Ship: Akademik Ioffe

Itinerary: High Arctic Explorer 2009

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Akademik Ioffe | slide show

Whale sighting during a wildlife tour of the Arctics icy waters

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Days 1-2 :	Ottawa to Resolute
Day 3 :	Prince Leopold Island
Days 4-5 :	Devon and Cobourg Islands
Day 6 :	Melville Basin
Day 7 :	Qaanaaq, Greenland
Day 8 :	Cape York, Melville Bay
Day 9 :	Baffin Bay and Pond Inlet
Day 10 :	Cape Hay Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Day 11 :	Devon Island
Day 12 :	Beechey Island
Day 13 :	Resolute to Ottawa
Day 14 :	Ottawa / Return Home
	Click for full itinerary

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Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Main Deck Triple	Main Deck Twin	Upper Deck Twin	Twin Private	Superior Twin	Peregrine Suite	Cook Suite
14	Aug 2, 2009 Aug 13, 2009	$4,890	$6,490	$6,790	$7,390	$7,790	$8,290	$8,990
		Optional activity: kayaking Add $1650 per person for charter flights
Destinations : Arctic, Baffin Island, Canada, Greenland Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching

Days 1-2 : Ottawa to Resolute

Arrive in Ottawa and transfer independently for an overnight stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier with opportunities to explore Canada's historic capital. Next morning, fly above the Arctic Circle to Resolute. We’ll be met at the airport in Resolute and be transferred to the beach for the Zodiac embarkation to the Akademik Ioffe, our home for the next 11 nights. Once settled in on board, we’ll meet the expedition crew as we sail away from Resolute Bay, keeping a constant lookout for wildlife, ice and adventure. (D)

Day 3 : Prince Leopold Island

Today we’ll revel in the diversity of northern wildlife as we reach Prince Leopold Island. With luck, we may see the extraordinary looking walrus and perhaps a polar bear.

We plan to do some Zodiac cruising along the base of some of the island's great bird cliffs where large populations of murres, kittiwakes and gulls are in residence. We’ll be literally surrounded by a profusion of Thick-billed murres in a frenzy of activity. Amongst them are the fledglings attempting their first dramatic flights from their cliff-top homes. (B,L,D)

Days 4-5 : Devon and Cobourg Islands

Sailing east along the southern shore of Devon Island we’ll see the remarkable Arctic tundra, which looks like a carpet of flowering beauty and ice slowly tumbling down to the sea in the form of flowing glaciers.

We arrive at Cobourg Island at the eastern end of Jones Sound - this is remote High Arctic Canada at its wild best. Cobourg is 65% ice and the only exposed land juts up in the form of rugged peaks and highlands. It’s also a region renowned for plentiful wildlife. Summer currents bring ice and food stocks that lure vast numbers of seabirds, seals and whales to the area.

Nirjutiqavvik is Cobourg Island’s National Wildlife Area, one of only two such parks in Nunavut. Here, we’ll be astonished by the profusion of magnificent seabirds. Among them are 30,000 pairs of Black-legged kittiwakes and 160,000 pairs of Thick-billed murres that occupy tiny ledges on the high cliffs along the coast. We may also spot Northern fulmars and rare Ivory gulls that also breed in the area.

We will attempt to make our way south of Cobourg Island to Lady Ann Strait. Here, a polyna keeps the sea from freezing over, resulting in a dependable fishing zone for seabirds when all other waters may have frozen over.

On land, we hope to see rare and endangered musk ox and Arctic hare as well as falcons and hawks soaring over the cliffs. Another animal we’ll be on the lookout for is the rare and elusive walrus, occasionally spotted near Dundas Harbour and in Croker Bay.

Today we hope to stop at the historical site of Dundas Harbour, once a Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost from 1924 to 1951. This abandoned site is one of incredible beauty, nestled against cliffs with summer wildflowers blooming along the rocky point. We can often spot icebergs in the small bay in front of the buildings. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Melville Basin

As we cross Melville Basin to Greenland, our educational program will jump into full swing. Join our naturalists, historians and geographers as we learn about the region. Or join one of our staff out on deck, searching for wildlife as we cross the sea. We will also keep a lookout for the most pagophilic (or ice-loving) of all the baleen whales, the great bowhead whale, also known as the Greenland right whale. It is estimated that there are less than 500 individuals in the Northwest Atlantic population. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Qaanaaq, Greenland

When we reach northern Greenland, we hope to visit Qaanaaq (pronounced ka-nak). At 77°N, it’s one of the northernmost municipalities in the world. Qaanaaq is also a gateway to Greenland. For thousands of years voyagers landed here, including the most recent immigration of Inuit from Baffin Island only 130 years ago. We’ll meet them and have a chance to ask them about their traditional ways that are still followed today including hunting practices for narwhal, polar bears, seals and walrus.

