GIANTS OF THE ARCTIC

Looking for a once in a lifetime experience to finish your exciting getaway at WorldPride? Join other travelers from all over the world on this intimate, group trip for eight days and seven nights to one of the most remote areas in Canada - Nunavut!

Available July 4th through the 10th, 2014, witness the beauty of life at the ice floe edge and beyond, from crystalline ice bergs carved from glaciers and electric blue ice formations, to hundreds of birds diving and weaving overhead, to the majestic migrating pods of whales. You'll see walruses bigger than cars sunning themselves on floating ice islands, be able to snorkel or dive along the floe edges, and savor the exhilarating moment when the rarest of the whale species, the Bowhead whales, swim by on their way to the Hecla and Fury strait along the 'bowhead highway'. These whales are rarely seen even in their native arctic waters so catching sight of one on this trip is especially unique and you’ll have the chance to listen to their chirps and whistles underwater or through hydrophone on the surface.

You'll experience all aspects of the high Arctic, from Inuit culture to breathtaking landscapes to polar bears hunting seals among the pans of ice. This is a unique time of year when there is 24 hour day light, so be sure to capture as many photos as you can of the transition of the arctic from winter to spring, frozen tundra to melting rivers and blossoming arctic flowers. A trip unlike any other, this journey is full of truly stunning views and countless opportunities to connect with the beautiful animals and spirit of the Canadian north.

Learn more about the endless adventure and exclusive options available with the Rainbow High Vacations Giants of the Arctic Package below and visit the Itinerary to get the full details and pricing.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • A highly qualified, English speaking expedition leader
  • All accommodations in itinerary (1 nights local hotel, 6 nights in AK base camp)
  • Local hunter/fisherman guides
  • All meals listed in itinerary
  • For snorkelers/Divers: Drysuit (if you do not bring your own), tanks, weights, mask, snorkel, fins and airfills)
  • Airport transfers in gateway community
  • Primary Focus: Bowhead and Walrus/Secondary Focus: Polar Bears and Seals
  • Flights from Ottawa to Nunavut return are not included

BONUS: 1 FREE Night in Ottawa July 3, 2013 before departure!

PLEASE NOTE: It is a condition of joining this expedition that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks and have search and rescue coverage.

OPTIONAL:        

Remember, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to travel so contact us to find out how your trip can be customized to fit your needs. Groups of 12+ also save so feel free to ask us when we chat!

Rainbow WorldPride WP14TO Donations

WE HELP WORLDPRIDE HAPPEN – YOU CAN TOO

Every WorldPride Travel package financially supports WorldPride through a guaranteed donation by the Official Travel & Tour Partner program. By purchasing your WorldPride travel – hotels, transportation and tours – from Rainbow High, YOU make WorldPride happen too!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CLICK HERE!

ITINERARY:

Below is an example itinerary which can be used as a guideline for what to expect on your journey. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the arctic, the ice conditions and weather play an integral part in determining our daily activities. This is the beauty of the arctic and wildlife - you never know what you'll see and no two trips or days are the same!

DAY 1

After an early breakfast, participants will head to the Ottawa airport and take a flight to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut and the gateway to Nunavut. From there we take another flight to Igloolik, the oldest Inuit settlement in Canada. We will meet for an orientation talk and equipment check then depart on a 30 minutes to one hour trip to base camp via snowmobiles and qamuitk. After unloading our equipment, we'll settle into our tents and meet for a hot meal. Our expedition leader will explain the itinerary for the following day.

The next six days will vary completely based upon weather, interests and animal movements. The following is an outline of what has occurred on a previous expedition:

DAY 2

We'll take our first visit to the floe edge and familiarize ourselves with this stunning new environment. We'll take a boat ride out into the Arctic Ocean to look for Bowheads and some expedition members may observe quietly while others take photographs from the boat.

DAY 3

Heading out on the boat, we'll travel far out into the Foxe Basin and keep our eyes peeled for walrus huddled on the ice packs. There is an opportunity here to take photographs from both the ice and boat, then enjoy a hot lunch on the very same piece of ice as the walrus. On the ride back it's likely to see Bowheads cruising the icy waters.

DAY 4

We'll set out again by boat and go even farther where a few mirrored cloud formations are the only indication of where the horizon divides sea from sky. There are more opportunities for photos and exploring as more than a hundred walruses sit on each island.

DAY 5

With a chance to venture out onto the land and ice closer to the base camp, we'll take some time to visit nearby Thule ruins and learn about traditional Inuit life.

DAY 6

We'll take the boat out for one final trek through the bobbing ice formations and capture as many moments as possible of the polar bears and walruses, returning to the floe edge where the Bowheads patrol and enjoying another few hours relaxing with the whale songs as our musical entertainment.

DAY 7

We pack up our gear and travel back to Igloolik for an 11am departure for Iqaluit. Your plane departs in the afternoon and you arrive back in the early evening in Ottawa.

Pricing and Availability:

July 4th through the 10th, 2014, 7 Nights - Double  $9,189

BOOK NOW with Rainbow High Vacations or contact your local travel agent! All prices are per person and include all taxes.

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