arctic watch wilderness lodge - ruta 40

ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE

Adventure and Wildlife at 74°N

This land-based itinerary brings together a host of active Arctic

experiences that put you in the thick of the action. Recreational

fun includes ATVing, kayaking, rafting and fishing. Encounter

elusive wildlife—polar bears, muskoxen, foxes, rare birds and

more. Visit the Cunningham River estuary, the seasonal home to

hundreds of beluga whales, as well as the fascinating Thule sites

at Cape Anne.

The Trip Overview EXPEDITION IN BRIEF

Encounter rarely seen and iconic arctic wildlife and their habitats: polar bears, muskoxen, ringed seals, bird cliffs, fox dens and much more

Visit the Cunningham River estuary, seasonal home to hundreds of beluga whales

Take advantage of included equipment and activities such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), a Mercedes Unimog, kayaking, rafting, fishing and hiking

Visit Cape Anne Thule sites with ancient stone and bone houses

Enjoy unique photography opportunities

Sample ItineraryThe itinerary outlined below is only a sample of a typical week at Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge. Day-to-day activities may vary and are also weather dependent. Please note that the likelihood of seeing belugas early in the season is dependent on weather and ice conditions.

DAY 1 | YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Enjoy an included night in Yellowknife

and meet your fellow travelers at a

welcome expedition briefing, followed by

boot and signature Quark Expeditions®

parka distribution.

DAY 2 | YELLOWKNIFE AND ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE

Today, board our private chartered plane

to fly the 1,000 miles (1,500 km) to the

Itinerary

Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge. During

the four-and-a-half-hour flight, you’ll

pass over the treeline as you cross the

Arctic Circle. Following a refueling stop

in the community of Cambridge Bay,

you’ll circle above Cunningham Inlet.

Enjoy aerial views of the lodge below,

before landing on the private airstrip

on Somerset Island. A short walk across

the tundra—and an even shorter raft

ride across the Cunningham River—will

bring you to the lodge. After a tour of

the facilities, you’ll be escorted to your

cabin. Upon settling in, meet your hosts

for a safety briefing and overview of the

exciting activities and options ahead.

DAY 3 | ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE, SOMERSET ISLAND, NUNAVUT

After a hot breakfast, a typical first

morning at the lodge may include

Flight from and to Somerset Island

ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGEAdventure and Wildlife at 74°N

receiving a hands-on introduction to

driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), which

are easy and fun to operate. Later, you

may take a short hike to the Cunningham

River estuary to spot beluga whales

frolicking in the shallow water only a few

yards offshore. After lunch, there may

be an opportunity for a hike to Triple

Waterfalls, a five-story torrent of free-

falling water. There, you can see nesting

peregrine falcons and other birds such

as loons, snow buntings, sandpipers

and rough-legged hawks. Exploring this

canyon introduces you to the delicate

beauty of wild arctic flowers. Encounters

with muskoxen are common.

During your gourmet dinner, pair your

meal with a fine Canadian bottle of wine

from the Northwest Passage Wine and

Spirit List. After dinner, there’s free time

to explore in and around the lodge. The

library has a broad selection of arctic

and polar titles. The interpretive center

contains collections of local fossils, the

IMPORTANT REMINDEREmbracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

skeletal remains of arctic fauna, and a

collection of traditional Inuit clothing

from Canada, Greenland and Siberia.

DAY 4 | ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE

One of today’s activities may be kayaking

in Cunningham Inlet. Paddle among

icebergs, looking out for beluga whales

as well as ring and bearded seals.

Sightings of seabirds, including arctic

terns and eider ducks, can be expected.

After a lunch served along the shoreline,

you’ll take a short hike to explore a local

canyon aptly named Kayak Falls. From

there, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the

Northwest Passage and the opportunity to

see polar bears.

In the afternoon, you’ll return to the

Cunningham River estuary, a beluga

whale migration site. This site is unique

the world over because of the density of

the beluga population and its proximity to

our lodge. You may even be able to see the

whales while you stand on the river banks,

and be close enough to hear their calls.

Guides will use hydrophones so you can

also hear the whales’ underwater song.

In the evening, following a five-star

dinner, you’ll hear a lecture on the

beluga research being conducted in

Cunningham Inlet.


Following breakfast, you’ll depart for

a trip to Flatrock Falls, crossing the

Cunningham River delta. There, you’ll

have the option of hiking or traveling

by Mercedes Unimog (a multipurpose

four-wheel-drive truck). You’ll visit the

Somerset Island canyons, formed as

the result of shifting fault lines. Their

steep walls vary from 200 to 1,000 feet

(61 to 305 meters). Millions of fossils

of prehistoric plants and animals are

scattered around the ground. You may

also have the opportunity to observe

nesting sites of local birds, including

terns, plovers and snow geese. An

alfresco lunch is served directly on the

flat rocks that surround this canyon.

