*Exceptional natural history expeditions, safaris & deluxe tours* PRESENTS A Special Expedition for the International Dendrology Society LAKE BAIKAL, VLADIVOSTOK & THE USSURIISKY NATURE RESERVE July 22 - August 6, 2005 Join fellow members of the International Dendrology Society on an expedition to Lake Baikal, Vladivostok, and the Ussuriisky Nature Reserve, July 22 - August 6, 2005, hosted by top Russian scientists and botanical and forest experts. Leading the expedition will be Dr. Victor Kuzevanov, an outstanding botanical expert and Director of the Irkutsk Botanic Garden, and Dr. Ferdinand Rauwenhoff of the International Dendrology Society. We will first visit the Vladivostok Botanic Garden for an introduction to the flora of the Russian Far East. Also visit the Vladivostok Museum of Local Studies and the Marine Museum and Aquarium. Then visit Popov Island for an introduction to its flora. Tour the Selection Seed Station of Trees with the Director to learn first hand about the rearing of native tress and their conservation. Then spend two days in the remote Ussuriisky Nature Reserve to learn about the unique mixture of trees of the northern monsoon and taiga forests. Visit the Dendrology Laboratory at the Experimental Station and meet their staff. We will then fly to Irkutsk for a special visit and voyage on Lake Baikal on a vessel that will take you to the most beautiful, interesting, and diverse sites to see and experience the environment of the oldest, deepest, and most species rich lake in the world. The forested landscapes of the mountains and peaks surrounding the crystal blue of Lake Baikal will be of special interest, as well as the medicinal use of native plants. You will be joined by botanical and other scientific experts. This will give you close contact with members of the scientific community who are researching and conserving the forests, flora, and waters of Lake Baikal. For more information and reservations, please see the Daily Itinerary which follows, and call Bob Nansen in the USA at (408) 252-4910 or email to bob@betchartexpeditions.com
Dr. Victor Kuzevanov and the staff of Betchart Expeditions Inc. have worked closely with Dr. Rauwenhoff of the International Dendrology Society in developing this program for you. We welcome your participation. DAY 1 HOME TO VLADIVOSTOK Fri July 22 DAILY ITINERARY 2005. All IDS members fly independently to arrive in Vladiovostok on July 23, DAY 2 VLADIVOSTOK Sat July 23 IDS members arrive at the Vladivostok International Airport. Independent transfers by taxi to your hotel (3 nights). Meet Dr. Victor Kuzevanov, your expedition leader, and Dr. Tatiana Orekhova, your local botanic expert. 5:00 pm Trip orientation and introductions. 6:30 Welcome dinner and social. (D) Day 3 VLADIVOSTOK BOTANIC GARDEN Sun July 24 & MUSEUMS 7:30 am Breakfast at the hotel. 9:30 Morning city tour including the Museum of Local Studies, Marine Museum- Aquarium, and the Fortress of Vladivostok. Lunch. Afternoon visit to the Vladivostok Botanic Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Meet the Director and the staff. Tour the Botanic Garden led by Dr. Tatiana Orekhova and the Botanic Garden staff. See plant collections, nurseries, trees and shrubs. Return to hotel. 7:00 Dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 4 Mon July 25 POPOV ISLAND 7:30 am Breakfast at the hotel.
8:30 Transfer to the Vladivostok port. Board a small ship and depart for Popov Island. 10:30 Arrive Popov Island. 11:00 Visit the Museum of the Institute of Marine Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Field lecture: Flora of Islands: Trees and Shrubs by Dr. Tatiana Orekhova. 1:00 pm Picnic lunch on the beach. 2:30 Field excursion and exploration of local flora. Optional swimming and fishing opportunities. 5:00 Depart by ship for Vladivostok. 7:00 Arrive Vladivostok. 8:00 Dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) DAY 5 Tue July 26 SELECTION SEED STATION & USSURIISKY RESERVE 7:30 am Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 Depart northward to Ussuriisk city and the Ussuriisky Nature Reserve. 10:30 Morning visit to the Selection (Breeding) Seed Station of Trees. Meet the Director and staff for an orientation then visit the nursery area, propagation greenhouses, and seed storage area. 12:30 pm Lunch. 1:30 Continue to the Ussuriisky Nature Reserve. 3:30 Arrive at the Ussuriisky Nature Reserve. Accommodations at the Railroad Guesthouse (2 nights). 4:00 Visit the office of the Nature Reserve. Meet the Director and staff for an introduction and lecture on Nature Reserves and Protected Lands of the Russian Far East. Visit the Museum of the Ussuriisky Nature Reserve. 7:00 Dinner at the Railroad Guesthouse. 8:00 Optional banya, Russian steam bath. (B,L,D) DAY 6 USSURIISKY NATURE RESERVE Wed July 27 7:30 am Breakfast at the nature reserve. 9:00 Depart by bus for the protected area of the Nature Reserve. 9:30 Field excursion and exploration of the flora led by local botanist. 1:00 Lunch at the Guesthouse. 2:30 Meet with the bee-keeper and see his hives. Honey testing with local teas. 5:00 pm Video-presentation on the Ussuriisky Nature Reserve. Local tea and botanical discussion.
