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Your Ship & Crew The Expedition Staff Enrollment Information , no

444444444444 444444444444 444444444444 rmit e 1. RESERVATIONS The appropriate deposit (indicated below) & com- single room at the facility where clients are required to share. There is no eattle Our cruises are floating classrooms where we experience wildlife and natural history in the field and then pleted and signed Registration Form are required to reserve a place for additional single supplement fee on ship-based cruises, if you request a PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID s P interpret what we’ve seen through a series of informal lectures, discussions and presentations. Integral you. Deposits & trip payments may be made by check or bank transfer roommate and one is not available. in US dollars. For trip deposits only, we accept Visa or MasterCard. Full to this approach are the leaders we choose for your expedition. In addition to planning daily activities, payment of the trip fee is due on or prior to the designated day specified Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of air- below, as well as is specified in the Initial Tour Information. If payments fares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations and cur- guiding you safely to shore and making evening presentations, they will introduce you to the wonders are not received when due, we reserve the right to treat your reservation rency fluctuations, among others. TravelWild Expeditions may be of Spitsbergen, dramatically enriching each encounter with the island’s flora and fauna. There is truly no as canceled, as if in writing, as per the cancellation and refund policy compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without noted below. Trip fees are quoted in US dollars and must be paid in US prior notice. An increase in trip prices shall not be sufficient grounds better way to experience the splendor of the Arctic! dollars. No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by a trip for any reason whatsoever. Trips are sold as a package only. This the terms of our cancellation policy. policy also applies to tour extensions & independent travel arrangements. 7. LOGISTICS Whenever possible, our trip participants are lodged in com- 444444444444 Dr. Wayne Lynch is a former emergency physician who has worked for more than 30 Cancellation fees are not transferable. fortable, modern hotels. We select among the best available accommoda- years as a full-time naturalist, science writer and photographer. We credit Wayne with tions, but refrain from extravagance. Some interesting destinations are far JULY 10–20, 2014 © Gary Alt 2. CANCELLATIONS /REFUNDS: The Polar Bears & Wildlife of introducing us to the wonders of Spitsbergen. After visiting the Svalbard Archipelago Spitsbergen removed from modern amenities, however, and where necessary we will be accommodated in rustic country inns, cabins or tented camps. The Polar Pioneer's maneuverability and size are perfectly suited for small in 1997, he proclaimed it “the most beautiful Arctic destination he had ever seen.” A deposit of 25% of the trip fee is required. An additional 25% of the trip fee is due on 9/14/13. Final payment is due on 2/3/14. We must receive Meals are always a special part of our trips for the camaraderie they engen-

group polar expedition travel. This ice-strengthened research ship plied the That is indeed high praise coming from someone who has traveled the world over— ” of ‘exceptional!’ written notice of your cancellation, at which time the following fees are der and the opportunity they provide to try new foods from different areas. waters of the USSR’s northern coast for many years and was refurbished in 2000 including much of the Arctic—and who has led more than 150 trips worldwide! With nonrefundable: Depending on the trip and specific locale, participants order restaurant meals from the full menu or, less frequently, table d'hôte. Some trips include to provide comfortable, safe accommodations for 54 passengers. the to level experience Wayne’s knowledge, help and a little prodding, we developed our highly-successful If Written Cancellation is Received: Cancellation Fee: picnic lunches in the field. Fruit juice for breakfast and coffee or tea are

included with the meals. Soft drinks are included with meals on tours within 01773 MA Lincoln, Spitsbergen cruises. In addition to the fantastic work he does for TravelWild, Wayne is the author of 9/16/2013 or prior 50% of deposit — B. and Spitsbergen C. Yates, Cruise Participants North America. Participants are responsible for their own bar tab (including 208 South Great Road The captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the award-winning books and television documentaries, a popular guest lecturer, and Canada’s best- was but it the excellent, were 9/17/2013 to 1/4/2014 25% of trip fee knowledge and overall humor, world. The ship’s bridge and viewing decks offer excellent wildlife-viewing bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages on tours outside of North The ship and crew you chartered you crew and The ship known and most widely-published professional wildlife photographer. His photo credits include 1/5/2014 to 3/16/2014 50% of trip fee Massachusetts Audubon Society

