Overview

805 km. (500 miles) From the North Pole Be among the first to explore the most northerly national park in the world, Canada's Quttinirpaaq ("Top of the World"), formerly Ellesmere Island National Park, located above 80 ° N latitude. Our guided group reaches 82 ° N on a hike! To the north are the Grant Land Mountains, an impressive range of glaciated peaks including Mount Barbeau, the highest peak in eastern North America, at 2,600m (8,500 ft.). To the south is the Lake Hazen Plateau, a rolling, stream-cut plain containing Lake Hazen, the world's northernmost fresh water lake, with populations of resident and sea-run char, which can be caught on lures. The entire area is steeped in polar history, with Inuit archaeological sites throughout the Tanquary - Lake Hazen corridor. Northern Ellesmere Island is well known as a departure point for North Pole expeditions, both past and present, including Ft. Conger, used by Greely and Peary.

A backpacking route through the snow-free Hazen Plateau, truly an oasis in the arid polar desert, follows the legendary "Muskox Way" - the route used 4,000 years ago by paleo Inuit cultures on their way from the mainland Barren Grounds to Greenland. There are marvelous summer wildflowers and the area is a productive, active wildlife habitat. Large populations of arctic hare - often in groups numbering in the hundreds, muskox, rare Peary caribou, wolves, and arctic fox are the main species of mammals within the Park. Polar bears are found in coastal areas and are unlikely to be encountered inland. Many species of birds visit the area annually during the brief summer. Interestingly, due to their long period of relative isolation, many species lack an instinctive fear of man and often approach closely to satiate their curiosity. Because of this, when wildlife is encountered, there will be outstanding opportunities for photography.

    Twenty-four hour daylight extends photographic opportunities by creating wonderful low-angle lighting. At midnight, arctic colors are at their richest and the land magically glows in shades of amber and gold. This is the very best time of day. You can read a good book at midnight, but you probably won't; there is too much to see! Expect temperatures of 4 ° C-15 ° C (40 ° -60 ° F).

Other Routes, Options In addition to the backpacking trek on the Lake Hazen to Tanquary Fiord route, options are to start at Tanquary Fiord and explore outrageous scenery on a shorter, circle route around the ice cap, or do day hiking explorations or 2-4 night backpacking trips from base camps at Tanquary or Lake Hazen. We offer an optional stop at Ft. Conger, with Parks staff to provide interpretation, and it is possible to backpack from Conger to Hazen. Guide service may be available for any one of these options.

How You Get There Access is by a long air charter from Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island in the NWT, with a refueling stop at Eureka, a remote weather station on Ellesmere Island. If flight conditions are favorable, you will view some of the most exotic and untouched wilderness in the world while enroute to Tanquary Fiord, gateway to the Park, or to Lake Hazen.

Free Trip Planning Now you can form your own expedition to the Park - your team and your special interests - photography, botany, biology, geology, archaeology, true wilderness hiking, no-trace backpacking, climbing, unusual landscapes, and arctic history are just a few. Twenty-four hour arctic daylight to do it all in. And if you want a guide, or just helpful guidance, that is available too, in addition to the lowest transportation costs. Guided trip information, read more here.

Coordinated Charters

Our Approach Results in the Lowest Possible Costs to You.

Coordinated Charters We coordinate air charters to Quttinirpaaq National Park on northern Ellesmere Island. The charters provide individuals or small groups an opportunity to visit the park on their own while enjoying the economic benefits of aircraft scheduling.

Group Size Cost Comparisons

We can accommodate very small groups -- even one person

1. Load wt. limit = 2200 lbs.; individuals & gear will be weighed before the flight.
2. * Includes coordination fee. If bad weather makes an extra landing at Eureka necessary, each person will be asked to contribute a share towards this expense. No extra costs due to bad weather or mechanical problems are included in the charter cost per person listed above.
3. Costs for the 2 Group Plan are based upon "back to back" charters with a minimum of six persons per charter or 12 total between the two flights. You do not have to have the minimum number in your group-you can even be a "group" of one! To maximize air charter cost savings, both "charter only" clients and those selecting the "guided" option will share flights.

WE CHOSE THE CHARTER DATES BASED ON THE AIRLINE SCHEDULE OTTAWA TO RESOLUTE. SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE.

Interested? Call for dates.