After lunch, you’ll travel to Gull Canyon,

where you can see the striking color

contrasts between the barren canyon

and a lush gull rookery. This spot was

recently declared a unique ecosystem

by the Canadian Wildlife Service due to

the area’s gull rookery and the presence

of peregrine falcons. In the evening,

a Scientist in Residence will give an

informal lecture.


Today’s full-day rafting adventure will

begin after breakfast with a Mercedes

Unimog truck ride to the Arctic Watch

raft launch on the Cunningham River,

12.5 miles (20 km) from the lodge. Opt to

hike the final four miles (6 km) through

the Badlands, passing the skeletal remains

of two bowhead whales that date back

8,000 years. On the way to the launch,

you may encounter muskoxen, snow

geese, jaegers, arctic fox, sandpipers and

rough-legged hawks.

You’ll savor a picnic lunch on the beach,

beside the river, as the staff and guides

prepare the rafts. Return to the lodge by

raft on the swift-flowing, crystal-clear

water of the gentle rapids. The views are

amazing and include steep canyon walls

that at one point make a 180-degree turn

Tonight, you’ll enjoy our farewell

dinner and evening at Arctic Watch

Wilderness Lodge.

DAY 7 & 8 (If you choose the 10-day itinerary)


After a full breakfast, you’ll travel by

ATV, crossing the Cunningham River

delta and driving along the Muskox

Ridge Trail, which provides a scenic

overview of the entire area. It’s very

likely that you’ll see muskoxen and

pass by an impressive arctic fox den,

where you may have the opportunity

to watch fox cubs at play.

Following an outdoor lunch at

Inukshuk Lake, we’ll supply gear for

those who would like the opportunity

to try catch-and-release fishing for

arctic char. Returning on ATVs, the

tour takes an alternate route via the

River Trail, so you can view hoodoos

(sculptured sand pillars) and local coal

deposits. In the evening, after dinner,

we’ll enjoy an informal lecture.


Today, you’ll set out on an ATV to

Cape Anne, where you’ll visit some

Thule sites along the coast and look

for polar bears. The Thule people

were bowhead whale hunters,

ancestors of today’s modern Inuit.

The ride showcases scenic vistas,

icebergs, ancient Inuit campsites and

giant prehistoric whale bones. The

Cape Anne Thule site is the largest in

the area and includes the remains of

15 stone and bone houses. Polar bears

can often be seen on the shoreline as

they wander the coast, waiting for

the ice to return. The return overland

trip via the Red Valley will give us

incredible views of the place we’ve

called home this week.

DAY 7 | DEPART ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE (or day 9 of 10-day itinerary)

Today, you’ll bid a fond goodbye to the

lodge team and the High Arctic. You

may have time to take advantage of one

last activity before you depart. In the late

afternoon, you’ll return to Yellowknife.

Upon arrival in Yellowknife, you will be

transferred to your included hotel.

DAY 8 | DEPART YELLOWKNIFE(or day 10 of 10-day itinerary)

After breakfast and boot return, you

can make your way home at your

leisure or spend some more time in

the Yellowknife area.

Included ActivitiesHIKING

Hiking is a great way to appreciate the

immense windswept landscapes of the

Arctic. The tundra comes alive during

the brief arctic summer, with bursts of

color from the shrubs and plants that live

in this polar environment. You’ll find

that each hike is different: you’ll explore

shorelines and landscapes, always on the

lookout for wildlife. Hiking participation

is optional, and your Expedition Team

will advise you of what levels of activity

you can expect prior to each excursion.

Adventure Options

RIVER RAFTING

The Cunningham River is swift-flowing,

crystal-clear water with no difficult

sections or rapids. Guests will travel

by raft on this river excursion, which

typically lasts a full day and includes an

optional hike to the starting point, plus

lunch along the shore. Prior to departing,

guests are given a hands-on introduction

to rafting; no prior experience is required.

ATV

A great way to better explore the varied

terrain of Somerset Island is by all-terrain

vehicle (ATV). Guests can opt to ride as a

passenger, or they can receive a hands-on

introduction to driving ATVs, which are

easy and fun to operate. Helmets and a

safety briefing are provided.

KAYAKING

Led by experienced kayak guides, guests

will paddle among icebergs, on the

watch for beluga whales as well as ring

and bearded seals. Sightings of seabirds,

including arctic terns and eider ducks, can

be expected. Although no experience is

required, even avid kayakers will enjoy

this half-day adventure. All equipment

and basic instructions are provided.

