Scotland, Arctic & Russia 2012 by Emma Savage

expeditions

2012

Scotland, Arctic & Russia

Scotland and Faroe Islands | European Arctic | Russian Arctic | Russian Far East

Reykjavik Reykjavik

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Shetland Islands Islands Shetland

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Spitsbergen Spitsbergen Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

North North Pole Pole 30° 30°

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Novaya Novaya Zemlya Zemlya

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Kara Kara Sea Sea

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2012 EXPEDITION PROGRAM CRUISE DATES

VOYAGE * Kayaking Option # Diving Option

PAGE

WILD SCOTLAND & EUROPEAN ARCTIC 11-24 June 14 days

WILD SCOTLAND AND THE FAROE ISLANDS*#

19-29 July 11 days

SPITSBERGEN ODYSSEY*

29 July-8 Aug 11 days

SPITSBERGEN ODYSSEY*#

8-21 Aug 14 days

JEWELS OF THE ARCTIC *#

21 Aug-3 Sept 14 days

JEWELS OF THE ARCTIC *

R R

RUSSIAN COAST 25 June-7 July 13 days

RING OF FIRE*

7-19 July 13 days

BERING SEA EXPLORER*

19-31 July 13 days

TREASURES OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST*

31 July-13 Aug 14 days

ARCTIC OCEAN DISCOVERER*

13 Aug-7 Sept 26 days

ACROSS THE NORTH EAST PASSAGE*

8-21 Sept 14 days

VOYAGE TO THE END OF THE EARTH*

USA

(Alaska)

Nome

150째

Wrangel Island

180째

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Bering Sea

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Bering Strait

Commander Islands

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Novosibirskie Islands

P A C I F I C

Laptev

Kamchatka Peninsula

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

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Islands

I Sakhalin Island

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Ok hots k

S Korsakov

Hokkaido

JAPAN NOMINAL SCALE 1:25,000,000 0

200

400

Sea of

600 KILOMETRES

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CARTOGRAPHY BY MAPGRAPHX

400 NAUTICAL MILES

Dear Expeditioners, Basking sharks and beluga whales, candle-lit castle ruins and erupting volcanoes, seabirds beyond counting. Whether it’s reindeer herders or polar bears, hot spring soaks or tundra in full flower, our northern hemisphere, high latitude adventures delight the senses. Celebrating our 16th Arctic season with our most exciting program yet, we introduce two sensational new voyages: Treasures of the Russian Far East, page 20, and Arctic Ocean Discoverer, page 24. Our two ice-strengthened expedition ships, Polar Pioneer and Akademik Shokalskiy, offer a total of 13 voyages that span two-thirds of the globe. Our ships operate from Sakalin Island north through the Kuril Islands to Kamchatka and Chukotka, from Bering Strait west across Russia’s nine time zones to the Kola Peninsula, from Spitsbergen west to Greenland and Iceland, and south through the Faroe Islands and Scotland.

Sound exotic? Absolutely! Each voyage is an adventure of remote, wildlife-rich landings, fascinating historical sites and often a welcome into the lives of indigenous families we meet along the way. I’ve had the pleasure of leading Aurora Expeditions’ voyages from Scotland to Russia’s Far East and continue to be startled by the fantastic experiences each day brings. As you read the following pages, see what best captures your imagination. If ever there was inspiration for your dream adventure – this is it! Scuba dive near icebergs in Greenland, kayak with walrus in Chukotka or shy sea lions off the Commander Islands, photograph a thousand whiskered auklets rising around you and wheeling like smoke into the evening sky. Check our optional activities in the Expedition Program on the previous pages. No matter where you join the ship, Aurora Expeditions’ staff and Russian crew welcome you warmly. You’ll feel right at home in the relaxed, casual atmosphere on board, whether or not you’ve travelled with us before. Aurora Expeditions, still pioneering ship-based adventures, remains committed to small, low-impact groups keen to voyage to the heart of nature. Join us on a voyage of exquisite discovery. Howard Whelan Expedition Leader This page: Time for reflection. A northern fulmar glides above the Greenland Sea. Photo Jennifer Harvey. Front Cover: Majestic polar bear mother and cubs survey their domain in the Greenland Sea’s tumbled pack ice. Photo Carol Hall.

Chase your dreams across the top of the world Sail the seven seas and discover spectacular landscapes, exotic wildlife and fascinating cultures. A seafarer’s dream? It could be yours. Our expedition ships Polar Pioneer and Akademik Shokalskiy carry us to remote corners of Scotland and the Faroe Islands, Spitsbergen, Greenland, Iceland and Russia, to places few people have ever been. We follow the planet’s great bird migrations along the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Oceans, and enjoy the seasonal shift of marine mammals as summer opens up the high Arctic. Voyage itineraries are at the mercy of wind,

waves, even pack ice – unpredictability that makes each trip an unforgettable adventure. Over the past 16 years we’ve been privileged to introduce expeditioners to the European Arctic, Scotland and most recently, the Russian coast. We pioneered ship-based adventures, including scuba diving and sea kayaking, and remain committed to small, low-impact groups. The following pages reveal the depth of our program, and we stand ready to help you find the perfect voyage.

