THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE: EAST TO WEST ABOARD THE AKADEMIK SERGEY VAVILOV Arctic

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1 THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE: EAST TO WEST ABOARD THE AKADEMIK SERGEY VAVILOV Arctic DATES, FEES, & ITINERARY This iconic voyage through the remote Northwest Passage follows in the footsteps of the early Arctic explorers such as Franklin, Amundsen and Larsen, as we explore the archipelago of islands and channels that create Canada s high Arctic region. This is the home of the polar bear, the barren ground grizzly bear, muskox, caribou and walrus and we journey through the wild Canadian north aboard our celebrated expedition ship, Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Wildlife is the major draw card of our expedition but there is plenty of historical interest and the stories of that ill-fated expedition by Sir John Franklin more than 150 years ago are central to our journey. Franklin made his last heroic foray into the Arctic in 1845 with two ships and 129 men, never to be heard from again until September 2014 when one of the vessels, HMS Erebus, was discovered in a remarkable state of preservation in the frigid waters of Victoria Strait. The find is undoubtedly one of the great archeological discoveries of the last 100 years and has been likened to finding Tutankhamun s tomb! The Franklin story is central to our journey and researchers and scientists will be aboard to share with you details of this remarkable discovery. For lovers of remote expedition cruising this journey has it all! Triple Twin Semi Twin Superior Shackleton One Ocean Share Private Private Suite Suite Aug 11-23, 2015 $8,395 $9,995 $11,995 $12,995 $13,995 $14,995 *Rates based on double occupancy. Single supplement is 1.5 of twin rate and 2 times suite rate. Not available on triples.

2 DAY 1: OTTAWA, CANADA TO SONDRE STROMFJORD (KANGERLUSSUAQ) Sondre Stromfjord is one of the world s longest fjords cutting into the interior of Greenland. Our charter flight from Ottawa, Canada into Greenland will see us land at a former American Airbase (Bluie West Eight and Camp Lloyd), located just miles north of the Arctic Circle. We will board our expedition vessel by zodiac and weigh anchor. Throughout the evening and through the night we will sail down this incredible fjord, crossing the Arctic Circle, before reaching the ocean and Davis Strait. We turn north out of the mouth of Sondre Stromfjord and cross the Arctic Circle yet again, remaining north of this point for the rest of the voyage. DAY 2: SISIMIUT We will explore the fjord behind the town of Sisimiut before visiting the town in the afternoon. We will hope to meet a few of the traditional Greenlandic kayakers and perhaps see a demonstration of Eskimo Rolling by one of the former champions of the Greenland Kayaking Championships. DAY 3: ILULISSAT AND JACOBSHAVN ICEFJORD One of the wonders of the world, the Jacobshavn Icefjord spews massive tabular icebergs out into Disko Bay. Our approach to Ilulissat will be dependent upon the amount of ice in and around the mouth of the icefjord. Ilulissat was the hometown of Knud Rasmussen, one of Greenland s most famous explorers and anthropologists, born here in DAY 4 & 5: BAFFIN BAY Our crossing of Baffin Bay will depend on the extent of the so-called middle ice. Our goal will be to find the edge of this and then follow it around and to the coast of Baffin Island. Our time at sea will be determined by the extent of the ice and amount of wildlife. As we cross Baffin Bay we will keep a look out for fin, sperm, sei and humpback whales as well as the numerous species of Arctic seals and seabirds that abound in the Bay. DAY 6: POND INLET We will visit the town of Pond Inlet and make our base at the Natinnak Centre, where a spectacular cultural exhibit will be the background of a display put on for us by the Elders and youth of Pond Inlet. Inuit carvings, jewelry and other local craft will be available to purchase from

3 the local artisans. We will take time to meet the children of Pond Inlet and marvel at their athletic abilities as they demonstrate the challenges of the Inuit Games. DAY 7 & 8: LANCASTER SOUND AND DEVON ISLAND Lancaster Sound is in many ways the wildlife super-highway of the Arctic. A massive outlet for water from the high Arctic Archipelago, there is a mixing of water here that is rich in nutrients. Coupled with areas of open water for much of the year, Lancaster Sound is home to a diverse concentration of wildlife that can be staggering, especially given the sparseness of the region. Our stops along the shore of Lancaster Sound will depend very much on ice conditions and weather. DAY 9: BEECHEY ISLAND AND PRINCE LEOPOLD ISLAND Beechey Island holds great importance in our quest to complete the Northwest Passage. It is here that Franklin s ill-fated expedition spent its last comfortable winter in 1845 before disappearing into the icy vastness, sparking an incredible series of search expeditions that finished the charting of Canada s northern archipelago. Almost sixty years later, Roald Amundsen stopped at Beechey Island during the first successful complete transit of the Northwest Passage. Following our visit to Beechey Island, we sail south toward Prince Regent Inlet, stopping for a view of the bird cliffs at Prince Leopold Island. A migratory bird sanctuary, Prince Leopold Island is home to thick-billed murres, black guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. Totaling several hundred thousand birds, Prince Leopold Island is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the Canadian Arctic. Encounters with polar bear, beluga, narwhal and the occasional bowhead whale have also been known in the summering grounds around Prince Leopold Island and Prince Regent Inlet. DAY 10: FORT ROSS AND BELLOT STRAIT If ice conditions permit, we will sail south through Prince Regent Inlet and approach the eastern end of the Bellot Strait. Fort Ross, located at the southern end of Somerset Island, is a former Hudson s Bay Company fur trading outpost. Ancient archaeological sites nearby tell a story of more than a thousand years of habitation by the Inuit and their predecessors. Upon leaving Fort Ross, we will attempt the passage of the Bellot Strait, entering at slack water if possible, in order to avoid a current that can be more than seven knots during the peak flow. The mixing of waters in this strait provides ample food source for marine mammals and we will keep our eyes peeled for

