ALASKA EXPLORING ALASKA S COASTAL WILDERNESS JUNE 2 9, 2007 ABOARD SEA BIRD

Transcription

1 ALASKA EXPLORING ALASKA S COASTAL WILDERNESS JUNE 2 9, 2007 ABOARD SEA BIRD

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3 The wide ceaseless sweep of a live glacier down the side of a great mountain and out into the sea holds a more compelling suggestion of power than any other action of nature. Ella Higginson, Alaska, The Great Countr y Dear AAAS and Sigma Xi Members and Friends, Journey with us June 2-9, 2007 to Southeast Alaska, a land of humpback whales, soaring bald eagles, thundering glaciers, pristine islands and dramatic fjords. As we explore Alaska s majestic Inside Passage, we ll walk among magnificent spruce forests, explore the picturesque coves of Baranof Island, view up-close the spectacular waterfalls and sheer granite walls of Tracy Arm fjord, and see local communities indelibly linked to the history of this region. Experience firsthand the Alaska most people bypass when they travel on large cruise ships. Plus, traveling now provides even greater rewards: take advantage of our round-trip complimentary airfare between Seattle and Alaska. Aboard the comfortable, 62-guest expedition ship, Sea Bird, we ll experience the freedom that only a small ship can provide the freedom to be flexible, permitting us to follow a pod of humpback or orca whales or to go ashore and examine the flora of a particular cove. From the unique vantage of sea kayaks and motorized Zodiac landing craft, you ll observe Alaska up close and land to explore remote islands. The Sea Bird is equipped to bring the underwater realm to you in a fascinating, close up way. The hydrophone will be lowered into the water to allow us to hear live vocalizations of whales. The video microscope will transmit microscopic images to monitors in the ship s lounge and allow us to view an otherwise largely unnoticed world. You ll be in good company with a group of like-minded travelers interested in adventure and discovery and accompanied by a team of dedicated Naturalists who tell you about the wildlife, plants, native cultures and history of this region. They ll answer your questions and help you make the most of your journey. And you ll travel informally. A good pair of walking shoes, binoculars, a camera and a sense of spontaneity and fun are the basic gear you ll need. Search for whales, bears, sea lions, otters and puffins in a place where eagles outnumber people and where no two days will be alike. You ll come away refreshed and renewed, and with a much deeper understanding of the great land that is Alaska. To make your reservation, please call toll free at or return the reservation form on page 15. I hope you will join us! Sincerely, Margaret M. Betchart President, Betchart Expeditions, Inc. For AAAS Travels and Sigma Xi Expeditions P.S. To extend your exploration to Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and Denali National Park, please consider joining our optional extension June 9-16, 2007 (see page 10 for details).

4 Not a theme park, Alaska is America s greatest

5 wilderness & we ll explore its pristine niches. With the tonic of its wildness and beauty, and the richness of its fisheries and other resources, Alaska continues to reward us. In Tracy Arm, where waterfalls cascade from high, glacially carved walls, we see the dramatic effects of glaciers. And later in Glacier Bay, a body of water nearly seventy miles long, and ten miles wide in places, we ll learn even more about their inexorable earth-moving. Reid, Johns Hopkins, Margerie, Lamplugh: the highly dynamic glaciers we ll explore are a veritable Who s Who. We ll examine their tidewater faces. Learn how they advance and retreat. Watch spectacular calvings complete with thunderous audio effects. And, conditions permitting, we ll also observe these seemingly motionless ice rivers from the sky your Expedition Leader can arrange optional flightseeing for you.

6 Observe groups of whales. See spouting, blowing and spectacular breaching. Eavesdrop via our ship s hydrophone. In Frederick Sound or Chatham Strait. In the waters just off Point Adolphus or near Chichagof Island. It can happen in any or all of these places, (and usually not by accident our Captain and expedition staff have unerring instincts for whale-finding). We strike the expedition version of gold a group of humpbacks or orca settling in to feed, right off our port or starboard bow. Suddenly everyone who s been standing silently at the deck rails, drunk on beauty like bees on honey, is galvanized. Photographers hoist their cameras. Guests not on deck come flying up. And everyone gasps in chorus as one gravity-defying breach after another, like a barrage of July 4th fireworks, fills the air with spangled spray. And while we re watching, one of our Naturalists lowers the hydrophone, and soon the air fills with the strange, appealing sounds of the whales calling to each other. What are they communicating? And how do their communications connect to the behavior we can observe from our front-row seats on deck? Our Naturalists are there with us and often there s a visiting field scientist on deck, too. They answer our questions and help us understand more of the remarkable behavior we can so clearly see.

