The Torngat Mountains greeted us upon the Ocean Endeavour’s arrival to the northern Labrador coast. Living close to the Rockies, I feel at home amongst mountains, so I was excited to see these giants as we cruised into sprawling fjords carved by glacial movement over the ages. I thought of my graduate student friends at home studying geology in Montana, who would have reveled in the moment of encountering such ancient rock; I soon learned from the scientists onboard that, along with Northwest Canada and Australia, the Torngats contain some of the oldest rocks on the planet.
Our time in Torngat National Park also included a burst of wildlife sightings, including the one I had been waiting for the entire trip: polar bears. The first polar bear sighting of the cruise was a mother and her two cubs, traveling the coastline in search of food that must have been pretty abundant; they appeared content and undisturbed, and I wondered what they must have thought of our strange lone ship slipping through the eerie landscape. As we continued our cruising through the fjord, we also spotted a herd of caribou, also unconcerned with the presence of the Ocean Endeavour and its herd of curious humans.
On our many zodiac excursions through the park, we discovered evidence of Inuit occupation, as well as more ancient predecessors. The most striking encounter was a site dotted with stone cairns marking numerous Inuit burials. As we cruised into the site, framed above by towering rock, I became aware of the intense spirituality associated with the lands, Torngait literally meaning “a place of spirits.” Today’s Inuit in the area still maintain a strong connection with the spirits of the Torngat Mountains, in spite of European contact indicated in the remains of Moravian Mission sites in places such as Ramah Bay. In those sites, I could see signs of intersection—the evidence of a foreign far-reaching religion paralleling a belief system and culture that, like the monumental rock, had existed for thousands of years.
The people who inhabited these places are now gone, save the Inuit hunters and fishers who pass through year to year, but I knew as we left the Torngats that there was something special kept there that would remain for millennia more.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.