I will make every effort to secure the minimum number of six clients per charter (or at least 12 total between the two flights). However, if this effort is not successful, a full refund of the air charter fee deposit ($500Cdn.) will be made upon cancellation of this offering. Since travel to Ellesmere Island must be planned well in advance, I anticipate a final determination as to the number of clients and therefore the final cost per client well prior to June 1.

Itinerary, All Trips (*Based on First Air schedule, subject to change.)

Day 01: Depart Ottawa

Planned Charter Schedule & Routing: Depart Resolute same day or next, depending on charter operations scheduling and weather. Usual route is Eurkea for refueling, Tanquary Fiord, and Lake Hazen. If a stop at Ft. Conger is scheduled, departure and the sequence of stops may be modified. Park registration and orientation. Pitch tents for the night. Note: in the Arctic all schedules are weather-dependent.

Day 02 Begin your hiking explorations of Ellesmere Island National Park.

Your Adventure : Personal exploration and hiking of your choice, or according to guided trip itinerary, until Day 9 or 16 at the latest (depending on whether it's Group #1 or Group #2). You must be at the Tanquary Fiord or Hazen camp on the next to last day in sufficient time for departure for Resolute. The departure time is weather dependent and you must plan flexibility for a departure anytime during the departure day. We will maximize our time in the Park, but must ensure that clients are able to meet airline departures from Resolute to Ottawa. Your group leader or guide and the charter operator will work jointly to make this decision. Arrive in Resolute. Pitch your tent near the airport (a campground may be available) or stay at Qausuittuq Inns North (formerly High Arctic International) or Southcamp Inn in Resolute or the Narwhal near the airport, if you chose (make arrangements in advance). Depart Resolute on First Air Flight #873* at 2:20PM, Arriving in Ottawa at approx. 10:13PM.

*Based on First Air schedule, subject to change.

Guided Trip Information

Itinerary: Travel same as charter-only trips. Backpacking/hiking itinerary can be flexible depending on the interests and capabilities of the group. Base camp groups spend 1-2 days on day hikes for familiarization with the area, and three-night and four-night backpacking trips, with time at the end for personal exploration or additional guided day hikes and interpretation. Ask if you are interested in a guided backpacking trip between Hazen and Tanquary Fiord (costs may differ from below).

Costs: Guided trip clients pay the charter fee based the rate structure shown here. The notes below and under "Air Charters" apply.

Package Price Includes: (1) Services of a wilderness guide; (2) Satellite Telephone (for emergency use only) rental, (3)Travel and planning advice and related information.

Individual clients: Totally responsible for providing necessary food, camping equipment and fuel, personal expenses of individual choice, personal travel, evacuation and medical insurance, and all applicable taxes. Guide will supply own food and equipment.

Package price does not include: Travel expenses from client home to Resolute, Canadian GST (7%), lodging, food, and cost incurred by individual clients due to weather delays.

Price Per Person, From Resolute: $500 Cdn pp based on 6 people, plus charter cost (see above).

Deposit: $500Cdn. per client (package: charter & guide). In the event of a client cancellation, this deposit is forfeited. Deposit is returned if trip cancels for any reason.

Duration: see Itinerary, All Trips Group size: Max. 6

Club Discounts: Contact us for full information.

Your Guide: Mary Kunzler has made many trips to Ellesmere, northern Labrador and other areas of Canada's Arctic and Sub-Arctic, and Mongolia. Her experiences include wilderness hiking, white water kayaking, and canoeing. An experienced professional photographer, she has encountered and photographed muskoxen, caribou, wolves, walrus, and seals at close range. She is skilled in outdoor living, and is a licensed guide for Ellesmere Park. The leadership provided by your guide is vital to the success of your trip. It must be understood that participants are expected to work together cooperatively to assure a satisfactory and safe expedition.

Fort Conger Option: An optional stop at Fort Conger on the east coast of Ellesmere Island is possible if enough people are interested. This historic site was used by Greely in 1881 and Peary in 1900. Today it is seldom visited, except by Parks staff and an occasional adventurer. Permits are required, and a Park Warden will likely accompany you to provide interpretation of the site. The cost of the charter portion of the trip would increase by $430-$500 (Cdn) per person, based on 6-9 people. Details need to be worked out well in advance, as there are weight restrictions in landing at Fort Conger. Depending on the number of persons on the charter, it may be necessary to go to Hazen first and drop off gear. These logistics will be worked out prior to the flight. In addition to exploring the site, this provides an additional backpacking option: a trek from Ft. Conger to Lake Hazen. Wilderness skills and good physical condition required. No guide is available. Time required is about the same as for the Lake Hazen-Tanquary Fiord backpack.

