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THE ARCTIC - GREG MORTIMER

TRIP CODE

ACTSFJLE

DEPARTURE

12/07/2020

DURATION

15 Days

INTRODUCTION LOCATIONS

Russian Arctic, North Pole Explore the stark yet beautiful Franz Josef Land, the worldâs northernmost archipelago, which sits high in the Russian Arctic, 900 kilometres from the North Pole. Sail across the Barents Sea with opportunities to spot whales, maybe even the elusive bowhead whale, before entering the Russian Arctic National Park and a world that few have been lucky enough to experience. Watch for polar bears and walrus on land and ice, visit the historic huts of Nansen, photograph the stone spheres at Champ Island and cruise alongside spectacular bird cliﬀs where colonies of kittiwakes, little auks and other seabirds can be found. This is a rare opportunity to discover this remote yet fascinating part of the Arctic.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Embark - Kirkenes

Arrive in Kirkenes, Norway, located on the border with Russia. Join a pre-arranged half day excursion or activity prior to boarding the Greg Mortimer late afternoon. Airport transfers will be included if arriving on preferred ﬂights into Kirkenes. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important brieﬁngs. Sail the scenic Bokfjord to reach the Barents. Sea on our way to Murmansk in neighbouring Russia.

DAY 2: Murmansk

After sailing overnight into Russia, we stop in Murmansk, to undergo formalities to enter Russia. During clearance procedures, we may go on a city of Murmansk visiting the monument to the soldier of WW2 and also the ﬁrst nuclear icebreaker Lenin.

TRIP CODE DAY 3: At Sea - Day 3 & 4

Over the next two days at sea, enjoy informative ACTSFJLE and entertaining lectures from our expert expedition team including naturalists, historians DEPARTURE and geologists. Time and weather permitting, we may cruise along the coast of Novaya Zemlya on day 4, to have a ﬁrst glimpse of the tundra of the 12/07/2020 high Arctic, we may even try a landing in the tundra or a zodiac cruise in front of our ﬁrst DURATION glacier. Fingers crossed!

15 Days

DAY 5: Franz Josef Land - Day 5 to 11 LOCATIONS Franz Josef Land is a stark yet beautiful world of glaciers, mosses and lichens. Approximately ﬁve Russian Arctic, North Pole million sea birds nest on the archipelago every year, with the thick-billed guillemot accounting for approximately 20%. Other seabirds such as fulmar, kittiwake, Brünnich's guillemot, black guillemot and little auk are common throughout the archipelago. On the ﬂat tundra, nest other species such as: common eider, purple sandpiper, Arctic skua, glaucous gull, ivory gull, Arctic tern and snow bunting. Franz Josef Land is home to two Arctic giants – the Polar bear and the walrus. There is also a population of Arctic fox, which typically have their territories near seabird habitats. The waters of Franz Josef Land are visited by whales, including humpback, bowhead, narwhal, and white beluga whale. Walrus, ringed seals, bearded seals and an amazing species of mammals, choose Franz Josef Land and the water areas around it as their home. While there are many exciting places we can choose to visit over the following week, weather, wind, and sea-ice conditions will determine our itinerary in Franz Josef Land.

DAY 12: At Sea - Day 12 & 13

The return crossing of the Barents Sea oﬀers some good opportunities to encounter whales, perhaps the elusive bowhead whale if we’re lucky, and certainly plenty of opportunities to photograph sea birds.

DAY 14: Murmansk TRIP CODE Back in Murmansk for clearance procedures before continuing to Kirkenes. ACTSFJLE

DEPARTURE

12/07/2020

DURATION

DAY 15: Kirkenes 15 Days

Arrive in Kirkenes in the morning, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all LOCATIONS continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. Russian Arctic, North Pole A transfer to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.

INCLUSIONS & DETAILS

Accommodation Deluxe

Shipboard accommodation All meals on-board All scheduled landings/excursions Group transfer to/from airport to ship in Longyearbyen Group sightseeing tour on arrival in Longyearbyen (Pre- voyage) Group lectures by expedition leaders/team English speaking expedition team Captain's welcome and farewell drinks including four- course dinner Inclusions Complimentary expedition polar jacket Complimentary use of gumboots Personalised photo book Port and landing fees Exclusions Airfares to and from embarkation and disembarkation city Visa and passport fees (if applicable) Travel insurance Beverages (other than tea & coﬀee) Laundry and personal expenses

Diﬃculty Rating 2 (light adventure)

Single Surcharge Available upon request, contact us for more details.

Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and TRIP CODE Notes ice conditions. ACTSFJLE Price Dependent upon Departure date, seasonality and availability. DEPARTURE

SUSTAINABILITY 12/07/2020

DURATION

15 Days

LOCATIONS

Russian Arctic, North Pole