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North to the pack-ice!
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'Professor Multanovskiy' |
MOL04 01 - 12 June 2008 (11 nights) aboard Professor Molchanov
Starting in Iceland at one of the most delightful times of year to visit, in late spring when birds are still at the height of the breeding season, and when the flowers are excellent, we visit the western fjords, and then cruise to Grimsey, to the north. We then head north to the high arctic, firstly visiting the remote Norwegian volcanic island, Jan Mayen, home to thousands of Arctic seabirds like Little Auks and Brünnich's Guillemots. There is a high probability of spotting Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales and Minke Whales as we cruise these Arctic waters. We continue north to the rim of the pack ice and Spitsbergen, only 600 miles from the North Pole. Spitsbergen is also home to Polar Bears, Walruses, Arctic Foxes and Svalbard Reindeer, and to over 170 species of flowering plants. We are offering this cruise on the Professor Multanovskiy, an expedition cruise ship that spends much of its time in the Arctic and Antarctic. Please note that the following itinerary is for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Itinerary Day 1 Late in the afternoon we board ship in the port of Keflavik, just a short way from Iceland's international airport. The largest of the North Atlantic islands, Iceland's volcanoes, ice-caps, rugged glaciated mountains, fjords and coastal cliffs and beaches together form one of the most inspiring landscapes on earth. We sail north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is crowned by a beautiful snow-capped volcanic cone, 1442m high Snaefellsjokull. In the mellow evening light (at this time of year it is light all night) it is worth staying on deck to watch for whales in this often very productive location. Day 2 Today we explore the Isafjordur Peninsula, geologically the oldest region in Iceland, its imposing basalt mountains scoured out by Ice Age glaciers. We sail into Adalvik in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Once farmed, this beautiful, sheltered fjord has been deserted for 50 years. As sheep no longer graze here and the human impacts are minimal, fauna and flora thrive on a scale unknown in other parts of Iceland. We continue our voyage by sailing along the Hornstrandir Peninsula, spotting the remains of other farmsteads along the coastline of golden sand beaches set between sheer basalt cliffs. We will land at Hornvik, where we can follow an old path, used by fowlers, to reach the top of 300m high Hornbjarg. From the dizzy heights of this cliff we can marvel at one of the biggest seabird colonies in Iceland, with tens of thousands of Brünnich's Guillemots and Kittiwakes. Day 3 We land on Grimsey, an island off the north coast and the only part of Iceland which lies within the Arctic Circle (the Circle crosses the island). The island is home to huge colonies of Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Puffins, Fulmars and Arctic Terns, who far outnumber the human inhabitants. Numbering just 100 and living in the island's only village, this resourceful farming and fishing community would not dream of moving to the mainland. In the evening we sail across the Arctic Circle and circumnavigate Kolbeinsey, a tiny island north of Grimsey, formed from a submarine eruption. Day 4 On our way to Jan Mayen, situated 300 nautical miles north-east of Iceland, there will be plenty of time to devote to looking for whales - Humpbacks are most likely but as we approach the pack ice, we may also encounter Minke Whales, who can sometimes be quite curious and approach boats such as ours. We should also see Harp Seals. Days 5 Jan Mayen is a volcanic island of breathtaking beauty and mystique, dominated by Mt Beerenberg. From the slopes of the 2277m volcano, impressive glaciers spill into the sea. Until recently, the island was off-limits, and was rarely visited by tourists, but with permission from the Norwegian authorities we hope to visit the weather station. We will also walk across the island to Kvalrossbukta to look at the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a substantial colony of Fulmars. Day 6 & 7 We spend two days at sea, looking out for whales, dolphins and seals, and a variety of seabirds. Day 8 At Bear Island we visit the remains of a whaling station active from 1905-1908 in Kvalrossbukta. Arctic Skuas and Great Skuas can be seen during a walk across the desolate hills and tundra. The weather will decide whether we then sail along the west coast, where we can visit one of the largest seabird colonies in the North Atlantic teeming with Little Auks, Brünnich's Guillemots, Common Guillemots and Kittiwakes. Alternatively we will sail along the east coast to visit Tunheim, an abandoned mining settlement. Day 9 When we