Arctic Cruise : Iceland, Greenland and Baffin Island Explorer, 16 days / 15 nights
The Peregrine Mariner is renowned as being among the best expedition-style ships for exploring the polar regions. The ship has comfortable and well appointed expedition-style cabins, and all have an outside view with a window or porthole. You will enjoy a pristine wilderness that has been explored by so few!
Main Deck Triple
Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there is a washbasin in the cabin. Writing desk. Portholes .
This exciting new voyage begins in Iceland, visiting remote Inuit communities, Viking settlements and watching for wildlife as we round the southern tip of Greenland, head up the west coast, then cross to Baffin Island in Canada
Day 1 : Reykjavik
Our voyage begins in Reykjavik, the main port and capital city of Iceland. You may arrive in time to explore the town or take an excursion to the many nearby attractions of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’. Once aboard, we’ll introduce our expedition team and provide an overview of our adventures to come. As we set sail in the early evening, we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife, in particular, whales, as we cross the Greenland Sea.
Day 2 : At Sea
During our crossing, we’ll have ample time to enjoy the spectacular ocean vistas from the ship’s deck. Our naturalists will be manning the bridge looking for interesting wildlife sightings and our educational program offers fascinating sessions to prepare us for what we’ll find in Greenland. Talks on such topics as seals and the modern Inuit create enormous anticipation.
Day 3 : Tasiilaq
Eastern Greenland is a region of unspoilt nature – Europeans first set foot here only a little over a century ago – and is renowned for its Inuit arts and crafts which often interpret traditional legends. Our first port of call is Tasiilaq, one of the most beautiful towns in Greenland. With an Inuit population approaching 2000, colourful houses add to the picturesque setting in a fjord, surrounded by high mountains. We’ll hike in the river valley amongst exquisite and unique flora; cruise in the Zodiacs looking for whales and the kayakers will have their first chance to wet their paddles!
Day 4 : Cruising Greenland's Coast
Southern Greenland can be surprisingly mild – often reaching 18C in summer – and the resulting green landscape inspired the Viking, Eric the Red, to give the country its name. There are many glaciers, where it’s sometimes possible to approach on foot. We sail southwards along the Greenland coast, looking for possible landing sites to hike in the tundra, which is strewn with tiny and exquisite wildflowers, and for places where we can explore by Zodiac. Of course, our schedule will remain flexible depending on conditions, but we plan to investigate the Bernstorfs Isfjord en route to the southern tip of Greenland.
Day 5 : Nanortalik
Nanortalik is Greenland’s southernmost town – its name translates as ‘place of polar bears’, but the town is even more renowned for the natural ‘skyscrapers’ - the towering cliffs and jagged peaks that line the nearby Tasermiut Fjord and other neighbouring fjords. We’ll cruise beneath the cliffs, watching for the prolific whale populations present at this time of year. Nearby, we visit the ruins at Herjolfsnaes, which was settled c.985 by Vikings from Iceland, under the leadership of Erik the Red, and the hot springs at Uunartoq which have been revered for around 1000 years for the waters’ healing properties.
Day 6 : At Sea
Having rounded Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland, we set a northerly course along the west coast of Greenland, with time to relax, watch for whales and seabirds from the bridge or outer decks, or take in a talk by our expedition staff.
Day 7 : Sisimiut
Today we visit the town of Sisimiut, known for its colourful harbour. We’ll spend some time wandering through the town. Our guides will lead walks of warying lengths into the mountains around the town during the day. Sisimiut is the northernmost year-round ice-free port on the west coast of Greenland. It is consequently an important shipping town where items destined for northwestern Greenland are transferred to air cargo during the winter months.
Day 8 : Ilulissat
We arrive in Illulissat or ‘Icebergs’ as it’s known in the Greenlandic language. It’s an appropriate name as the town is nestled amongst the hills beside the World Heritage-listed Jakobshavn Ice Fjord. This awe-inspiring ice fjord is chock full of massive icebergs produced by the Jacobshaven Glacier, one of the most prolifically calving glaciers in the world, travelling some 13 metres daily. We’ll begin with a not-to-be-missed hike through the charming town, which is large by Greenland standards, with a population of about 4,000 people and 6,000 sled dogs. Our hike will take us through the village, over the tundra to viewpoints that overlook the Jakobshavn ice field. Time in the town itself can be spent visiting the excellent museum dedicated to the great Greenlandic explorer and anthropologist Knud Rasmussen. You may also wish to wander through the well-stocked tourist shops, or simply observe the activity in the perpetually busy harbour. Later in the day, we’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises among the icebergs of Disko Bay, some of which have been known to travel as far south as New York. In the twilight, we set sail again, keeping an eye out for the many species of whales and seabirds that frequent these Arctic waters in summer.
