RUSSIAN ARCTIC, SPITSBERGEN - FRANZ JOSEF LAND This ambitious expedition into the 192-island archipelago of Franz Josef Land gives you the opportunity to spot such exotic Arctic wildlife as polar bears, Greenland whales, and an assortment of seal and seabird species, while also visiting the remains of historic 19th-century expeditions. ITINERARY Day 1: The start of your Arctic adventure We set out from Longyearbyen at 16.00 hours, hoping to get some initial sightings of local seabirds and marine life along the way. Days 2 & 3: Sailing the Spitsbergen ice edge The next two days we spend sailing eastward, exploring the ice edge north of Spitsbergen. Here we might see seals, whales, seabirds, and even polar bears. Day 4: First sights of Franz Josef Land Today we approach the Russian base Nagurskoye on the Franz Josef Land island of Alexandra Land. We will the Russian base at Nagurskoye from the ship, but we will not land there. After getting clearance from Russia, we will then welcome on board four guides / inspectors from the Russian Arctic National Park. Later in the day, we aim to make our first landing on the southern part of Arthur Island. In the Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land, polar bear sightings are likely. Day 5: Historic expeditions on Rudolf Island 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com The goal is to sail to Rudolf Island, the northernmost island of the Franz Josef history of polar exploration. More than a century ago, several expeditions had Land archipelago. Here we hope to land near an abandoned Russian station their bases here, and on the cliffs behind Cape Flora are large colonies of in Teplitz Bay, seeing some reminders of the Italian and American expeditions Brünnich’s guillemots. It is exciting to witness the younger birds trying to glide here around the turn of the 19th century. We will try to land at Cape Fligely, from the ledges to the sea. At Günther Bay, we may take a Zodiac cruise near the northernmost landmass in Eurasia, but may also change the order of these an important haul-out site for walruses. If landing at Cape Flora is difficult due visits. to sea swell and permission, we will try to land at Bell Island, near Eira Lodge, the station of 19th-century British explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith. Day 6: Walrus haul-outs and Cape Norvegia Day 10: Back to Nagurskoye and Spitsbergen After sailing south, we will reach Apollonov Island, a large haul-out site for walruses, which you might be able to see from our Zodiacs. At Cape Norvegia In the morning, we will return to Nagurskoye. Here our four inspectors from on Jackson Island, our aim is to visit the site where Nansen and Johansen Franz Josef Land National Park will leave the ship, after which we’ll sail west to spent the winter after leaving the m/v Fram in 1895. Later we will sail Spitsbergen. southeast by Ziegler Island, then continue south through narrow but spectacular straits. Day 11: The seven islands of northern Svalbard Day 7: Geological wonders and historic expeditions In the northernmost area of the Svalbard archipelago lies an island group known as Sjuøyane, which translates to “seven islands.” Here we plan to land Today we land at Cape Tirol, located on the northeast coast of Wiener at the rugged island of Phippsøya, where you may be able to see more Neustadt Island in the Austrian Straight. This cape was named by the walruses. Austrian-Hungaryan Tegthoff Expedition and was climbed by its leader, Julius von Payer, in spring of 1874. On Champ Island at Cape Trieste, we plan to Day 12: Incredible Krossfjorden scenery make excursions among enormous spherical stone formations, after which we aim to sail by the coast of Alger Island, where the American Baldwin-Ziegler Today we sail into Krossfjorden in the main island of Spitsbergen, where you’ll Expedition had its main camp in 1901-02. This beautiful area is surrounded pass through staggeringly scenic alpine mountaintops, active glaciers, and by mountainous islands boasting impressive glacier fronts. rich vegetation. Day 8: Franz Josef Land’s first-seen location Day 13: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen At the southern tip of Hall Island, we aim to land at Cape Tegethoff. This was We finally return to Svalbard’s principal town, where you will disembark the the first piece of Franz Josef Land to be seen by explorers, specifically the vessel, taking home priceless memories of friends made, wildlife encountered, Austro-Hungarian Expedition, who spotted the cape from their ship, Tegethoff, and a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adventure. in 1873. The American Wellman Expedition of 1898-99 later stayed here, too, and the remains of their octagonal cabin can still be seen. Later in the day, Please Note: we plan to sail through the narrow Negri Channel between Hall Island and All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, McClintok Island, then sail by the coast of Alger Island, where the American weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, Baldwin-Ziegler Expedition had its main camp in 1901-02. This beautiful area permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official is surrounded by mountainous islands boasting impressive glacier fronts. sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is Day 9: Cliffside seabirds and Arctic marine life paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is Early in the morning, we arrive at Rubini Rock on Hooker Island’s Tikhaya Bay. 10.5 knots. Along this impressive cliff face, you can see colonies of seabirds, such as Brünnich’s guillemots, black guillemots, little auks, fulmars, and kittiwakes. You might also see bearded seals, harp seals, or Greenland whales in this area. Next we sail to Cape Flora on Northbrook Island, an important site in the 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: HONDIUS YOUR SHIP: Hondius VESSEL TYPE: Polar Class Expedition Ship LENGTH: 107.6 metres PASSENGER CAPACITY: 170 BUILT/REFURBISHED: 2019 Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd's Register demands for ice-strengthened cruise vessels. Hondius also exceeds the requirements of the Polar Code as adopted by the International to 194 square feet. The passenger capacity certificate for Maritime Organization (IMO), allowing you to enjoy the polar Hondius is 196 persons. One deck consists of a large regions as much as possible while impacting them as little as observation lounge and separate lecture room, which are possible. Upon completion, Hondius will be the most flexible, reserved for a wide variety of interactive workshops, exhibitions, advanced, innovative ice-strengthened vessel in the polar and performances particular to Hondius. Though elegantly regions. It is optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you designed in stylish mid-century modern decor, this vessel holds the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica. true to Oceanwide's distinctive cozy and informal atmosphere. Hondius offers high-quality accommodation for 170 passengers It is our philosophy to keep sea time short so that we can focus in six grand suites with balconies (27 square meters, 291 instead on fast, effective access to shore and near-shore square feet), eight junior suites (19 to 20 square meters, 205 activities. To give you the maximum contact with the nature and to 215 square feet), eight superior cabins (20 to 21 square wildlife you traveled so far to see, we employ a tough fleet of meters, 215 to 226 square feet), 11 twin deluxe cabins, (19 to rigid-hull inflatable Zodiac boats that guarantee swift and safe 21 square meters, 205 to 226 square feet), 14 twin window landing operations for the passengers. Hondius has two cabins (12 to 14 square meters, 129 to 151 square feet) as separate gangways and a sheltered indoor Zodiac embarkation well as 28 twin porthole cabins, two triple porthole cabins, and platform that can also be used for special outdoor activities, four quadruple porthole cabins that vary in size from 12 to 18 such as kayaking. square meters, or 129 Our top priority is taking advantage of every wildlife and terrain opportunity as it occurs. To keep our itineraries flexible 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com itineraries and our response time rapid, Hondius is equipped with advanced stabilizers and two main engines capable of powering the vessel up to 15 knots. But Hondius sacrifices no warmth to achieve its keen polar edge: You will have 72 crew and staff members (including expedition and hotel staff) at your service while on board, ensuring that what little time you do spend on the ship you will spend comfortably entertained. 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP Grand Suite with Private Balcony Junior Suite Quadruple Porthole Superior Triple Porthole Twin Deluxe Twin Porthole Twin Window 0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com PRICING 01-Aug-2022 to 12-Aug-2022 Quadruple Porthole