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On this remarkable voyage, we sail from remote Anadyr east across the top of North America, visiting the remote shores and winter harbors of some of the great explorers along the way. It took 300 years to find this northern sea route from Europe to the Far East - and few successful transits of this legendary passage have taken place since Roald Amundsen's historic 1903-06 voyage. The Kapitan Khlebnikov meets the challenge of the ice-choked channels, narrow straits and little-explored waterways on this exciting cruise of exploration.
The Itinerary
DAY 1: Anchorage
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer independently to the Millennium Hotel where
overnight accommodations are provided.
DAYS 2-3: Anadyr (Russia)
Today in the morning board a charter flight from Anchorage to Anadyr. You cross
the International Date Line en route, losing one day. Transfer by helicopter to
the Kapitan Khlebnikov and sail on July 20 in the evening.
DAYS 4-5: Chukotsk Peninsula
We explore the coastal sites and seabird islands of the remote Chukotsk Peninsula.
This is the land of the Chukchi people, one of the last groups to be subdued in
the Russian conquest of Siberia. Arctic poppies, saxifrage and other hardy plants
erupt into blossom during the long days of summer. Least and Crested Auklets,
Tufted and Horned Puffins, guillemots and other seabirds crowd nesting
cliffs on several islands. This is also an excellent area to encounter
gray whales.
DAY 6: Provideniya
Today we visit Provideniya, the administrative capital of the Chukotka Province,
which is physically and culturally similar to its Alaskan counterpart. Explore
the town and enjoy a specially arranged folklore show in the local culture
center.
DAY 7: Bering Strait
We sail through the Bering Strait where thousands of whales and seabirds migrate
each summer. Your expedition leader calls everyone on deck as we pass Big
Diomede, the small Russian island facing across the narrow Bering Strait
to Alaska - and yesterday. Crossing the International Date Line, we gain
one day.
DAY 8: Beaufort Sea
We continue north along the Chukchi coast to the Beaufort Sea and celebrate
crossing the Arctic Circle. Passing Point Barrow, the northernmost point of
the United States, we officially begin our journey through the fabled Northwest
Passage.
The Arctic pack ice frequently blocks transit at this critical juncture,
frustrating the attempts of ordinary expedition vessels to pass.
In past years, our ship has had to battle through thick, multi-year ice and
floes from the north. Plan to spend time on deck and on the Bridge.
Conditions permitting, this is an excellent opportunity to take to the
air and watch the Kapitan Khlebnikov at work from the helicopter.
DAYS 9-11: Herschel Island & Franklin Bay
Over these days, we expect to call at Herschel Island, site of a busy 19th
century whaling station and the Yukon's first territorial park. We are met
by park rangers who take us on a guided walk among the historic remains of
the whaling station at Pauline Cove. Fifteen ships overwintered here in
1894-95 - and the now-abandoned town may once have had as many as 2,000 residents.
Nesting shorebirds and Arctic foxes are abundant on the surrounding tundra -
and polar bears are often sighted offshore. Herschel Island stands directly
in the path of the formidable Beaufort Gyre which brings abundant marine mammals
and ice into the area. Amundsen spent a winter at nearby King's Point before
completing the first transit of the Northwest Passage. Customs and
immigration officers join the ship to officially welcome us to Canada
We continue east across the shallow waters of the Mackenzie Delta. Should
time and ice conditions permit, we sail into Franklin Bay with its imposing
cliff scenery and columns of smoke rising from the exposed patches of
bituminous shale that have been burning here for centuries.
DAYS 12-14: Amundsen Gulf & Victoria Island
Continuing across Amundsen Gulf, we approach Holman on Victoria Island.
Traditional home of the Copper Inuit, its friendly 300 residents make a living
from print making, hunting and trapping. We arewelcomed at the local
co-operative.
Forging our way east through Dolphin and Union Strait, we join our officers
on the Bridge. The Kapitan Khlebnikov is remarkably maneuverable, enabling
us to approach with care any wildlife sighted. Throughout the voyage we
maintain a watch for whales, polar bears and seals. Past expeditions have
proved lucky in finding musk ox along the south coast of Victoria Island.
We plan an expedition landing in Johansen Bay.
Further along we visit the administrative center and historically important
town of Cambridge Bay. Lying in the harbor are the weathered remains of the
'Maud' - the three-masted schooner that Amundsen sailed across the north polar
basin from 1922-24.
