ARCTIC ICEBREAKER EXPEDITION: BEST OF THE CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC ABOARD THE KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV Arctic

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1 ARCTIC ICEBREAKER EXPEDITION: BEST OF THE CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC ABOARD THE KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV Arctic DATES, FEES, & ITINERARY On this unique expedition, you ll board the mighty Kapitan Khlebnikov icebreaker to access remote, ice-choked regions ordinary expedition ships dare not navigate. Since 1992, the Khlebnikov has taken adventurers to inaccessible corners of the globe, and was the first ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers in In true pioneering spirit, you ll board the indomitable Khlebnikov (pronounced KLEB-nik-off) and sail to secluded areas few will ever have the privilege to set foot upon. From quiet coastal towns to authentic Inuit communities to awe-inspiring Ilulissat, this voyage is ideal for those seeking an in-depth, authentic expedition to the less discovered areas of the Arctic. Truly off the beaten path. Triple Twin Suite Corner Suite Aug 22-Sep 8, 2016 $19,795 $26,395 $29,995 $33,995 *Single rates are at 1.7 x twin and 2 x for all suites. DAY 1: ARRIVE OTTAWA, CANADA Your arctic adventure begins a little further south, with an overnight stay in Ottawa, Canada s capital city. Stroll along the charming Rideau Canal, discover the majestic Canadian Parliament buildings, and explore the markets, world-class museums and shops on offer. Plan to arrive and make your way to the hotel in time for our pre-departure briefing at about 6pm. Overnight at hotel

2 DAY 2: EMBARK IN KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND After a morning charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, you ll be transferred to the ship by Zodiac. Kangerlussuaq is a former U.S. military base and serves as the international gateway for the majority of travel to and from Greenland. Enjoy time out on deck taking in your new surroundings before setting sail on your arctic expedition. DAY 3: SISIMIUT Kayak is an Inuit word the English language has borrowed to describe a small vessel propelled by paddles that seats one or two people. When ashore in Sisimiut, travelers will watch a demonstration of traditional kayaking. There will be time to explore the town, where 18th century buildings from Greenland s colonial period still stand! DAY 4: ILULISAAT Ilulissat Kangerlua is Greenlandic for The Iceberg Fjord. The glacier at the head of the fjord is the most productive in the Northern Hemisphere. The icebergs it calves fl oat down the fjord to enter Baffi n Bay. As the ship approaches Ilulissat, have your cameras ready to take photos of young icebergs. Their journey will end years later somewhere off the coast of Newfoundland. So significant is Ilulissat Fjord that UNESCO has designated the area a World Heritage Site. We ll take you on a Zodiac cruise near the mouth of the fjord and later visit the community and hike to a spot inside the fiord to watch the massive bergs lined up before entering Baffin Bay. DAY 5: UUMMANNAQ You ll want to be out on deck regardless of the time of day as the ship approaches Uummannaq. The vista is simply breathtaking. The heart-shaped mountain that gave the town its name dominates the view. Uummannaq was founded as a Danish colony in 1758 on the Nuussuaq mainland, but in 1763 it was moved to the nearby island, as seal hunting was more plentiful there. On your walk through the town, you ll visit the historic oil warehouse built in Look for the peat hut, behind the warehouse, which was still in use until a few years ago. DAY 6: UPERNAVIK The region of Upernavik is almost the size of Great Britain. The town of the same name was founded in 1772, but the history of human habitation in the region is longer. In Upernavik you will

3 visit the northernmost open-air museum with well-preserved buildings dating back to colonial days. Unique fauna is another compelling reason to visit the Upernavik area, where the world s largest bird cliff, Apparsuit, is located. DAY 7: CAPE YORK Today you ll hear stories of the famous Cape York Meteorite, and learn about the place other meteorites have had in Cape York s history. If conditions permit, we`ll take the helicopters and fly to the Robert Peary monument at the top of Cape York and experience a very impressive view. DAY 8: QANNAAQ At Qaanaaq, founded in 1953, you will visit the northernmost municipality in the world, and learn about the culture of the people of Northern Greenland. One of the highlights of the museum is a massive chunk of meteorite. DAY 9: COBOURG ISLAND AND GRISE FJORD, NUNAVUT, CANADA Murres and fulmars will soar overhead as you cruise in Zodiacs along the base of high cliffs at Cobourg Island. Thousands of seabirds nest in Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area, established to protect the wildlife of Lady Ann Strait along the island s southern shore. Be sure to carry your camera and binoculars! The only community on Ellesmere Island is Grise Fjord. The citizens of Aujuittuq the place that never thaws will entertain and educate you with cultural demonstrations are based on 4,000 years of tradition. The tiny hamlet, the most northerly community in Canada, has only 140 residents slightly more than one resident per guest aboard our icebreaker. DAY 10: HELL GATE AND EUREKA SOUND From there, the ship navigates Hell Gate, a narrow passage transited successfully by only a handful of passenger vessels. Our next stop is Eureka Sound. Helicopter flights take us over an ancient petrified forest on Ellesmere Island s western coast. DAYS 11-12: TANQUARY FJORD NATIONAL PARK AND CHAPMAN GLACIER