America) at restaurant lunches and dinners. the raised that leaders TravelWild

opportunities, while a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs transport passengers to shore “ hundreds of magazine covers and tens of thousands of images published in over two dozen countries. 3/17/2014 or after 100% of trip fee Our itineraries are intended as examples only. Participants should allow for close-up wildlife viewing. He lives in Calgary, Alberta. 3. EMERGENCY MEDICAL / EVACUATION & TRIP CANCELLATION for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history or cultural events, INSURANCE Emergency medical/evacuation insurance is MANDA- or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by TravelWild Expedi- All cabins have outside portholes and ample storage space. A common area with TORY on this tour—please contact our office for details. We strongly tions or our leaders. The second tour leader (and any subsequent additional Gary Alt is widely regarded as one of the leading bear research biologists in North recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance (which typically leaders) listed for each trip on the website will be added as the group size a bar/lounge/library complements the simple and spacious accommodations. America. As one of our longest-tenured TravelWild leaders, Gary has introduced includes emergency medical/evacuation) to cover your travel invest- warrants. If only one space remains on a trip, and logistics permit, we ac- Meals are prepared by European chefs and served by Russian waitstaff. hundreds—if not thousands—of our clients over the years to his personal passion— ment. An insurance brochure will be sent with your enrollment confirmation. cept two persons traveling together, even if it exceeds the trip maximum. bears. He has led trips in Spitsbergen, Churchill and Alaska and he has an encyclopedic 4. HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS TravelWild Expeditions are within the ca- 8. RESPONSIBILITY TravelWild Expeditions and/or their Agents act only pabilities of average people in good health. Some of these trips require the as agents for the passenger in regard to travel including, but not limited to, knowledge of bears—particularly black, brown and polar bears. Gary entertains and capability of walking for several miles over uneven trails, stepping from a sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether Deck Plan & Fees educates our clients with many stories of his encounters with bears while conducting small boat to a wave-washed rocky beach, flying in small planes and he- by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft and they assume licopters, and occasionally hiking at high elevations—all while carrying an no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may field research. His work has been featured in National Wildlife, People, Sports Illustrated assortment of gear. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/ be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason and Reader's Digest, as well as a variety of national television programs. Gary’s training in natural or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire with our office before reserv- whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person en- history consists of four ecology-related degrees, including a Ph.D., and extensive experience in the ing a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and trip de- gaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of posit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other the trip. field. He has presented hundreds of educational and entertaining natural history lectures throughout conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to the country, and has used wildlife photography in his work for years. Among our clients he is renowned participants and you agree to inform our office in writing if changes delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, in your health occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to Triple Shared for his amiable sense of humor. volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine or other causes. request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's or trip leader's All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Bag- Twin Shared Dennis Mense is recognized throughout the nature and adventure travel industry as to embark upon or to continue a trip. Once a trip has been confirmed, medi- gage is at the owner's risk entirely. cal circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation one of the most respected, trusted and sought-after expedition leaders in the business. policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indi- Twin Private By any standards his knowledge of, and experience working in, polar regions is dietary requirements. Tour members are asked to refrain from smoking cated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed impressive, spanning more than 20 years of planning and leading dozens of expedition with or near the group. necessary, or caused by changes in air schedules or equipment substitu- Mini Suite tion; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure, in which case full refund of the cruises and land-based tours to remote destinations, including Antarctica, the Russian 5. CONTACT SCHEDULE Participants will receive four mailings before the paid trip funds will be given, but TravelWild Expeditions is not responsible trip departs: 1. Initial Tour Information sheet confirms the deposit and Suite Far East, the North Pole, Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land, Greenland, Arctic Canada, Alaska for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refund- provides pre-departure information. 2. Invoice for Second Payment. 3. able air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) substitute trip and many more. With a degree in marine biology from the University of Hawaii and many Invoice/Practical Information provides clothing and gear recommenda- leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitu- tions, climate data, applicable health advisories and reading list. Visa infor- years conducting marine-related research, Dennis is an excellent interpreter of nature as well. While he tion is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided Cabin Category Cruise Fee mation will also be included (if applicable). 4. Final Tour Information by our normal cancellation policy; or 4) accept or retain any person as a has traveled the world extensively, seeing and doing more than most, he still has a genuine enthusiasm for includes arrival instructions, itinerary revisions (if any), hotel addresses, member of any trip. nature and wildlife that is sure to rub off on all who travel with him. Dennis is Sales Director for TravelWild trip telephone contact information and participant list. We provide the trip Triple (Shared bath) $6,495 leader's telephone number(s) and/or e-mail address with final documents Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time Expeditions and lives with his family on Cortes Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands. so you can inquire about special questions you may have regarding your of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change Twin (Shared bath) $7,195 trip. We welcome your calls or e-mail messages to [email protected]. therein. Wayne Petersen is Mass Audubon’s Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird 6. TRAVELWILD EXPEDITIONS COSTS Information supplied upon enroll- Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time Areas (IBA) program. He has led tours, lectured, and conducted birding workshops ment describes the specific costs that are included in your trip fee. Gener- prices are originally set, and are subject to adjustment in the event of any Twin (Private bath) $8,195 ally these costs include lodging in double room occupancy, all meals (speci- change therein. across North America for over 35 years. His tour-leading experiences have taken fied in the itinerary as BLD denoting breakfast, lunch or dinner), ground A Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk Mini Suite (Private bath) $9,295 him from the Arctic to South America, including trips to Iceland, Svalbard, Africa, transportation during the trip in vans or small busses, air transportation as specified, meal and baggage tipping, and guide services provided by the section must be signed by each participant prior to the commence- Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. Wayne was a founding member trip leaders. Not included are airfare or other transportation from your home ment of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in Suite the absence of the signed Registration Form including the Release (Private bath) $10,795 of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee, is a New England Regional Editor for to the trip staging location, airport departure taxes, insurance, alcoholic beverages and bar expenses (plus bottled water and soft drink expenses and Assumption of Risk section, with no trip fee refund. No modifica- North American Birds, and serves on the advisory committee for the Massachusetts tion to the Registration Form including the Release and Assumption Cruise fees are per person and listed in US Dollars. Due to the remote location of this on international tours outside of North America), tips and gratuities to local Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. His writing projects include authoring the National guides abroad, phone calls, passport or visa expenses, laundry or items of Risk section will be accepted. cruise, Emergency Evacuation Insurance is required. Information on how you can Audubon Society’s Pocket Guide to Songbirds and Familiar Backyard Birds (East), coauthoring Birds of a personal nature. Gratuities to TravelWild Expeditions trip leaders are Should TravelWild Expeditions, or anyone acting on their behalf be required purchase this insurance will be included with your confirmation packet after you register optional and always appreciated. Rates are based on group tariffs; if the to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, the enrolling for the trip. of Massachusetts and Birds of New England, co-editing the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas, and trip does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may be trip participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such contributing to The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, charged. fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the enrolling participant(s) and Arctic Wings. In 2005, Wayne was the recipient of the American Birding Association’s Ludlow Single accommodations are available for a supplemental cost in many loca- agree(s) to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington. tions; see the pre-departure trip information or call our office for details. Certain ship owners require the use of pre-printed ticket forms that limit Griscom Award for outstanding contributions in regional ornithology. He is especially interested in You will be charged the single supplement fee if you desire single accom- the ship owner's and operator's liability. When such tickets are used, the For more information visit www.massaudubon.com seabirds and shorebirds, and he derives great satisfaction from sharing his knowledge of the natural modations or if you wish to have a roommate, but one is not available. In passenger is bound by the terms of these tickets with respect to the passenger's legal relationship to the owners and operators of the ship, their world with his fellow colleagues and traveling companions. some remote locations, clients with single rooms are infrequently compelled or call 1-800-289-9504 to reserve your space to share a room due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, agents (TravelWild Expeditions), and the ship's crew. is Spitsbergen Jewel Crown the Arctic. the of appropriate per diem refunds will be made reflecting the direct cost of the All materials ©TravelWild Expeditions UBI NO. 601-158-614-001-0001

