Compare High Arctic Explorer by Adventure Unbound vs Active West Coast Canada Discovery by G Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 6,795 | $ 1,799 |
| Price Per Day | $ 680 | $ 225 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 9 Dinners |
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners |
| Description |
Cruise into the Heart of the Canadian Arctic. Spend ten days immersed in the Canadian Arctic wilderness on this cruise from the northern outpost of Resolute. Visit one of the largest migratory bird sanctuaries in the world at Prince Leopold Island, spot belugas, narwhals and polar bears along the rugged coastlines and meet the remote Inuit community of Grise Fjord. Expeditions are led by natural and historic experts, offering an in-depth look at this little-visited part of the world. |
Get your heart pumping and your bodies moving with this eight-day adventure through some of British Columbia’s most sought-after landscapes. Venture by ferry to Vancouver Island and embark on hikes in East Sooke Provincial Park and the famed Juan de Fuca trail. Camp under the stars, hike up mountains in Squamish and Whistler featuring views of alpine lakes and glacier capped peaks, and see for yourself why the west coast is the best coast. |
Day 1: Edmonton
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Your adventure begins with a charter flight from Edmonton to the remote outpost of Resolute which lies above the Arctic Circle on the southern shores of Cornwallis Island. It is named after the British HMS Resolute which was abandoned in ice here in 1850 while searching for the lost Franklin Expedition.
After meeting your Expedition Team, we’ll board zodiacs to embark the ship and set sail in the early evening over a welcome cocktail.
Day 2: Devon Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Today we will explore Maxwell Bay which lies on the southern coast of Devon Island, keeping an eye out for harp, ringed and bearded seals, as well as walruses which are often spotted in the coves and inlets. We’ll also embark on a hiking excursion to glimpse muskox and caribou, together with polar bears which can sometimes be found hunting here.
Day 3: Croker Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
We’ll continue east through Lancaster Sound which separates Devon and Baffin Islands and has been nicknamed the wildlife “super highway” of the Arctic. Waters from the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet here, creating an abundant source of nutrients for both marine life and bird species.
Croker Bay is particularly dramatic for its deep blue icebergs, soaring peaks and immense glacier, with muskox often spotted during zodiac cruises. We will also visit the old Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) outpost at Dundas Harbour which makes for an inspiring photographic setting.
Day 4: Coburg Island National Wildlife Area
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Today we will explore the coastal waters of the Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area which is home to almost 400,000 seabirds. Large numbers of thick-billed murres and northern fulmars can often be spotted along the cliffs here, together with beluga whales and other marine species as we cruise by zodiac.
Day 5: Grise Fiord
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Venture to the northernmost community in Canada and one of the world’s most isolated in Grise Fjord. In 1953, the Canadian Government relocated eight Inuit families here from Northern Quebec to maintain sovereignty during the Cold War and today around 100 of their descendants remain.
We will also go hiking in nearby Craig Harbour where an old Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) outpost was established in 1922 to patrol the north. Learn about the fascinating history of this remote region as you soak up the hilltop views.
Day 6: Sirmilik National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Spot thick-billed murres, black guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes along the bird cliffs of Cape Hay within Sirmilik National Park. It’s located on the northern coast of Bylot Island and a prime nesting site for hundreds of thousands of birds, making for a magnificent sight.
Day 7: Elwin Inlet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Your Captain will navigate through the breathtaking fjord of Elwin Inlet for a zodiac cruise along its protected waters. You may also opt to go hiking at Cape Charles Yorke, with the opportunity to spot polar bears which frequent this coastline.
Day 8: Prince Leopold Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
After crossing Prince Regent Inlet, we will approach the towering cliffs of Prince Leopold Island which serves as an important migratory bird sanctuary and one of the most significant in the entire Arctic ecosystem. Thick-billed murres, black guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes can all be spotted here, together with beluga, narwhal and bowhead whales which come to feed in the nutrient-rich waters. This is also a great place for spotting ringed seals and their predators, polar bears.
Day 9: Beechey Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Akademik Ioffe or Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Spend your final day exploring Beechey Island which is where Sir John Franklin’s expedition spent its last winter in 1845 before disappearing into the icy wilderness. Step ashore to visit the grave markers which have been placed on a remote beach here, then return to the ship for a special farewell dinner hosted by your Captain
Day 10: Resolute Bay
Your expedition comes to an end as we arrive into Resolute where you will bid farewell to your crew and be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Edmonton.
Day 1 Vancouver/Sooke
Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Vancouver before catching the ferry to Sooke on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There’s a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group.
Day 2 Sooke
After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You’ll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group.
Day 3 Sooke
Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping.
Day 4 Sooke/Parksville
In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Valley where you'll go out on canoes and kayaks in Cowichan Bay. In the afternoon the group will travel to Parksville and walk in Rathtrevor Park along the beach. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the waves crashing, see old growth forests along the shoreline, and look for wildlife in the tide pools. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors.
Day 5 Parksville/Squamish
Leave Parksville behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Once across the water, the group will drive to Squamish and hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region’s best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refuelling after the day’s adventure.
Day 6 Squamish
Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you’ll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it’s certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you’ll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night.
Day 7 Squamish/Whistler
In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you’ll have free time to enjoy Whistler. Consider checking out the Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you’ll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire.
Day 8 Whistler/Vancouver
Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.
Please book any departing flights no earlier than 4:00pm.