7 Navigate around bergs and slip into dramatic coves. Get up close and personal to wildness. Our approach to travel is one of discovery. We have little interest in just cruising past the sights and creatures of this world: We want to give you the time and the ability to experience beauty and wildness up close. Our bow camera, video microscope and hydrophone aid us in discovering the worlds within our world. And so do our kayaks. We re proud to have pioneered kayaking from expedition ships in Antarctica and the Arctic. And pleased that our sturdy kayaks will give you the opportunity to encounter Alaska more intimately: have an eye-level view of an iceberg, hear the sounds of wildness, or savor a rare silence. Best of all, you can count on being able to do it. People of every skill and fitness level can kayak instantly. So look forward to experiencing this personal adventure.

8 EXPLORING ALASKA S COASTAL WILDERNESS ITINERARY 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS Day 1: Juneau, Alaska/Embark Ship Our flight from Seattle to Juneau provides a scenic overview of Alaska s fjords and waterways. A visit to the Alaska State Museum introduces us to this frontier land before embarkation. (D) Day 2: Tracy Arm We enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with many waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. As we maneuver among large icebergs, we keep an eye on the shoreline, where we sometimes find black bears feeding, and on the steep granite cliffs high above where mountain goats may be spotted. (B,L,D) Day 3: Petersburg Today we ll head in to the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island; our nimble ship slipping into the small harbor bustling with fishing activity and boats of all kinds trawlers, purse seiners, gill-netters and more. A town of 3,500, Petersburg was founded more than 100 years ago by rugged Norwegian fishermen, and their heritage remains as the town continues to derive its identity, as well as its income, from fishing. Walking the streets of friendly Petersburg provides some insight into the character of a true Alaskan town isolated, with an obvious spirit of community and self-sufficiency. Flightseeing is an option here. (B,L,D) Glacier Bay N.P. Point Adolphus Juneau Tracy Arm Admiralty Is. Frederick Sound Sitka Petersburg BRITISH COLUMBIA ALASKA Day 4: Exploring Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales it s not uncommon to see groups of up to 30 at a time. With luck we ll get to observe fascinating behavior breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding as we fill the deck, delighting in their activities and listening to the play-by-play from our expert naturalists, while our skilled Captain and crew keep us in perfect proximity. We may also see sea lions hauled out and dozing. Once ashore, we ll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied by our naturalists. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for appreciating this area close up. (B,L,D)

9 Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park We spend the entire day in magnificent Glacier Bay, where we see enormous glaciers that flow from the ice fields far above. Some of these end abruptly at the water s edge, and we watch and hear them calving as tons of ice crash into the sea. Watch for humpback and orca whales known to frequent these waters. (B,L,D) Day 6: Inian Pass/Point Adolphus Cruise to Inian Pass, where playful sea otters reside, and hike, kayak and search for whales near Point Adolphus, a feeding area for humpbacks. Keep watch on deck and you may find yourself rushing to the bow as a group of whales begins feeding nearby. (B,L,D) Raptor Rehabilitation Center, come face-to-face with bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Later travel to the airport for flight to Seattle. (B) Note: Lindblad Expeditions is authorized to operate in the Tongass National Forest under a Forest Service special use permit, enabling us to take you hiking and kayaking at wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska that are otherwise off limits. Day 7: Exploring Alaska s Islands, Bays and Fjords Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. We may stop at an isolated beach to hike a forest trail, beachcomb, tidepool or explore island coastlines by kayak or Zodiac all in an area with the world s highest density of nesting bald eagles. (B,L,D) Day 8: Sitka/Disembark/Seattle Sitka s strong Russian heritage is readily apparent as you visit St. Michael s Russian Orthodox Church with its onion domes. Gaze up at the grand totem poles that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park and, at the This is what expedition travel is all about: not just seeing wildness, but being out there, in it. Not just hearing the thunder of a glacier cascade, but drawing in so close you can feel its rush and get doused with the cleanest water on the planet!