Cover photography clockwise from top left: Gary Alt, Gary Alt, Joe Van Os, Joe Van Os, John Shaw (large polar bear photo) © John Shaw Call 800-289-9504 or visit www.massaudubon.com Polar Bears & Wildlife Your Itineray

of Spitsbergen Day 1 We begin our journey in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest community. We (July 10) embark the Polar Pioneer between 4 PM and 5 PM in the afternoon. As we steam westward out of Isfjorden, we encounter numerous seabirds, including expedition cruise to arctic norway dovekies, thick-billed murres, northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes and, july 10-20, 2014 perhaps, a puffin or two. (D) days These next nine days are dedicated to exploring the Svalbard Archipelago, 2-10 especially the environs of its biggest and most spectacular island— PURE EXCITEMENT Spitsbergen. Our exact day-by-day itinerary remains flexible, depending on ©Gary Alt local weather, ice and wildlife conditions, but the ship is totally at our disposal "Polar bear at 2 o’clock!" to go where and when we please. At the top of our “to do” list is polar bear When the first polar bear sighting is announced over the ship’s public address system, the watching. We head to the pristine pack ice to search for the great white bears excitement in the air is palpable. People drop whatever they are doing and rush outside (often and hope to encounter them swimming, hunting and inquisitively inspecting without their coats!) to the ship’s decks, cameras in hand, with the anticipation of a kid on our ship. In addition to searching for bears, we spend our days discovering

