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Home , Beechey Island, Buchan Gulf, Bylot Island, Queen Elizabeth Islands, Skraeling Island

CANADIAN BOUTIQUE DISCOVERY: TO CANADIAN ARCTIC

Voyage on this unforgettable 17-day High Canadian Arctic Discovery cruise that circles around among mountainous icebergs and some of the most active glaciers in the world. We visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, communities and Viking ruins in a history lesson like no other. Witness polar bears roam and be enchanted by a blessing of dive before you, then glimpse long white tusks break the icy arctic waters. This region has been visited by some of history’s greatest explorers such as Norwegian and we will navigate from colourful harbour houses and charming fjords to beguiling landscapes covered in arctic willow ITINERARY and purple saxifrage. DAY 1, KANGERLUSSUAQ At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

DAY 2, SISIMIUT Just north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in Greenland, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then , dog sled remains a common form of transport and we have a chance to see abandoned settlements but it also has a cool, modern side. Watch out for humpback whales and walrus between Sisimiut and the Thule district in the north.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com DAY 3, UUMMANNAQ whales, ringed and harp seals, and walrus also warrant a The word Uummannaq means ‘heart-shaped’ in Greenlandic, vigilant eye. The Inuit community living in the hamlet of and refers to the twin-peaked granite mountain that is shaped Mittimatalik are renowned for their craft skills from printmaking like a heart covering nearly the whole northern half of the island. and stone carving, and nearby at Qulalukat the Folklore has it that on visiting, a piece of your heart remains on thousand-year-old Inuit sod houses merit a visit. the island forever, calling you back. Sheltered by glaciated mountains, this charming fjord region is often referred to as the DAY 7, , sunniest spot in Greenland and has been a refuge for Innuit Bylot Island, off the northwest of , is home to migrations for over 4,500 years. Sirmilik National Park. Pronounced Siir-milick, in Inuktitut Inuit language Inuktitut it means "place of glaciers" which aptly DAY 4, AT SEA describes the breathtaking iceberg-filled scenery surrounded by As you cruise to your next port of call, spend the day at sea , beluga whales and ringed seals. The national park’s savouring the ship’s facilities and learning about your bird reserve is one of the most diverse seabird areas in the destination’s many facets from the knowledgeable onboard Arctic with more than 40 species breeding here, while hungry experts. Listen to an enriching talk, indulge in a relaxing caribou, arctic foxes, arctic hares and wolves lie in wait. treatment at the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy some down- time in your cabin, share travel reminiscences with DAY 8, CRUISE PEEL SOUND newly found friends: the options are numerous. Choked up by ice in winter, Peel Sound is a 125-mile long channel separating Prince of to the west and DAY 5, BUCHAN GULF Somerset Island to the east. The icebound arctic waters The impressive towering cliffs and rocks lining Buchan Gulf prevented several 19th-century explorers from achieving their provide one of the world’s most important nesting sites for goals - Sir in 1846, Francis Leopold McClintock in northern fulmars. As we cruise into this glacial fjord system on 1858 and Allen Young in 1875. Take time to learn more about eastern Baffin Island, keep your eyes peeled for pods of these early adventurers as you relax and spot polar bears on the narwhals who are at home in these deep waters. Polar bears pack ice. roam the shores of Icy Arm, a narrow fjord with the relics of an ancient Thule semi-subterranean home sitting on the edge of DAY 9, , the boggy tundra. Closely associated with the exploration of ’s High Arctic, Beechey Island Sites are five locations across Beechey Island DAY 6, designated as important historic sites. These include where The views of snow-capped mountains have given Pond Inlet in British explorer Sir John Franklin wintered during his fateful northern Baffin Island the name of Canada’s ‘jewel of the north’ 1845-46 Expedition. Much of the Canadian and the area is a prime breeding ground for narwhals. Bowhead was mapped while searching for the missing

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com crew. In 1903, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen stopped to newly found friends: the options are numerous. pay respect to Franklin at the beginning of his successful sailing in search of the Northwest Passage. DAY 13, UPERNAVIK Colourful homes dot the hillside of this harbour town. The DAY 10, , , NUNAVUT history of the townsfolk unfolds at the open-air Upernavik Dundas Harbour is the eastern entrance of the Northwest Museum with a church, grocers and original colonial buildings. Passage on the southeast coast of the world’s largest Whale hunting and sea kayaking are also covered alongside uninhabited island, Devon Island. Despite the harsh terrain, cultural exhibits from the area’s Viking and Norse history with signs of life remain with the relics of a 1000 A.D. Thule the Kingittorsuaq Runestone. To the north is the Upernavik settlement and a 1920s outpost from where Royal Canadian Icefjord dotted with icebergs. The world’s largest seabird cliffs Mounted Police (RCMP) controlled illegal whaling. Nowadays are on nearby Apparsuit Island with thousands of breeding NASA research scientists camp at the 14-mile wide Haughton black-legged kittiwakes. impact crater. Cape Liddon and Cape Vera are notable for arctic fulmars and black guillemots. DAY 14, QEQERTARSUAQ Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, the largest DAY 11, island in Greenland, on the west coast and part of Disko Bay, a The most rugged in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Ellesmere UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lyngmark Glacier rises above Island is the largest of the with the town and the area’s lush hills, basalt columns and black towering mountains, lakes, fjords, ice caps and glaciers. Alert, sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is very fertile the Canadian Forces Station, is the world's northernmost and home to diverse species not found elsewhere in Greenland. settlement. Quttinirpaaq National Park comprises a fifth of the Keep an eye out for its hot springs as we move through floating island. Here, arctic willow and purple saxifrage grow on the icebergs and whales. mossy tundra where arctic hare and muskoxen wander. On nearby , Viking chainmail was found alongside DAY 15, ILULISSAT 4,000-year-old Dorset and Thule artefacts. Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world from Disko Bay - or Qeqertarsuaq Tunua - to the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the DAY 12, AT SEA cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the As you cruise to your next port of call, spend the day at sea Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to savouring the ship’s facilities and learning about your the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of destination’s many facets from the knowledgeable onboard gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the experts. Listen to an enriching talk, indulge in a relaxing sea. The city of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is treatment at the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy home to as many sled-dogs as people. some down- time in your cabin, share travel reminiscences with

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com DAY 16, AT SEA As you cruise to your next port of call, spend the day at sea savouring the ship’s facilities and learning about your destination’s many facets from the knowledgeable onboard experts. Listen to an enriching talk, indulge in a relaxing treatment at the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy some down- time in your cabin, share travel reminiscences with newly found friends: the options are numerous.

DAY 17, KANGERLUSSUAQ At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change.

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

YOUR SHIP: Vega

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Launched in 2022, this state of the art ship has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. Sophisticated Elegance. We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view. Your Wellbeing. The safety & happiness of our guests is paramount to our 120-strong crew on board as well as our passionate expedition team who'll be serving up thrilling shore excursions and lasting memories. Cabin Types. Our 76 cabins including 6 suites have all the amenities you will need to feel comfortable including dressing gowns, hairdryers, personal safes and minibars. Our stylish cabins all have desks, a dressing area and comfy seating. En suite bathrooms all feature glass-enclosed rain showers.

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

Balcony. From Oceanview

Premium Suite Suite

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

09-Sep-2022 to 25-Sep-2022 Premium Suite £22795 GBP pp Suite £19775 GBP pp Balcony. From £14949 GBP pp Oceanview £13479 GBP pp

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