Canada/Greenland
Arctic Ecosystems: Fjords & Tundras Under the Midnight Sun
Program No. 25007RJ
Fascinated by Arctic wildlife and the region’s natural wonders? Set sail and experience northern Canada and Greenland firsthand via expedition ship.
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
15 days
14 nights
40 meals
14B 12L 14D
2
Explore Ottawa
Ottawa
5
Southeast Baffin Island
At Sea
6
Pangnirtung,Inuit Art
At Sea
7
Cumberland Peninsula
At Sea
9
At Sea, Davis Strait
At Sea
10
Western Greenland
At Sea
12
Ilulissat
At Sea
13
Sisimiut Coast
At Sea
15
Program Concludes
Toronto
At a Glance
Are you drawn to Arctic landscapes and want to explore some of Canada’s northernmost regions? Does the idea of viewing polar bears and arctic foxes in their natural habitats inspire the explorer within you? Does Greenland, the world’s largest island, pique your curiosity? If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, this learning adventure in the Arctic is for you! Explore the waters of the Arctic by expedition ship and smaller Zodiac vessels, which will allow you to get up close to seabirds and marine life in places like Kitigung (Lady Franklin Island) and the Cumberland Peninsula. On land, experience the region’s geology and history alongside local experts, who will lead you through ecosystems like the tundra of Baffin Island. This learning adventure will leave you with memories that will be frozen in your mind for a lifetime.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day over hilly, rocky, uneven terrain. Climbing stairs between decks on board as well as external gangway stairs to transfer between the ship and Zodiacs. Most embarkations and disembarkations will be via Zodiac, which require stepping up or down approximately 12 inches. Zodiac landings will generally entail disembarking onto rocky or gravelly beaches and in windy weather can make for rather splashy rides.
What You'll Learn
- Board smaller Zodiac vessels at Kitigung (Lady Franklin Island) and the Cumberland Peninsula for opportunities to see arctic wildlife.
- Visit the Uqqurmuit Inuit Arts Centre to learn about the region’s Inuit culture.
- Explore Greenland’s west coast alongside a team of naturalists, marine biologists and geologists, including the Illulissat Icefjord, renowned for its enormous icebergs.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Arctic Ecosystems: Fjords & Tundras Under the Midnight Sun
Program Number: 25007
Ice Ship: The Epic Voyages of the Polar Adventurer Fram
Canada's Relationship With Inuit: A History of Policy and Program Development
The Last Gentleman Adventurer
Melting Away, Images of the Arctic and Antarctic
In her masterful series of 75 portraits and essays, Camille Seaman shows how climate change has wreaked havoc on both the North and South Poles.
Inuit Women Artists: Voices from Cape Dorset
The Voyage of the Narwhal
Gossip: a Spoken History of Women in the North
Arctic Dreams and Nightmares
The Other Side of Eden: Hunters, Farmers, and the Shaping of the World
Uqalurait: an Oral History of Nunavut
The Right to Be Cold: One Women's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic, and the Whole Planet
From Magic Words to Word Processing: A History of the Inuit Language
The Last Imaginary Place
Arctic Eden
Give Me My Father's Body: The Life of Minik the New York Eskimo
What We Know About Climate Change
The Future of the Arctic
Who Owns the Arctic: Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North
Paper Stays Put: A Collection of Inuit Writing
Arctic Dreams
A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic
A primer on Arctic climate, geography, plants, birds, mammals and insects in a single nicely written book. It's a highly recommended, enthusiastic guide to natural history throughout the Circumpolar North.
