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Featured holiday: Arctic: The Northwest Passage Cruise
Discover the World Arctic: The Northwest Passage Cruise
Icebergs © Quark Expeditions
Icebergs © Quark Expeditions

Chukotka © Alexander Kutskiy
Chukotka © Alexander Kutskiy

View from deck © Peter Mandel
View from deck © Peter Mandel

Duration: 18 nights
Departing: July

Explore the Chukotka Peninsula, in Russia''s Far East, before sailing across the Beaufort Sea to the Canadian Arctic. Landings are planned in locations made famous by Roald Amundsen and Sir John Franklin''s infamous and tragic expedition in search of the fabled passage to Asia. Experience the sheer power of the ice-breaker as it ploughs through pack-ice, with the chance to watch the ship''s progress from the vantage point of a helicopter overhead.

Itinerary

Day 1 Anchorage More than three centuries before the founding of Anchorage, Martin Frobisher sailed from England on a quest to find the fabled northern route to Asia. Ever since that first expedition, the mystique of the Northwest Passage has drawn adventurers. Our transit begins in Alaska’s largest city at a hotel near the airport.
Days 2-3 Embarkation Day, Anadyr People boarding our charter flight to Anadyr, Russia, have one thing in common – a compelling desire to become one of an exclusive group that has transited the Northwest Passage. By day’s end you will embark on the dream-fulfilling journey, having lost a day when you crossed the International Date Line.
Days 4-6 Russia’s Chukotka Peninsula The transit begins at the eastern edge of the Asian continent. There, you’ll explore remote villages and Ittygran – aka Whalebone Alley. Gigantic bones, weathered by wind and snow, stand erect along the shore, a timeless reminder of 2,000 years of whaling by the indigenous peoples of the region.
Days 7-9 Beaufort Sea As Kapitan Khlebnikov steams eastward across the Beaufort Sea watch for marine mammals in the water and seabirds swirling about the ship. Should the vessel encounter pack ice, the onboard helicopters will take you aloft to watch as the powerful ship crushes through to open water.
Days 10-11 Canadian Arctic At the heart of the Northwest Passage lie the islands of Canada’s Arctic archipelago. Early explorers encountered an uncharted maze of impassable ice-choked straits between the islands. Now, a century after Amundsen’s first successful transit, only a handful of passenger vessels have negotiated the entire route. Our icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov has completed more full transits than any other passenger vessel in this or any other century.
Days 12-14 Amundsen Gulf At the eastern end of the gulf is Dolphin and Union Strait, crossed in 1851 by Dr. John Rae, two companions, two sledges and five dogs. At the completion of that expedition, Rae and his companions were only 80 km (50 miles) west of the beset ships of Sir John Franklin. Had Rae known, perhaps Franklin’s expedition would have had an entirely different ending. Our in - depth education program will provide the basis for on-going discussions over dinner or in the bar.
Days 15-17 Victoria Strait to Lancaster Sound Throughout this fabled transit, you’ll visit many historic sites – often going ashore to explore, either by Zodiac or helicopter. Heading north, along the Boothia Peninsula via Larsen Sound and into Lancaster Sound, we will mount a polar bear watch. Should we sight a polar bear all planned activities will be cancelled. Polar bear sightings take precedence over all.
Day 18 Resolute After two weeks above the Arctic Circle in continual daylight, there is a final night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa to re -adjust to a world where night and day are distinct.
Day 19 Ottawa After breakfast, depart for home.




for more information about Polar Journeys 2010-12
Click Here >> 		Sail the most legendary route in Arctic lore, the Northwest Passage from Anadyr, Russia to Resolute, Canada. This will be the final west to east transit of the Northwest Passage made by our icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. The ship retires from service as an expedition vessel in March 2012. The End of an Era has begun.

Price From
£14377

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Holiday valid to
01 January 1900

Price Includes Charter flight between gateway city (Anchorage) and port of embarkation (Anadyr, Charter flight between port of disembarkation (Resolute) and gateway city (Ottawa). 1 night pre- and 1 night post-voyage hotel accommodation in Anchorage and Ottawa, including breakfast. On embarkation day, group transfer from the host hotel to the airport and from the airport to the ship. On disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport and from the airport to the hotel. Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.). Coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock. Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities. All shore landings per the daily program. All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program. All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day''s program. Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled. Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage. A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings. A Quark Expeditions parka is yours to keep. Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin. Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. All luggage handling aboard ship. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.

     
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