Dinner at the guest house. (B,L,D) DAY 7 TAIGA EXPERIMENTAL STATION & ARBORETUM Thu July 28 7:30 am Breakfast at the Guesthouse. 9:00 Depart towards Artem and Vladivostok. 10:00 Special visit to the Taiga Experimental Station. Meet the Director an Head of the Dendrology Laboratory at the Experimental Station. Field excursion at the Arboretum. Lecture on biology and introduction of woody plants followed by a discussion. 1:00 pm Lunch at the Taiga Experimental Station. 2:30 Depart for Vladivostok. 4:30 Arrive in Vladivostok. Check in at Hotel (1 night). 7:00 Dinner on your own. Evening at leisure. (B,L) DAY 8 VLADIVOSTOK TO IRKUTSK Fri July 29 8:00 am Breakfast at the hotel. 9:30 Depart for the Vladivostok International Airport. 11:00 Check in for your flight to Irkutsk. 1:10 pm Fly Vladivostok to Irkutsk. 5:10 Arrive Irkutsk. Check into your hotel (2 nights). Dinner. (B,D) DAY 9 IRKUTSK BOTANIC GARDEN Sat July 30 8:30 am Breakfast at the hotel. 9:30 Morning city tour of Irkutsk, Museum of Regional Sudies, markets, parks, and churches. 11:30 Visit the Irkutsk Botanic Garden of the State University of Irkutsk. Lunch with the staff of the Garden in the Garden. 2:00 pm Afternoon to continue the tour of the Garden and lectures by staff. Dinner.
(B,L,D) DAY 10 LISTVYANKA AND LAKE BAIKAL Sun July 31 Breakfast at the hotel. 8:30 am Transfer to the village of Listvyanka. 9:30 Visit the Ethnography Museum. 11:00 Enjoy a special visit to the Baikal Museum and introduction to Lake Baikal. Lunch. Board your ship to explore Lake Baikal for the next 6 days and 5 nights. Meet the scientific staff on board ship. Visit Kadilnaya to see the 1 billion year old rock that forms the basin of Lake Baikal and the surrounding forest. Dinner on board the ship. Introductory lecture and discussion. (B,L,D) DAY 11 CHIVYRKYSKY BAY & SNAKE BAY, ZABAILALSKY PARK Mon August 1 Breakfast on the ship. Morning lectures on the unique flora and fauna of Lake Baikal and its watershed. Lunch on board. Afternoon to explore the forest along the shoreline and to take a hot soak in an outdoor tub on the shore of Lake Baikal. Evening barbecue. (B,L,D) DAY 12 USHKANYI ISLANDS & BURYAT FARM Tues August 2 Early morning of fishing. 8:00am Breakfast on board. Visit Ushkanyi Islands and look for Lake Baikal seals. 12:00 pm Lunch on board. Afternoon visit to a local Buryat farm and learn of their lifestyle in this remote region. Evening BBQ dinner on the shore of Lake Baikal with our hosts. (B,L,D) DAY 13 MALOE MORE, OLKHON ISLAND AND KHUZHIR VILLAGE Wed August 3 7:00 Breakfast on board the ship
8:00 Morning visit to the village of Khuzhir. The village is home port to a commercial omal fishery, museum, and home to the Buryat people. Picturesque Shaman Rock is an easy walk north of the village. Lunch on board the ship 2:30 Afternoon swim in Lake Baikal and then explore small Borochkin Island. Dinner on board the ship Lecture and discussion (B,L,D) DAY 14 PESCHANNAYA BAY & SAGAN-ZABA, PRIBAIKALSKY Thu August 4 NATIONAL PARK 7:00 am Breakfast on board the ship. 8:00 Morning walk along the shore and into the forest of Peschanaya Bay. Lunch on board the ship. Lecture. In the afternoon see the petroglyphs at Sagan-Zaba and explore the meadows and forests of Pribaikalsky National Park. Dinner on board ship. (B,L,D) DAY 15 Fri August 5 BOLSHOYE GOLOUSTNOYE & IRKUTSK Breakfast on board. Disembark at the village of Bolshoye Goloustnoye, an important timber shipping area in the past. See the former lumber mill and loading dock for one of the second most important products sent from Lake Baikal region. Walk through the village, learn of their remote lifestyle, and walk up the wooded stream. Lunch on board. Afternoon cruise south along the shore of Lake Baikal. 3:00 pm Disembark in Listvyanka. Transfer to your hotel in Irkutsk. 7:00 Farewell dinner. (B,L,D) DAY 16 IRKUTSK TO MOSCOW Sat August 6 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the Irkutsk Airport for independent flight returns to Moscow. 8:10 am Aeroflot flight departs to Moscow. (B)
Please Note: This itinerary is a draft only and is subject to change based on local circumstances and in-tour flight schedules in the best interests of all participants. Your expedition leader will keep you fully informed. COSTS & CONDITIONS Trip Fee: US$3,695 or 2995 euros per person, twin share, plus in-tour air fare of approx. US$300 per person (250 euros) Vladivostok to Irkutsk. Single supplement US$495 or 395 euros (in hotels only). All passengers book own International air flights and tickets to Vladivostok to arrive July 23 and to depart Irkutsk August 6. Trip Fee Includes: Land transportation and group transfers; hotel accommodations based on twin share; ship accommodations in 2 to 4-passenger cabins; most meals from lunch on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 15; all lectures, field trips, and special arrangements as indicated; group entrance fees; tips to drivers and local guides; leadership, administration. Trip Fee Does Not