10 OPTIONAL Extension Anchorage, The kenai peninsula & Denali national park ITINERARY 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS Only in Alaska can the magnificence of nature and wildlife be experienced in so grand a setting. Alaska s rich coastal waters are a mecca for marine life from unicellular plants to the largest whales. On this extension, we will become acquainted with Alaska s natural treasures in Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, plus Alaska s premiere national park Denali, topped by 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley. Denali offers sweeping landscapes of tundra and taiga forest framed by the snowy Alaskan Range. Look for a profusion of wildflowers, grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall s sheep, red fox, golden eagles, and nesting birds. Join us and discover grand landscapes, Alaskan wildlife, and the rich heritage of Alaska s native peoples. Day 1: Sitka to Anchorage Fly Sitka to Anchorage. Transfer to the Sheraton Hotel. Welcome dinner. (D) Day 2: Anchorage to Seward Morning visit to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, a treasure trove of art of the North, Alaska history, and archaeology. Afternoon drive to the Kenai Peninsula and the fishing community Kantishna Lodge Kenai Peninsula Mt. McKinley Anchorage Denali National Park and Preserve ALASKA CANADA 10

11 of Seward, named after Secretary of State William Seward, who was instrumental in purchasing Alaska from Russia in Seward Windsong Lodge (2 nights). (B,D) Days 3: Kenai Fjords National Park Board a cabin cruiser to explore magnificent Kenai Fjords National Park. Thundering tidewater glaciers radiate from the Harding Ice Field. Listen for the sounds of whales in the distance and birds overhead as we slowly approach islands that provide safe nesting habitat for thousands of nesting puffins, kittiwakes, cormorants, and gulls. Be on the look out for auks, sea lions, and sea otters. Return to Seward and visit the new SeaLife aquarium. (B,L) Day 4: Alaska Native Heritage Center and Talkeetna Drive north from Seward to Anchorage and visit the new Alaska Native Heritage Center. Enjoy native artisans carving in wood, stone, ivory and making traditional clothing decorated with local stones, shells, and bones. See dance performances, reconstructed village sites, native boat building, and interpretive exhibits. In the afternoon drive along the Susitna River and Talkeetna Range to Talkeetna Alaska Lodge. Optional flightseeing, weather permitting. (B) Day 5, 6: Denali National Park For the next two days, stay in the heart of the park and explore magnificent Denali National Park. Look for grizzly bears and cubs, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and with luck - wolves. June is the wildflower month and when not looking for mammals we can photograph colorful flowers amongst the tundra. Kantishna Roadhouse (2 nights). (B,D/B,L,D) Day 7: Denali National Park to Anchorage Drive through the park for our return journey to Anchorage. Enjoy a farewell dinner in celebration of Alaska. Millennium Alaska Hotel. (B,L,D) Day 8: Anchorage to Home Morning airport transfer for flights home. (B) Cost Per Person Double Occupancy: $3,690, Sole Occupancy: $4,685 Subject to change. Cost Includes: All accommodations; meals indicated; guided activities; luggage handling and group transfers. Not Included: Air transportation from Sitka to Anchorage with return Anchorage to Seattle; two lunches and two dinners; personal items; gratuities to guides.

12 Everyone gets a front-row seat of the daily adventure show aboard Sea Lion and Sea Bird. O ur twin expedition ships, Sea Lion and Sea Bird, can reach places inaccessible to larger ships, yet each comfortably accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. The feeling, we re told, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, with everyone integral to the adventure. Accessibility means freedom. This means that we spend our time in Alaska feeling that it s all ours. Only visits to resolutely Alaskan towns like Petersburg remind us that civilized (and charming) life exists here, too. And while whale watching is synonymous with Alaska, it is by no means the only unforgettable experience in store for us. Thanks to our fleet of Zodiacs and a brace of sturdy kayaks, with a moment s notice we can be off the ship and out exploring prowling around justcalved bergs and ice floes dotted with harbor seals. We can land on picturesque beaches to launch our kayaks or hike into the forest. During your time with us, our expedition staff likes nothing better than to surprise and delight you by pointing the bow of the ship into a cascading waterfall or into an alluring cove. Our seasoned crew consists of expert Zodiac drivers and considerate service providers. Their energy, enthusiasm and field expertise are sure to enhance your experience. This is what expedition travel is all about: not just seeing wildness, but being out there, in it. Nature: Inspiration for Wellness To enhance your experience aboard Sea Bird and Sea Lion, we offer a series of wellness services. Wake up with an energizing Botanical Massage or join a long, aerobic hike. Restore balance to your body, mind and spirit in one of nature s beautiful places. 12

