|
Walk on the Ice Floes Amongst the Great
Seal Herds of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A Small Group
Guided Adventure Tour with the Baby Harp Seals!
Each March, 250,000 harp seals enter
the Gulf of St. Lawrence to bear their young on the
vast floating ice fields in the waters surrounding the
picturesque Magdalen Islands and Prince Edward Island.
These adorable pups shed their snowy white fur and turn
gray within three weeks. For hundreds of years these
seals were hunted for their immaculate white fur. Now,
the baby harp seal is safe and small groups of visitors
can safely and comfortably spend heartwarming moments
with these captivating animals as they enjoy peace on
the ice. Someday, we hope the same can be said for all
harp seals. Natural Habitat Adventures is extremely
proud to be the innovator of these adventures that not
only allow interested travelers an incredibly moving
and meaningful travel experience, but also help to protect
these magical animals through ecotourism.
Dates
(2006) :
Feb 28 - Mar 5 (6 Days)
Mar 4 - 9 (6 Days/Photo Tour)*
Mar 8 - 12 (5 Days)
Mar 11 - 16 (6 Days)
Mar 15 - 20 (6 Days/Harps & Hoods)**
*Photo Tours offer longer trips to
the ice for photographers and others who want to spend
more time with the seals.
**Harps & Hoods visits the harp
seals and the rare and elusive hooded seals!!
Itinerary:
Day 1: Halifax / Magdalen Islands
or Prince Edward Island
Our guides will meet you upon arrival
in Halifax. We recommend coming a day early just in
case weather conditions prohibit you from arriving on
time. We offer an Extra Day in Halifax Program, which
provides wonderful insight into this charming and historic
city. This afternoon/evening we will transfer to either
the Magdalen Islands or Prince Edward Island depending
on the location of the seals. Our journey to the Magdalen
Islands will be by charter flight and we will depart
for the 50-minute flight following dinner at Inn on
the Lake. We will transfer to Prince Edward Island by
luxury motorcoach leaving in the afternoon in order
to arrive in PEI for dinner. When we arrive, we will
check in to our hotel, where we relax and get a good
night's sleep for the next day's activities.
Days 2-4: Magdalen Islands/Prince
Edward Island
While in the Magdalen Islands or on
Prince Edward Island we can visit the seal herds every
day that the weather allows. After a brief safety presentation,
our guides issue expedition suits (they're wonderfully
warm) and get you ready for your adventure. The journey
can take between five minutes and one hour, depending
on the location of the seals. From the safety of the
helicopters, you will be amazed at the wonderful formations
made by the open water leads in the ice. After the pilots
choose a suitable ice pan, they set down a couple of
hundred yards from the herd. After another brief safety
talk, we will spread out among the seals, giving each
traveler ample opportunity to have their own personal
private time with these remarkable animals. Our Expedition
Leaders and local guides play an important role in the
success of your trip as our leaders are highly knowledgeable
in seal biology and behavior and our local guides, often
ex-seal hunters who agree not to hunt if we give them
an alternative source of revenue, understand the ice
and the seals in a way that cannot be learned in school!
When we approach the seals, they all have different
reactions: some will bark at us like little puppy dogs,
others will scurry away and still others will roll on
their backs, almost encouraging us to scratch their
bellies. Photography opportunities abound as the seals
(the mothers are remarkable as well) and the ice tend
to make wonderful images. When we are not visiting the
seals, travelers can participate in a variety of outdoor
activities such as snowshoeing, cross country skiing
and hiking, other activities such as slide shows and
lectures on wildlife and photography, as well as island
tours and visits to the many unique northern crafts
shops in the Magdalen Islands or the unique downtown
area in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. All of
these activities are optional but are included in your
program fee. We will also have a unique chance to explore
and learn about how these areas were formed. Pushed
upwards from the floor of the ocean and sculpted by
the waves, winds, and currents of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
the islands are always in a state of change. Salt marshes,
pristine sand dunes, and towering cliffs of sandstone
are just some of the habitats we can explore. The Gulf
of St.Lawrence has shaped the history of the islands
since it was first visited by the French explorer Jacques
Cartier in 1543, and local fishermen still set their
time to the pace of the sea. Although often hidden from
view, the Islands are home to many wintering birds that
find the landscape of the Maggies and PEI reminiscent
of their summer homes far to the north; red fox wander
the dunes and salt marshes looking for the remains of
the less hardy wildlife that has succumbed to the forces
of winter; and lobster pots and fishing nets set out
to weather tell us of a world deep beneath the surface
of the sea ice around us. When not visiting seals or
participating in other outdoor activities, we will participate
in guided exploration of the island(s) and discover
a world disguised by winter, but still alive and ever
changing.
Day 5: Return to Halifax
After a final opportunity for activities,
including flights to the seal herds, we return to Halifax
either by charter flight or by motorcoach. We will gather
for a farewell dinner either before we depart or upon
arrival in Halifax.
Day 6: Halifax/Home
After breakfast, we transfer you to
the airport for your return flight home.
Please Note: On our
5-Day Program we travel to Halifax in the evening of
Day 4 after a full day of seal watching and return home
on Day 5.
Included:
R/T transfer by luxury motorcoach
or charter flight Halifax/Magdalen Islands or Prince
Edward Island, accommodations, helicopter trip(s) to
the seals, services of NHA's professional Expedition
Leaders and photographers, breakfast and dinner daily,
slide shows, lectures and presentations by leading authorities
on seals, wildlife and photography, guided outdoor activities
(snowshoeing,cross-country skiing, nature hikes), trips
to local artisans' shops and studios (Magdalen Islands
only), use of expedition suits and warm boots for ice
trips and all outdoor equipment for outdoor activities,
taxes and service charges.
Not Included:
Travel to and from Halifax, lunches, tips, alcoholic
beverages, lunch daily, personal items, airport taxes,
travel insurance.
Family Departures
We have scheduled family trips which
are specially designed so parents, children and grandparents
can enjoy the wonders of the Galapagos in a manner that
best meets families' needs. Some families prefer to
charter their own vessel which we can easily arrange.
Price Guide:
Costs are based on the number of flights
to the seal herds you choose during your entire Seal
Watch adventure. The fourth flight (3 trip limit on
the 5-Day program) can be booked upon arrival to the
islands for £200 and will depart contingent upon
enough demand.
5-Day Seal Watch
1 Flight - £1450
2 Flights - £1650
3 Flights - £1850
Photo Tour
1 Flight - £1705
2 Flights - £1905
3 Flights - £2100
Harps & Hoods
1 Flight - £1705
2 Flights - £1905
3 Flights - £2100
Call 01903 816500 for further
details or email info@exquisiteworld.com
|