Wild Scotland and the Faroe Islands (pp 8-9) (right). Seabird-speckled cliffs, towering sea stacks, mysterious standing stones, secret waterways, glorious mountains and windswept moors. From the mournful beauty of the Outer Hebrides to mountainous Skye, remote outliers Foula and St Kilda to the Orkney’s fertile farmlands and Shetland’s rocky shores, the Scottish Isles offer remarkable diversity. The Faroe Islands are all this, steeped in a Viking past that survives today. Sea kayaking and scuba diving available. Photo Lesley Gordon. European Arctic (pp10-13) (left). Midnight sun, polar bears, walrus, whales, calving glaciers and glorious tundra in full summer bloom. Spitsbergen is a wildlife oasis, from its mountainous, fjord-riven west to the polar desert in the east. Greenland’s icecap releases massive sculpted bergs, granite walls tower above sparkling fjords. Home to the Inuit, musk ox and Arctic hares. Iceland features active volcanoes, vast ice caps, waterfalls and hot springs. Sea kayaking and scuba diving available. Photo Philip Ogilvie. Russian Far East (pp16-21) (right). Polar bear and walrus give way to brown bears, sea lions, otters and fur seals, as the Arctic Ocean feeds into the north Pacific. From Chukotka’s jagged peaks and deep fjords, to the chain of active, snow-capped volcanoes that runs the length of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, is a wilderness of sublime beauty. Home to Chukchis, Eskimos, Koryaks, and Aleuts, the region straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire and is a major bird migration pathway. Rich currents sweep the Commander Islands, feeding huge numbers of seabirds and marine mammals. The Kuril Islands are steeped in mystery and often wreathed in fog that lifts to reveal towering volcanoes. Sea kayaking available. Photo Igor Shpilenok. Russian Arctic (pp 24-29) (left). Once the domain of polar explorers, indigenous hunters, political prisoners and secretive military, now a wildlife wonderland of World Heritage significance. Meet Eskimo, Inuit and Chukchi locals and search for woolly mammoth fossils along Siberia’s north coast. Wrangel, Medvezie (Bear), Novosibirskie Islands and Severnaya Zemlya burst with life as summer plankton attracts whales, walrus and seals. Novaya Zemlya remains guarded, but occasionally allows Zodiac cruises to seabird cliffs and landings on its north cape. Pack ice sweeps Franz Josef Land’s mountains coastline, home to polar bears, walrus and whales. Sea kayaking available. Photo Colin Monteath/hedgehoghouse.com

“We had a truly memorable trip in the Arctic – a trip that will stay with us. We saw twelve polar bears, including an adult female with two yearling cubs on a huge ice floe in Greenland!” – JEWELS OF THE ARCTIC 2010 – TREVOR WALLER AND MARGARET PIPER

Our spirit of adventure From the moment you step aboard our expedition ships, a sense of excitement prevails. As you explore, you note strong handrails along all companionways and steps. Lashed down on the stern deck, a stack of Zodiacs, sea kayaks and diving tanks promise exciting times ahead. You know that you’re about to set off on an extraordinary voyage. This feeling defines Aurora Expeditions and sets us apart from other ship-based ventures. The spirit of adventure has been integral to us since the early 1990s, when adventurers Greg and Margaret Mortimer began organising trips to Antarctica for keen friends and fellow travellers. By then, Greg had an impressive record of ‘firsts’ to his name, including first Australian to climb Everest, K2 and Vinson Massif. Keen to give people a chance to experience nature in new and exciting ways, Greg and Margaret established the first Antarctic trips to include camping, glacier walks, iceberg climbing, sea kayaking and scuba diving.

Above: Wild things. Discovering a new dive site, or revisiting an old favourite, is cause for celebration. Whether scuba diving, sea kayaking, hiking or sitting quietly and soaking up the view, the experience will stay with you forever. Photo Waterproof Expeditions.

This Arctic season we continue to explore new landing sites, as well as offering scuba diving and our ever-popular sea kayaking. We’re dedicated to maintaining the values our founders established: an easy-going, informative style; enthusiastic, expert staff and – most of all – a personal approach that warmly welcomes you to the Aurora Expeditions’ family.

Why travel with Aurora Expeditions? Small groups are best. Dwarfed by larger ships, our vessels are small enough to go where others can’t. We carry a maximum of 54 passengers and delight in the camaraderie of small group adventures. Fewer people often means more landings, and more intimate and personal experiences. Our staff put you first. Experienced and enthusiastic, we believe our expedition staff are the best in the business. They are passionate about what we do, and your security, wellbeing and understanding of the regions we visit are their priorities.

We celebrate the spirit of adventure! Sea kayak to remote islands alive with marine life, scuba dive with Scotland’s basking sharks or near shimmering icebergs in Greenland. With two to three landings a day, we help you discover a true sense of exploration. We have fun. We love what we do and believe that everyone on board, from passengers and expedition staff to our Russian crew, all share the same goal – the best high latitude experience imaginable.

Flexibility and freedom are essential to delivering the best experience possible. Our itineraries are designed to allow for change if we discover a new landing site, an unexpected wildlife display or a spontaneous cultural performance. We allow you to enjoy our Northern Hemisphere voyages in your own way, within the bounds of safety, whether it be hiking to distant ridgelines, sharing time with local people, photographing landscapes and wildflowers, or simply admiring the view from our ship’s open bridge. Providing educational-rich experiences to ensure we understand the importance of the natural and cultural elements of our destinations is important to us. Our goal is to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection and preservation of all of our destinations.

Above: Sunshine, pack ice, smiling Zodiac driver and the blue Monacobreen Glacier, another perfect day along the Spitsbergen coast. Photo B&C Alexander.

