Arctic Watch is an experience. It starts with all the anticipation of going. Getting there is part of the journey and experience. Arctic Watch sets an objective to provide the experience of a lifetime for every guest.
Arctic Watch evolves as we learn more about the needs and expectations of our guests. Arctic Watch is considered by many to be the best soft eco-adventure experience in the Arctic. If you are going to go to the Arctic, go with Arctic Watch. There is only one company which sets such a high standard of safety, natural and human history interpretation, and guest care.
In 1996 Arctic Watch is planning to send its registered guests an expedition package designed to assist guests in planning their visit, enjoying their experience, and remembering it long after they have returned home.
Calgary is the southern headquarters of Arctic Watch. When guests arrive in Calgary they will be greeted by a representative of Arctic Watch who will ensure that they are checked into the Canadian Pacific Calgary International Airport Hotel or the Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. At the welcoming dinner held on Friday evening, a guest speaker such as Brian Keating of the Calgary Zoo will introduce them to the Arctic and share his perspective of Arctic Watch. Some of the Alumni of Arctic Watch may be in attendance to share with our new guests their experiences at Arctic Watch.
The next day is a travel day. Each stop along the way is more remote. Edmonton is Canada's gateway to the North. Yellowknife is a southern arctic city which is the last place our guests will see trees. Then on to outposts such as Cambridge Bay and finally Resolute Bay. From Calgary to Resolute is almost 1750 nautical miles north. The pilot can explain the special features of the combi 737 aircraft which has been especially equipped for regularly scheduled landings at Arctic airports. Many of the flight attendants will be aware of Arctic Watch and will want our guests to enjoy their experience.
Once at Resolute Bay, Arctic Watch's ground staff and Kenn Borek Air will ensure a smooth transfer to the chartered twin otter for the twenty minute trip to Arctic Watch. Upon arrival the pilot will do a fly by of the lodge and the whales and set down at Arctic Watch for dinner. The Jess Family personally meets all guests and ensures that they get seffled into their comfortable and heated Qarmaks before orientation, appetizers, refreshments and a great dinner. Guests generally want to acclimatize, and immerse themselves in the vast landscape and go for a stroll down to see the whales. They should retire early because it has been a long day. Some will be intrigued by the 24 hour sunlight.
A Week at Arctic Watch on Somerset Island, Nunavut
Upon arrival the guests are divided into two groups of 10. These groups are perfect for planning twin otter and surface trips. One day a group will be on land and the other in the air. The next day they exchange experiences. Each morning guests receive morning coffee in their Qarmaqs to start the day. This is followed by a complete breakfast in the dining room. At 0900 hours a Daily Orientation and Natural History Discussion will take place that is directly related to the activities of the day. Day trips by twin otter are made to a myriad of possible locations including: Beechy Island, Prince Leopold Island and several locations on Somerset Island.
Through the comfort and safety of our chartered twin otter our guests can imagine the helplessness and huge challenges facing the Franklin Expedition as they tried to find the Northwest Passage. We visit and interpret the graves of Franklin's crew at Beechy Island with Dr. Savelle who was a participant in the exhumation of their bodies and the revelations that were discovered.
Our guests can visit the world's most northerly bird sanctuary at Prince Leopold Island. Over a dozen species of birds depend upon the island. The island is populated with over 350,000 birds. We land on top of the Island and on the beach, weather permitting, for bird watching and photo opportunities.
Several stops on Somerset Island are a treasure throve of ancient Thule and Inuit culture. We have learned how to follow the archeology of the north to determine some of the most exciting fossil fields, whaling locations, and some of the worlds best arctic char fishing spots. We are always scouting for excellent wildlife opportunities such as musk-ox, narwhals and bowheads, polar bears seals, and caribou.
Each and every day our guests can visit the beluga whales and take pictures, listen to them communicate through underwater hydrophones. The whales are generally a 20 minute walk from the lodge, depending upon the river course in the estuary. There can be as many as 3000 beluga whales in the inlet, many of which can be seen from the shoreline in the immediate vicinity of the guests. There is also adequate time to hike on the tundra and visit waterfalls, wildflowers, and write in a journal. Photographers can pursue the perfect still picture or cinematography twenty four hours a day. The Arctic offers great vistas and wildlife photo opportunities which continuously change depending upon light conditions.
Each evening a presentation is given regarding the natural and human history of the Arctic. The topics include Beluga Whales, The Search for the Northwest Passage, The birds of Prince Leopold Island, Inuit and Thule Culture, plus reports on the results of any research being done by scientific partners of Arctic Watch.
Our guests enjoy each other. They share stories of their trip to Arctic Watch and other experiences they have had around the world. A close relationship builds between those people sharing an Arctic Experience at Arctic Watch. We have been known to have groups guess the depth of the permafrost or produce Arctic drinks made with real iceberg ice. Our guests meet, speak with and are guided by Inuit people. The food is fabulous at Arctic Watch. It is the best in the Arctic. - Because of the high quality of the food, people, facility and wildlife, our guests find Arctic Watch to be a very safe and comfortable experience on the edge of Canada's wild Arctic. We strive to provide each guest with great memories that each can take and share after returning home.
We have the ability to provide translation to our guests in German, Japanese, and French in addition to English and Inutitut which is the language of the Inuit people.
On the following Saturday, guests leave Arctic Watch. The departures can be emotional because everyone has had a great personal experience. Lunch and coffee is packed for the trip. The twin offer departs and flies over the whales for some final pictures before proceeding to Resolute Bay. The guests are greeted by Arctic Watch's ground staff and a tour of Resolute Bay is included. Later in the afternoon the guests, who are now Arctic Watch Alumni, return to the Resolute Airport and fly to Calgary. They are greeted by Arctic Watch ground personnel and escorted to their hotel. Our ground staff will join them for breakfast and learn more about their experience at Arctic Watch. The next day (Sunday) they depart for home from Calgary.