One of the goals of this voyage is to be in the best position to witness the Total Solar Eclipse! We will sail the ship as close as possible to the umbra (path of totality) during the morning of August 01 to witness a very rare and spectacular natural event. There are only a few places in the World where this event can be seen. Ice conditions and weather will determine if we are able to get to the desired window of opportunity. However, ice conditions during this time period, over the last few years, indicate a favourable result.

PLEASE NOTE:  This expedition voyage is operated by The Adventure Fleet.  Quest Nature Tours will not have any staff on board the ship.

Itinerary
(Breakfast - B, Lunch - L, Dinner - D)

Day 1 Tues July 22
Ottawa to Iqaluit
Our expedition begins at the designated meeting point in Ottawa (location will be advised with final documents). We're transferred to the airport to board a charter flight bound for Iqaluit, the capital of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut. On board, we'll be treated to magnificent aerial views of Baffin Island and Hudson Straight. Upon arrival, we'll be transported to the ship by Zodiac for embarkation on the Akademik Ioffe, our home for the next 12 nights. Setting sail in the evening, we pass through historic Frobisher Bay and head southeast through the narrows. Later, you'll be introduced to our expedition crew and given an overview of the exciting adventures to come.

Day 2 Wed July 23
Monumental Island
Few people have touched the shores of this island, thus surrounding it with an air of mystery. Depending on the position of the receding northern ice pack it may be possible to see walrus on the ice, although walrus haul-outs are seasonal. Birders might catch sight of some Kumlien's gulls, which are known to nest on the cliff-tops, and there is also the possibility of sighting polar bears, whales and seals.

Day 3 Thurs July 24
Cumberland Sound & Pangnirtung, Baffin Island
Today, we will cruise through Cumberland Sound to Pangnirtung, known as 'the place of the bull caribou'. Before the concentration of Inuit population in this area, an abundance of caribou were found here. Here we will visit 'Pang', an Inuit community on the east coast of Baffin Island renowned for their arts and crafts, especially print-making and weaving. There will be opportunities to view and purchase these magnificent pieces of art by famous Inuit artists. This is also the place to buy the famous 'Pang toque' (beanie or wool cap).

Day 4 Fri July 25
At Sea in Davis Strait
The ship will turn east today and head towards Greenland across Davis Strait. Eventually, we'll cross the Arctic Circle heading northeast. Our remote location may inspire you to join our shipboard educational program, which will focus on some of the fascinating history, geography and culture of the Arctic. We will be looking for the ice edge and for all of the wildlife that can be found on the sea ice. Join the onboard naturalists out on deck and help search for the wildlife.

Day 5 Sat July 26
Sisimiut, Greenland
Our first stop today is the Greenland town of Sisimiut, known for its colourful harbour. We'll spend some time wandering through the town. Our guides will lead various lengths of walks up into the mountains around the town at various times 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 6 Sun July 27
Illulissat, Greenland
Today, we arrive in Illulissat or 'icebergs' as it's known in the Greenlandic language. It's a name appropriately given since the town is nestled amongst the hills beside the Jakobshavn Ice Fjord. This awe-inspiring ice fjord is chock full of massive icebergs produced by the Jakobshavn Glacier, known to be 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, 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 awesome 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 amongst the icebergs, 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 7 Mon July 28
Uummannaq, Greenland
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 is a beautiful town with icebergs littering the backyards of the oceanfront homes and a great little museum.

Days 8 - 9 Tues July 29 - Wed July 30
Baffin Bay
We now begin a crossing of Baffin Bay, heading for the top of Baffin Island. The crossing will take almost two days and 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 10 Thurs July 31
Devon Island & Somerset Island
Today we will explore 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.

Magnificently framed by mountains on all sides, 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 11 Fri Aug 1
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE! / Prince Leopold Island
Leaving Devon Island behind, the ship's Expedition Leader will be reviewing charts and weather reports to identify the best location to view the solar eclipse. According to NASA, the event should occur at 04:20 hrs. Our goal is to be ashore on the northeastern tip of Somerset Island, near Port Leopold in order to get an excellent northerly view of the eclipse, which will occur just above the horizon, northwest from Port Leopold.

After a morning nap following the eclipse, we will visit Prince Leopold Island. Prince Leopold Island's towering limestone cliffs are renowned as a breeding ground for many species of Arctic seabirds. If the conditions are right, we'll see thousands of birds in flight or at rest on the cliffs.

Day 12 Sat Aug 2
Beechey Island
We continue on to the bleak shores of Beechey Island. It's here 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. 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.

Day 13 Sun Aug 3
Resolute / Return to Ottawa
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. You'll head south flying over Baffin Island and Northern Quebec. Upon arrival in Ottawa in the evening, you'll be transferred back to the meeting point.