Passage through Siberia A river cruise along the mighty River Lena to the Arctic aboard the MS Mikhail Svetlov 18th August to 2nd SEPTEMBER 2015 Scottintsy
he vast untouched regions of Siberia offer a unique travel experience for the genuine traveller. The scarcity of roads and railways means Tthat the most common method of transportation is by river. The Lena, one of the mightiest rivers in the Russian Federation, flows through the Yakutia-Sakha Republic in north-east Siberia into the Arctic Ocean.
During this unique river cruise we will sail through unspoiled natural scenery, taking a short detour to the Lena Pillars National Park before continuing downstream to where the river meets the Arctic Ocean at the polar harbour of Tiksi before heading back to Yakutsk.
From the comfort of your floating hotel, the MS Mikhail Svetlov, you will see the landscape slowly change from verdant taiga to polar tundra and enjoy the magical “white nights” in a place where the sun barely sets in summer. One of the most fascinating aspects of the cruise will be the opportunity to visit the people in riverside settlements along the way. Their culture, lifestyle and language will be a constant source of wonder especially their ability to thrive in the most hostile of environments. During the cruise there will be a series of fascinating onboard lectures on the former USSR, icon painting, relations between Russia and her neighbours and Russia’s great rivers.
Itinerary Highlights • “White nights” in the Arctic Circle • The legendary Lena Pillars • Unspoiled tundra and taiga scenery • The Lena River Delta and the Arctic Ocean • Ethnographical open-air museum in Sottintsy • Authentic folklore performances
Yakutian Children Tundra Wildflowers www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Day 9 Tiksi. Today we will see the first ice floes, evidence that we are approaching the Arctic Ocean. In the morning you will learn about the customs and traditions of the peoples of the Far North and around lunch time we will slowly enter Neelov Bay. After a walk across the barren tundra we visit the port city of Tiksi, the northern-most point on this cruise where we visit the polar museum.
Day 10 Lena Delta. Today we sail through the Lena River Delta, admiring its countless tributaries, channels, lakes and over 1,500 islands of varying sizes.
Day 11 Mouth of the Siktyakh River. In the late afternoon, we arrive at the mouth of the Siktyakh River, where you will visit a small settlement and learn about the simple life of a fishing family in the Arctic region. In the afternoon you will hear the fairy tales and legends of the peoples of the Far North.
The Arctic The Lena Pillars National Park Day 12 Out of the Arctic Circle. Circle is located at latitude 66°33’44. Today will be the second time we cross this line and in the afternoon there will be a King Neptune festival to Day 5 Cruising. Today we arrive in central Yakutia, celebrate. a region characterised by numerous lakes and marshes. The Lena is up to 20 metres deep here Day 13 The 40 Islands. After leaving behind the and the river bed significantly widens, causing the expansive river delta, you will sail by the mouths river to split into many different streams. From of the Vilyuy and Aldan Rivers. Between Zhigansk the ship’s deck you will also be able to enjoy and the mouth of the Vilyuy there lies a natural magnificent views. boundary, the 40 islands. In fact, there are far Reindeer more than 40 islands here and the views are truly Day 6 Mouth of the Vilyuy River. Today we reach spectacular. The Itinerary the mouth of the Vilyuy River, the longest tributary Day 1 London to Yakutsk. Fly by scheduled flight on the left bank of the Lena. Enjoy a picnic on the Day 14 Cruising. Today we sail along one of via Moscow to Yakutsk. banks of the river and try some Ukha fish soup. the loveliest stretches on the Lena. Weather depending, we will walk along the banks of a wild Day 2 Yakutsk. Arrive in Yakutsk this morning Day 7 Zhigansk. Today we enter the Arctic Circle river. Later enjoy a typical Yakutian barbecue. where you will be welcomed by your tour guides and visit the first settlement inside it, Zhigansk. and escorted to your centrally located hotel for This small rural town is home to 3,000 people, Day 15 Sottintsy. Around lunchtime we moor an overnight stay. After breakfast, join a city tour who hunt, fish and breed livestock for a living. We at Sottintsy. Join the excursion to the Druzhba and visit the fascinating Mammoth Museum and visit the local