We’ll also encounter some European history in Qaanaaq. Knud Rasmussen, the famous Greenlandic explorer, established European roots in the region by initiating the Danish Literary Expedition here in 1903 and 1904. Since then, many more European Arctic expeditions have started from this area, including the Thule Expeditions. Rasmussen’s fifth expedition, his famous dog sled journey, took him from here across Canada and on to Alaska then Siberia. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Cape York, Melville Bay

After exploring northern Greenland, we’ll turn south and investigate Cape York (Kap York in Greenlandic), in Melville Bay. This area, surrounded by glaciers, is known for late summer break-up and early autumn freeze of sea ice. In addition to all the ice, the area is typically hit with windy conditions and stormy seas. But don’t let this bother you; these conditions actually add to the area’s appeal.

During the late winter and early spring, strong winds and high seas usually ensure the ice is full of long leads, or cracks, that narwhal and seals exploit, enticing polar bears to hunt these waters. In fact, there is so much wildlife in the area that parts of the bay have been declared a national park and hunting is prohibited in certain areas.

We’ll hope for favourable sea conditions here so we can relish the splendid wildlife. We’ll even find wonderful birds living along the shores of Melville Bay. Thousands of little auks, or dovekies, nest along the cliffs and via Zodiac boats we’ll hope to approach some of these incredible nesting sites. (B,L,D)

Day 9 : Baffin Bay and Pond Inlet

Today we’ll voyage back out into the waters of Baffin Bay, looking for the ice sheet usually found in the middle of these waters. Here, amongst the ice, we’ll hope to spot seals, polar bears, whales and various lightweight birds such as the dovekies, Sabine’s gulls and several species of jaegers.

Given a heavy ice year, this can be a challenging area to navigate and our ice pilot will be put to work helping us find (or avoid) the ice. During the crossing back to Canada, we’ll hope to explore different types and thicknesses of ice. Our onboard seminars will help us understand how the right ice in the right place is critical to the Arctic environment.

We’ll enter Canadian waters further south than at our departure point and, if ice and weather conditions permit, we’ll sail down Eclipse Sound to reach Pond Inlet. This Canadian Arctic community, located on the northern end of Baffin Island, spends much of the summer season hunting game and fish such as char and narwhal that abound in local waters.

Upon arrival here, we’ll 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. Make sure to stop and talk with some of the children, who will be full of mischievous pranks and always ready to laugh. (B,L,D)

Day 10 : Cape Hay Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Here we will approach the northern tip of Bylot Island, and specifically 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. (B,L,D)

Day 11 : Devon Island

We will leave northern Baffin Island behind us as we cross Lancaster Sound and direct the nose of the ship into some of the large bays that indent the coast. Depending on ice conditions, we may stop in Maxwell Bay for a landing and hike into the Devon Island lowlands.

While hiking on the tundra, you will discover the dramatic contrast between an apparently barren landscape when looking at the horizon and the lush microclimate at your feet, covered in flowers of different colours. Our guides will interpret this ever changing landscape, introducing you to the adaptations that allow even the most fragile of flowers to survive. (B,L,D)

Day 12 : Beechey Island

We’ll sail north through Wellington Channel, part of the fabled Northwest Passage, which separates Cornwallis Island from Devon Island. Amidst this stunning scenery, we’ll hope to find a route through the sea ice as we watch for seabirds and marine mammals.

Later in the day, we’ll visit Beechey Island, located at 74° north, just over 15° latitude from the North Pole. It’s here in this bleak spot that we’ll come across one of the many failed attempts to find the Northwest Passage. In 1845, three members of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated expedition perished here. The story of what actually happened to these men is still shrouded in mystery, and the search for them has never been officially called off. Depending on ice conditions, we’ll go ashore and see the graves that mark the site of the hapless winter camp. Within a few years, the remaining members of the expedition also died during their struggle to return to safety. (B,L,D)

Day 13 : Resolute to Ottawa

The last day of our adventure will be in Resolute. We plan to arrive early in the morning in preparation for our charter flight out of the Arctic. Our last Zodiac ride will take us to shore for our transfer to the airport. We’ll fly south, reaching Ottawa by the end of the day. Upon arrival in Ottawa, you’ll be transferred back to to spend the night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. (B)

Day 14 : Ottawa / Return Home

Book your homeward flight from Ottawa after breakfast on this the final day of the expedition.

- Add $1650 per person for charter flights
-Sea Kayaking Supplement is $495 per person

-Fuel surcharge of $58/night on ship, per person, for Antarctic departures, Oct 2008 - Mar 2009.
- GUARANTEED NO FUEL SURCHARGE FOR CRUISES FROM APR 2009- MAR 2010
-Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
- All of the Akademik Ioffe's departures include optional sea kayaking. Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages and $495 per person for Arctic voyages
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.

Ship Description: Akademik Ioffe

click to enlarge
Akademik Ioffe | slide show

Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Ioffe offers a high level of comfort - in her appointment, stability and strength.

As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Ioffe forms the ideal platform from which to travel Antarctica and the Arctic. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.

The Akademik Ioffe is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.

All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions during your travels. There is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.

Main Deck Triple Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category.	Main Deck Twin Bunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 18 cabins in this category.
Upper Deck Twin One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category.	Twin Private One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category.
Superior Twin 2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 10 cabins in this category.	Peregrine Suite The Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category.
Cook Suite The Cooke Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category.