Arktis Eisbrecher-Expeditionen IB KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV POLARADVENTURES Schiffs- und Flug-Expeditionen in Arktis und Antarktis Reiseagentur * Heinrich-Böll-Str. 40 * D-21335 Lüneburg * Deutschland Tel +49-4131- 223474 Fax +49-4131-54255 [email protected] www.polaradventures.de Saison 201 9 Reederei Direkt-Angebote ab-bis Hafen für individuelle Planungen alle Abfahrten der Saison inkl. englischsprachiger Termine POLARADVENTURES Schiffs- und Flug-Expeditionen in Arktis und Antarktis Reiseagentur * Heinrich-Böll-Str. 40 * D-21335 Lüneburg * Deutschland Tel +49-4131- 223474 Fax +49-4131-54255 [email protected] www.polaradventures.de IN DETAIL • Expedition Staff & Crew: 70 INTRODUCING • Guests: 110 KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV • Length: 122.5m Last year we promised exciting projects were afoot at Heritage • Beam: 26.5m Expeditions, and we are exceptionally excited and proud to announce • Draft: 8.5m we will be operating world-renowned Soviet icebreaker and former research vessel Kapitan Khlebnikov for our Wrangel Island expeditions. • Gross Tonnage: 12,288gt The addition of Kapitan Khlebnikov to Heritage Expeditions’ fleet enables • Engine: 24,000 horsepower us to provide an unrivalled platform for High Arctic exploration combining • Ice Class: LL3 the exceptional navigation capabilities of Kapitan Khlebnikov with our intrepid expedition programs and experienced team. • Cruising speed: 12/14 knots This peerless, authentic polar-class icebreaker holds the passenger ship • Zodiacs: 10 record for the most crossings of the Northwest Passage and has famously circumnavigated Antarctica – twice. Built in 1981 by Finland’s Wärtsilä Company and one of four Kapitan Sorokin-class icebreakers, Kapitan ONBOARD FACILITIES Khlebnikov wraps comfortable surrounds in a formidable, ice-reinforced vessel capable of breaking ice as thick as two metres. Powered by 24,000 • 2 Dining Rooms horsepower diesel-electric engines, she is designed for conquering the • 24 hour Tea/Coffee Station harshest conditions and allows the next-level experiential exploration Heritage Expeditions is renowned for. • Bar Recently refurbished, Kapitan Khlebnikov comfortably accommodates • Lounge up to 110 guests in well-appointed and spacious cabins and suites all • Heated Swimming Pool/Sauna/ featuring large windows that can be opened and en suite facilities. Common areas include large open decks, two dining rooms, a digitally- Exercise Room equipped theatre-style lecture room, heated indoor pool, sauna, • Theatre Style Lecture Room gymnasium, fully-stocked library, bar, lounge and four-person elevator. • Fully stocked Library • Four person elevator • Clinic/Hospital • Ship to Shore Communications via Satellite OFFICERS’ CABINS W/C W/C CAPTAIN 825 823 821 819 817 815 813 DECK 8 While the surrounds might be new, our legacy as a family-owned and operated expedition company continues to grow with a team of world renowned naturalists, botanists, historians and experts on hand to interpret 724 722 720 718 716 714 712 710 702 the natural and human history discovered during your voyage, as well as hosting regular lectures, presentations and opportunities for experiential W/C 706 learning. Similarly, voyagers aboard Kapitan Khlebnikov will continue to AUDITORIUM enjoy our signature, gourmet cuisine alongside a premium selection of OFFICE New Zealand wines. W/C Guests can enjoy exceptional views from the bridge, via our open bridge 701 policy, deck and various viewing areas around this remarkable vessel, 721 719 717 715 713 711 709 while a fleet of 10 Zodiacs manned by our experienced expedition team DECK 7 ensures maximum time for ice exploration. ACCOMMODATION 624 622 620 618 616 612 610 606 Heritage Suites feature a large lounge area, separate bedroom with double bed and a single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and W/C 602 drawers. They have a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin while large, forward and side-facing windows offer fantastic views. 605 W/C Mini Suites have a separate bedroom with a double bed and a single bed or sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. They feature 601 private bathroom facilities with shower, toilet and washbasin and side- 623 621 619 617 615 613 611 609 facing windows. DECK 6 Superior Plus cabins include two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. They feature private bathroom facilities with shower, toilet and washbasin and side-facing windows. BAR 522 520 514 512 LOUNGE 523 521 509 LIBRARY DECK 5 Images: © Sam Crimmin EXPEDITION DOSSIER 8TH – 22ND JULY 2019 CHUKOTKA – WHERE RUSSIA’S DAY BEGINS TO WRANGEL AND HERALD ISLANDS © S Blanc TO WRANGEL AND CHUKOTKA – WHERE RUSSIA’S DAY BEGINS HERALD ISLANDS This unique expedition crosses the Arctic Circle and includes the isolated and pristine Wrangel and Herald Islands and a significant section of the wild North Eastern Siberian coastline. It is a journey only made possible in recent years by the thawing