Wildland Tours > Tour and Booking Information > Northern Labrador Polar Bear Cruise

Northern Labrador Polar Bear Cruise
Polar Bear Expedition to the Torngat Mountains and Nunatsiavut

This expedition to look for the polar bears of Canada’s newest national park 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 gourmet food with a Labrador flavour adds to the daily adventure of exploring dramatic fjords, archaeological wonderlands, and rich coastal waters… all on our quest to photograph polar bears. Local elders and Parks Canada staff will tell you that the mountainous coastline 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.

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 late July and early August. Our crew will feature a local host who will join us on our landings and make sure we understand the stories and special spirituality of the north.

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 and showers throughout this itinerary. Our tax inclusive price is $5,200 (CAD), per person, double occupancy ONLY. 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, Astraeus, and other airlines can get you to Newfoundland (see Travel Information).

Itinerary

Day 1 (July 26 or August 10) Arrive Nain and get settled at our hotel, the famous Atsanik Lodge.

Days 2-12 Depart on our 11-day cruise to Torngat National Park where our polar bears are 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 (August 8 or August 23) 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. 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, 2007 to ensure your place and your full payment by February 15. At this time, deposits become nonrefundable. 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. Payments in USD are welcomed with any subsequent significant difference in value against CAD adjusted on your invoice.