fitted wardrobe with personal safe Sitting area with writing desk

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Hair dryer Plush bathrobe Champagne on arrival

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

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01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com