Christmas morning. Seeing a polar bear in the wild—especially with an Arctic backdrop as © Joe Van Os and learning about other wildlife, as well as the flora, geology and history of magnificent as Spitsbergen—will literally take one’s breath away. It’s that thrilling. Svalbard. We are very likely to experience up close meetings with Svalbard ©Joe Van Os reindeer grazing along mossy banks, walruses on land and amid the ice You might think the excitement level settles down a bit when subsequent bear sightings are Spitsbergen is truly one of the floes, arctic foxes, bearded and ringed seals, and, possibly, whales. Birdlife is announced, but that’s not the case. Each time we see a bear, the situation is a little different. It wildest, most pristine places we’ve abundant and throngs of wheeling seabirds, including millions of dovekies, are could be a bear swimming in open water between ice floes, a bear hunting or feeding on a seal, a mother bear with cubs of the year trailing close behind, a large male chasing other bears or—as been. We were able to get ‘up commonly seen. Other interesting High Arctic species include red-throated was the case on one of our cruises—a polar bear playing with a basketball-size block of ice! SPITSBERGEN loons, barnacle and pink-footed geese, common and king eiders, long-tailed close and personal’ with walrus, ducks, arctic terns, red phalaropes, purple sandpipers, ivory and glaucous Many of our polar bear sightings take place as our ship cruises along the pack ice edge. This polar bears, seals and birds while gulls, long-tailed, pomarine and parasitic jaegers, great skuas, Atlantic puffins,

© Gary Alt Longyearbyen is prime polar bear habitat. Curious bears often approach the ship to investigate, affording us black guillemots, rock ptarmigans and snow buntings. We have a remarkable ©Joe Van Os © Gary Alt exceptional close-up views and photo opportunities. Other sightings take place while we’re in our naturalists supplied information amount of time available for wildlife viewing, exploring and taking photos in Zodiacs (inflatable landing craft) cruising by glaciers, small icebergs and along the shoreline. Each on what we were seeing. the 24 hours of daylight. (BLD) encounter is unique and sure to get your heart racing! There is no northern place more beautiful or chockfull of wildlife than Spitsbergen! — S. & S. Kaplan Da1 y 1 We arrive back in Longyearbyen during the night and disembark as a group Among the most excited by polar bears sightings (July 20) after breakfast. (B) are the naturalists who will lead this cruise— If you want to see the Arctic in all its wildness and underway. Our primary focus is navigating through got closer I could hear the crunching of his massive raucous seabirds. We are likely to see arctic terns, Wayne Lynch, Gary Alt, Dennis Mense and splendor, then a visit to Spitsbergen is a must! the pack ice and into glacier-filled fjords in search paws against the slushy layer of snow on top of the arctic skuas, Atlantic puffins, thick-billed murres, We highly recommend arriving in Longyearbyen a day before embarkation Wayne Petersen. Combined, they have seen And there’s no more enjoyable and comprehensive of polar bears as the bears, in turn, hunt for ringed ice. We were all quiet on deck—except for the click dovekies, northern fulmars, long-tailed jaegers What’s included: and we offer an optional land package for your convenience. thousands of polar bears on hundreds of trips way to see it than on our upcoming Polar Bears & and bearded seals. On the northern edge of the of camera shutters we were awed into complete and more. All of these wildlife sightings are made Greenland to the Arctic, but this has not dampened their Wildlife of Spitsbergen cruise, July 10–20, 2014. archipelago, drifting pack ice crowds the shore silence. He sniffed around the ship for about five in the relatively benign weather and calm seas of • 10-night cruise on the excitement the slightest bit. Their enthusiasm and it is common to find polar bears hunting seals minutes, then abruptly headed away from us, Spitsbergen’s summer. is bound to rub off on every trip participant Polar Pioneer Spitsbergen is the Crown Jewel of the Arctic. When and walruses. The Norwegian Polar Institute has without so much as a backward glance! We felt so as they help interpret all that we see through Norway Longyearbyen Land Package we first visited the island more than a decade ago, estimated that there are over 2,000 polar bears in lucky to be there. The solitary life of a polar bear Many of our trip participants are surprised by the formal and informal lectures, as well as during • All meals aboard the ship clients and leaders alike predicted that Spitsbergen the Svalbard region. was never more poignantly clear.” colorful flora we see when we go ashore. The Gulf Participants book their own air on roundtrip Oslo/Longyearbyen