Park Fee The Park user fee of $100 Cdn will be collected by Parks personnel upon entrance to the Park.

Radio Rental* We require all groups or individuals accessing the Park using Canada North Outfitting (CNO) charters, and backpacking away from the base camps at Tanquary Fiord or Lake Hazen, to be equipped with satellite telephone. This is for your safety. Parks Canada has a minimal staff in the Park and thus very limited search capability. CNO guided groups are telephone-equipped. For independent groups or individuals, satellite telephones can be rented at a reasonable cost. We supply information on sources or arrange rental for you.

If you opt to supply a satellite telephone yourself, be sure the service is available at above 80º N, as not all satellite systems can be accessed from near the poles.

Terms and Conditions - All Trips

Quoted Costs-Charters

Included is cost of charter Resolute-Park-Resolute. Not included are GST (7%), travel & medical insurance, radio or telephone rental (except on guided trips), lodging, food, Ft. Conger option, Park fees, travel costs from client home to Resolute, and costs incurred by clients due to weather or other delays and personal choice.

All Groups

Totally responsible for providing necessary food, camping equipment and fuel (camping fuel cannot be carried on commercial air carriers and must be purchased in Resolute), expenditures of personal choice, and both personal travel cancellation and medical insurance.

Deposit: Air Charter Only

$500 Cdn. per client to confirm air charter. In the event of client cancellation, this deposit is forfeited. We will refund deposit if we cancel.

Deposit: Guided Trip

$500Cdn. Refunds as above.

Final Payment

Payment in full for all obligations must be made prior to departure. Final billing will be issued at least 30 days before departure.

Package Insurance

Non-medical tour pkg. includes "pre" (cancellation) and "post" (unlimited evacuation) insurance. Since refunds other than those listed herein cannot be made for any reason due to the fixed price contracts with the air charter operator, and because of the remoteness of the area of travel, the coverage is mandatory. Query CNO for cost.. Y ou must send premium with your registration form and deposit. The Almonte office will make any needed adjustments on your final invoice. Canadians should check their own provider as coverage is different for each province. Contact our main office in Almonte, ON, with any additional questions about insurance.

Also, Resolute Bay weather is highly unpredictable and aircraft flights are often delayed. We strongly urge you to purchase an airline ticket that allows you to change your departure date/flight time with minimal penalty

Emergency Medical Insurance

Visitors to Canada: this insurance covers emergency evacuation and provides out of country medical coverage. Clients arrive in Ottawa the day before and depart the day after the published trip dates. Query CNO for costs or purchase independently

Equipment List

Clients will receive recommended gear and suggested reading lists. Trip Memos© with pertinent details will be sent prior to departure.     Note: a good, 4-season tent is required. We have some available for rent at a modest cost. We recommend that you do not "cut corners" regarding shelter. High winds and inclement conditions are possible even in the summer on Ellesmere.

Safety

The locale and nature of this expedition place a high and necessary priority on safety. Personal camping and backpacking equipment selected by each participant must reflect this need. Your guide will provide recommendations and decisions consistent with safety concerns, all on a basis intended to maximize the value of the total trip for each participant. Your careful attention to instructions and directions given by your guide is in your best interest and that of the group in total. The axiom "Safety is no accident" applies.

  Information

Quttinirpaaq National Park. Specific information concerning the Park, current conditions, details concerning registration, and other queries of particular interest to you: The Superintendent, Quttinirpaaq National Park, Pangnirtung, PO Box 353, NT, Canada XOA ORO. Tel 819 473-8828. FAX 819 473-8612.

Topographical Maps: Four map sheets 1:250,000 cover the entire Park: Clements Markham Inlet 120F & 120G-67, McKlintock Inlet 340E& 340H-67,Tanquary Fiord 340D-67*, Lady Franklin Bay 120 C&D-67*. These cost $8.95 ea. plus handling. Order from a map dealer. One is: World of Maps, 118 Holland Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Y 0X6, Tel 613 724-6776, or Fax 1 800 897-9969. E-mail: sales@WorldofMaps.com. *for Hazen-Tanq. area.