Caring for our fragile Arctic Since 1979, the extent of summertime Arctic sea ice has shrunk by about a third. Ice continues to disappear at a rate of some nine per cent a year, while the average Arctic temperature is increasing at almost twice the rate of anywhere else. For many of us, these figures are disturbing, but until we see for ourselves the impact that global warming is having on Arctic plants and animals, and the indigenous people who rely on them, they remain just figures. Aurora Expeditions believes that travel to remote destinations helps create lifelong ambassadors for environmental protection. From our very first Antarctic voyage in 1992, we made a commitment to establishing environmentally responsible tourism practices. We were founding Australian members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and continue to establish strong environmental guidelines in Antarctica. In 2003 we became founding members of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). We support research, donate funds, and allocate resources to ensure we leave places we visit as we found them – or better. Leading by example, we take every opportunity to explain the fragile ecosystems we encounter and hope to inspire our guests to spread the word of environmental stewardship. If you return from one of our expeditions with a greater awareness and understanding of environmental protection, then we know we’ve achieved our goal.

Above: Climate change is having its greatest effect in high latitudes, especially for polar bears like this one, photographed from Polar Pioneer amidst the waning pack ice off Spitsbergen. Below: Expeditioners enjoy taking part in Clean Up Svalbard. Photos Chrissie Goldrick.

Clean Up Svalbard Aurora Expeditions is an active member of Clean Up Svalbard, a project promoted by the Governor of Spitsbergen, encouraging passengers to pick up litter when they go ashore. Most of the waste comes from shipping, especially commercial fishermen in the Barents Sea and the waters around Svalbard. Clean Up Svalbard has resulted in several thousand tons of rubbish being removed from the archipelago’s shores.

Faroe Islands Sandoy

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High in the Atlantic Ocean, where warm Gulf Stream waters sweep up towards the frigid Arctic, are lands that have sheltered some of our planet’s greatest wanderers – from migrant birds to Vikings, outcasts to explorers. Remote islands off Scotland’s west and north coasts, the Faroe Islands, Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland, all promise unforgettable encounters with wildlife on land and in the sea, fascinating history and exquisite light. Our Wild Scotland and the Faroe Islands, and European Arctic voyages carry us deep into the heart of this high-latitude wonderland, each day exploring from the comfort and safety of our floating base camp. We take a maximum of 54 passengers, giving us the flexibility to reach places closed to larger vessels, and allowing us more time to explore. The relaxed, casual atmosphere we enjoy on board belies our passion for “getting out amongst it” at every opportunity. We exist to visit wild places that stir the soul, to share adventures with new friends and deliver personal attention on most memorable expeditions. Come see why we treat every voyage as if it were our first.

Right: Bowing to beauty! Excitement runs high on a perfect day, as ice floes split and scrape past Polar Pioneer’s ice-strengthened hull off Spitsbergen. Both Polar Pioneer and Akademik Shokalskiy are small, strong expedition ships, capable of taking us to places others can’t reach. Photo Chrissie Goldrick.

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Aurora Expeditions’ Wild Scotland & European Arctic

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Voyage Highlights: Wild Scotland and the Faroe Islands explores the Scottish and Faroe Isles, traversing wild coastlines and threading through intriguing channels to hidden lochs. Experience history firsthand, taking in Neolithic sites scarcely altered in 5000 years and pondering the mystery of huge monoliths that marked seasonal change. We visit remote crofting communities, picturesque villages and castles that were once strongholds of Scottish clans. We see raucous seabird colonies filled with gannets, fulmars, Arctic terns and delightful puffins. Or sit quietly in Zodiacs or sea kayaks as seals play in waters patrolled by whales and dolphins. Spitsbergen Odyssey reveals the diversity of this island archipelago and takes us into the kingdom of the polar bear. We explore the coastline, with no open sea crossings, against a backdrop of spectacular glacier covered peaks. We discover deep fjords in the west; mysterious, fossil-rich desert plains in the east; and best of all, seals and whales in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and polar bears, and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra, trapper camps and historical remains of whaling stations. Jewels of the Arctic combines the best of Spitsbergen and Greenland, with a taste of Iceland. Spitsbergenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rugged northwest coast comprises mountains, tundra and fjords. While crossing the icy waters of the Greenland Sea, our onboard experts share their knowledge of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plants, animals and history. Greenlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remote east coast shows off the immensity of the icecap, fantastic icebergs and a fairytale landscape of granite spires rising 1000 m above exquisite fjords! The local Inuits welcome us and share their unique culture.

Above: Padded paws and glorious whiskers, delicately shown off by a bearded seal in repose. Our voyages to Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Spitsbergen and Greenland bring us close to a wondrous range of marine mammals, including seals, whales and dolphins. Photo B&C Alexander.

Our Arctic airline partner of choice

14 DAYS ● 11 – 24 June 2012 Kayaking and Scuba Diving option

Wild Scotland and the Faroe Islands – Skye, Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetlands and Faroe Isles From lively Oban, enter a world of booming sea caves, puffins, basking sharks and playful dolphins. History haunts the beautifully preserved Stone Age villages, ancient abbeys and abandoned castles that adorn headlands and windswept moors of the Hebridean Islands. World Heritage-listed St Kilda and its rocky outliers are home to breeding seals, some of Europe’s largest seabird colonies, fantastic sea stacks and derelict crofts, where hardy islanders, tempered by ferocious North Atlantic storms, once lived. The Orkneys offer insight into WWII and a wee dram of Scotland’s finest. Birders find paradise in the Shetlands, while Viking influences prevail in the remote and rarely visited Faroe Islands. Day 1 Aurora Expeditions’ staff and Russian crew welcome you aboard Polar Pioneer in Oban as we set sail on our Scottish adventure. Days 2-3 Overnight we travel to Iona, birthplace of

Canna offers golden and sea eagles overhead, and a Zodiac cruise to basking sharks, dolphins, grey seals and puffins.