© Joe Van Os our shore landings. cruises would soon be on a par with such venerated Stream creates a mild climate and when summer A • All excursions by Zodiac flights designated by our office. RCTIC CIRCLE Polar bears are a main focus of our cruise, but that’s not to say we don’t seek out—and see—a nature and wildlife destinations as East Africa, After traveling with us to Spitsbergen, nature writer While seeing polar bears is reason enough to join arrives the snow recedes to uncover verdant Iceland throughout the cruise July 9: Day before Embarkation great variety of other wildlife along the way. In addition to polar bears we are likely to see walruses Antarctica and the Galápagos. Clearly they were Kathryn True wrote: our Spitsbergen cruise, there is much, much more patches of green and red mosses and delicate • Transfer from the Longyearbyen Airport to the Radisson and seals—swimming or hauled out on ice floes—reindeer, arctic foxes and minke, beluga and, impressed with all they saw in Spitsbergen! to see and do! Our route along the pack ice will wildflowers. Two national parks, 15 bird sanctuaries • Series of lectures and slide “Last night a polar bear walked right up to the ship! It Blu Polar Hotel from a designated afternoon flight occasionally, humpback whales. give us ample opportunity for sightings of several and two plant reserves protect half of Svalbard’s presentations throughout • Superior room More than ten degrees north of the Arctic Circle, was a bright and sunny evening and we were parked other marine mammals—viewed from the ship, spectacular landmass. the cruise • Group welcome dinner Enormous concentrations of seabirds are found along Spitsbergen’s towering sea cliffs. Raucous the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard comprises in thin pack ice. We all hurried to the deck after the but also when we go ashore in inflatable Zodiac and wheeling colonies of dovekies, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Thick-billed Murres and Northern four large mountainous islands and hundreds of captain announced a polar bear in the distance. landing craft. Species we commonly see—often There is no better way to experience the pristine July 10: Day of Embarkation Fulmars are ever-present. As we explore Spitsbergen’s glorious Arctic scenery we will look for • TravelWild Expeditions • Buffet breakfast smaller ones. Spitsbergen—the largest island in At first it looked like a glowing white snowball at very close range—include walruses, reindeer beauty of the Arctic than on our Spitsbergen cruise. other interesting Arctic birdlife, including: Red-throated Loons, Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese, staff—all expert naturalist • Transfer to the ship for the 4 PM embarkation the archipelago—has four settlements including moving towards us. As it got closer you could see (a subspecies called Svalbard reindeer), arctic Join Wayne Lynch, Gary Alt, Dennis Mense and eiders, Long-tailed ducks, Arctic terns, Red phalaropes, Ivory gulls, Parasitic jaegers, Great Skuas, Longyearbyen, the world’s most northerly town and its determined walk, which seemed to say—‘I've got foxes, bearded, ringed and harp seals, minke and, Wayne Petersen on an unforgettable cruise to one guides July 20: Day of Disembarkation and so many more. the spot where our cruise begins and ends. to check this out.’ The bear walked straight towards occasionally, humpback whales. of the most remote and uniquely beautiful locations • Bus transfer from the ship to the airport for a designated Please join us for this popular adventure amid the massive glaciers, stunning fjords, colorful the ship without hesitation. About 30 yards away, he on Earth. Be among the few lucky travelers to visit morning flight Unlike some cruises, there is no wasted “at sea” wildflowers, and rugged coastal mountains of the High Arctic. lifted his nose and moved his head back and forth We’ll also use our Zodiacs to cruise along the foot this spectacular Realm of the Polar Bear! time—wildlife-viewing starts the moment the ship is The estimated cost of the land package is $350 per person in double occupancy and $450 sniffing the air, then continued towards us. As he of towering sea cliffs, home to tens of thousands of in single occupancy. These costs are based on the current SAS flight schedule. A Travel © Gary Alt Memo will be sent to all participants with final details. Participants not choosing the land 444444444444 package will make their own way to and from the ship. Taxis are available. Karen ONeill It was better than we expected, and we expected a lot! — E. Chejlava, Spitsbergen Cruise Participant Travel Director, Mass Audubon Visit www.massaudubon.com or call 1-800-289-9504 today. Polar Bears & Wildlife Your Itineray

Your Ship & Crew The Expedition Staff Enrollment Information , no

America) at restaurant lunches and dinners. the raised that leaders TravelWild

Cover photography clockwise from top left: Gary Alt, Gary Alt, Joe Van Os, Joe Van Os, John Shaw (large polar bear photo) © John Shaw Call 800-289-9504 or visit www.massaudubon.com 556 . 9 wa