13 Costs are Per Person Double Occupancy unless otherwise noted. Category 1: Main Deck (# ) $4,840 Sole Occupancy $7,260 Conveniently positioned between the dining room & lounge, these cabins feature two single lower beds, a writing desk and a large view window. Category 2: Upper Deck (# , 215) Bridge Deck (# ) $5,270 Sole Occupancy $7,890 These well-located cabins include two lower single beds & a view window. The Sea Bird and Sea Lion s small size allows for incredible maneuverability; the bow is the perfect viewing spot, whether through the lens of the binocular or camera. Naturalists are always there to help spot & identify wildlife. Our open seating and casual approach to the onboard dining experience makes it easy to pull up a chair, meet and mingle with fellow guests. SUN DECK GYM EQUIPMENT BRIDGE DECK CPTN BRIDGE Category 3: Upper Deck (#214, 216, 217, 219) Bridge Deck (#105, 106) $5,990 These cabins feature a seating unit with table and two large view windows. Upper Deck cabins include two lower single beds which can convert to a double bed and a pull-out single bed for a third person. Bridge Deck cabins include two lower single beds only. Note: Sole Occupancy cabins are available in Categories 1 and 2 only. Third person rates are available in certain categories at one half the double occupancy rate. UPPER DECK BAR DINING ROOM LOUNGE Shares: If you wish to share accommodations, we will be glad to make arrangements at the double occupancy rate in Category 1 and 2 only. The Sea Lion, built in 1982, and Sea Bird, built in 1981, and refurbished in 2005, are of U.S. registry and comply fully with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Gross Tonnage: 99; Overall Length: 152 feet; Draft: 8 feet; Cruising Speed: 12 knots. MAIN DECK Printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks Lindblad Expeditions,Inc. 13

14 You ll experience Alaska with one of the most passionate and expert Expedition Teams we have assembled. All of our expeditions set out with a generous complement of Naturalists aboard, under the direction of an experienced Expedition Leader (EL). Our most senior ELs have led many Alaskan expeditions. They and their handpicked teams of Naturalists know the terrain and share its secrets with you, including specific landfalls that few, if any, passengers on any cruise ship will ever see. You travel with and learn from a team of geologists, zoologists, marine biologists and botanists, who are among the best in their field. Each team also includes people who are specially trained in sharing their knowledge with young people of all ages. The caliber of our Naturalists has earned us many accolades. And whether you linger on a trail with a Naturalist who can establish the link between the Amanita muscaria mushroom and Santa Claus, or participate in a debate over whether biology or geology is more central to understanding life, we think you ll find our staff highly engaging. And that you ll be pleased by how deeply our team respects the environment. We are committed to conservation and protection, and it shows in our deeds, as well words. To find out whose company you ll be sharing on your expedition, just go to for a team roster of bios and more. Representing the entire season s 40-person roster of expedition team are: Top, left to right: Expedition Leader and geologist Jason Kelley; wildlife biologist & photographer Jack Swenson; husband & wife duo Gretchen & Pete Pederson: he is particularly interested in marine mammals and geology, while she focuses primarily on plants; Michelle Graves is an Expedition Leader and all-round Naturalist; Lisa Sette looks forward to sharing her knowledge of birds and marine mammals. Daily Expedition Report Sea Bird in Alaska July 10, 2006 Our mid-morning feast was of the sensory kind, the excitement almost exhausting. Humpback whales were introduced to us quite like the characters in a drama. First there were the tall and hanging blows, a signal that they were there, appearing at the surface. The dark and lumpy rostrums pushed the water forward as if to make room for the back and following dorsal fin. Two, three, now eight, then sixteen or more individuals paraded past presenting their patterned flukes for identification. Knowing who the performers were was only preparation for what was to follow for their behavior changed from individual pursuits to social cooperative feeding. A hydrophone eavesdropped in on their conversations. We soon learned the language and were able to predict when to watch for bubbles and dancing fish trying to fly from charging leviathan maws. The climax, an eruption of scrambled body parts that rapidly became individuals once again busily straining schooling herring from sea water soup. Over and over for hours the action continued until our stomachs drew us away again. Karen Copeland, Natural History Staff 14