Christianity in Britain and burial ground of early Scottish kings. The Abbey and Nunnery grounds hold intricately carved stones and crosses dating back to 600 AD. At Staffa, we visit Fingal’s Cave, set amidst spectacular basalt columns, and learn why it inspired Mendelssohn’s Herbrides Overture. At the Cullin Hills, spiritual heart of Skye, we follow a lonely track to Rubh’an Dunain, an ancient passage grave with a nearby Iron Age fort and a stone-lined canal, possibly built by Vikings.

Days 4-6 Conditions permitting, we land on Hirta, in remote St Kilda. These soaring islands hold Europe’s most important seabird colony and Britain’s highest sea stacks. We learn of the incredible skills and fortitude of islanders, who survived here for nearly 5000 years. Flannan Island boasts spectacular cliffs, rock stacks, hidden beaches and luxuriant heaths. On Lewis we visit the Callanish Stones, sombre rock slabs placed here nearly 3000 years ago to mark burial sites. A refreshing Zodiac cruise takes us to white sand beaches and Bostadh’s reconstructed Iron Age house. An evening walk on Pabay Mor’s hills reveals ancient stone dams. Island hopping northeast, we aim to visit Sula Sgeir and North Rona, home to one of the oldest chapels in Britain. Both are tiny specks of rarely-visited land inhabited by

breeding seals and large seabird colonies. Days 7-8 Swept by the warm Gulf Stream and blessed with red, fertile soil, the Orkney archipelago of 70 islands has welcomed people since ancient times. From Kirkwall, we visit 5000-yearold archaeological wonders like Skara Brae, excavated less than 100 years ago to reveal Stone Age life. We view relics of Viking occupation and World War II curiosities, like the famous Churchill barriers and the exquisite Italian Chapel, built from scrap by Italian POWs. We sail past the giant sea stack “Old Man of Hoy”. On Papa Westray we see the Knap of Howar, the oldest standing dwelling in Europe and on to Fair Isle, a birdwatchers’ paradise, where the few inhabitants still live in traditional crofts. Days 9-10 Closer to Norway than Scotland, the Shetland Isles played a strategic role in Viking conquests. We may wander through the narrow lanes of Lerwick, Shetland’s capital, and explore the complex Stone, Bronze and Iron Age settlement of Jarlshof. On Mousa, home to the world’s best-preserved and

most complete Iron Age structure known as a ‘broch’, storm petrels nest in stone walls returning at dusk after a day feeding at sea. Foula’s 30 inhabitants live in crofting hamlets dwarfed by the island’s five dramatic peaks. Aptly named Foula means ‘Bird Island’ in Old Norse, but it is also protected for its plants and geology. Papa Stour’s coastline offers Zodiac exploration of dramatic caves carved into the sea cliffs. Days 11-13 Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea before arriving at Torshavn, capital of the Faroe Islands. This predominantly modern, hip city is built in Scandinavian style. Nearby in Kirkjubour are the ruins of St Magnus Cathedral, one of the most important historical sites in the Faroes. Zodiac cruising along Mykines offers close views of cormorant colonies, with guillemots and razorbills nesting on volcanic ledges. Higher slopes provide burrows for thousands of puffins. Westmanna Cliffs feature Zodiac cruising along protected channels, through archways and past towering stacks. Our itinerary allows time to explore new landings and visit Fugloy, the easternmost Faroe, rich in birdlife.

Day 14 Return to Torshavn early morning and bid farewell to Polar Pioneer staff and crew. Transfer to airport for flight to Copenhagen, Denmark. Opposite page top: Fantastic drystone fences and beehive-shaped storage “cleits” remind us of the lost culture of World Heritage-listed St Kilda. Photo Graham Morgan. Inset: Atlantic puffins breed on St Kilda and throughout the Scottish Isles. Photo Graham Morgan. Clockwise from left: Haunting encounters within an ancient fortress. Expeditioners are captivated by tales of Iron Age life during a visit to the world’s best-preserved ‘broch’, on the island of Mousa. Photo Howard Whelan. Gambolling sheep on Hirta, descendents of flocks from the Neolithic Soay and Iron Age Borerayv. Photo Al Bakker. From the shadow of the Cuillen Hills to the ancient remains of Rubh’an Dunain, the Isle of Skye walk features wild orchids, a 50000-year-old chambered cairn, a cliff top fort and man-made canal possibly built by the Vikings. Photo Howard Whelan.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking and scuba diving please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

VOYAGE 1: 11 DAYS ● VOYAGE 2: 11 DAYS ● VOYAGE 3: 11 DAYS ● VOYAGE 4: 11 DAYS ●

29 June – 9 July 2012 Charter 9 – 19 July 2012 Charter 19 – 29 July 2012 Kayaking option 29 July – 8 August 2012 Kayaking and Scuba Diving options

