Arctic Ecosystems: Fjords & Tundras Under the Midnight Sun

Program Registration: At 5:00 PM meet your group leader in the hotel lobby. Orientation: 7:00 PM after dinner. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

We will set out on foot to explore Canada's capital city. With a local expert, we will explore some of Ottawa's iconic landmarks, including Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, and Byward Market. We’ll learn about the history, architecture, and culture of the area.

On your own.

We’ll have independent time to explore Canada’s capital city before meeting back at the hotel for a pre-embarkation briefing.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

Aboard the charter flight to Iqaluit, NU.

Transfer to the airport via motorcoach for our charter flight to Iqaluit on board a 737 aircraft.

Aboard the charter flight.

Arrive in Iqaluit, NU at the head of Frobisher Bay, is Nunavut’s capital.A population of nearly 8,000 calls the city home. We will take a Zodiac to the ship. While on board, rotating members of the ship's resource staff will offer educational presentations on a variety of topics. Many are active researchers with expertise in areas such as history, paleontology, geology, and biology. At each expedition port of call, you will have a choice of field trips that will vary by location such as nature activities (minimal walking), short walks (about .5 - 1.5 miles), longer walks (2-3 miles) and photography sessions led by resource staff. Expedition ships — more rugged than traditional sailing vessels — are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. These educational adventures have flexible schedules. The itinerary may change daily based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected. The schedule that follows is tentative and a representative outline. Changes in the schedule, including ports of call, can be expected due to weather and other local conditions. Updates will be provided aboard ship. Thank you for your understanding.

Aboard ship, we’ll have a 3-course a la carte plated meal with meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, plus water, coffee, tea; other beverages available for purchase. The chefs try to incorporate local delicacies when possible.

At leisure. Rotating members of the ship’s staff will offer fun educational activities and presentations.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will discover Lady Franklin Island in Zodiacs. Discover one of the many rugged and wildlife-rich islands dotting the south Baffin Island coast. Explore the coastline by Zodiac keeping watch for seabirds, polar bears, and marine life.

Aboard ship.

We’ll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We’ll set out via Zodiacs on an expert-led hiking field trip to Southeast Baffin Island. Spend time on the nuna—the Inuktitut name for land. Take a hike that best suits your interest accompanied by our expert expedition team who offer insightful interpretations of the surroundings.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We will board our Zodiacs and head to Pangnirtung, nestled on a coastal plain amidst stunning mountains and a winding river valley. Meaning “the place of the bull caribou” in Inuktitut, this charming community is embraced by snow-capped peaks and the ocean. Discover Inuit art at the Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Centre. Step inside the print and weave shop, where talented Inuit artists create beautifully woven tapestries and prints.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We will spend two days exploring the Cumberland Peninsula via Zodiac, a stunning Arctic region steeped in cultural heritage. Jutting from the southeastern coast of Baffin Island, this peninsula encompasses Cumberland Sound, whose profuse wildlife sustained Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years. Weather, wildlife, and sea conditions will influence our choice of landing today.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We will continue our exploration of the Cumberland Peninsula via Zodiac. Considered a potential missing link in the early search for the Northwest Passage. While exploring, we'll have the opportunity to delve into the captivating maritime history of the region, gaining a deeper understanding of its past and present significance. Accompanied by our expert expedition team we'll make the most of every opportunity to hike the vast tundra and Zodiac in the ice-strewn waters.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

While crossing Davis Strait towards Greenland, we'll relax and enjoy onboard lectures and opportunities to watch for wildlife from the ship's decks. Resource staff will be on deck for the duration, searching for wildlife and contextualizing the mighty landscape through which we travel.

Aboard ship.

Relax aboard the Ocean Endeavour as you enjoy onboard lectures from the knowledgeable resource staff.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

A field trip to explore Greenland’s west coast led by a local expert will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. From mighty mountains to the tiniest tundra flowers, Greenland’s west coast offers a stunning array of wildlife.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

We will continue exploring Western Greenland, different activities will be offered alongside our team of knowledgeable naturalists, marine biologists, and geologists while on shore: hiking, walking, photography, or sitting contemplatively.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Ilulissat translates literally into “iceberg”, and there couldn’t be a more fitting name for this remarkable place. With an onboard expert, we will sail in our fleet of Zodiacs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The icefjord is the outlet of the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier and is one of the most active and fastest moving in the world at nineteen meters per day. Calving more than thirty-five square kilometers of ice annually, it creates the majority of the icebergs in the North Atlantic.

Aboard ship.

Free time in Illulissat. Explore the bustling town, with museums, cafes, craft shops, and a busy fishing harbor, or use this time to hike out to an elevated viewpoint to observe the great fields of ice.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Explore West Greenland’s complex coastal waterways that include glaciers, islands, and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop, with plentiful opportunities for hiking and Zodiac cruising. Learn about the Saqqaq, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit cultures that have called the Sisimiut region home for the past 4,500 years.

Aboard ship.

We'll gather in the onboard meeting space for an illuminating lecture by an onboard expert that will expand on the program theme.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Enjoy evening activities aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Aboard ship.

Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometers of superb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord as the sun rises to greet us. Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s only international flight hub. Here we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and transfer to shore via Zodiac. We will then board our motorcoach and ride to the airport for our return charter flight to Toronto.

Boxed lunches available prior to disembarkation.

In flight to Toronto.

Served onboard en route to Toronto.

Evening arrival to Toronto. We'll gather our baggage and check-in at the hotel as a group. Relax for the rest of the evening after a full day of travel and prepare for check out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!