Discover Spitsbergen & the Arctic! TO THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC ICE August 27 September 8, 2016 on board the M/V Plancius
LEADERSHIP Leading the expedition will be Justin Gibson, a superb photographer and naturalist with a special interest in bears. Justin likes to travel and photograph the world s beautiful places, adventures that have taken him to more than 25 countries, from China to Thailand, Alaska to Oman and Europe. Justin has been guiding visitors into the Alaskan wilderness for more than 15 years, and has been leading polar bear expeditions to Churchill in Canada the last several seasons. He looks forward to exploring the Spitsbergen archipelago with you, and to sharing his knowledge about polar bears, glaciology, birds, botany, and the changing Arctic climate. OVERVIEW We invite you to join us as we explore To the Edge of the Arctic Ice, August 27 September 8, 2016. This is an outstanding itinerary for polar bears, glaciers and geology of Spitsbergen, and an excellent opportunity to learn about climate change in the Arctic first hand. With concern mounting around the world about the melting of the Polar ice caps and climate change, we invite you to come see the wildlife of the Arctic polar bears, ringed and bearded seals, walrus, and feeding baleen whales the spectacular glaciers, and unique birdlife of the Arctic. We will begin our adventure in Oslo. We will have an afternoon walking tour in the historic wharf area. You may choose to visit the historic vessels, Kontiki and Fram, across the bay, and to learn about Frijhof Nansen s 5-year epic on the Fram to discover the North Pole starting in 1893. We will then fly to Longyearbyen, the largest town in Spitsbergen. We will start our exploration with a visit to the research hub at the University Center in Spitsbergen for an informative visit with researchers. Then visit the North Pole Exploration Museum to learn of the early attempts to fly to the North Pole from Spitsbergen. In Longyearbyen, we will board the excellent M/V Plancius for our 8-day and 7-night voyage to the north of Spitsbergen and to the Edge of the Arctic Ice above 81 degrees north, an excellent route for polar bears. We will see bird rookeries, historic encampments, sky blue glaciers, carved icebergs, scenic ice falls, and waterfalls an Arctic paradise! Come see the wonderland of the Arctic in 2016! Bob Nansen, Naturalist
ITINERARY Days 1/2 USA to Oslo Depart on flights from the USA to Oslo, Norway, arriving by late morning on Day 2. (Norwegian Air flights are suggested.) Transfer by train to an Oslo hotel. Then have an afternoon walking tour of downtown Oslo. Day 3 Oslo to Longyearbyen Depart this morning on our flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of the Svalbard archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to your lodge. We will then begin our exploration of the world s northern most town settlement. We will begin with a visit to University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) for an introduction to the region and Arctic research projects by one of the scientists. We will then visit the North Pole Exploration Museum which has two floors of displays, photo graphs, and some historic equipment from the first attempts to fly to the North Pole. Overnight at the BaseCamp Lodge. (B,D) Day 4 Longyearbyen & the M/V Plancius This morning we will visit the Svalbard Museum to continue our introduction to the history and natural heritage of the Arctic. The local church is a little further long the road and well worth a visit. Lunch in Longyearbyen. Afternoon for last minute shopping and then visit the entrance to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This internationally important seed bank houses thousands of seeds of agricultural, ornamental, and other plants from many different habitats from around the world. We will then board M/V Plancius and begin our voyage to the Edge of the Arctic Ice. Overnight we will cruise east of the Molloy Hole, the deepest location in the Arctic at 18,399 feet. Day 5 Raudfjord & Glacier to Moffen Today we sail into the beautiful Raudfjord or Liefdefjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen with both tidewater and hanging glaciers. As we go ashore we see some of the seabirds flying along the shore and then have a short walk over Arctic tundra to look for wildflowers. These are beautiful fjords dominated by spectacular glaciers, and where we often see polar bear. Later, we will cruise towards Moffen Island looking for ringed and bearded seals and seabirds. Moffen Island has a herd of walrus sometimes numbering over 100 adults and pups. Days 6 /7 Beverleysundet to Zorgdragerfjord Be on deck as we sail through Beverleysundet with massive mountains and glaciers and be on the lookout for whales. Beverleysundet was named by Parry in 1827 and also sailed by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-
Meridian Expedition in 1898. We will push east along Scoresby Island, into Rijpfjord, where in Wordiebukta the German Wehrmacht had the weather station Haudegen until September 1945. The station itself is off bounds, but we can see the beautiful glaciers at the head of the fjord. In Zorgdragerfjord one group will walk at the eastern shore while the other group walks along the north side of Arkvatnet through Havsuldalen to the entrance of Duvefjorden. Day 8 Phippsoya in the Seven Islands Today, we will reach our northernmost point at Phippsoya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, along with ivory gulls. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice, allowing us to take in our spectacular surroundings and look for a Ross gull before we turn south again. Day 9 Raudfjord Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for polar bear and the elusive Greenland whale (Bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where fin whales forage in summer in the upwellings along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of the Kongsfjord we have also good chances to see minke whales. Day 10 Forlandsundet In Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At nighttime we arrive back in Longyearbyen. Days 11/13 Longyearbyen & Oslo This morning, we disembark the ship and head to Base Camp again. We ll have time at leisure in Longyearbyen to explore further. On the morning of Day 12, we will fly back to Oslo for overnight. Day 13 take interna tional flights back to the USA.
