E-mail a friendShip: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Itinerary: Tanquary Fjord, Ellesmere Island
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Nesting AlbatrossPhoto by: Gerald Cubitt
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Days 1-2 : | Ottawa to Resolute |
|---|---|
| Day 3 : | Lancaster Sound to Baffin Bay |
| Days 4-5 : | Coburg Island & Hell Gate |
| Days 6-9 : | Tanquary Fjord & Ellesmere Island |
| Days 10-11 : | Eureka Sound |
| Day 12 : | Norwegian Bay & Belcher Channel |
| Days 13-14 : | Somerset, Devon & Beechey Islands |
| Days 15-16 : | Resolute to Ottawa |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple | Twin | Suite | Corner Suite | Single Twin | ||
| 16 | Aug 3, 2009 | $13,390 | $17,890 | $20,390 | $22,990 | -- |
| Destinations : Arctic Activities : Helicopter Tour, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Days 1-2 : Ottawa to Resolute
Arrive in Ottawa and head independently to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier for an overnight stay in Canada's historic capital. Next morning we fly to Resolute and board the Kapitan Khlebnikov, which departs in the evening.
Day 3 : Lancaster Sound to Baffin Bay
Sailing eastward through Lancaster Sound along the south coast of Devon Island, we enter Croker Bay. Our onboard presentations get under way with talks on Arctic wildlife, geology and history. In Dundas Harbour, a short fjord bounded by steep mountains on Devon's southeast coast, you make your first landing - a fascinating tundra walk to an old RCMP post and a site of the early Thule people. As we continue east to Baffin Bay, keep a lookout for narwhals, seals, beluga whales and an array of seabirds.
Days 4-5 : Coburg Island & Hell Gate
An early-morning Zodiac excursion takes us to Coburg Island National Park, whose cliffs are home to an estimated 30,000 pairs of Black-legged Kittiwakes and some 160,000 pairs of Thick-billed Murres. The sight of newly fledged murre chicks diving into fish-filled waters is unforgettable. We continue on to Cape Sparbo on Devon Island for another tundra walk to archeological sites and chances to see musk ox. If time and weather allow, we pay an evening visit to the community of Grisefjord, then carry on deeper into Jones Sound. The next morning we round the southwest corner of Ellesmere Island and follow the handful of vessels that have navigated Hell Gate, a narrow passage where currents prevent freezing even at the height of winter. As we keep pushing north through spectacular Norwegian Bay, the Kapitan Khlebnikov will be doing some more heavy icebreaking - while you scan the floes for polar bears.
Days 6-9 : Tanquary Fjord & Ellesmere Island
Exploring the Bjorne Peninsula and Strathcona Fjord, we reach our goal: Tanquary Fjord and Ellesmere Island (Quttinirpaaq) National Park, which includes Canada's northernmost point. The fjord extends from a mountain valley with glaciers cascading down to the water. On walks ashore you find amazingly lush vegetation, including mountain avens, saxifrages, poppies, cotton grass and white bell heather. You're likely to see Arctic hare, musk ox and endangered Peary caribou, plus polar bears and Arctic whales on the coast - and, if you're lucky, an Arctic wolf. Weather permitting, we take helicopter flights over Ellesmere's dramatic glaciers and tundra. As ever, the length of our stay depends on ice conditions and park regulations.
Days 10-11 : Eureka Sound
Leaving Tanquary Fjord, we sail south into Eureka Sound, visiting an isolated weather station on Sidre Fjord. Our plans call for helicopter flights over Ellesmere's western coast to view the remains of a petrified forest. Next is an expedition day on beautiful Axel Heiberg Island, with more helicopter flights and excellent chances to spot musk ox, wolves and Arctic hare.
Day 12 : Norwegian Bay & Belcher Channel
Heading south to Norwegian Bay and Belcher Channel, we expect to battle some of the toughest ice in the Arctic; while the Kapitan Khlebnikov is up to the challenge, as usual our route must be flexible. We continue south via the Penny Strait to Queens Channel and hope to stay overnight in McDougall Sound for more chances to sight walrus, polar bears and other wildlife.
