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Quark announces new Canadian Arctic itinerary
Quark Expeditions has announced its new Arctic expedition, Northwest Passage to Newfoundland: Glaciers, Mountains and Wildlife.
The itinerary invites guests aboard the Ultramarine for a 2,500-nautical-mile odyssey across the Arctic, from the historic city of Resolute, Nunavut, to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Its expedition team is made up of seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in areas like marine biology, history, glaciology and geology.
Twin-engine helicopters for flightseeing and quick-launch Zodiacs for up-close wildlife viewing also allow guests to experience the North from all possible vantagepoints.
“Quark Expeditions is excited to guide guests for the first time ever, through the Northwest Passage and down the east coast of Baffin Island to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Catherine Lawton, director of product development at Quark Expeditions. “From the tidewater glaciers of Lancaster Sound to the rugged wilderness of the Torngat Mountains and the charming French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, this 16-day journey provides unsurpassed access to explore the breathtaking scenery, rich topography, history and cultures of the Arctic and North Atlantic.”
Departing on Sept. 18, 2025, from Calgary, guests will visit a curated selection of the Canadian Arctic’s most remote and untouched locations, including Icy Arm Fjord, Cape Mercy and the Torngat Mountains.
These stops offer opportunities to paddle, hike and explore the scenery and wildlife by land, boat and air.
Travellers will also tread past where explorers once ventured, delving into the mysterious and captivating history of Arctic exploration.
At Beechey Island, a site from Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1845 expedition, guests will visit the gravesites of Franklin’s crew members and learn about their journey.
Later, in L’Anse aux Meadows, guests will explore a Viking settlement, believed to be where Norse explorer Leif Erikson first set foot in North America, centuries before Columbus.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only one of its kind in North America, offers a unique and intriguing glimpse into Viking exploration and the early settlement of the continent.
In addition to historical exploration, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse cultures encompassing these distinct regions.
In Qikiqtarjuaq, a remote community in Nunavut, guests will meet community members and learn about the local Inuit way of life and what it is like to live in one of Earth’s harshest climates.
In Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French archipelago off the coast of Newfoundland, charming, colourful houses will welcome guests as they experience French ambiance through the region’s cuisine, wines and cultural traditions.
Onboard the Ultramarine, guests will learn about Newfoundland’s folk musical heritage and will partake in a Newfoundland Kitchen Party, an integral part of the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, where people come together to share music, stories, food and dance.
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