NOME TO SEWARD: RUSSIAN FAR EAST & EXPEDITION CRUISE

Join us to sail from Alaska to and back across the , experiencing all the natural wonders these starkly beautiful places have to offer. In Chukotka cruise the spectacular bird cliffs at Cape Kuyveveem and see the museum in Provideniya. In Alaska, look for seals and birds at , and see Bald Eagles up close in Dutch Harbor. See the large population of Northern fur seals at St. Paul Island. Throughout the voyage, learn about the history, geology, wildlife and botany of these locations from lecture presentations offered by your knowledgeable onboard Expedition Team.

ITINERARY

Day 1 NOME (ALASKA) Nome is located on the edge of the Bering Sea, on the southwest side of the Seward Peninsula. Unlike other towns which are named for explorers, heroes or politicians, Nome was named as a result of a 50 year-old spelling error. In the 1850's an officer on a British ship off the coast of Alaska noted on a manuscript map that a nearby prominent point was not identified. He wrote "? Name" next to the point.

Day 2 DATE LINE LOSE A DAY

Day 3 PROVIDENIYA Provideniya is a former Soviet military port at the southern limit of the Arctic ice pack. With slightly less than 2000 inhabitants,

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com many of whom are Yupik, it is the largest town and with rolling behind. The sheer granite rocks, distinct administrative center of the Providensky District. Started as a basalt caves and arches of the cape are home to thousands of depot for the Northeast Passage traffic, it now is a port of entry Tufted Puffins that nest in rocky crevasses. Despite the cliffs on to the Russian Far East and since the decline of the Soviet either side of the bay being quite close together, the adjacent Union eco-tourism has boosted the local economy. The town terrains are slightly different and each attracts different species has a Technical School and a fascinating museum with of birds. interesting and well-presented exhibits about the natural history and wildlife of the region. Day 6 HALL ISLAND (ALASKA) & ST. MATTHEW ISLAND (ALASKA) Hall Island is one of the most remote islands in Alaska. Every Day 4 PROLIV SENYAVINA (HOT SPRINGS) & YTTYGRAN ISLAND summer this small rock island, in the middle of the Bering Sea, To the Proliv Senyavina Hot Springs. We will go ashore by comes alive as about a million seabirds gather to breed and Zodiac, will enter a small lagoon and hike across tundra and nest. They cling shoulder to shoulder on every available rock some rolling hills to reach a stream with some hot springs. You ledge. The most common seabirds include blacklegged can choose to either enter a small pool prepared by the local kittiwakes, common and thick-billed murres, auklets, fishermen, or to go into the stream. Yttygran offers a unique cormorants and northern fulmars St. Matthew Island is an natural history experience on this voyage. An array of bowhead extremely remote island in the middle of the Bering Sea, more whale bones and rock arrangements is stunning – it is a place than 200 miles from the nearest Alaska village. Even by of great archaeological importance combined with natural Alaskan standards it is a lonely place. At the most southerly beauty. An early morning landing will add to the magic and point of the 32 mile long island, at Cape Upright, the black mystery of the place due to the soft hues and the muffled light sand and gravel beaches give way to massive sea cliffs that conditions. For the more energetic passengers a hike up the exceed heights of over 1000 ft. These are home to countless steep nearby hill provides an excellent leg stretch. nesting murres, kittiwakes, cormorants and other sea birds. In fact, reports of the island’s wildlife by the Harriman Expedition Day 5 DATE LINE GAIN A DAY - DAY AT SEA & CAPE KUYVEVEEM in 1899 convinced Teddy Roosevelt to include St. Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that Day 7 ST. PAUL ISLAND (ALASKA) is whale watching from the Observatory Lounge, writing home to The city of Saint Paul is located on a narrow peninsula on the your loved ones or simply topping up your tan by the pool, southern tip of St. Paul Island, the largest of five islands in the these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent Pribilofs. These islands are located in the middle of the Bering exploring shore side. Like bookends, towering cliffs composed Sea between the and Russia. St Paul’s lies 240 of light-colored granite and streaked by darker rock stand on miles north of the , 300 miles west of the each side of a large sheltered bay in the spectacular scenery of Alaska mainland, and 750 air miles west of Anchorage. The city Cape Kuyvyveen. The sandy beach lies at the head of the bay of St. Paul is the only residential area on the island. The first

