Itinerary

Day 0,  Saturday, August 4, 2012: You need to arrive in Ottawa today, so that you can join the flight tomorrow from Ottawa to Iqaluit and then onward to Pond Inlet. The flight and plane change in Iqualuit consume much of the day tomorrow. We suggest that if you want a distinctive arctic souvenir, you do some window shopping for soapstone carvings today in Ottawa. Then when you are in Pond Inlet you will have an excellent idea of quality and price. Almost always the quality and price are superior in Pond Inlet.

    
      Day 1,  August 5, 2012:    Our Arctic narwhal adventure begins when we meet in Pond Inlet, Baffin Island, Canada. From Ottawa we’ll probably all fly together to Iqaluit and on to Pond Inlet. Although the price of the air tickets from Ottawa to Pond Inlet is not included in the tour price. We’ll meet up with our local guides and spend our first night in a local hotel, probably the Sauniq Inn.  

    
      Day 2  August 6:  Today we go through our final gear check and then travel via motor boat to our base camp location at Koluctoo Bay.   On the way we’ll begin the Narwhal and Bowhead whale search while enjoying the passing arctic scenery. The odds are excellent we will sight several icebergs along the way.  We will set up camp and then probably have time to explore the area around our camp.

    
      Day 3  Sunday, August 7:  Today we will go out in our chartered boat in search of Narwhal and other marine wildlife. We’ll adjust our routine to suit the weather and the group personality. We expect to land and spend some time on a point of land known as Bruce Head. This is dependent on whether or not there are Inuit hunters there. If hunters are present, we don't stay there.

    
      Day 4, 5 & 6  August 8, 9 & 10: These days are set aside for hiking, fishing and observing the narwhal and seals from the shore or from the point of land at Bruce Head.   This special rocky ledge is an area where the narwhal pass close to shore as they enter and leave Koluctoo Bay.  This past year we experienced what we called the narwhal parade, when for 25 uninterrupted minutes we watched a steady stream of narwhal swim by, as close to us as 20 feet.. We expect that by day 6 we will have viewed Narwhal several times.  On all previous trips the best viewing of narwhals took place from the shore, not from the boat.  So don't let the days on shore make you think nothing will happen.  In 2008 our group sighted tusking narwhals very close to shore and for a long time.  Our Inuit guide rated that viewing as the most amazing and one of the best he has ever seen in his entire life.

    
      Day 7   Thursday, August 11 :  This will be our last full day at base camp. The boat will take us out on the water again to observe marine life and to explore the bay.  If conditions are right we'll take a high tide exploratory trip to the Roberson River where Arctic Char up to 50 pounds in size can be seen and fished for.  On our last trip the group felt that our trip here was one of the major highlights of the entire adventure.

    
      Day 8  -  Friday, August 12:  Today the boat returns us to Pond.  But that doesn't mean you won't see whales today.  Last year Orcas were sighted just outside of Koluctoo Bay by our group on the return to Pond Inlet.  Bowhead whales have been seen in this channel.

    
      Day 9 Saturday, August 13 -  We have a relaxed and open schedule today. This is really a weather day, to allow us an extra day in Pond Inlet, should the weather delay our return from Kolucktoo Bay. Today is an excellent time to make some last minute souvenirs purchases.

    
      Day 10 Saturday, August 14:Today we fly south from Pond Inlet to Ottawa and home.

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