Day 9 : Uummannaq and Qilaqitsoq
A town situated at the head of a breath-taking fjord, Uummannaq is nestled at the base of a large rock spire on a small island. Surrounded by ice, and within view of the continental glacier that caps Greenland, Uummannaq is an island of contrasts. Uummannaq town is beautiful, with icebergs littering the backyards of the oceanfront homes and a great little museum. We’ll also visit the archaeological site of Qilaqitsoq, where eight mummified bodies, dating back to the 15th century, were discovered in 1972.
Days 10-11 : At Sea in Baffin Bay
We now begin a crossing of Baffin Bay, heading for Baffin Island. Our time at sea will be well spent relaxing and absorbing the magnificent scenery from colossal icebergs to sea birds. Our onboard educational program will offer some great in-depth sessions. Our naturalists, historians and anthropologists relish this opportunity to discuss the flora, fauna and incredible history as well as the modern social conditions of Greenland, Baffin Island and the Canadian North.
Day 12 : Pond Inlet, Albert Harbour
Sailing down Navy Board Inlet, we will reach Eclipse Sound. With Bylot Island on one side of us and Baffin Island on the other, we will be sailing through one of Canada’s northernmost national parks, Sermillik National Park Reserve. We will approach the town of Pond Inlet and drop anchor. Located in a rich breeding ground for seal life, the inhabitants of this Canadian Arctic community, located on the northern end of Baffin Island, spend much of the summer season hunting game and fish such as char and narwhal that abound in local waters. Upon arrival here, we will be warmly greeted by the local community. We may even be treated to a remarkable display of Inuit culture including throat singing, drum dancing, Arctic game challenges as well as seeing a display of intricate Inuit carvings, paintings and clothing.
Day 13 : Cape Hay and Dundas Harbour, Devon Island
At the northern tip of Bylot Island, we find the majestic cliffs of Cape Hay. Weather permitting, we will disembark the ship for a Zodiac cruise along the base of a seabird colony that is home to Thick-billed murres, Black guillemots and Black-legged kittiwakes. Bylot Island makes up part of the southern coast of Lancaster Sound, which is in many ways the wildlife access route into the central Arctic. The mixing of waters from Baffin Bay with the water of the Arctic archipelago provides a rich feeding ground for seals, whales and seabirds. During our passage to Dundas Harbour on Devon Island, we will be on the lookout for narwhal, walrus and Arctic seals among the floes. We’ll also be looking to the skies to spot any one of the numerous bird species that inhabit the area, including a resident gyrfalcon and rough-legged hawk. Dundas Harbour provides a chance to see fox, Arctic hare and musk ox roaming the surrounding tundra. We are always on the lookout for polar bears too!
Day 14 : Prince Leopold Island and Maxwell Bay
Today, we’ll revel in the diversity of northern wildlife as we reach Prince Leopold Island. We’ll plan to do some Zodiac cruising along the base of some of the island’s great bird cliffs where large populations of murres, kittiwakes, guillemots and gulls are in residence. We’ll be literally surrounded by thousands of thick-billed murres in a frenzy of activity. Amongst them are the fledglings attempting their first dramatic flights from their cliff-ledge home.
Day 15 : Radstock Bay, Beechey Island
We continue on to Erebus and Terror Bay, overlooking the beach at Beechey Island, the last known wintering site of the Franklin Expedition. Many of the expeditions sent to discover the fate of the Franklin Expedition stopped at Beechey Island, and the remains of these expeditions are visible in the outlines of Northumberland House and the cross made from the tin supplies left behind. There are also four graves, three of which are from the Franklin Expedition. Despite its bleakness, this site nevertheless commemorates the determination of the British to explore and open up the Arctic, no matter the cost. It stands as a reminder of all the courageous people that died exploring this vast land.
Day 16 : Resolute
The ship sails towards Cornwallis Island and Resolute, the most western point of the voyage. Here we’ll disembark by Zodiac and then be transferred to the airport for the charter flight to Ottawa.
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