4 harp seals, bearded seals and even polar bears. Upon exiting Bellot Strait we will turn south in Victoria Strait, taking a bearing for King William Island. DAY 11: CONNINGHAM BAY Having emerged from the exciting transit of Bellot Strait, we then cross the broad Victoria Strait and arrive at Conningham Bay on the eastern shore of Prince Edward Island. Here, in the heart of the Northwest Passage is perhaps one of the most remarkable wildlife sites in the Arctic and a known hotspot for polar bears. Beluga whales come to the shallow inlet to rub their white skins against the gravel bottom - an annual ritual. Often when the tide recedes, the whales become trapped in the shallows making them easy prey for the polar bear. It's common to find mothers and their cubs here in sizeable numbers and the skeletons of beluga whales litter the shore - grim testament to the ebb and flow of life in the Arctic. DAY 12: VICTORY POINT, KING WILLIAM ISLAND The mystery of Sir John Franklin is beginning it s unraveling. Prior to the recent discovery of the HMS Erebus in 2014, very little was known of how the remainders of the Franklin Expedition spent its last months in the frozen Arctic. The vessels, abandoned in the ice of Victoria Strait are just coming to life thanks to Parks Canada s underwater archeologists and the recent Victoria Strait Expedition. On Victoria Point a lifeboat left abandoned, bits and pieces of copper and iron, cutlery and buttons and a skeleton here and there all tell a story of a desperate race south in search of rescue that never occurred. We will visit Victory Point as well as Victoria Strait, travelling near the location if HMS Erebus as we learn about the quest for exploration that opened up the Arctic, while sacrificing some of its bravest explorers. DAY 13: CAMBRIDGE, NUNAVUT TO EDMONTON, ALBERTA We hope to visit the community of Cambridge Bay, on the southern shores of Victoria Island. Cambridge Bay, also known as Ikaluktutiak or good fishing place, is a center for hunting, trapping, and fishing. Local Inuit have had summer camps in the locality for hundreds of years. Today ships visit the region annually bringing supplies. Amundsen spent two winters in this area, learning how to master dogsledding from the locals. Prior to this, McClintock found solid evidence of the Franklin Expedition here in 1859, including naval artifacts, sledges, graves and letters. We drop anchor in the harbor of Cambridge Bay and make our way ashore by zodiac. Our charter flight to Edmonton will await us here and we will board the flight for the short flight back to southern Canada.

5 Overnight responsible by traveler Please note: Specific sites visited will depend on ice and weather conditions experienced and the itinerary will be updated throughout the voyage in order to take advantage of favorable conditions. ACTIVITIES Kayaking (additional fee of $695 per person) *All activities not included in trip cost must be booked and paid for in advance as space is limited. Waivers must be signed.

6 AKADEMIK SERGEY VAVILOV Designed for polar research, the One Ocean Voyager is modern, comfortable, safe and ice-strengthened. From small group sessions to briefings for all passengers, we have public spaces onboard the ship ideally suited for each and every need. A separate bar and lounge located on deck 6 with expansive 180 degree views, as well as a library provide ideal places to sit and relax or catch up on some reading. Other facilities include the theatre style presentation room, gift shop, fitness room, massage room, hot water spa, sauna, and salt water plunge pool. Deposit: $1,500 per person Charter Flight: $1990 Final Balance: due 90 days prior to departure Included: Transfer from Kangerlussuaq airport to ship and from the ship to Cambridge Bay airport., itinerary/pre-departure information, educational presentations, team of naturalists & resident photographer, all Zodiac excursions, on board welcome reception and dinner, farewell dinner, all meals during the voyage, tea with fresh snacks each afternoon, coffee, tea, hot chocolate throughout the day, onboard medical officer, special programs on board (such as hiking, photography), camping if offered, use of multimedia station where you can download your photos at the end of the day if you wish, foul weather gear set. Not Included: Charter flights, travel to and from the start and end point of trip, meals ashore pre and postexpedition, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding coffee, tea, and hot chocolate), gratuities for Expedition staff and crew, passport & visa fees, optional activities including kayaking, items of a personal nature (telecommunications, laundry, souvenirs, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes, optional travel insurance, required medical evacuation insurance. For more information, please call an Adventure Specialist at