The ice floe edge of Lancaster Sound is world-renowned amongst filmmakers as one of the most prolific areas of wildlife in the Arctic. Much of the best arctic animal footage is captured in the region. It is one of the few places where all of the arctic marine animals co-mingle. Never before has access to this remote and largely inaccessible area been possible for all but the most dedicated and sponsored expeditions. We are proud to offer a privileged few access to this pristine Arctic jewel.

As winter transitions to spring, and spring transitions to summer, the frozen expanses of sea ice begin to crack, and break away to float serenely out into the Davis Strait. The floe edge -- where sea ice meets open water -- is one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the Arctic. Each spring, the waters at the ice edge become rich with life, and for thousands of years the Inuit of northern Canada hunted here. Thousands of Belugas and Narwhals gather in Lancaster Sound waiting for the ice to clear. Snorkeling with the whales in the comfort and safety of a dry suit is possible without any prior experience, and encounters may be extended and exceedingly playful. A Bowhead may occasionally pass by flanked by dozens of Narwhals and Belugas. Pods of male Narwhal with their long famous ivory tusks may be seen in pool sized openings in the ice.

On this expedition you will see a sight few people have: the migration of Beluga and the rarely seen Narwhal to their summer feeding grounds. From the ice floe edge, you will see the whales lingering sometimes almost within arm's length. On a windless, sunny spring day, you will be able to see Narwhal playfully jousting in the glassy smooth surface of the water. The Beluga, in a flash of milky white, crest the surface and take a breath in a large exhale before diving under the ice to continue their feeding. We provide dry suits or even dive equipment so that the adventurous can enter the water and watch as the inquisitive whales swim up to investigate, darting under the snorkeler or diver, only meters away. The connection felt looking eye to eye with these wild and elusive creatures is an indescribable feeling of elation.

This trip is perfect for anyone looking for a real adventure. Things won't always be easy, and we'll be heading off the beaten tracks and out of the usual tourist route. You do not have to have previous Arctic experience, but you do need to have an adventurous spirit. Relatively speaking, very few people have been through to the high Arctic -- you can become among the first to explore this amazing region. An expedition is typically represented by an international range of participants. Having a laid back, open-minded and patient demeanor is important.

These expeditions are not overly active – but there can be long days of travel via snowmobile.

This expedition is designed around viewing Arctic wildlife, and the appreciation of rarely-seen animals in their natural environment. However, 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.

We encourage our expedition participants 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, Inuit husky dog teams being fed Arctic Char or seal meat. While out on the expedition 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, existing in harmony with the wild Arctic.

=>Witness the beauty of life at the ice floe edge, where frozen ice meets open water -- from crystaline ice bergs, electric blue pack ice formations, hundreds of birds diving and weaving and of course, the migrating pods of whales;

=>Experience Inuit lifestyle high above the Arctic Circle;

=>Capture stunning photographs of pods of narwhal as they rest on the surface, cross tusks in playful sword fighting, and exhale plumes of mist;

=>Snorkel or dive along the ice floe edge, and exhilarate in the moment A the narwhal and beluga swim inquisitively beneath you;

=>Listen the the chirps and whistles of the whale songs while underwater, or from the surface through a hydrophone;

=>Experience all aspects of the High Arctic, from Inuit culture to spectacular landscapes of Baffin, Bylot and Devon island;

=>Travel over sea ice by snowmobile and traditional Inuit qamutik, an adventure unto itself as we cross leads, cracks, hug shorelines and navigate around iceberg;

=>Live on the ice close to the floe edge in our Eco-friendly, zero footprint, comfortable base camp on almost 8 feet of solid sea ice;

=>Visit ancient Thule sites;

=>Hike the solitude of beautiful Navy Board Inlet on the north coast of Baffin Island;

=>Catch a glimpse of Polar Bear hunting for seals;

=>Bask in the warm glow of the midnight sun during the Arctic's brief period of 24-hour daylight;

=>See the transition of the Arctic from winter to spring, from frozen tundra to melting rivers and blossoming arctic flowers.