Spitsbergen Odyssey Where warm Gulf Stream currents and Arctic pack ice collide, a wild archipelago features deep fjords, rugged mountains, vast glaciers and polar desert. We visit Spitsbergen as perpetual soft summer light bathes the land, and stretch our legs across tundra alive with green moss and tiny flowers of brilliant hue. Zodiacs carry us to noisy cliffs of breeding birds, while the seas are tumbled by whales, bearded seals and walrus. We cruise the fjords and coast keeping watch for the mightiest inhabitant of all – the polar bear. Kayaking and scuba diving add a special dimension. Day 1 After a night in Oslo, Norway, we fly to Spitsbergen and enjoy a tour of colourful Longyearbyen. Late afternoon sees us warmly welcomed on board Polar Pioneer and enjoying our departure under the Midnight Sun.

guillemots that fill the cliffs. We look for bearded seals, with their precious curling whiskers. Up Kingsfjorden we may visit Ny Ålesund, a mining town turned polar research centre and at Amsterdamoya, we hike the tundra, alert for reindeer and Arctic fox. We explore remains of a 350-year-old Dutch whaling settlement and learn of an ill-fated ballooning attempt over the North Pole.

Days 2-3 Early morning reveals the spectacular aqua-blue ice cliffs of the 14th July Glacier or perhaps the Waggonway Glacier in Magdalenefjorden. Our itinerary depends on weather, snow and ice conditions, and the presence of wildlife. Thanks to the nutrientrich Gulf Stream, temperatures on the rugged west coast are relatively mild, ideal for the many Atlantic puffins and Brünnich’s

Days 4-6 Whales, pack ice and maybe even polar bears feature as we round Spitsbergen’s northwest coast into the Arctic Ocean and turn south into Woodfjorden. We search for ringed, bearded and harp seals and ashore, trappers’s huts, reindeer and Arctic fox. In Leifdefjorden, breeding eider ducks, terns, skuas, glaucous gulls and black-legged kittiwakes, attract polar bears with cubs. Offshore, walrus feed on clams or haulout on beaches, especially on

Moffen Island, a walrus sanctuary. With 24hour daylight, there’s plenty of time to admire many of the tundra’s 164 species of flowering plants, including purple saxifrage, exquisite yellow spider plants and Svalbard poppies. If ice conditions allow, we attempt to cross latitude 80° North – a cause for celebration. Days 7-8 Welcome to the wild side! Frigid Arctic currents sweep around Spitsbergen’s northeast corner, lowering air and sea temperatures, and creating a landscape eroded by severe frost. Even in summer, pack ice could bar our way. We attempt to pass through narrow Hinlopen Strait, between Spitsbergen and austere, ice-capped Nordaustlandet. Our Russian crew and expedition staff use their considerable expertise to reach the region’s highlights. We Zodiac cruise beneath Alkefjellt, sheer basalt cliffs rising more than 250 metres, literally buzzing with some 200,000 nests of Brünnich’s guillemots, possibly with Arctic fox scavenging below. On Torrellneset, we could well approach dozens of sleeping walrus. A true polar desert, the east coast offers walks among stunted glaciers, exposed fossil fields, and tundra, where we watch for Arctic fox, eider

ducks and the elusive Svalbard ptarmigan. Sailing between Barentsøya and Edgeøya, we cross polar bear migration routes and may visit Sundneset, a fertile plain covered in green mosses and delicate flowers, including the yellow marsh saxifrage. Days 9-10 This is true expedition cruising, where plans are dictated by ice conditions and our desire to explore. If pack ice allows, we round South Cape, returning to the world of open water and rugged coastal mountains, and sail north toward Hornsund and Bellsund, deep fjords with remarkable glaciers and wildlife. If ice stops us on the east side, we adjust our itinerary, backtrack and delve deeper into the wonders of Spitsbergen’s north and west coasts, including a visit to colonies where hundreds of thousands of little auks nest, darkening the sky as they commute to their fishing grounds. Day 11 A midnight cruise of Isfjorden returns us to Longyearbyen, the end of our spectacular voyage and a transfer to the airport for flight to Oslo.

Opposite page top: Sunshine, an inquisitive, relaxed polar bear family and the perfect platform to photograph from – who could ask for more! Photo Jennifer Harvey. Inset: Toothy display by an Arctic icon! Walrus, though shy, can reach an intimidating size. Photo Raul Kemp. Clockwise from top left: Kayakers and kittiwakes share the glorious Samarinbreen glacier front in Svalbard. Nearby mountains rise to Hornsundtinden’s 1431m. Photo William Stacey. Gentle maneuvering allows close views of Brünnich’s guillemots snuggling on cliff ledges in Hinlopen Strait, Spitsbergen. One of the most numerous seabirds in Svalbard, Brünich’s guillemots breed on cliff ledges in colonies up to several hundred thousand. Photo B&C Alexander. Reindeer roam the tundra of Spitsbergen, feeding on almost any vegetation, and are found throughout the archipelago where there are no glaciers. Females give birth to a single calf in June. Photo Jane Turnbull.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for these voyages, and surcharge for sea kayaking or scuba diving, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure. Or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

VOYAGE 1: 14 DAYS ● 8 – 21 August 2012 Kayaking and Scuba Diving options VOYAGE 2: 14 DAYS ● 21 Aug – 3 Sept 2012 Kayaking – Australian Geographic Society Expedition