Include: International air fare to Vladivostok, with return from Irkutsk; in-tour air fare Vladivostok to Irkutstk (quoted separately); one dinner and one lunch; independent transfers; tips to ships crew and staff; Russian visa fee; alcoholic beverages, soda, bottled water, snacks, or other personal expenses: or foreign airport departure taxes. What to Expect: A great adventure for intrepid travelers, this expedition is planned for travel and forest enthusiasts who would like to explore two of Russia s greatest natural areas: Lake Baikal and the southern Ussuriisky Peninsula in the Russian Far East. The expedition is an ecological journey of discovery especially for IDS members, visiting national parks and reserves with leadership by outstanding Russian scientists, forestry experts, and botanists. Travel by motorcoach, vans, ship, and best available local transportation. There will be daily outings by coach, van, ship, or foot at a leisurely pace suitable for learning and discovery. The trip is planned for travelers with an appetite for adventure who will happily undertake drives to remote parts of parks (some on dirt roads); walks and hikes on forest paths and through botanic gardens; and rapid changes in the weather. The trip itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions. Facilities and transportation options are quite limited; a spirit of flexibility and cooperation is essential. All said, we will have a tremendous adventure! (No smoking in vehicles, or during lectures or meals, please.) Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: International air should be arranged by each IDS member to arrive in Vladivostok by 4 p.m. July 23, 2005, and to depart Irkutsk on the morning flight on August 6, 2005. Group air will be arranged by Betchart Expeditions Inc. on the in-tour flight from Vladivostok to Irkutsk. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Accommodations: Are based on twin share with bath in first class hotels in Vladivostok and Irkutsk. At the Ussiriisky Nature Reserve, we will have accommodations at a simple guest house with share bathroom facilities. Limited singles are available for a supplement in hotels only (singles are not available at the forest reserve or on board ship). We will explore Lake Baikal on board M/V Vereschagin (or similar vessel). Accommodations are for two or four to a cabin with share bathroom facilities (3 toilets and 2
showers). The ships are best available for an educational voyage but are very modest and strictly for travelers willing to happily share the limited facilities for the opportunity to explore Lake Baikal. If you do not have a roommate at hotels, or we cannot provide one, you must pay the extra cost of the single at hotels. No singles are available on board ship. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: To reserve a place on this expedition, please phone Karen Camin at Betchart, (408) 252 4910 for international calls and mail a deposit of US$1000 per person to: IDS Baikal Expedition, Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435. Balance is due 60 days before departure. All payments must be in US dollars by bank wire. Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before departure less a handling fee of $100 per person. There is no refund after the 60-day period unless your place is resold, then only the $100 per person handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals, or other expedition features. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RESERVATIONS #890 YES! I/We want to join the IDS Lake Baikal & Ussuriisky Nature Reserve Expedition, July 22- - August 6, 2005, offered by the International Dendrology Society. Please reserve space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $ ($1000 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Sex Age Sex Address City State ZIP Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) Email #1: #2: Membership : IDS or other: Accommodations Preference: Twin Twin share Single Nonsmoker Smoker Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Please mail to: 2005 Baikal-Ussuriisky Expedition Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 Questions? Please phone Karen Camin or Bob Nansen (408) 252-4910 for international calls or (800) 252-4910 in the USA. Fax: (408) 252 1444. Email: karen@betchartexpeditions.com or bob@betchartexpeditions.com Responsibility: The International Dendrology Society and Betchart Expeditions Inc. acts only as agent for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels and exercise every care possible. IDS and Betchart can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident, or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price
of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participiants. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Operation of the ship is solely the responsibility of the ship company based in Irkutsk, Siberia. c 2004 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. CST#2036304-40