Ultimate Arctic Expedition - Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge
800 Kilometer nördlich des Polarkreises an den Ufern der Nordwest-Passage liegt die Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge und ist somit die weltweit nördlichste Lodge!
Von Yellowknife aus fliegen Sie mit einem Kleinflugzeug hinaus in die Wildnis bis nach Nunavut. Während diesem Abenteuer verbringen Sie 7 Nächte in der Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge in grossen, komfortabel eingerichteten Hauszelten. Diese verfügen über ein eigene Toilette, Duschen befinden sich im Hauptgebäude. Sobald das Eis schmilzt, sammeln sich hier in den flachen Gewässern des Cunningham Inlet jedes Jahr zwischen Juli und August mehr als 2000 Belugawale zur Aufzucht ihrer Jungen und zum gemeinsamen Spiel im warmen Flusswasser.
Während dem Aufenthalt haben Sie die Möglichkeit zu unzähligen Aktivitäten wie geführte Wanderungen, Tier- und Naturbeobachtungen, Kayak-Ausflüge, Fischen, Mountain-Biking, Quad-Touren etc. Zudem kommen Sie in den Genuss von lokalen und frisch zubereiteten Mahlzeiten sowie täglich frisch gebackenes Brot.
Fly to Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories and spend the night at the Explorer Hotel.
After breakfast, depart Yellowknife on a private charter for the 3-hour flight to Arctic Watch. Guests will land in the Arctic later that afternoon. After an introduction to the lodge and the surrounding landscape by the Arctic Watch team, guests will have time to settle into their cabins. Before dinner is served, a short hike up to the local mountain is offered; breathtaking views of the Northwest Passage and ice formations on the Arctic ocean.
ATVs are our most practical form of transportation to cover long distances on the tundra. Attend a hands-on introduction to all-terrain vehicles followed by a short drive to the Cunningham Estuary to watch beluga whales. Archaeological sites and artifacts dating to Viking contact can be seen along Somerset’s coastline. Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet back at the lodge before departing for a short afternoon hike to the Triple Waterfalls. This short 5km roundtrip hike gives you an introduction to the plants and animals that live in the area. Encounters with muskox are common.
Travel by ATV across the Cunningham River delta, to Muskox Ridge. This scenic trail provides spectacular views of the area and is a great vantage point from which to see muskoxen and arctic foxes. From the high ridge, hike down into one of the many depressions where muskoxen often spend the summer months foraging. After a picnic lunch at Inukshuk Lake, fishing gear will be supplied to catch-and-release arctic char. Head back to the lodge along the River Trail keeping an eye out for birds such as snowy owls, jaegers, rough-legged hawks and more. After dinner, an informal lecture by Richard Weber on his North Pole expeditions - highlighting his historic (and unrepeated) 1995 unassisted journey -will be offered.
A human powered option is also offered for guests - use electric bikes to explore the tundra with your guide.
Sea kayak the gin-clear water of Cunningham Inlet while enjoying views of Gifford Point in the distance. Watch for beluga whales passing by your boat as they travel between the open water of the Northwest Passage and the mouth of the Cunningham River. Hop out on the other side of the inlet at Kayak Falls with stunning views of the Northwest Passage, and (with luck!) spot polar bear. After dinner, an informal lecture by Nansen Weber on wildlife photography will be offered.
Travel by Mercedes Unimog to the east side of Cunningham Inlet where a number of unnamed canyons offer great hiking opportunities. The afternoon will be spent at the estuary to watch the beluga whales play in the freshwater as it spills into the Arctic Ocean. Packing into the turquoise waters of the sheltered bay, they can be seen splashing and gurgling as they rub themselves on the river stones. This particular spot is renowned because of the density of the whale population and their proximity to the shore.
If you've pre-booked the optional add-on use of our helicopter, take flight over the Northwest Passage coastline to soak in the incredible landscapes of the Arctic. Our helicopter is used to augment the range our daily excursions - be it heli-hiking the coastline of the Northwest Passage, heading to specifics areas of Somerset to hike and track wildlife or to simply soak up the incredible views of true Arctic wilderness. See more on our helicopter here.
Enjoy the views of the Northwest Passage from passenger seat of the four-seater all terrain vehicles. Driving along the west shore of the inlet, stop at historic 1,000 year-old Thule sites situated along the coast and learn more about the rich history of the area. Turning west at Polar Bear Point, look for wildlife as we drive along the Northwest Passage. A short hike to Nansen’s ridge offers incredible views across the passage and showcases the characteristic Arctic landscape.
Climb into the all-terrain Mercedes Unimog truck and head to the raft put-in on the Cunningham River. Hike the last stretch through the Badlands, a unique landscape with ancient 8,000-year-old bowhead whale skeletons exposed on the tundra. The area is inhabited by muskox, snow geese and arctic foxes. Savour a picnic lunch by the river as the team prepares the rafts, kayaks and/or standup paddle-boards for the two to three hour return to Arctic Watch. Leisurely paddle as the river narrows into a towering canyon, eventually opening up again into the braided flats in front of the lodge. Upon the return, it’s the final dinner of the adventure. In the evening take the polar plunge!
By now, guests are familiar with the area, and can opt to do an activity that they missed during the week or would like to repeat. There’s lots of time before the flight departs in the late afternoon. Upon arriving in Yellowknife you will spend the night at the Explorer Hotel before your return flight home.
Depart Yellowknife for the return flight home.
Preise
Preis pro Person ab | CHF | 13’780.– |
Hinweis
Preise und Verfügbarkeiten sind auf Anfrage erhältlich. Gerne machen wir Ihnen ein Angebot.
Preise und Date für 2024 sind bekannt und auf Anfrage erhältlich.
Reisedaten
29. Juni bis 08. Juli 2023
06. bis 15. Juli 2023
10. bis 19. August 2023
nur englischsprachige Reiseleitung
Im Preis inbegriffen
- Flug zur Lodge und zurück
- 2 Übernachtung in Yellowknife
- 7 Übernachtungen in der Arctic Watch Lodge inkl. Vollpension
- Geführte Ausflüge und Aktivitäten
- Benutzung aller Einrichtungen auf der Lodge
- Informative Vorträge zu Flora, Fauna und Umgebung
- Lokale Englischsprachige Guides
Nicht im Preis inbegriffen
- Trinkgelder
- Optionale Ausflüge
- Alkoholische Getränke
- Helikopterflug
Anforderungen
Eine Vor- und Nachübernachtung in Yellowknife ist dringend empfohlen!
Hinweise
Diese Reise führt in spezielle Gebiete, welche teilweise eine sehr begrenzte Infrastruktur bieten. Die Übernachtungen sind in grossen Zelten, welche Sie mit einem anderen Teilnehmer teilen. Preise für ein Einzelcabin/zimmer sind auf Anfrage erhältlich.