Jewels of the Arctic

– Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland This voyage offers a complete European Arctic experience: tundra walks amidst reindeer and exquisite dwarf vegetation, Zodiac cruises near calving glaciers, hikes to breathtaking mountain vistas and warm welcomes into indigenous communities. We may see reindeer, Arctic fox, musk ox, countless sea and land birds, walrus, seals, whales and polar bears. Voyage 1 takes us from Spitsbergen to Iceland via Greenland, while Voyage 2 offers the same trip in reverse. Please note that ice conditions vary enormously from year to year along Greenland’s coast. Day 1 After a night in Oslo, Norway, we fly to Spitsbergen and enjoy a tour of colourful Longyearbyen. Board Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon, settle in and sail down magnificent Isfjorden, flanked by bird cliffs, vast glaciers and jagged mountains.

ice cliffs, including Monacobreen, one of Spitsbergen’s largest glaciers. In the north, there’s a good chance of seeing walrus – and possibly even polar bears – on the pack ice.

Days 2-3 Spitsbergen’s northwest coast features calving icebergs, historic whaling stations and trappers’ camps. Brünnich’s guillemots, little auks and kittiwakes nest in their thousands. Reindeer roam the tundra and so can you, photographing wildflowers like saxifrage, moss campion, bell-heather and hairy lousewort. From our Zodiacs, gain fantastic views of

Days 4-5 Crossing the Greenland Sea, we sail through the Polar Basin’s nutrient-rich waters, searching for fin whales, encroaching pack ice, and seabirds. Our expert naturalists and guest lecturers entertain us with fascinating, illustrated talks on European Arctic plants and animals, and epic tales of such early explorers as Nansen, Andrée and Scoresby. These are relaxed days, wonderful for getting to know fellow expeditioners and preparing for a landing, if conditions permit, in the world’s largest national park – Greenland’s northeast coast. The region is home to polar bear, walrus, Arctic hare and musk ox. Watch for ringed, bearded, harp and hooded seals from the Zodiacs.

Days 6-8 Ice is often the first impression 11 overwhelming DAY VOYAGE ● of Greenland. An ice cap covers 81 18 Nov – 30 Novper cent of the island and pack ice, even in summer, may 2011 Sea kayaking fill northern bays. Ashore, cosy trappers’ huts photography option etc beckon from across the tundra, where musk 13 roam. daysThese 18 ox, Arctic foxVoyage and eider2: ducks Nov – 30 Nov 2011 Sea are just some of the delights in Kaiser Franz kayaking Josef Fjord. Lively cascades at Kap Humboldt provide a microclimate spectacular Voyage 3:for13 days 6 hanging gardens. Kong Oskar Fjord offersSea Nov – 18 Nov 2011 spectacular glacier-carved mountains.

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Days 9-11 In Scoresbysund, the world’s biggest fjord, the vast Greenland icecap sweeps down in massive glaciers that calve explosively, creating giant icebergs. Near Sydkap, our Zodiacs weave through a maze of grounded icebergs, some more than 30-metres high, sculpted with deep green tunnels and aquamarine lakes. Enjoy a warm Ittoqqortoormiit welcome, from Inuit happy to share their culture and explain the challenges of Arctic life. Our kayakers find ideal paddling conditions, wending their way through interconnected waterways, watching for polar bears and narwhals.

Day 12 Sailing south along the Blosseville Coast, searching for musk ox and narwhals and marvelling at the mountain scenery that dominates the skyline. If weather permits, we head for Rømer Fjord, with its stunning views. Day 13 As we sail across Denmark Strait towards Iceland, there’s time to reflect on our rich experiences, enjoy northern fulmars and black-backed gulls, and spot dolphins, orcas and sperm whales in their feeding grounds. Day 14 Arrive early morning in Isafjordur, a stunning fishing town in Iceland’s northwest. After breakfast, bid farewell to Polar Pioneer and her crew and catch a flight to Reykjavik or continue your adventure by exploring Iceland.

Opposite page top: Arctic cottongrass, icebergs, soaring granite towers and sunshine, photographed from Bjorn Oer, the Bear Islands of East Greenland, highlight Scoresbysund’s wow factor. Photo Susan Ogilvie. Inset: Greenland musk ox hold their ground. Photo Henrik Lovendahl. Clockwise from top left: Narcissus on ice! A polar bear reflects natural beauty, Svalbard. Photo Carol Hall. Inuit warmth displayed by lovely Ittoqqortoormiit local, East Greenland. Photo Susan Ogilvie. Dwarfed by sculpted icebergs and tortured rock, our Zodiac carries us through the natural wonders of Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, East Greenland. Photo Carol Hall. Exquisite alpine bistort, one of some 165 flower species found in Svalbard. Flowers and light surprise many on our voyages. Photo Elisabeth Tornquist.

Like Minds, Shared Goals Aurora Expeditions’ European Arctic voyages focus on the spirit of adventure and discovery, the very values at the core of the Australian Geographic Society. We’re proud to promote shared ideals through a special trip (Voyage 2) into the heart of our planet’s greatest environmental changes. Aurora Expeditions donates a percentage of profits from this voyage to the Australian Geographic Society to support research.

