trip specifics

price

2010 Rates

Witness breath-taking beauty on the western shore of Ellesmere Island. This will be the final expedition to remote Tanquary Fjord made by our icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. The ship retires as an expedition vessel in March 2012. The End of an Era has begun.

When the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) decided to produce a sequel to Planet Earth - Frozen Planet - the filmmakers turned to Quark Expeditions for logistical support. As a result, a BBC film crew will be shooting footage aboard this expedition. During the voyage, the film crew will work in conjunction with landing operations and deliver presentations and show dailies - raw footage captured during each day's filming. The dailies will be filmed with the technology that enables the BBC's Natural History Unit to capture never-before-seen footage of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Day 1 - Ottawa, Ontario
n the imagination of many people the Arctic landscape is vast tundra valleys that stretch toward snow-capped mountains, while polar bears and walrus rest on ice floes just offshore. We can't guarantee polar bears and walrus sightings, but we can promise breathtaking landscape during this expedition that begins with a night in a hotel in Ottawa, Canada.

Accommodations: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3 - Devon Island
With a landscape surprisingly similar to the planet Mars, this ice-capped island will be the site of your first shore landings. The Devon Island visits encompass wildlife, the history of Arctic exploration and the archaeological remains of the Thule people, ancestors of the Inuit.

Accommodations: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 6-9 - Tanquary Fjord
The epic beauty that is Tanquary Fjord encompasses sweeping mountain valleys under huge Arctic skies. Luminous glaciers cascade down to clear blue waters. You'll stroll across soft tundra, home to thousands of species of miniature plants. Twenty-four hours of daylight provides ample opportunity to take photos in Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island.

Accommodations: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 12 - Norwegian Bay
There are many wonderful and exciting sites during this journey through Norwegian Bay and Belcher Channel. However the experience of watching 24,000 horsepower of Kapitan Khlebnikov battle its way through some of the toughest ice in the world may be one of the most memorable. We then head south, through Penny Strait to Queens Channel, with plans to explore McDougall Sound on the alert for walrus and polar bears.

Accommodations: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 15 - Resolute, Nunavut
From Resolute you will fly to Ottawa to spend the night.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast


Day 16 - Ottawa, Canada
Depart for home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: n/a


Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only. As this is an expedition to a remote part of the world, our exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.


Rates: Voyage rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and the price of fuel sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to adjust our prices or introduce surcharges accordingly, even if full payment has been previously received.


Single Travelers: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate on the Shokalskiy, Ioffe, Vavilov, and 1.8 times the twin rate on the Maryshev, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Antarctic Dream and Mikheev.


Minimum Age for Children: 12 years


Land Cost Includes: Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced Expedition Leaders and staff, including shore landings; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit; A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings (only on: Shokalskiy, Ioffe, Vavilov; An expedition parka that is yours to keep (ONLY on the Shokalskiy); Hair dryer in every cabin; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.


Not Included: Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; Fuel surcharge of $15 per person per night on: Maryshev, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Micheev, and Antarctic Dream; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; Rubber boots on all other vessels not specifically listed above; baggage, Trip Cancellation Insurance with emergency medical evacuation insurance (required); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).


Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Arctic Adventure Ship voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money oeder or major credit card. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure. We do NOT accept credit cards for Final Payment. Final payment can be made by check or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.


Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received:
150 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person.
Between 119-90 days, per person deposit amount is forfeited.
Between 89-60 days, per person all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.


Trip Insurance: Passengers traveling to the Arctic and Antarctica are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. AdventurSmith recommend's our travelers protect their investment with Access America Insurance which can be purchased through our office.


Vessel Descriptions: Click vessel links above for individual vessel descriptions.
Vessels accommodate between 46 - 110 passengers and have ice-strengthened hulls designed specifically for polar travel.


Accommodations and Services Aboard: Vessels accommodate passengers in comfortable cabins. Public areas include a Lounge and bar with facilities for slide shows and lectures; Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where passengers are always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. Inform us of any special dietary requirements; however, note that the galleys unfortunately can not prepare kosher meals. The ship officers and crew are all highly experienced in ice navigation. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.


Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.


General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.


We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.
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