See both sides of the Arctic story

With the launch of its 2009/10 Polar programme, Peregrine Adventures is offering a ‘balanced’ experience of the High Arctic, with an exciting new 15-night expedition voyage exploring both ‘sides’ of the northern wilderness, sailing from Iceland around the southern tip of Greenland to Canada. Peregrine Adventures will be the only operator cruising in the wildlife-rich waters of Canada’s Baffin Island in 2009.

The Iceland, Greenland & Baffin Island Explorer departs Reykjavik on July 19th 2009.

The voyage commences from Reykjavik aboard the Peregrine Mariner, regarded as one of the best equipped expedition ships operating in Polar waters. Setting sail across the Greenland Sea, the vessel continues southwards along Greenland’s coast, stopping to visit remote Inuit villages whose brightly-painted houses are set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains and glaciers, or amidst exquisite wildflower meadows.

The aim of the voyage is to spend as much time off the ship as possible, visiting local communities, hiking in the tundra, cruising among icebergs in Zodiac inflatables and wildlife watching - seals, whales and seabirds are prolific in the region. The ship’s first port of call is Tasiilaq, one of Greenland’s most beautiful towns, with an Inuit population approaching 2000. Here, hikers get to stretch their legs in the river valley and kayakers get to wet their paddles. Later, rounding the southern tip of Greenland, passengers get their first glimpse of World Heritage-listed Disko Bay, where Jacobshaven Glacier – the most active in the world – calves massive bergs into the bay, some of which have been known to drift as far south as New York.

Crossing Baffin Bay, time at sea will be well spent relaxing and absorbing the magnificent scenery from colossal icebergs to Polar Bears and myriad sea birds. Cruising down Navy Board Inlet and into Eclipse Sound, with Bylot Island on one side and Baffin Island on the other, the vessel enters one of Canada’s northernmost national parks, Sermillik National Park Reserve.

Dropping anchor in Pond Inlet, passengers are warmly greeted by the local community and may even be treated to a remarkable display of Inuit culture including throat singing and drum dancing. Back on board, the voyage continues on to Resolute, journey’s end, via Dundas Harbour on Devon Island and Prince Leopold Island, including a final landing on Beechey Island, the last known wintering site of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition.

The voyage costs from £4,290 p/p in a Main Deck twin share cabin including all meals, onboard presentations, all shore excursions, flight transfer from Resolute to Ottawa and expertly guided wildlife viewing.

For more information, visit Peregrineadventures.co.uk.