FISHING

Guests have the opportunity to try

catch-and-release fishing for arctic char

at Inukshuk Lake. Fishing equipment

and gear are supplied, and spinning

equipment is also available. Fly fishing

is welcome, and guests are free to bring

their preferred gear. Nunavut fishing

licences are available for purchase at the

lodge for a small fee.

FAT BIKING

Even though they look a bit odd, fat-tire

bikes are specialized mountain bikes that

offer a smooth ride over the tough arctic

terrain. You’ll have loads of fun riding

out on the sea ice and along rocky ridges.

Your bike’s stable fat tires will carry you

over the mostly smooth surface and

across some shallow creeks with ease. All

fat-bike excursions are escorted by a UTV

for repairs and support.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING

Combining surfing with kayaking or

canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding will

give you a very personal and unique

perspective on the Arctic. Taken in small

groups in good weather conditions

on calm waters, this activity offers the

opportunity to paddle through deep arctic

canyons and among ice floes.

Paid ActivitiesBEECHEY ISLAND

Take your expedition to the next level with a spectacular fly-in excursion to historic

Beechey Island! This option is offered on 10-day itineraries only, is subject to

availability and fills up quickly, so be sure to book yours early. Please note that Paid

Activities are weather dependent.

Departing Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge on a de Havilland twin otter, you’ll fly

across the Northwest Passage on a 40-minute flight to Beechey Island. During the

flight, we’ll look out for seals and polar bears, as well as narwhal, bowhead and beluga

whales. Once on Beechey Island, we’ll pay our respects at the graves of three Franklin

Expedition crew members, visit the storage depot, have a picnic lunch and explore

the island. Stunning ice formations, untamed landscapes and one of the Arctic’s most

historic places are all part of this incredible day trip.

More information about your Adventure Options, including the necessary experience, physical

requirements and cost, is available by contacting your Polar Travel Adviser.

As you prepare for your journey, you

may be interested to know the details

of your arrival and departure. You will

need to arrange flights from your home

to Yellowknife, and back home again.

Quark Expeditions® can assist you

with booking air arrangements on an

individual basis, or feel free to contact

your preferred travel agent or airline.

Here are the details for your expedition.

Arrival Day and EmbarkationARRIVING IN YELLOWKNIFE

Please be sure to arrive prior to 6 pm on

Day 1 of your expedition. A free shuttle

service will take you from the airport to

the group hotel, which is listed on your

final documents.

On arrival at the hotel, once you have

had a chance to settle in, you will make

your way to Quark Expeditions®’

meeting room, where you will collect

your boots and parka, which you need

for the following day’s flight. Bring the

luggage you are planning to travel with

to the meeting room to have it weighed.

A welcome briefing hosted by a Quark

Expeditions® representative will follow

the boot and parka distribution.

FLYING TO ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE

Your flight to the Arctic is expected

to depart from Yellowknife to Arctic

Watch Wilderness Lodge on Day 2 of

the itinerary, after breakfast. Although

the scheduled flight time will be

communicated at your welcome briefing,

there is significant variability based

on weather conditions. You should be

prepared to depart the hotel for the

airport on our group transfer at any time.

Arrival & Departure Details

PLEASE NOTE There is a strict luggage limit of 44 lbs (20 kg) checked luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between Yellowknife and Somerset Island, where the lodge is located. Should you have additional luggage, it can be stored at the hotel in Yellowknife. There is NO option to pay for additional luggage.

PLEASE NOTEWeather conditions can always delay our arrival, and airline schedule changes have also been known to occur. Booking flexible tickets is always encouraged, as we cannot be held responsible for delays due to unforeseen circumstances.

Final Day and DepartureFLYING FROM ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE

On the final morning, you will have time

after breakfast to bid farewell to your

Expedition Team and camp mates before

boarding the plane back to Yellowknife.

The flight takes about two to three hours.

DEPARTING FROM YELLOWKNIFE

Upon arrival in Yellowknife, you will

be transferred from the airport to your

included post-expedition hotel for one

final night. After breakfast the following

morning, you will take the shuttle back

to the airport for your homeward flights.

Included Hotel AccommodationsYour included accommodation begins

on Day 1 of your itinerary, and the

specific hotel(s) will be indicated on

your final voyage confirmation. If you

are arriving prior to Day 1 of your

expedition or are staying after the

disembarkation day, please contact your

Polar Travel Adviser for hotel options.

Since accommodation space is limited,

you are encouraged to request any extra

nights as early as possible.

