NorthWest Passage

"Russia - Alaska - Canada"

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.

Arctic Selections