cultural and historical museum and open-air Ethnographic Museum. This evening join the Permafrost Institute. This evening join your typical Yakutian wooden huts. your fellow travellers for the Captain’s Farewell fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the hotel cocktails and dinner. followed by a performance by a group of Yakutian Day 8 Kyusyur. In the afternoon we arrive in artists. Kyusyur, a small settlement inside the Arctic Circle. Day 16 Yakutsk to London. Disembark after The men here breed reindeer, while the women breakfast and transfer to the airport for your Day 3 Yakutsk. Today we visit the Treasures of create clothing decorated with fur and beads. In return scheduled flight to London via Moscow. the Sakha Republic museum and the Museum of this idyllic setting we will enjoy a performance by Archaeology and Ethnography. Before transferring local musicians. to the MS Mikhail Svetlov for embarkation. Settle into your cabin as we cast off heading upstream Prices per person based on double occupancy towards the Lena Pillars. DOUBLE SOLE Day 4 Lena Pillars. This morning we reach the CAT CABIN DESCRIPTION OCCUPANCY OCCUPANCY Lena Pillars National Park with its impressive rock 1 Main deck twin cabin £5695 £6995 pillars measuring up to 200 metres in height. 2 Boat deck twin cabin £6195 N/A Take part in a shamanic welcome ceremony with Price includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, overnight hotel accommodation in Yakutsk, 13 nights ritualistic dancing and traditional purification rites. aboard the MS Mikhail Svetlov on full board basis, shore excursions, tour manager, airport taxes, port taxes, transfers, gratuities to local guides, drivers and porters. The ship will then set a course northward and Not included: Travel insurance, visa. head downstream. NB: Ports subject to change. Water levels may affect the itinerary.
+44 (0)20 7752 0000 Cabin
Restaurant
MS Mikhail Svetlov
or this unique exploration of the Lena River we are working with Lernidee, our German associates and the FMS Mikhail Svetlov which accommodates 136 passengers and is perfectly suited for navigation of the Lena River.
Your Cabin Life Onboard All cabins are equipped with comfortable There is a diverse programme of onboard furniture and measure approximately 10.66 activities including various small exhibitions square metres (single cabins 6.8 square metres), to familiarise you with the peoples of the Far have individually controlled air conditioning/ North and their handicrafts, famous icons, and heating and are appointed with a wardrobe, Russian authors and composers. There will also chest of drawers, table, chair and sofa. Cabins be a series of fascinating presentations on topics also feature a private en-suite shower and toilet such as the Cossacks’ conquest of Siberia, Arctic facilities. There is a large picture window in each Ocean expeditions, life on the Lena today and cabin and all sleeping quarters are equipped with in Soviet times, and the taiga and tundra in two-pin electrical outlets. addition to Russian language classes. You will also have the chance to experience food and Your Space drink specialities of the region, enjoy a traditional Siberian teatime, local delicacies and of course, There is plenty of space to relax onboard and Lounge caviar and vodka. admire the passing scenery. There is a panoramic salon where you can relax with a book, play chess, socialise with fellow travellers or simply SUN DECK admire the picturesque surroundings of the Lena river and its banks from the comfortable arm- chairs. There is also a spacious sun deck. The OPEN AIR GALLERY CINEMA reception is conveniently located and manned at all times as is the onboard medical centre. BOAT DECK 201 231 227 223 219 215 211 209 207 205 203 Your Dining 233 229 225 221 217 213 CONCERT HALL HALL The spacious restaurant in located on the Main 200 232 228 224 220 216 212 210 208 206 204 202 234 230 226 222 218 214 Deck and serves a combination of local and international dishes and tea and coffee are MAIN DECK SALON included with your meals. Special requests can 135 131 127 123 119 115 111 107 101 105 103 be catered for, please let us know at the time you 137 133 129 125 121 117 113 109 SPA RESTAURANT H make your booking. 130 126 122 118 114 110 106 104 102 100 132 128 124 120 116 112 108
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2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk
All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: The Lena River’s Unspoilt Natural Landscape.