Arrival and Departure TransfersYELLOWKNIFE AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Arrival and departure transfers in

Yellowknife are provided by an airport

shuttle bus that meets all flights. Please

check your final documents for the name

of your hotel.

CONTINGENCY PLAN

In the unlikely event that the plane is

unable to depart on the planned date of

the charter flight, you will be provided

accommodation in Yellowknife at Quark’s

expense, for one additional night only.

All meals, room charges, and any other

expenses are the responsibility of the

guest. In the event of a charter flight

delay longer than one day, all expenses,

including additional accommodations and

meals will be at the guest’s expense.

Guests already at Arctic Watch who are

affected by a charter flight delay, will

receive one night’s accommodation

in Yellowknife at Quark’s expense on

the day of arrival from Arctic Watch to

Yellowknife. All other expenses related

to a charter flight delay, including meals,

room charges, and flight cancellation or

rebooking fees, are the responsibility of

the guest.

Quark Expeditions® will make every

effort to ensure your program takes

place, but due to weather conditions,

flying in this region can be difficult

and is beyond our control. Quark

Expeditions® will not offer passengers

a refund in the event of a trip delay or

cancellation due to the charter flight

being unable to depart as planned.

We strongly recommend that

all expedition guests purchase a

comprehensive travel insurance policy

including trip delay, cancellation and

interruption insurance, in addition to

the required medical coverage. Please

note that international airfare may not

be covered by insurance in the event of a

cancellation. Please ask your Polar Travel

Adviser about travel insurance.

YOUR ARCTIC WATCH ADVENTURE INCLUDES• Daily accommodation

• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacksat Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge

• All activities per the daily program, e.g.,ATV, kayaking, rafting, photography, etc.

• Leadership throughout the expedition byour experienced Arctic Watch Team

• Formal and informal presentations by theExpedition Team and special guests asscheduled

• Waterproof expedition boots on loan

• Official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep

• Coffee, tea, water and juice availablearound the clock (soft drinks are notavailable)

• All miscellaneous service taxes throughoutthe program

• All luggage handling at the charterterminal and at the lodge

• Emergency evacuation insurance to amaximum benefit of US$500,000 perperson

• Complimentary WiFi (limited signalstrength)

Inclusions

*MANDATORY TRANSFERPACKAGE INCLUDES• Hotel shuttle transfers on arrival and

departure between airport and hotelin Yellowknife

• One night’s pre- and post-expeditionhotel accommodation in Yellowknifewith breakfast

• Group transfer to and fromcharter flight to Arctic WatchWilderness Lodge

• Charter flight from Yellowknifeto Arctic Watch WildernessLodge (return)

PACKAGE COST: $1,895

PLEASE NOTE Dates of charter flights may be altered due to weather conditions. Please keep this in mind when making international flight arrangements. Consider purchasing flexible, changeable airline tickets or booking a one-way flight home after completing the expedition, to help reduce ticket change fees. These delays may not be covered by travel insurance.

THIS ADVENTURE EXCLUDES• Mandatory transfer package*

• International airfare

• Passport and applicable visa expenses

• Government arrival and departure taxesnot mentioned above

• Canadian eTA required for non-Canadian or US visa-exempt passengers

• Meals outside the lodge, with theexception of breakfasts in Yellowknife

• Wine, select draft beer, and spirits;Northwest Passage Wine and Spirit Listis available for an additional cost

• Baggage, cancellation, interruption andmedical travel insurance—stronglyrecommended

• Excess-baggage fees on internationalflights

• Waterproof gear beyond the includedparka

• Voluntary gratuity at the end of theexpedition for staff

• Additional overnight accommodation

• Fee for fishing licence

• Additional expenses (meals,accommodation, international flightchange fees, etc.) incurred by delayor cancellation of activities due tosuboptimal weather

Dates Days Gateway Twin Single

ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE ADVENTURE AND WILDLIFE AT 74°N | 8-DAY

JUN 29 – JUL 6, 2019 8 Yellowknife $7,495 $11,295

JUL 18 – JUL 25, 2019 8 Yellowknife $7,695 $11,495


Dates Days Gateway Twin Single

ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE ADVENTURE AND WILDLIFE AT 74°N | 10-DAY



JUL 28 – AUG 6, 2019 10 Yellowknife $10,295 $15,495

AUG 4 – AUG 13, 2019 10 Yellowknife $10,295 $15,495

Dates & Rates

*Mandatory transfer package available for $1,895. All rates per person in USD.Prices exclude 5% Canadian GST. Please note that the likelihood of seeing belugas earlyin the season is dependent on weather and ice conditions.

arctic watch wilderness lodge - ruta 40

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