MIGHTY SAINT LAWRENCE 2016

2016 MIGHTY SAINT LAWRENCE
This voyage incorporates the stunning coastal regions of
Quebec’s North Shore, the Gaspe, the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
Magdalen Islands, and Saint Pierre. Marine mammals should be
plentiful - some of the best whale watching in Canada is
concentrated between the high cliffs of Saguenay Fiord.
Anticosti Island, Mingan Islands National Park, Forillon National
Park and Île-Bonaventure Provincial Park all offer wildlife
opportunities including numerous migrating seabirds. The
Magdalen Islands mix of Acadian and English influences—and a
history of more than 400 shipwrecks—are among the islands’
unique features. It’s also home to endangered bird species
including the Piping Plover and Roseate Tern. We bring our
voyage to a close at Saint Pierre, the last remaining outpost of
New France, where fine wine, good cheese and French fashion
are to be found just off the coast of Newfoundland.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Quebec City, Quebec
One of the oldest and loveliest European settlements in North America,
Québec takes its name from the Algonquin word meaning ‘where the river
narrows.’ The city that Champlain founded in 1608 was the capital of New
France, and later, British North America. Today, the proud capital of the
province of the same name boasts the old-world charms of Vieux Québec, the
world-famous Chateau Frontenac hotel, and the only remaining intact citadel
walls in North America. Cultural riches, superb cuisine, and an incredible view
over the river make Québec the perfect place to begin our voyage!
Day 2: Saguenay Fjord, QC
Home to Aboriginal cultures for thousands of years, the Saguenay Fjord’s first
European visitor was Jacques Cartier in 1532. The Saguenay drains fresh
water from Lac St. Jean, but the greater part of its volume is salt tidal water
from the St. Lawrence Estuary. The result is an ideal habitat for marine
mammals including four species of whales—fin, minke, blue, and the famous
(and endangered) Saguenay beluga population. Saguenay-St. Lawrence
Marine Park and Saguenay Fjord National Park both protect the region’s vast
natural riches.
Day 3: Lower Saint Lawrence
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Today we will be exploring the south coast of the Lower Saint Lawrence,
visiting the communities in the area. Our stops are weather-dependent,
though we will ideally have favourable conditions for an excursion to the
famed Reford Gardens. The gardens are home to a sculpture park, art
installations, and an enormous roster of unique floral walks and enclosures.
Day 4: Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
The spectacular natural sculptures of the Mingan Islands are formed of
limestone, shaped by the action of the sea. At 50 degrees N, these islands
owe as much to the north as to the east for their character. Atlantic puffins
and Arctic eiders vie for the attention of birders, while harp, harbour and gray
seals cavort in the waters. Not to be outdone, the flora of the islands is wildly
diverse, including 450 plant species, 190 lichens and 300 mosses!
Day 5: Forillon National Park / Gaspé, QC
The Gaspé Peninsula, also known as Gaspésie, separates the mouth of the St.
Lawrence from the Baie de Chaleur. Dominated by high cliffs on the north
shore, the Gaspé includes the eastern tip of the Appalachian Mountain chain
and consequently offers amazing views, both of, and from its highland regions,
which jut above the tree line. The first National Park in Québec, Forillon, is an
important birding and marine mammal location. Forillon also preserves human
history in the Grand-Grave National Heritage Site, telling the story of the
fishing families who once made their homes here. The park contains Canada’s
tallest lighthouse, and fortifications remaining from the Second World War,
when German U-boats were a threat to Allied shipping.
Day 6: Île Bonaventure Provincial Park / Percé, QC
Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé is the formal name of
the Park at the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. But most Canadians are
more familiar with its best-known feature, the awe-inspiring Percé Rock. The
area’s flora and fauna is world-renowned, including famous colonies of
northern gannets: the largest is on Bonaventure Island and comprises some
32,000 nests. Named by Samuel de Champlain, the rock itself is an
internationally famed marvel, a huge natural arch within a mass of reddish
limestone and sandstone. A second arch once pierced the rock but collapsed
in 1845, leaving a massive column at one end. Percé Rock has revealed 150
species of fossils, and more than two hundred species of birds are found
nearby. Fin, minke, humpback, and blue whales ply the nearby waters of this
magnificent coastal outpost.
Day 7: Prince Edward Island
Canada’s smallest province in both size and population, Prince Edward Island
is known by several other names, including “Garden of the Gulf” (for its lush
agricultural lands) and “Cradle of Confederation” (referring to the
Charlottetown Conference in 1864). It is a realm of rolling hills, wooded
glades, ocean coves, and famously red soil. The island’s landscape has a
strong bearing on its inhabitants, and Prince Edward Island—often abbreviated
as PEI—retains a slower-paced, old-world flavour in its small, rural
settlements. The island was made famous by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne
of Green Gables (and its sequels)—and to this day the Cavendish farmhouse
described in the book is preserved for visitors. We will be going ashore at
Prince Edward Island for a full day of exploration and touring, learning about
the art and history of the region and spending the day with locals. Due to the
island’s small size, it is likely that we will have time to visit urban areas as well
as rural. We will sample the phenomenal food of the region, stroll on
expansive beaches, and avail ourselves of all that this charming province has
to offer.
