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Not Offered In 2009
Tour and Booking Information


Northern Labrador Polar Bear Expedition
And Coastal Exploration

Photo Tour


Photo by Gudrid HutchingsThe coastal mountains of northern Labrador by Gudrid Hutchings
We look at the Arctic beauty and all wonders large and smal; photo by Gudrid HutchingsHebron photo by Gudrid Hutchings
Click each to enlarge

More Northern Labrador Polar Bear Expedition Photo Tour; The Last Place on Earth; Wanderbird vessel information

Wildlife Reports
Land of the Water Bear: The Torngat Mountains National Park
Dates
2009
Not offered
Prices
2009
Not offered
 

This expedition lets us look for polar bears and explore the coast of Canada's newest national park. Our 2009 Northern Labrador Polar Bear Expedition takes in one of Canada's least explored and most beautiful coastlines. The north coast of Labrador is home to some of the planet's most stirring Arctic tales. Traders, explorers, distinctive cultures, and delicious traditions going back to the earliest peoples in North America combine to make this one of our planet's most exciting coastal adventures.

We join the expedition ship Wanderbird in Nain, Labrador and take an 11-day adventure to a dramatic coast boasting an abundance of polar bears. Our six comfortable but basic cabins allow us to explore in style on this beautiful, converted fishing vessel. Passengers need to be comfortable with using sturdy, attached ladders but other than this requirement, there are no exceptional physical skills required to thoroughly enjoy and fully participate in this gentle adventure. A well-stocked library, a cozy dining room, and delicious shipboard dining with a Labrador flavour adds to the daily adventure of exploring dramatic fjords, archaeological wonderlands, and rich coastal waters as part of our quest to photograph polar bears.

Local elders and Parks Canada staff will tell you that the mountainous coastline of the park is home to a wonderful abundance of polar bears. In the summer of 2006, a crew of five biologists managed to tag 123 polar bears over a five-day program which may be a world record for bear tagging. The crew saw other animals they were unable to tag indicating an amazing abundance of polar bears. The area is clearly the province's polar bear capital, and coastal people always see them as they travel the region in summer. Wolf dens, ancient quarries, coastal whales and seals, stunning northern architecture, tales from other ages, and a coastline unchanged since the days of Cain add to the cruise highlights.

They say that God took six days to make the earth, and on the seventh, perhaps while resting, he threw rocks at the earth and created Labrador.

This is a big land with long distances and a mammoth landscape. Great mountains rise up from he sea rivaling the Rockies in size and majesty. Ancient communities, some the planet's oldest rocks, and some of the oldest stories on the Earth are featured as we explore this little known landscape.

Rick and Karen Miles are our hosts and skippers during the ship board portion of the trip. We join them and their pets (two dogs, one cat) for this journey through the icebergs along the arctic's edge. We enjoy Karen's galley as a place to savour the first tea or coffee of the morning and as the source of many tasty lunches and dinners. Rick's New England sailors' breakfasts also provide a warm start to the days.

All meals are served in the Wanderbird's "Coach House" which also serves as a meeting place and reading library. Passengers are also welcomed in the wheelhouse where they can share tales with the captain but there are also several outdoor sections of the vessel where folks can sit and enjoy the landscape as it unfolds.

In 2008, we enjoyed two successful expeditions along the coast in the Wanderbird and we are repeating the adventure in 2009. The day-to-day cruise itinerary will follow the coast, the interests of our passengers, and the weather, which is usually wonderful and calm in early to mid August. Our crew will feature a local host (Doug Allen) and cultural ambassador (John Terriak) who will join us on our landings and make sure we understand the stories and special spirituality of the north. John is also our polar bear monitor and will help to ensure our safety as we explore the summer home of the largest land predator on earth.

This Wildland Tours/Wanderbird exclusive expedition includes two nights accommodations in Nain, breakfasts and lunches in Nain, community walking tour, and the all-inclusive coastal cruise to the new Torngat National Park in the new Inuit territory of Nunatsiavut. You will have private washroom facilities with a basic shower throughout this itinerary. There is no other affordable way on earth to explore so much of the Torngat National Park and north coast of Labrador. There are a few cruise ships which do zip past the region over a day or two but nobody else offers such a thorough exploration of the region's landforms, coastline, and culture. We invite you to join our experienced and welcoming team.

Our tax inclusive price is US$6,900, per person, double occupancy. Your only other cost is travel to Nain, Labrador. The experienced professionals in our office, or with Air Labrador or Provincial Airlines, will aid you in getting to Nain from St. John's or Deer Lake. Air Canada, WestJet, Continental Airlines, and other airlines can get you to Newfoundland (see Travel Information).

The Wanderbird provides double and twin accommodations in basic cabins. There are no single berths although two friends can enjoy twin accommodations. When considering this trip please allow yourself some extra travel time in case travel into or out of Nain becomes a challenge.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Nain and get settled at our hotel, the Atsanik Lodge.

Days 2-12 Depart on our 11-day cruise to Torngat National Park where our polar bears and the dramatic Labrador coast is waiting. Visit Hebron, Saglek, Ramah, and other northern highlights during the cruise. Enjoy the comforts of the Wanderbird and the majesty of northern Labrador. Learn the authentic stories of Labrador from our local host.

Day 13 Our vessel returns to Nain. We bid you a fond farewell and we toast the wonders of Labrador. Overnight at the Atsanik Lodge. We make sure you have time to tour our home port of Nain, the province's most northerly community, as we learn more stories of this northern land.

Day 14 Depart for home. Remember to send your submissions to our annual photo contest.

Notes
This Wildland Tours/Wanderbird exclusive expedition starts and ends in Nain, Labrador. We will meet you at the airport and shuttle you to our hotel. (This is a non-traditional, northern holiday. In 2008, some folks were transfered in the back of a pick-up truck!) The order of holiday events may be changed to accommodate the weather or other unavoidable circumstances. Due to the costs associated with positioning the vessel, we require a 50 per cent deposit by December 15, 2008 to ensure your place and your full payment by February 15, 2009. At this time, deposits become non-refundable. Due to the nature of this expedition, we recommend comprehensive insurance coverage including without limitation medical, emergence evacuation, trip cancellation, accident, and baggage insurance. We require Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance and given the trip costs, terms and conditions you should strongly consider cancellation insurance too. Any losses sustained by a passenger as a result of failing to obtain proper and/or comprehensive insurance coverage shall be the sole responsibility of the passenger. All passengers shall be required to sign and submit a waiver and release that more clearly outlines the terms and conditions associated with this expedition. The expedition catalogue you will receive with this expedition offering more clearly explains the terms and conditions.

Terms and Conditions
*13 per cent Canada/Newfoundland Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is included.

 

Wildland Tours
124 Water St., P.O. Box 383, St. John's, NL, Canada, A1C 5J9
Phone
(709) 722-3123
| Toll-Free 1 (888) 615-8279
Fax (709) 722-3335
| E-mail wildtour@nfld.com

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