Days 13-14 : Somerset, Devon & Beechey Islands
Be on the lookout for walrus as we explore the edge of Cornwallis Island, then carry on south to Somerset Island, where beluga whales frequently feed. We cross the Parry Channel by night and in the morning pass the bird cliffs of Prince Leopold Island National Park. At Radstock Bay on Devon Island, you combine a tundra walk to an ancient Thule site with incredible helicopter flights. Our final landing is on Beechey Island, where Franklin and his men wintered in 1846-47 before disappearing. Their tragic end gains poignancy as you walk the desolate coast to the Franklin Memorial.
Days 15-16 : Resolute to Ottawa
Having sailed to Resolute Bay during the night, we disembark the Kapitan Khlebnikov in the morning and fly back to Ottawa for a final night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, continuing home after breakfast on Day 16.
Price Includes:
* Air transportation from the staging point to the port of embarkation, as well as your return flight from the port of disembarkation.
* Hotel accommodations: 1 night pre-expedition and 1 night post-expedition lodging with breakfast at the hotel named in the itinerary. The number of guests per hotel room is the same as the cabin occupancy you have booked on board the ship. Travelers who reserve a suite on board the ship are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.
* All meals onboard the ship, including a complimentary glass of house wine with every dinner.
* All shore landings and excursions by Zodiac according to the daily onboard program.
* All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day's onboard program.
* Formal and informal educational presentations by our Expedition Team and guest lecturers as scheduled during the voyage.
* An onboard multimedia artist who, in the tradition of early expeditions, will chronicle the voyage and produce for each traveler a remarkable memento of the experience - a digital work on CD combining narrative, photography and video in the artist's individual style.
* A specially designed expedition parka that is yours to keep. Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic book.
* Round-trip transfers between the host hotel and the airport for your flights out of and back to the staging point, and between the ship and the local airport at the port(s) of embarkation and disembarkation - plus all baggage handling aboard ship.
* All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
Not Included:
Airfares to or from the gateway city, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel; baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (please note that emergency medical insurance is mandatory); excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other charges of a personal nature; telecommunications charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard. Any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced on board.
-Additional fuel surcharge of $22/night on ship, per person, for Arctic departures between Jun - Sep 2008.
- Additional fuel surcharge of $58/night on ship, per person, for Antarctic departures between Oct 2008 - Mar 2009.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy.
-Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Single supplement of 1.7 times the twin rate for travelers who want to guarantee single room.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person is required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Kapitan Khlebnikov
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Kapitan Khlebnikov breaking ice
The KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV was built in Finland in 1981 and is a powerful polar class icebreaker, which has sailed to extremely remote corners of the globe with adventurous travelers since 1992. No other expedition vessel has navigated more polar waters. It was the first ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers in 1996-97.
The ship\'s interior provides passenger facilities necessary for excellent comfort, with accommodations in 54 first class outside cabin and suites. The vessel carries a maximum of 112 passengers.
All cabins are outside, with windows that can be opened for fresh or cooler air. In addition, passengers may control the flow of air into the cabin by adjusting the vent. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower, toilet and wash-basin. Cabin floors are carpeted. The cabins have ample cupboard and drawer space, and a large desk. The second bed in each cabin is a convertible sofa bed, which is made up each night by the stewardess and converted back into a sofa during the day. Triple cabins have two lower berths and one upper berth. Each cabin is equipped with an \'in-cabin\' music system. All cabins have robes for use while on board, which will be collected on the last day of the voyage. These are available for purchase if passengers wish to take one home.
There is ample storage space under the beds to store most luggage. If not, passengers should alert the cabin stewardess who can store it for the duration of the voyage. Hair dryers, quality soap and shower gel are available in each cabin.
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Triple 135 sq. ft. Cabins include twin bunk beds and a convertible sofa, writing desk, chair, bookshelves, storage box, telephone, and porthole or window |
Twin135 sq. ft. Cabins include one twin bed and a convertible sofa, writing desk, chair, bookshelves, 2 wardrobes, storage box, telephone, and porthole or window |
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Suite 193 sq. ft. Cabin includes separate living area, TV/VCR, refrigerator, convertible sofa, double bed 2 desks, 2 chairs, bookshelves, storage box, telephone, 2 wardrobes, and picture window |
Corner Suite 285 sq. ft. Cabin includes separate living area, TV/VCR, refrigerator, convertible sofa, double bed 2 desks, 2 chairs, bookshelves, storage box, telephone, 2 wardrobes, and picture window |
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Single Twin 135 sq. ft. Cabins include one twin bed and a convertible sofa, writing desk, chair, bookshelves, 2 wardrobes, storage box, telephone, and porthole or window |