4 The epic beauty that is Tanquary Fjord encompasses sweeping mountain valleys under huge arctic skies. Luminous glaciers cascade down to clear blue waters. Twenty-four hours of daylight provide ample opportunity to take photos in Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island. DAY 13: EUREKA WEATHER STATION AND AXEL HEIBERG ISLAND Eureka has been called the Garden Spot of the Arctic due to an abundance of flora and fauna found in the area, more so than anywhere else in the High Arctic. The Weather Station consists of Fort Eureka (for military personnel), the Environment Canada Weather Station, and the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL), formerly the Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Observatory (AStrO). DAY 14: AXEL HEIBERG ISLAND, NORWEGIAN BAY AND BELCHER CHANNEL At Axel Heiberg, you ll learn about its unusual fossil forests. At the Norwegian Bay and Belcher Channel, there are many wonderful and exciting sights. However, the experience of watching the 24,000-horsepower 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 Queen s Channel, with plans to explore McDougall Sound, on the alert for walrus and polar bears. DAY 15: PENNY STRAIT, QUEEN S CHANNEL AND CROZIER STRAIT We ll traverse the natural waterways of Penny Strait, Queen s Channel and the Crozier Strait. Expect to see copious birdlife above, and magnificent views ahead. DAY 16: BEECHEY ISLAND Just offshore the western end of Devon Island is Beechey Island. There, on a stony beach, stand three grave markers; solemn reminders of the lives lost during Sir John Franklin s search for the Northwest Passage. Upon approach to Beechey Island, we will be treated to presentations about Franklin and his expedition. DAY 17: DISEMBARK IN RESOLUTE, NUNAVUT

5 Bid the land of the midnight sun adieu. You will return by afternoon charter flight to the world of night and day in Ottawa, where you will be transferred to the hotel and sleep through your first full night of darkness in two weeks. Overnight at hotel DAY 18: DEPART OTTAWA After breakfast, you can make your way home at your leisure or spend time in Ottawa, Canada s capital city. Overnight responsible by traveler Important Reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV The Kapitan Khlebnikov is a polar-class icebreaker combing power and technology with comfort. No passenger ship has transited the Northwest Passage more often than the renowned Kapitan Khlebnikov. Originally designed to take on the rigors of northern Siberia, the 24,000 horsepower engine and advanced ice-breaking technology take you places no other ship can. The ship offers 51 outside cabins and suites, all featuring private facilities, large windows, desk, hair dryer, robes and large closets.

6 ADVENTURE OPTIONS* Helicopter (included, optional private flightseeing available at an additional charge) *All activities not included in trip cost must be booked and paid for in advance as space is limited. Waivers must be signed. Deposit: 20% of expedition cost (minimum $1,000 USD) Final Balance: Due 120 days prior to expedition. Mandatory Transfer Package: $2,150 (includes: one night hotel accommodation in Ottawa with breakfast, group transfer hotel to Ottawa airport, flight from Ottawa to Kangerlussuaq, transfers to and from ship, flight from Resolute to Ottawa, group transfer Ottawa airport to hotel, one night hotel accommodation in Ottawa with breakfast) Included: Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks on board throughout your voyage; leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; group scheduled helicopter flightseeing and excursions; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team; downloadable photographic journal documenting the expedition; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an official expedition parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; a complimentary selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; hair dryer and

7 bathrobes 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 USD $100,000 per person. Not included: Mandatory transfer package (see above); International airfare; passport and any applicable visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified; phone and internet charges; the voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; any overnight accommodations; helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group. *Please note baggage allowance on charter flight is 33 lbs checked and 11 lbs carry-on. For more information, please call an Adventure Specialist at