The following is an example of an itinerary, to be used as guideline for what to expect. Due to the unpredictable nature of the Arctic, ice conditions and weather play an integral part in determining the daily activities. However, this can be seen as the beauty of the arctic and wildlife viewing: you can never predict exactly what you will see and no two trips are ever the same.

Prior to your arrival, our expedition leaders will have analysed satellite images provided by the European Space Agency to determine how the winter's ice has formed. Some years, the flow edge is very close to the mouth of Lancaster Sound, while at other times it may be further inland. Using this macro information, we then scout ahead a week or two before the first trip via airplane or snowmobile to determine where the season's Eco-base camp should be set up. Our mission is to bring you to the best location at the best time of year to view the Arctic and its wildlife. By the time you arrive, our Eco-Camp is set up and ready for you!

Arrive in gateway community, such as Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay*.

Day sortie travel by snowmobile and qamutik to our seasonal Eco-base camp on the sea ice close to the floe edge. Along the way, you will experience first-hand how the Inuit travel to their summer camps. Qamutiks are sledges pulled by snowmobiles and are specially designed to flex over the ice.

The next eleven days on the sea ice will vary completely based upon weather, interests and animal movements. The following is purely representative:

Initial journey to the floe edge. It is a bright and sunny day, and the whales are everywhere. We have a late lunch on the floe edge and stay through 11PM. We return to camp, and bask in the midnight sun.

Wind is blowing south and the floe edge is pulsating with incoming waves, making it impossible to come aground. We travel as close as we can to appreciate the power of the changing seasons. We continue south, following the rough ice, and hike to a towering iceberg. We head back to camp in the early afternoon, have a relaxed evening, enjoying a chef-cooked dinner before we call it an early night.

The wind has died down and the sky is overcast. We make our way to the floe edge, which has calmed right down. The wind has blown lots of pack ice in, and the area is full of large contained ‘pools’ of water. Dozens of Narwhals rest in these pools and occasional groups of Belugas come through. We snorkel with the Belugas and glimpse the massive ivory tusks of a pod of male Narwhal underwater.

We journey out to the floe edge and may see hundreds of whales. Two Bowheads go by. Some people focus on surface photography while a few snorkel and others paddle out and spot a lone walrus on the floating pack ice. On our journey home, we come across polar bear tracks and follow them to the rough ice where we can no longer go by snowmobile.

It’s a bright sunny day, but the wind has risen making the floe edge inaccessible. We have a relaxing morning in camp where our expedition leader gives a talk on polar bears. In the afternoon we go out to look for bears.

The wind has subsided, and as we head out to the floe edge we spot a polar bear in the distance. We take a big detour to catch up, while staying down wind. We pull up close to the rough ice where the the bear can be seen only a few hundred feet away. As we continue towards the open Arctic Ocean, we pass closer on the snowmobiles for a final photo.

A local Inuit hunting party has left a whale carcass after a hunt. The carrion has attracted a hungry Polar Bear. We observe from a safe distance as he devours the remains. After an hour watching the bear, we continue on and patrol the floe edge. We see a few whales, but not enough to get in the water.

The ice is moving and we need to move our campsite further back. After packing up the camp, moving back about 20km and setting it up again, we have an early dinner. A Polar Bear approaches our new camp, perhaps attracted by the steak we've just eaten. We watch as it rolls around and plays just a few hundred meters away. It eventually wanders off into the distance.

Another sunny day arrives and we get to inspect the new floe edge the wind has carved into the ice. It proves to be a magical day. Whales are everywhere and very playful. They follow the snorkelers in big pods for hours on end. We have lunch at the floe edge and watch as the whales travel up and down the edge in search of food. We relax with the guides as they tell us about traditional Inuit life. In the late afternoon, we go to the rough ice where we hike to a distant Iceberg. Participants walk around the iceberg taking photographs and marveling at the spectacular formations.

Travel back to gateway town via snowmobile and qamutik.

Explore the local community. Visit soap stone carvers, sod house, watch seal skin being stretched, and other Inuit cultural activities

Depart gateway community i.e. Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay