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Not Offered In 2009
Tour
and Booking Information
Northern
Labrador Polar Bear Expedition
And
Coastal Exploration
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.
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