Passports
If you do not have a passport, APPLY NOW! Please do not wait until the last minute. You should always carry 2 extra passport photographs with you, in case of emergency (if your passport/visa is lost or stolen), and always carry 2 sets of photocopies of your airline tickets and the first two pages of your passport.
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your return date home. As a US citizen, you do not need a visa for travel to Canada.
Health Requirements and Health Insurance with Trip Evacuation Insurance
This trip is rated Moderate. You must be in good physical condition, be able to hike at least 1 mile with ease. You MUST have your own health insurance, which includes trip evacuation insurance. You will be required to complete a medical profile and submit proof of trip evacuation insurance.
Making Travel Arrangements to Ottawa and Qikiqtarjuag: Arrival and Departure
Our departure point for this adventure is Ottawa, Canada. You will have to fly into Ottawa on August 14 and stay overnight (recommended hotel is the Day’s Inn at the Ottawa Airport. Ask for the “Arctic Kingdom” preferred rate which is $136 + HST $17.68 = $153.68 CDN).
We depart for Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, at about 9:00am on August 15, 2017, and then change planes for the connecting flight to Qikiqtarjuaq (YVM) . On the way to Qikiqtarjuaq, we fly over Auyuittuq National Park.
We suggest that you purchase the additional flight package from Ottawa (YOW) to Qikiqtarjuaq (YVM) when you register for this trip.
The **Additional Flight Package from Ottawa (YOW) to Qikiqtarjuaq (YVM) is $3,000, which includes taxes and fees. As there are a limited number of seats available that conveniently connect with our trip departure dates, you are encouraged to book and pay for this flight package at the same time as you book your trip with AdventureWomen. However, if you prefer to pay for this with your balance due, that will work also.
On August 21, 2017, we transfer to the airport for a 10:00am flight to Iqaluit and onwards to Ottawa. Arrival in Ottawa will be between 4:20pm and 4:50pm. You may transfer to a hotel of your choice in Ottawa, or connect for an evening flight (departing at least after 6:30pm) to your next destination.
However, it is strongly recommended if you are traveling on reduced fare airline tickets to Ottawa that you not try to continue your journey home on the same day as you return to Ottawa; any deviation from the ticketed itinerary will result in a penalty regardless of the cause. Do not plan on having any important meetings or events the day after your trip end date as we recommend planning on buffer time to account for any possible delays in getting home from the Arctic.
We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. Please contact us for more information.
NOTE: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible booking last minute registrants, we must often relinquish hotel space and air reservations up to 6 – 12 weeks prior to departure!
Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.
Final Payment
Final payment is due to AdventureWomen, LLC in a cash form (check, money order or wire transfer) on or before April 6, 2017.
Cancellations and Refunds
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing.
$1,500.00 non-refundable deposit is due to hold space.
Full payment is due 130 days prior to the trip departure.
For cancellations received between 129 days and the departure date, all deposits and payments are forfeited.
You are highly encouraged to purchase trip cancellation insurance. A brochure will be sent to you in your registration packet.
Our Accommodations
Inspired by African mobile safari camps, your Premium Safari Camp brings elegance and comfort to the Arctic.
The modern, specially designed yurt-style structures have double walls with insulation to provide a warm and inviting home away from home in one of the world’s most remote, yet breathtaking places.
Sleep quarters are spacious with over three meters (10 feet) cathedral ceilings. The yurt-style sleep structures are 4.8 meters (16 feet) in diameter and are entered via a lockable door. Configuration is with two twin beds. Each bed is complete with mattress duvets, pillows, and a warm comforter. No detail has been overlooked – from large windows that give a 360 degree view, to coat hooks, cozy rugs, and heaters for those that would like it a little toastier, our Premium Safari Camp provides the perfect home away from home.
Other Camp Features:
- Large and spacious dining/lounge area with central fireplace, stove, and 24 hour buffet with snacks and drinks.
- Shared washroom facility with on demand hot water sinks and showers.
Weather
July and August in the Qikiqtarjuaq region showcase the warmest time in the Arctic region. Being at the Arctic Circle, temperatures during the season range from 41º to 72º Fahrenheit. Weather is generally good but you can expect some days of rain and wind.
Daylight Hours
In August, the sun sets at 9:30pm and rises at 3:30am. There is still daylight during the time the sun is below the horizon and still does not require night time lights.
Gourmet Meals
You are provided with only the best food possible during your Arctic expedition, and no expense is spared in bringing a professional chef to manage the kitchen tent. It will be here that your chef will spend most of his or her time preparing the day’s meals, snacks, and delicious desserts baked in custom made field ovens. The dining/lounge area will have a convenient buffet table where unlimited snacks and hot drinks are provided all day.
Hot lunches, steaks for dinner, and local fish such as Arctic char are enjoyed. The kitchen is not kosher. If you have special dietary requirements please advise us at time of booking.
Power
Charging stations are provided for all your power needs in camp. From solar panels to an in-camp generator, you will have a place to charge all cameras, ipods, laptops or any other electrical device you choose to bring. Power provided is 120VAC/60Hz using North American standard plug outlets. Some plug adaptors may be available but it is recommended that you bring your own plug adaptors to suit your electrical devices.
If your electrical devices require 220volt power, most cameras, laptops already have a power inverter/AC Adaptor that converts the power to the necessary level for your equipment on your power cord, and there will be no further inverters/adaptors needed. To check, look at the adaptor (usually the square/ rectangular shaped box attached to your power cord) and examine the ‘input’ information. It will usually have an annotation similar to ‘INPUT’ 100 – 240V.
What To Expect
There is more to this stunning vista of ice, land, and sea than the wildlife that inhabits it. For centuries, these creatures have shared this wilderness with the Inuit people.
Participants are encouraged to understand and be sensitive to the cultural and historical ways of the Inuit, including their traditional subsistence hunting lifestyle. You may see evidence of hunting, including dead animals, as you wander through the gateway communities. Examples include the stretching of seal skin boots or gloves, and Inuit dog teams being fed Arctic char or seal meat. While out on our adventures, we may also come across an Inuit hunting party returning from a hunt. If you are open to the experience, these sights can provide a window into cultural traditions that stretch back for generations and exist in harmony with the wild Arctic.
As part of the Inuit cultural experience and to enjoy some local ‘country food’ such as seal, caribou or Arctic char, you may observe how an Inuit hunts the local wildlife that feeds their subsistence lifestyle traditions that dates back thousands of years. They will show you how to stalk wildlife for viewing and photography, which uses the same techniques a hunter utilizes to obtain their game.
Spirit of Adventure
This Arctic adventure is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxed adventure. You do not have to have previous Arctic experience, but you do need to have an adventurous spirit. You can become among the first to explore this amazing region. Having a laid back, open-minded, and patient demeanor is important. It is assumed that participants have the spirit of adventure necessary to enjoy the unique solitude of the Arctic and the free time provided.
