Bro Franzjosefland 12.Cwk (WP)

Home , Alexandra Land, British Channel, Champ Island, Hooker Island, Northbrook Island, Rudolf Island

ITINERARY IN BRIEF

DAY 1 NEW YORK to REYKJAVIK & OSLO, NORWAY Tues Aug 7 Passengers depart from JFK on IcelandAir #614 for Reykjavik. DAY 2 REYKJAVIK TO OSLO, NORWAY Wed Aug 8 6:15 am Arrive in Reykjavik. 7:50 Depart on connecting IcelandAir flight #318 to Oslo. 12:20 pm Arrive in Oslo. Transfer by shuttle to our hotel at the Oslo airport. We recommend a visit to the Fram Museum for an introduction to Fridjhof Nansen’s exploration of the Arctic this afternoon. Fridjhof drifted for three years on board Fram in the Arctic ice, and then took a dogsled across the ice to Franz Josef Land where he overwintered. DAY 3 OSLO to KIRKENES Thur Aug 9 Transfer by hotel shuttle to the Oslo Airport. 8:55 am Depart on our SAS flight #4472 to Kirkenes. 11:00 Arrive Kirkenes. At leisure until 4 pm. Transfer on own to the ship, M/V Ortelius. 4:00 pm Embark the ship. Welcome on board ship and begin the voyage with introductions and dinner. DAY 4 AT ANCHOR NEAR MURMANSK Fri Aug 10 We will arrive in Murmansk in the early morning, and be at anchor for a time while we clear customs and immigration. Enjoy lectures on Arctic ecosystems, bird identification, or other topics. All meals daily on board ship. DAYS 5/6 AT SEA TO FRANZ JOSEF LAND Sat/Sun Aug 11/12 Enjoy sailing through the high north toward the 80th parallal and Franz Josef Land. Look for whales and seals en route, and a variety of sea birds. DAY 7 BELL ISLAND & CAPE FLORA Mon Aug 13 We make a landing on Bell Island, near Eira Lodge, the station of Leigh Smith, who overwintered in 1881. Then we sail to Cape Flora on Northbrook Island, an important site in the history of Polar exploration, where a century ago, several expeditions had their base. On the cliffs behind Cape Flora, there are large colonies of Brünnich's Guillemots. It is an exciting view to witness the young birds when they try to glide from the ledges to the sea. This is one of the best places for wildflowers. In Günther Bay at Northbrook Island we make a zodiac cruise near an important haul-out place for Walruses. DAY 8 HOOKER ISLAND Tues Aug 14 Today we will see Rubini Rock in Tichaia Bay on Hooker Island which has colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds like Brünnich's Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Little Auks, Fulmars and Kittiwakes. We should also see Bearded and Harp Seals and visit the Sedov Research station, the first Russian station in Franz Josef Land. Sightings of Polar Bears are likely. Bowhead or Greenland Whales have also been seen in this area. DAY 9 BRITISH CHANNEL & NANSEN SITE ON JACKSON ISLAND Wed Aug 15

If sea ice conditions allow in the British Channel, we shall try to sail to Cape Norvegia on Jackson Island, where Nansen and Johansen spent the winter after they had left their ship, "Fram". A commemorative plaque and maybe the log used by them marks the site. DAY 10 RUDOLF ISLAND OR ALEXANDRA LAND Thu Aug 16 If sea ice conditions are light we will sail to Rudolf Island, the northernmost island of the archipelago or Apollonia Island, another large haul-out for walruses. Alternatively we may land at Alexandra Land at an Ivory Gull colony. DAY 11 CAMP ZIEGLER Fri Aug 17 Camp Ziegler on Alger Island has remains of polar expeditions from a century ago. The island is in a beautiful setting and is surrounded by massive mountainous islands with towering glacier fronts. On Champ Island we find a special geological phenomenon, perfectly round stone balls of more than 1 m in diameter. DAY 12 CAPE TEGETHOFF OR WILCZEK ISLAND Sat Aug 18 If weather conditions for the home voyage will not be adverse we will try to land in the very early morning at Cape Tegethoff or Wilczek Island in the south, where we again find the remains of the stations of early polar explorers such as the Austrians, Weyprecht and Payer, who first discovered Franz Joseph Land in the 19th century. Day 13 & 14 AT SEA EN ROUTE TO MURMANSK Sun/Mon Aug 19/20 Look for whales and sea birds en route to Murmansk, and enjoy the vast Arctic sky and solitude. DAY 15 MURMANSK - KIRKENES - OSLO Tues Aug 21 In the morning, we will debark ship in the port of Murmansk and travel to Kirkenes by coach. First we will drive south along the Murmansk Fjord. We will cross a river streaming into the fjord, and then drive W-NW into northern Norway. We will pass through taiga and birch forests, with some autumn colors. In the higher areas, we will see low-Arctic tundra with bushes. We will be driving through areas of Sami reindeer herders so be on the lookout. After the Russian/Norwegian border crossing, we will drive along the beautiful shore of Hardanger Fjord to Kirkenes. Evening flight to Oslo for overnight. DAY 16 OSLO TO HOME Wed Aug 22 Passengers depart on individual flight arrangements to the USA. Arrive USA the same day.