approach the sea-ice at the southern tip of Spitsbergen, we may encounter moulting Harp Seals on the sea ice, and make a zodiac cruise among the ice-floes. Later we will try to land at Stormbukta, with its postvolcanic springs, and a canyon with nesting Kittiwakes. Day 10 Depending on the position of the sea-ice, we cruise the maze of fjords in the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, which is ringed by towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen' - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area but as well as spectacular scenery, the area is renowned for its abundant and varied Arctic wildlife. We have very good chances of seeing seals and with a little luck, the very symbol of the Arctic - Polar Bears. We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station, the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auks. Bearded Seals often cruise the inner fjords, whose cliffs are lined with colonies of Brünnich's Guillemots and Kittiwakes. On the tundra we will have good opportunities to observe foraging Barnacle Geese. Day 11 Today we land at Kapp Toscana on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjord, where piles of Beluga skeletons are a reminder of the 20th century exploitation of these small white whales. Numbers are now recovering and there is a good chance of spotting small groups in the area. We then move to Recherchefjord, where a walk on the fragile tundra which backs the fjord may yield sightings of Reindeer. The Spitsbergen Reindeer is not as big as its mainland relative and is found in much smaller herds. Alternatively we may land at Midterhuken to explore the remains of 17th century English whaling sites. The weather will determine which good options will be chosen in this area. Day 12 Early in the morning we arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for your flights to Oslo and home, alternatively we may stay on board for the next voyage to North Spitsbergen (MOL05), please enquire for details. M/V Professor Molchanov and Professor Multanovskiy
The ships are modern, ice-strengthened research vessels, built in Finland for the Russian Academy of Science. They are under long-term contract to Oceanwide Expeditions and have been converted for passenger use and are ideally suited to expedition cruising in polar areas. They comply with the highest international safety and environmental regulations, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic shipping guidelines. The passengers are accommodated in triple, twin, superior cabins or a suite. All cabins are 'outside' and most cabins have private facilities. The public areas are comfortable and cosy and include a dining room which could also act as the lecture room, a bar with reference books, a small infirmary and a sauna. The best viewing places on board for spotting wildlife are the bridge (where passengers are welcome) and the open-deck areas. The ships carry a full complement of Zodiac crafts, for both cruising and landing ashore. Usually on our voyages the Chef will organize a Polar barbecue on deck. Surrounded by an impressive landscape and accompanied by your fellow-travellers, staff members and the Russian crew members, this event is one to remember. 
Accommodation : Cabins as described above subject to availability. Travel : A taxi can be used for the short transfer from the airport to the vessel. The trip ends with a flight Longyearbyen-Oslo, which we can arrange for you. Flights from Oslo can be arranged, either to London, or some regional airports - please enquire for details. Overnight accommodation in Oslo can also be arranged if necessary. Leaders: Guides from Oceanwide Expeditions Prices per person:
The prices are per person, and are fully inclusive of the cruise, meals during the voyage, shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage, lectures and leadership by expedition staff, miscellaneous service taxes and port charges and pre-departure information. The prices exclude taxi transfers Keflavik airport - port, flights London/Iceland, flight Longyearbyen/Oslo, overnight accommodation if necessary in Iceland, travel Oslo/UK, overnight accommodation and airport transfers in Oslo, passport and visa expenses, Government arrival and departure taxes, travel insurance, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, and other personal expenses. Fuel Surcharges As you probably have heard in the media, fuel prices have increased tremendously over the last 2 months. Due to the present fuel prices and the expected continuous increases of the fuel prices in the next months we regret to inform you that we see no other alternative then to include a fuel surcharge for the coming Arctic season, 2008. We have fixed the fuel surcharge of £ 9.00 per night per passenger. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but at the same time ask for your understanding. | |||||||||||||