Aurora Expeditions’ Russian Far East Land of Fire and Ice Born of dark forces and rising to sublime heights, snow capped volcanoes reign over emerald forests and crystal-clear streams the length of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. Tightly closed during the Cold War, the Russian Far East is gradually revealing a wilderness of intense beauty – rich in wildlife, alive with indigenous culture and steeped in history. In Chukotka we look for reindeer herders, stunning alpine lakes and deep fjords. Walrus, beluga and grey whales excite us. Steller’s sea lions, fur seals and packed seabird cliffs define the Commander Islands, final resting place of Danish explorer Vitus Bering, who found a route to North America, but tragically

In Kamchatka and the Kurils, massive brown bears lead cubs along beaches, roll in megaherb meadows and fish for salmon in rushing rivers. Abandoned Cold War listening posts add an air of intrigue throughout. Our inaugural Treasures of the Russian Far East voyage includes the highlights of Chukotka, Kamchatka and an attempt to meet reindeer herders on their annual pilgrimage to the sea. The Kuril Islands voyage reveals a geological wonderland, soothing hot springs, Japanese artefacts from WWII, killer whales, shy otters and birdwatchers’ paradise.

perished on his return.

Voyage Highlights: The Ring of Fire presents active volcanoes, sculpted basalt sea cliffs, archways, tunnels, and lush vegetation – habitat for an astounding diversity of wildlife. From Sakhalin, through the Kurils to Kamchatka, soak in hot springs, hike through megaherb forests, visit remains of Ainu villages and abandoned Cold War listening posts. Frequent fog lifts to reveal seabirds, sea lions, otters and whales. Bering Sea Explorer tracks through a wildlife wilderness. Kamchatka’s 120 or so volcanoes rise above bird-filled forests. Koryak culture and geological wonders are set amidst a stunning landscape. Commander Islands captivate with Aleut cultural performances, sea lions, fur seals, otters, extensive bird cliffs and Vitus Bering’s grave. We encounter Chukchi fishermen, brown bears, walrus and whales. Treasures of the Russian Far East delves deep into North Kamchatka’s fjords along the Koryakskiy Coast, for hikes to alpine lakes, bird cliffs and walrus haulouts. We discover fish processing plants abandoned in Soviet times, brown bears, rivers alive with spawning salmon, grey whales feeding in mouths of rivers, Koryak and Chukchi reindeer herders bringing their herds from inland to the sea for salt, and boundless coastal meadows. Kamchatka’s glorious summer flowers and majestic volcanoes lure hikers, while the Commander Islands’ spectacular sea cliffs, albatross, Steller’s sea lions and fur seals make for unforgettable Zodiac cruising. Any of these voyages can be booked back to back for a greater exploration of the Russian Far East.

Ask us about our free Scotland, European Arctic and Russia information events in your state. Call +61 2 9252 1033 or Freecall 1800 637 688 (within Australia) or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au 16

Above top: Whether in Chukotka, Kamchatka Peninsula or the Kuril Islands, our Zodiacs carry us to unimaginably beautiful places, sometimes under perfect, sunny skies! Photo Peter Sinden. Above: Breaching humpback. On our Russian Far East voyages we are seeing an increasing number of whales, including humpbacks, orcas, rights, greys and belugas. Other marine favourites include walrus and narwhals. Photo Al Bakker

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Ring of Fire – Kuril Islands From Sakhalin Island to Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kuril Islands stretch like a shaman’s necklace across the rich Pacific waters north of Japan. Subtle remains of Ainu life hint at lost culture, fog adds mystery to abandoned Cold War listening posts, secret Soviet navy bases, Japanese bunkers and airfields. Steller’s sea lions call from rocky outcrops; otters float amongst fields of kelp; clouds of whiskered auklets, northern fulmars, tufted puffins and the mighty Steller’s sea eagles abound. We encounter brown bears and cubs, tundra rich with berries, revelling in blissful hot springs and rushing rivers filled with salmon. Our kayakers go where few have paddled before. Day 1 Arrive in Sakhalin Island’s southern port, to be warmly welcomed on board Akademik Shokalskiy, and settle in before a late afternoon departure. Where the Okhotsk Sea’s icy waters meet the warmer Pacific Ocean, we enter a world often wreathed in fog. As on all

and killer whales, stopping to admire sea cliffs festooned with slaty-backed gulls, tufted puffins and rhinoceros auklets.

of our voyages, a flexible itinerary allows for changing weather and seas. Day 2 Megaherb forests, hot springs and geological wonders await us on enchanting southern Kuril Islands. View active volcanoes, photograph magnificent basalt formations and trek through a forest of meadowsweet, cow parsnip and giant coltsfoot to soothing hot springs. Explore nature reserves, home to exquisite native orchids and brown bears feeding in the salmon-rich rivers. Cruise along numerous bays alive with largha seals, Steller’s sea lions

Day 3 Harbour seals forage in Zolotoy Bay at Iturup, Kuril’s largest island. Przhevalskya Point’s black lava sea cliffs host Japanese cormorants and tufted puffins. Cruise inside Lion’s Mouth Bay, caldera of an ancient shield volcano. At Kurilsk, the locals may welcome us with tours and performances. Along the way, watch for minke whales, harbour seals, pods of Dall’s porpoise and the Laysan albatross. Day 4 Urup offers 120km of stunning volcanoes, lush vegetation, lakes and rivers. Cruise the Twins, a geological wonderland of twisted basalt sea cliffs, hike to Japanese bunkers with spectacular views and tufted puffin nests. On the west coast, we may Zodiac through basalt tunnels of Petroskov Rocks.