COSTS & CONDITIONS Expedition Fee: Voyage rate per person is based on twin share or quad share of a cabin with private or share facilities on board the polar vessel, M/V Ortelius + air fare of approx. $1,195 from New York to Oslo, RT on IcelandAir plus air fare approx. $395 Oslo to Kirkenes RT on board SAS (fares subject to availability and fare changes until ticketed). Plus Oslo hotel and transfers. Rates per person based on: Quad (share facilities) ...... $ 7,100 + air + Oslo Twin (share facilties) ...... $ 8,250 + air + Oslo Twin Porthole (private facilities) ...... $ 9,650 + air + Oslo Twin Window (private facilities) ...... $10,000 + air + Oslo Superior (private facilities) ...... $12,000 + air + Oslo Suite (private facilities) ...... $13,150 + air + Oslo **** ALL RESERVATIONS BOOKED AND PAID BY MARCH 15, 2012 WILL RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT. Fuel Surcharge: It is agreed that if fuel prices will exceed US Dollar 90 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure that Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US dollars $25 per passenger per night or $300 for the 12-night voyage. Single Supplement: We encourage all singles to share. If you prefer single accommodations or do not have a roommate, the single supplement rate is 1.7 times the per person cabin rate quoted above (excluding Superior or Suites, where the rate is 2.0 times the per person cabin rate). Questions: Please call Taunya DeYoung Phone (800) 252-4910 or (408) 252-4910 Fax (408) 252-1444 Email [email protected] Expedition Fee Includes: Accommodations on board ship quad share or twin share in category of your choice, plus Zodiac and shore excursions, lecture program, meals, port taxes and fees, coach transfer from Murmansk to Kirkenes; and administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air fare (quoted separately); Oslo hotel; transfers in Oslo or Kirkenes; independent excursion to Fram in Oslo; meals except on board ship; tips to ship’s crew or naturalists; fuel surcharge if any; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages; fax or email on board ship; passport, personal insurance; or foreign airport departure taxes. What to Expect: A tremendous voyage of discovery to the Franz Josef Land archipelago in the High Arctic! Discover wildlife and great scenic vistas, remote bird colonies, whales, walrus, and more, in this land of the great Arctic explorers Nansen, Weyprecht and Payer. Learn about the history of Arctic exploration, and the history, geology, glaciers, polar bears, and more in a fantastic Arctic ecosystem. Expect temperatures in the 30’s to 40’s with a sea breeze. Walks may be over damp or uneven terrain, glacial ice, or snow. The itinerary is subject to change based on weather or sea conditions beyond our control . The captain has final say on any decision made with regards to the vessel’s itinerary. Such decisions will be made in the best interests of the safety of the passengers and vessel. With this in mind, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime voyage of discovery and adventure. (No smoking in vehicles, zodiacs, or during meals or lectures please.) M/V Ortelius: The ice-strengthened Ortelius is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises, providing possibilities to visit remote locations such as Franz Josef Land. Ortelius is named for the Dutch/Felmish cartographer, Abraham Ortelius, who published the first modern world atlas in 1570. At that time, the atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. Ortelius has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore able to navigate in solid one-year sea ice, if necessary, and loose multi-year pack ice. It accommodates 100 passengers, and has large open-deck spaces and a large bridge accessible to passengers. It is manned by a crew of 55 - 60 people, including a doctor. All cabins are spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or two windows per cabin. There are: 5 quad cabins with bunk beds and shared facilities. 14 twin cabins with 2 lower berths and share facilities. 9 twin cabins with porthole, 2 lower berths, and private toilet and shower. 10 twin cabins with windows, 2 lower berths, and private toilet and shower. 6 superior cabins with double beds, private toilet and shower, and separate day room. 1 suite with double bed, private toilet and shower and separate day room. The ship offers a comfortable hotel standard, a bar/lecture room, and sauna. Voyages are designed to spend as much time ashore as possible. Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: For assistance with flights, please contact Taunya DeYoung for assistance, email [email protected] or phone (800) 252-4910. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL TICKETED. Reservations, Deposits, & Payments: Please mail a deposit of $1,500 per person with the completed reservation form to: Franz Josel Land 2012, Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. If questions, phone Taunya (800) 252-4910 or fax (408) 252-1444. Email: [email protected] Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit of $1500 per person is refundable up to 60 days before departure less a handling fee of $750 per person. There is no refund after the 60-day period unless your place is resold, then only the $750 per person handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals or other expedition features. SEE RESERVATION FORM ON NEXT PAGE ------RESERVATIONS #1256 YES! I/We want to join the Franz Josef Land Expedition, August 7 - 22, 2012, offered by Betchart Expeditions Inc. Please reserve _____ space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $______($1,500 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) ______Age ______Sex ______Age ______Sex ______Address ______City ______State ______ZIP ______Phone: Home (____) ______Work (____) ______Email #1: ______#2: ______Accommodations Preference: _____ Nonsmoker _____ Smoker Quad with share facilities _____ Twin with porthole (share facilities) _____ Twin with porthole (private facilities) _____ Twin with window (private facilities) _____ Superior Cabin (private facilities) _____ Suite (private facilities) _____ Single (twin porthole, share facilities) _____ Single (twin window, share facilities) _____ Signature: ______Date: ______Signature: ______Date: ______Please mail to: Franz Josef Land 2012 Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Chemical Society, and Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. The voyage is solely the responsibiltiy of Oceanwide Expeditions of Holland. We can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or 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, weather, sickness, 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 provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to 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 arrangements 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.