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com non-natives to ‘discover’ St. Paul were Russian fur-traders in the Larsen Bay is one of the hotspots of commercial and sports late 1780’s, led by the navigator, Gavriil Pribylov. fishing on Kodiak Island’s western side. The village of Larsen Bay is home to one of the oldest standing canneries on Kodiak Day 8 DUTCH HARBOR Island. Situated in a scenic valley at the mouth of a narrow The crumpled peaks, and tranquil scenery, of Dutch Harbor fjord, the small village of Larsen Bay lies within Kodiak Island’s belies its history as one of the few places on American soil to National Wildlife Refuge -which covers the southwestern part of have been directly attacked by the Japanese - who bombed the Kodiak Island- and is the starting point for scenic flights over significant US military base here during the Second World War. the mountainous island. Located on a string of islands, which loops down into the Pacific from Alaska, a visit to this Aleutian Island destination offers Day 12 CHISWELL ISLANDS (ALASKA) & HOLGATE GLACIER (ALASKA) comprehensive military history, and extraordinary ocean The Chiswell Islands are part of the Alaska Maritime National scenery. Hike the volcanic, gloriously green landscapes, and Wildlife Refuge, and deservedly so. Small bays, inlets and sea look out for wonderful wildlife, like bald eagles, as they survey cliffs are populated by innumerable seabirds including the surroundings. Black-legged Kittiwakes, Pelagic Cormorants, Horned and Tufted Puffins, as wells as guillemots, auklets and murrelets. The Day 9 UNGA ISLAND Chiswell Islands are blessed with towering cliffs and sea caves The Aleutian island of Unga holds an ancient petrified wood offering up spectacular scenery and a Steller sea lion rookery forest and a more recent ghost town that was the site of a small that bustles as the marine mammals commute to feeding gold rush in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The village was grounds, socialize, and care for their pups. Kenai Fjords eventually abandoned in the 1960’s and now has a somewhat National Park’s famous Holgate Glacier is a spectacularly active somber appearance. Many of the houses have collapsed and river of ice. The surrounding glaciated landscape paints a are overgrown with brilliant fuchsia fireweed wildflowers. From a dramatic portrait of the rugged mountains in contrast to the distance the church looks intact, but up closer it is apparent cold blue ice of the glacier. On approach, the waters leading up that the roof is standing on the ground, and the walls have to Holgate Glacier may be peppered with bits of ice and the completely collapsed. crackling noise of ancient air bubbles being released from small bergs. Periodically loud cannon-like blasts emanate from the Day 10 CASTLE BAY (ALASKA) glacier, and some are accompanied by calving events off the ice Castle Bay lies immediately west of Tuliumnit or Castle Point. front. The rugged sandstone tower and pinnacle formations give the point and the bay their names. The bay is several miles long Day 13 SEWARD (ANCHORAGE, ALASKA) with a entrance about two mile wide It is hard to believe that a place as beautiful as Seward exists. Surrounded on all sides by Kenai Fjords National Park, Chugach Day 11 KODIAK ISLAND (LARSEN BAY) National Forest, and Resurrection Bay, Seward offers all the

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com quaint realities of a small railroad town with the bonus of jaw-dropping scenery. This little town of about 2,750 citizens was founded in 1903, when survey crews arrived at the ice-free port and began planning a railroad to the Interior. Since its inception, Seward has relied heavily on tourism and commercial fishing.

Please Note: Expedition highlights and itinerary listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and/or ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation. Ports and sites to be visited in the Russian Far East depend on permits which are usually only handed out a few months before a voyage.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: SILVER CLOUD

YOUR SHIP: Silver Cloud explorations.

VESSEL TYPE:

LENGTH:

PASSENGER CAPACITY:

BUILT/REFURBISHED:

With 18-brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants in Antarctica and a pole to pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud really does break the ice between expedition and luxury. Spacious yet intimate, designed to cross oceans and yet able to slip up rivers and into hidden harbours with ease, the yacht-like Silver Cloud carries just 296 guests in incomparable comfort and style. Combining spacious ocean-view suites and private verandas with stunning dining and entertainment options, Silver Cloud provides world-class cruise accommodations, service and amenities. After extensive refurbishment, Silver Cloud is the most spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her unparalleled service make her truly special. Her four dining options will tantalise your taste buds and as 80% of her suites include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few cavorting penguins has never been so personal. She carries a limited number of guests in polar waters, meaning that Silver Cloud has the highest space to guest and crew to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 18 zodiacs, 10 kayaks, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com