in the politics of the region and the retreat of summer pack ice in the Chukchi Sea. The very small distance between Russia and the USA along this border area was known as the Ice Curtain, behind which then and now lies one of the last great undiscovered wilderness areas in the world. The voyage journeys through the narrow Bering Strait, which separates Russia from the United States of America, and then travels west along the Chukotka coastline before crossing the De Long Strait to Wrangel Island. There we will © M Kelly spend four to five days under the guidance of local rangers on the nature reserve. Untouched by glaciers during the last ice age, this island is a treasure trove of Arctic biodiversity and is perhaps best known for the multitude of Polar Bears that breed here. We hope to catch many glimpses of © J Shaw this beautiful animal. The island also boasts the world’s largest population of Pacific Walrus and lies near major feeding grounds for the Gray Whales that migrate thousands of kilometres north from their breeding grounds in Baja, Mexico. Reindeer, Musk Ox and Snow Geese can normally be seen further inland. A visit to massive bird cliffs on nearby Herald Island is also planned. The ‘mammoth steppe’ vegetation complex, a rich and diverse relic from the Pleistocene epoch nurtures over 400 plant species and never fails to astound © D Brown visitors with its sublime beauty. The number and type of endemic The human history of Wrangel recently, the establishment of this plant species, the diversity within Island is fascinating on its own. world class nature reserve. A host of plant communities, the presence Highlights include a 3,400 year similarly enthralling stories hail from of relatively recent mammoth tusks old Paleo Eskimo camp in Krassin several optional landings along the and skulls, a range of terrain types Bay, controversy over discovery northern coasts of Chukotka. Our and geological formations in the and ownership of the island, the expert expedition team will take you small geographical space are amazing story of the survivors of the on guided walks, Zodiac cruises and all visible evidence of Wrangel’s Karluk, Ada Blackjack the heroine provide lectures to help you better rich natural history and its unique of the island, the Soviet occupation understand and appreciate this evolutionary status within the Arctic. and militarisation and more unique High Arctic landscape. 2 WWW.HERITAGE-EXPEDITIONS.COM [email protected] TO WRANGEL AND CHUKOTKA – WHERE RUSSIA’S DAY BEGINS HERALD ISLANDS Day 2: Anadyrskiy Bay lonely outpost. It is also an historic As we sail across Anadyrskiy Bay landmark named after the Siberian towards the Bering Strait there will be Cossack, Semyon Dezhnev, who in introductory lectures, an introduction 1648 became the first European to to the staff and ship and a series sail from the Arctic to the Pacific. of compulsory briefings and drills. There will also be a chance to A steep scramble from the beach relax or enjoy some ‘birding’ with brings you to an abandoned our naturalists and/or settle into Border Guard base, a monument ship life and for many of you adjust to Dezhnev and another to all the to the time changes. Late this sailors who have sailed these seas. © M Kelly afternoon we will be in the vicinity of Preobrazheniya Bay where there are Cape Prince of Wales in Alaska lies ITINERARY some outstanding ‘Bird Cliffs’ which 89km across Bering Strait. A few we will Zodiac cruise before dinner. nautical miles to the west of Cape NOTE: You can join this expedition Dezhnev we visit Uelen Village; the either in Anadyr or in Nome, Alaska. Day 3: Yttygran, Nuneangan and most north-eastern village in Russia. Those starting in Nome will fly by a Arakamchechen Islands Archaeological work has revealed Heritage Expeditions charter flight that walrus, seal and whale hunters Yttygran Island is home to the to Anadyr and will join the ship and have lived here for over 2,000 monumental ancient aboriginal the expedition members who have years. Today the population is site known as Whale Bone Alley. travelled direct to Anadyr. predominantly Chukchi, with some Whalebones stretch along the Russians and Inuit. Hunting is still very beach for nearly half a kilometre. Day 0: Nome important but the village is also one There are many meat pits used for Those departing from Nome, Alaska, of the largest centres for traditional storage and other remains of a busy should arrive in Nome before Chukchi and Inuit art in the world. whaling camp that united several midday and preferably the previous aboriginal villages at a time. In night. We will be entertained by villagers one location, immense Bowhead and visit the bone-carving workshop Whale jawbones and ribs are On arrival, you should check in with placed together in a stunning arch Bering Air at the Nome Airport who formation. will have details of our charter flight. During this flight you will cross the Gray Whales are frequently seen International Date Line, arriving into around the island.