Day 8: Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Long frequented by Mi’kmaq people, likely walrus hunters, the
Îles-de-la-Madeleine in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were first sighted by
Europeans when Jacques Cartier sailed among them in 1534. Today, although
closer to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, they form a regional
municipality of the province of Québec. However, the islands have a history
distinct from that of mainland Québec. When the British expelled the
Acadians from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Magdalene Islanders
remained, and to this day take great pride in their Acadian heritage. There are
also long-standing English settlements, and a percentage of the population
can claim descent from survivors of the many shipwrecks that have occurred
among the islands. Iconic red sandstone cliffs are among the islands’ most
striking features. Pack ice has historically surrounded the islands during
winter, leading to near-total isolation for months at a time. Besides fishing,
shipping, salt mining and tourism, sealing on the pack ice has been a
traditional source of income and subsistence for islanders. We will be arriving
during the famed eastern lobster fishing season, so the possibility of sampling
local delicacies remains high. We will be stopping to meet with local artists at
the island community of Havre Aubert, famed for its Acadian culture and
stunning surroundings.
Day 9: South Coast, Newfoundland
You could be forgiven for not knowing the French history of Newfoundland:
indeed, sections of the island’s coastline changed ownership multiple times.
Newfoundland’s South Shore offers many surprises, including vast stretches of
virtually uninhabited wilderness. Fjords, cliffs, and islands offer excellent
Zodiac cruising territory and terrific birding opportunities. We will be availing
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ourselves of all the area has to offer and may be stopping in any of multiple
possible destinations depending on conditions.
Day 10: Saint-Pierre, FR
On a trip that traces the history and geography of New France, it’s appropriate
that we wind up in France. The small islands of Saint-Pierre remain officially a
part of the French Republic, albeit only a few dozen kilometres off the shore of
Newfoundland. In charming Saint-Pierre (population 6,500) you’ll find fine
wine and cheese, excellent coffee and pastries, even contemporary French
fashion items in a postcard-pretty town. European style dwellings stand
shoulder to shoulder with typical east coast architecture, and French license
plates adorn the Renaults and Citroens on the winding old streets.
Please Note:
The itineraries/programs described are subject to change at the discretion of
the ship’s master.
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YOUR SHIP: OCEAN ENDEAVOUR
phone for internal calls,
YOUR SHIP:
Ocean Endeavour
VESSEL TYPE:
Expedition
LENGTH:
137m
PASSENGER CAPACITY:
198
BUILT/REFURBISHED:
1982 - refurbished 2010 & 2014
Sailing with a maximum of 198-passengers, Ocean Endeavour
is the perfect vessel for expedition cruising. Outfitted with twenty
Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges and
a top deck observation room, she is purpose-built for passenger
experiences in remote environments. The Ocean Endeavour
boasts a 1B ice class, enabling her to freely explore throughout
the Arctic summer.
Launched in 1982, she has had numerous upgrades, most
recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137 meters (450ft) in length,
Ocean Endeavour has plenty of interior and exterior space.
Enjoy multiple decks offering comfortable lounge chairs,
outdoor dining, a swimming pool, sauna and even a hot tub!
The spacious interiors allow for multiple workshops and
presentations to occur simultaneously. Community is at the
heart of Adventure Canada's expedition experience. We gather
together to learn, enjoy a drink, sing a song or share a yarn connecting with one and other. The three lounges aboard Ocean
Endeavour are fantastic public spaces for seminars, events and
dialogue.
The Ocean Endeavour's private spaces are stylish and
comfortable. All cabins have private washroom facilities, a
radio, TV and air-conditioning. There are a variety of cabin
categories available ranging from 9-30 m2 (100-320 sq ft).
Ocean Endeavour's crew is experienced, and friendly. Her
shallow draft and maneuverability allow her to access isolated
fiords, bays and secluded communities. The stylish vessel is at
home among the glorious settings we seek. Enjoy the class and
comfort of a boutique hotel, while venturing to some of the
world's last great frontiers aboard the Ocean Endeavour!
Deck plan varies for the trips to Antarctica
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INSIDE YOUR SHIP
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PRICING
ADDITIONAL CHARGES:
Discovery Fund Fee 250 USD pp
Optional extras & upgrades
Charter Flights. From 350 USD
Outbound only: Saint-Pierre, FR to St John’s, NL, June 10, 2016, Early
afternoon arrival. Inclusive of all taxes and fees.
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[email protected] | wildearth-travel.com