Canadian Arctic Watch - Beluga Whales

Arrive independently to Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, and make your way to the Explorer hotel for your included overnight stay. This evening there will be a briefing and distribution of parkas and boots.

Today, board your private chartered plane to fly the 1,000 miles (1,500 km) to Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge. During the 3-hour flight, you’ll pass over the treeline as you cross the Arctic Circle. Upon arrival in the afternoon, the team will show you around the lodge and its unique surroundings and there will be time to settle into your cabin before your first dinner in the Arctic. Before dinner is served, a short hike up to the local mountain is offered; breathtaking views of the Northwest Passage and ice formations on the Arctic ocean. Spend time with your guide that evening, as you prepare your camera gear for the adventure.

After a hot breakfast this morning, you will take an ATV drive to the Cunningham Estuary to look for ring and bearded seals, as well as nearly 2,000 beluga whales. Moving along Somerset’s coastline, you will be able to see some of the fascinating archaeological sites and artifacts dating to Viking contact which can be found here.

The gin-clear water of Cunningham Inlet is visited by two to three thousand whales every season in the months of July and August. The beluga whales visit to moult in the warm waters of the Cunningham River while nursing and socializing in Cunningham Inlet. This is a crucial rest-stop on the annual migration for these beluga whales. Spend the day at the mouth of the Cunningham River watching and photographing mothers and their young as they frolic in the shallow fresh waters.

Daily excursions led by our team at Arctic Watch focus on observing, photographing and encountering the belugas in Cunningham Inlet. Guests are provided the best opportunities to photograph unique moments as we observe the social behaviours between mothers and their young, adults, juveniles and family social structures within the herd. Guests are welcome to bring handheld and drone based photographic equipment (under the guidance of our team to ensure we don't disturb any whales).

This morning there will be time for one more adventure of your choice, whether that’s trying a new activity or having another go at something you have tried earlier in the week, before boarding your private charter flight back to Yellowknife. Upon arrival back in Yellowknife, you will transfer to the Explorer hotel for your included overnight stay.

The following morning signals the end of your Arctic Watch itinerary and it will be time to take your onward or homeward flights.