unprecedented access to the hardest- to-reach places on the planet—and equipped with two onboard twin-engine helicopters for unparalleled access to areas only Quark Expeditions can bring you—this one-of-a-kind ship will take you beyond the familiar in polar exploration. Throughout your journey, your Expedition Team will keep an eye toward immersing you in the best the Arctic has to offer at the top of the world. DAYS 4 – 6 | EXPLORING BAFFIN ISLAND, CANADA Baffin Island is the fifth-largest island in the world. Its Inuktitut name is Qikiqtaaluk, and it has been home to Inuit for thousands of years. The colonial name Baffin Island comes from English navigator William Baffin, who ventured to the area in the early 17th century in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. Your days sailing along the island’s eastern
coast will be guided by weather and ice conditions, with each day and each landing presenting new adventures. Some of our favorite destinations include Qikiqtarjuaq and Isabella Bay. Towering mountains, deep fjords, colorful tundra, and Inuit settlements await! The Inuit community of Qikiqtarjuaq (which means “the big island” in Inuktitut) is located just north of the Arctic Circle, on Broughton Island. Fondly called Qik by locals, the welcoming hamlet offers a superb vantage point of the Davis Strait. You’ll also have a chance to support local Inuit artisans here by purchasing unique artwork, crafts and jewelry. Cruising farther north along the east coast of Baffin Island, we’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for a large population of bowhead whales.
DAY 7 | CRUISING As our ship sails farther north, take in a presentation by our on-board experts, sip a cocktail in the bar, watch a documentary film or join your Expedition Team on the bridge as they scan for wildlife—there is no shortage of activities while at sea. DAYS 8 – 11 | LANCASTER SOUND The gateway to the Northwest Passage, Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga) is one of the richest marine habitats in the Arctic. With open-water areas staying ice-free all year, it is an important summer feeding area for whales and other marine wildlife. Our days here will be spent exploring several of the sound’s beautiful bays and inlets, discovering historical sites, enjoying Zodiac cruises and searching for such iconic wildlife as walrus, seals and, of course, whales.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details
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