DAY 15: Victoria Strait
Amundsen spent two winters in this area where he learned to dog sledge from
the local people. We pass nearby King William Island where Captain Leopold
McClintock finally found evidence of Franklin's lost expedition in 1859,
including naval artifacts, sledges, graves and two letters. Our Captain
takes the western route through Victoria Strait, known for its challenging
ice conditions. We maintain a watch for wildlife.
DAYS 16-17: Larsen Sound & Boothia Peninsula
Over these days we forge north along the Boothia Peninsula via Larsen Sound,
a route that was chartered by McClintock on his 1857-59 expedition aboard the
'Fox'. Past expeditions have had good luck with polar bear sightings in the
area. Plan time to watch the Kapitan Khlebnikov battling the Arctic ice
pack and thrill at the views of huge ice floes all around the ship.
Our daily activities will be scheduled based on what nature, with all its
vagaries, allows us to do. We continue with our lecture program and learn
more about the wildlife and history of Arctic exploration.
Continuing north, we hope to navigate Bellot Strait - the mile-wide channel
that separates Somerset Island from Point Zenith. Often choked with heavy
pack ice, this challenging waterway is also a good place to encounter the
solitary polar bear
Note that tides and ice conditions will determine our progress in this region.
We sail north along either the east or west coast of Somerset Island to
Lancaster Sound.
DAY 18: Lancaster Sound & Beechey Island
This morning we hope to cruise Prince Leopold Island, a dramatic flat-topped
island known for its nesting seabirds. Later today we arrive at Beechey Island
where Sir John Franklin and his men spent a winter before disappearing forever.
Three sailors were buried 150 years ago on the terraced beaches of this remote
site. The tragedy motivated one of the greatest search missions ever known.
At this desolate spot, we contemplate the graves of the three sailors and
the Franklin Memorial erected here. We also celebrate our successful transit
of the Northwest Passage.
DAY 19: Resolute
This morning we disembark in Resolute, the hub for logistics in the Canadian
Arctic and site of a research center and small Inuit community. We transfer
to the Narwhal Hotel before continuing back on our flight* to Ottawa where
we spend the night at the Chateau Laurier.
DAY 20: Ottawa
After breakfast, we continue home independently. We now belong to the
privileged few to have completed the Northwest Passage! Please note:
Our actual program and routing will depend on local ice and weather
conditions - which vary unpredictably from season to season and day
to day - unexpected opportunities and our luck with wildlife sightings.
A flexible approach to alterations of the itinerary will be essential
for the success of this exciting voyage of discovery, and will maximize
our chances to see marine wildlife on the way. Therefore please read
this itinerary as a guide only.
General Information
Rated: Easy
| Aboard Khlebnikov | ||||||||||
| July 17 - August 4, 2006 | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 19 days | ||||||||
| 5/8 | Triple with private bathroom | $ 11995 | ||||||||
| € 9955 | ||||||||||
| £ 6717 | ||||||||||
| 5/6/7/8 | Twin with private bathroom | $ 14995 | ||||||||
| € 12445 | ||||||||||
| £ 8397 | ||||||||||
| 6/7/8 | Suite with private bathroom | $ 17995 | ||||||||
| € 14935 | ||||||||||
| £ 10077 | ||||||||||
| 7/8 | Corner Suite with private bathroom | $ 19495 | ||||||||
| € 16180 | ||||||||||
| £ 10917 | ||||||||||
Rates are per person
Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times
the per person share price. Triple cabins are identical to twins but with a third pull down berth.
Included:
* Voyage aboard expedition vessels as indicated in the itinerary
* Pre-cruise hotel accommodations on a share basis with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary
* All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship
* Flights from Anchorage to Anadyr and from Resolute to Ottawa
* All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac and Helicopter
* Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by an experienced expedition staff
* Comprehensive pre-departure materials and Antarctic handbook
* Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship for those traveling on the group flights
* All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
* Detailed post-expedition log
Not included:
Any other airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights;
passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore;
supplement for single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation and personal
insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items
of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and
telecommunications charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the
voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Special booking & cancellation conditions (subjected to change - please inquire upon booking)
A deposit of USD 1800 / GBP 1160 / EUR 1620 is required to confirm a
reservation with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations
received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an
administrative fee of $750 per person. Please note that within the
90 day limit all monies are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within
the 90 day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full
penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. For
these reasons you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation
insurance.
Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject
to a minimum of 30 participants.