15 special booking offers COMPLIMENTARY AIRFARE: Take advantage of complimentary air fare between Seattle and Juneau, with return from Sitka. Extension Air Fare: If you are joining our Extension, you will receive a credit for the complimentary fare. We will book your air Seattle/ Juneau, Sitka/Anchorage, Anchorage to Seattle, and advise you of the fare. We can also book your air from home to Seattle, RT. Bringing The Kids: Take $500 off the double occupancy rate for each person under 18. All departures include staff who are specially trained and skilled in organizing activities for and inspiring curiosity in young people of all ages. Terms and Conditions Voyage Costs Include: Accommodations aboard ship, air transportation, meals indicated, all shore excursions and sightseeing, use of kayaks, entrance fees, group transfers as indicated in itinerary, tips (except to ship s crew), taxes and service charges, services of Lindblad Expeditions natural history staff. Not Included: Optional extension, flightseeing, individual transfers, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature. Gratuities to ship s crew at your discretion. Note: A complete packet of pre-departure information, including recommended reading list and suggestions on what to bring, will be sent to you after your reservation is confirmed. Reservations: To confirm your place, an advance payment of US $1,000 per person is payable by check. Final Payment: Due 90 days prior to departure. Travel Protection Plan: A Travel Protection Plan is available at extra cost. Upon receiving your reservation, we will send you information on this policy. This comprehensive guest protection plan covers trip cancellation for medical reasons; trip delay; medical expenses; accidental death; lost baggage; and medical evacuation. Smoking Policy: Allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Responsibility: Certain other provisions concerning, among other things, limitations of the Companies liability for loss of property, injury, illness or death during the voyage will be provided to all guests prior to final payment, and to prospective guests upon request. Note: Itinerary and prices are subject to change. The company reserves the right to impose surcharges based on increases in the company s actual cost of fuel. CANCELLATION POLICY Number of Days Prior to Expedition Start Per Person Cancellation Fee 60 days or more Deposit days 50% of trip cost 29 0 days No refund This policy applies to expeditions and extensions. We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan. RESERVATION FORM EXPLORING ALASKA S COASTAL WILDERNESS Aboard the Sea Bird Please reserve place(s) on Exploring Alaska, June 2-9, Please reserve place(s) on the Exploring Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and Denali National Park Extension, June 9-16, Name: Date of Birth: (as it appears on passport) Name: Date of Birth: (as it appears on passport) Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: Business Phone: Fax: Accommodations: Double Single Twin share w/friend Twin share (Roommate assigned by Tour Operator.) Please indicate choice of cabin category in order of preference: 1st choice: 2nd choice: Enclosed is my deposit check of $1,000 per person payable to Betchart Expeditions, Inc. Trust Account I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for this program and agree to them. Signature(s) Date: Membership: AAAS Sigma Xi ACS For Reservations or Information: Carol Larsen Alaska Expedition Betchart Expeditions, Inc Montebello Road Cupertino, CA Phone: or carol@betchartexpeditions.com #979. Trip Extension is arranged by Betchart Expeditions Inc. 15

16 IMMENSE GLACIERS, FORESTS OF SPRUCE & HEMLOCK, CLEAR STREAMS & BREACHING HUMPBACKS, THAT S WHY... ALASKA. Travel + Leisure 2006 Small-ship Cruise Lines Award Lindblad Expeditions is ranked among the best. Travel + Leisure 2005 World s Best Tour Operators Award ranked Lindblad Expeditions in the top ten by readers. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2006 ranked Lindblad Expeditions among the best:...a 93.9 score for Destinations/ Itineraries, 96.2 Service and 89.3 for Activities. COMPLIMENTARY AIRFARE! Montebello Road Cupertino, CA prsrt std U.S. Postage paid lindblad Expeditions 16