The American Connection Quite surprisingly to most travelers, Longyearbyen is named for an American. Industrialist John Munro Longyear visited Spitsbergen in 1901 and learned about the small coal mining operation. With a fellow investor, he founded the Arctic Coal Company. In 1906 they started exporting coal throughout the world. Much of the operations were destroyed during World War II and Germans occupied the area to provide meteorological data. The Germans bombed most of the buildings. Longyearbyen now hosts the internationally important Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a museum, and a satellite campus of the University of Norway as well as polar bears who roam the surrounding hillsides. RESPONSIBILITY Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and The Planetary Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transpor tation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motor coach, 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, quarantine, terrorism, 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 pro vide for arrange ments only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or reserve the right 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 arrange ments 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 participants. 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. 2016 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of Taunya DeYoung & Oceanwide Expeditions. Map by April Milne. CST# 2036304-40 RESERVATIONS #1437 Yes! I/we want to join To the Edge of the Arctic Ice, August 27 September 8, 2016, offered by AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi, ACS & The Planetary Society. Please reserve space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check for $ ($1,000 per person) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Age Address City State Zip Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) Email Address Membership: AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Accommodations Preference: Accommodations aboard the M/V Plancius are per person based on share of cabin (indicate 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice): Quad cabin (Porthole)................ $5,795 Triple cabin (Porthole)............... $6,495 Twin cabin (Porthole)................ $6,995 Twin cabin (Window)................ $7,195 Twin Deluxe cabin................. $7,495 Superior cabin..................... $7,995 Twin Single Twin Share: with a friend or Nonsmoker Smoker assign a roommate Signature Date Signature Date Please Mail To: Edge of the Arctic Ice 2016 Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 SIGMA XI ACS The Planetary Society THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY
AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 FIRST CLASS Discover Spitsbergen & the Arctic! To the Edge of the Arctic Ice August 27 September 8, 2016 on board the M/V Plancius COSTS & CONDITIONS Trip Fee: Voyage rate per person is based on cabin category of your selection on board M/V Plancius plus air fare USA to Oslo, RT approx. $895 from JFK on Norwegian Airlines plus group air fare Oslo to Spitsbergen $295 pp RT. Quad cabin (porthole)... $5,795 Twin cabin (window).. $7,195 Triple cabin (porthole)... $6,495 Twin Deluxe cabin... $7,495 Twin cabin (porthole)... $6,995 Superior cabin...... $7,995 Singles: May register on a quad share or twin share basis, or single occupancy is available at 1.8 times the per person cruise fare in Twin Porthole or Twin Window cabins only. Expedition Fee Includes: Airport transfers in Longyearbyen; 2 nights Oslo hotel and transfers; 2 nights and excursions in Longyearbyen; accommodations on board ship including zodiac and shore excursions, lecture program, meals, port taxes; leadership, administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air fare (quoted separately); independent transfers; lunch or dinner except on board ship; tips to ship s crew, naturalists, or Betchart leader; laundry, phone calls, snacks, alcoholic beverages, internet, passport, or personal insurance. What to Expect: This is a great adventure for modern-day Arctic explorers! The expedition will allow you to see polar bears and other wildlife of the Arctic and to learn about climate change in the Arctic first hand. We will also discover the history, geology, glaciers, polar ice cap, and rugged beauty north of the Arctic Circle, with an excellent team of naturalists on board ship. Expect temperatures in the 30 s to 50 s. Walks will be brief and may be over damp or uneven terrain, glacial ice, or snow. The itinerary is subject to changes that may arise due to weather or sea conditions beyond our control in the best interests of all passengers and the safety of the vessel. With this in mind, you will have a once-in-alifetime voyage of discovery and adventure. (No smoking in vehicles, Zodiacs, lectures or meals, please). Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: Please call Taunya (800) 252 4910 for flight information. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. M/V Plancius: The Plancius is a recently remodeled Dutch oceanographic vessel with a comfortable, spacious interior. It accommodates 134 passengers with private bathrooms with ample storage space. Public areas include a restaurant/lecture room, and spacious observation lounge with bar. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The crew is highly experienced in ice navigation. The ship s atmosphere on board is relaxed and informal. Reservations, Deposits, & Payments: Please mail a deposit of $1,000 per person with the completed reservation form to: Edge of the Arctic Ice 2016 Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 The balance is due 90 days before departure. Questions: Please call Betchart Expeditions Inc. Telephone: (800) 252 4910 (USA) or (408) 252 4910 (International) Fax: (408) 252 1444 Email: Taunya@betchartexpeditions.com Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 90 days before departure less a cancellation fee of $250 per person There is no refund after the 90-day period. There are no refunds for unused meals or other expedition features.