Day 5 Evocative mists often engulf Chirpoy islands’ volcanoes; roars herald the Steller’s sea lion colony on Brat Chirpoy, while thousands of northern fulmars, albatross and crested auklets float nearby. Broutona’s dramatic cliff lines are home to thousands of guillemots, kittiwakes and tufted puffins. Day 6 We explore the ghostly remains of a secret Soviet Navy base on Simushir or spectacular volcanic Ketoy, then aim for Yankicha’s emerald green caldera, where fumaroles steam and at dusk, thousands of whiskered auklets stream back from the sea. Day 7 Northern fur seals, Steller’s sea lions, auklets and petrels enliven the Lovushki Islands. Cruising Matua’s northwest coast, we see lava flows from Sarychev, which last erupted in 2009. Ashore are WWII remains of Japanese airfield and bunkers. Day 8 Ekarma offers sanctuary to many birds, including puffins, auklets, fulmars and

cormorants. Sea otters swim just off the northeastern cape. Traces of Ainu culture await on Shiashkotan. Day 9 Of Paramushir’s 23 volcanoes, five are active. A birdwatcher’s delight, we look for Siberian ruby throats, rough legged buzzards, snow buntings and the exquisite harlequin duck. Hike across Onekotan’s tundra as it wakes to summer. Watch for red foxes. Day 10 A peaceful river snakes through Shumshu’s grassy wetlands dotted with orchids and wild roses. On Atlasova, Soviet gulag remains and nesting cormorants rest in the shadow of a majestic 2,339-metre volcano, Kuril’s highest. Days 11-12 Lush valleys and snow-capped volcanoes welcome us to Kamchatka’s east coast, where brown bears feast on berries and salmon. We aim for Vestnik Bay and Utashud Island, a grand finale of shy otters, Steller’s sea lions, seabirds, seals and whales.

Day 13 Cruise into spectacular Avacha Bay for our morning arrival in Petropavlovsk Kamchatskiy. Bid farewell to staff and ship’s crew for afternoon transfer to airport.

Opposite page top: A brown bear family strolls the shores of Kurile Lake, on the southern tip of Kamchatka Peninsula, with Ilyinsky volcano rising 1578m behind. Photo GeoPhoto. Inset: Lovely dog rose in flower. Sakhalin Island and the Kurils are home to more than 20 rare or endangered plant species. Photo GeoPhoto. Clockwise from top left: Sockeye salmon swim furiously to spawn in Kurile Lake. Southern Kamchatka is Eurasia’s largest sockeye spawning grounds. Photo Igor Shpilenok. Geological fantasia. Basalt squeezed from the Earth, crystallised and twisted, creates a wonderland to explore by Zodiac in the Kuril Islands. Photo Peter Juliff. Crested auklets breed in dense colonies of up to a million birds along the Kuril Coast. Photo GeoPhoto. Pushing through a megaherb forest in the southern Kurils. Photo Peter Sinden.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

VOYAGE 13 DAYS ● 7-19 July 2012 Kayaking option

Bering Sea Explorer

– Kamchatka, Commander Islands and Chukotka Sweet summer days stretch well into night as snow-capped volcanoes blush with alpenglow and pine-scent fills the air. Lush vegetation reclaims abandoned fish processing plants, now bear-cub playgrounds. Hot springs beckon along Kamchatka’s coast, while waterfalls thunder nearby. Aleut cultural performances brighten subarctic Commander Islands, where bird cliffs pulsate with puffins, murres, auklets and kittiwakes. Explorer Vitus Bering’s tragic grave stands near waters alive with sea lions, fur seals and otters. In Chukotka’s glaciercarved fjords and jagged mountains, we may meet Chukchi fishermen and hike to alpine lakes. Hidden for so long, Kamchatka and Chukotka now reveal their treasures.

Day 2 Wake to the wild beauty of Kamchatka’s east coast. Zodiac past salmon fishing camps into the powerful Zhupanova River. Look for brown bears and Steller’s sea eagles.

Day 1 Petropavlovsk, sports a lively buzz as we pass through to board Akademik Shokalskiy in the evening. Our staff usher us aboard for a late departure down beautiful Avacha Bay.

Day 3 Kronotskiy Biosphere Reserve protects stunning volcanoes, dwarf pine thickets, hundreds of brown bears, a Steller’s sea lion colony, salmon-rich rivers, eagles, gyrfalcons

and wolverines. Soak in the soothing hot springs of Kamenistaya Bay and trek through lowlands covered in cottongrass, aspens and birch. As we turn towards the Commander Islands, our naturalists and lecturers share their enthusiasm with informative talks. Days 4-6 Spectacular sea cliffs, arches and stacks, signal our arrival in the Commander Islands. Highlights include: explorer Vitus Bering’s grave, Peregegrebnaya Bay, nesting red-legged and black-legged kittiwakes; Cape Monati, to spot albatross and whales; northern fur seals and Steller’s sea lions; cruising around volcanic Ariy Kamen, surrounded by thousands of kittiwakes, puffins and murres. At Nikolskoe village, Russia’s remaining Aleut community entertains us with lively performances. A small museum features Bering memorabilia and some of the world’s only remains of the extinct Steller’s sea cow.

Day 7 We ramble across the terraced, uplifted 13 days 6 Nov coastline of Voyage1: Soldatskaya Bay. Thick vegetation – 18 Nov 2011 Voyage draws a variety of wildlife, including long2: 13 18 Novbears. – 30 billed murrelets anddays salmon-fishing

Nov 2011

Day 8 Small, narrow Verkhoturova Island hosts cormorants, gulls, kittiwakes and auklets, while Steller’s sea lions adorn nearby rocky islets. A heartfelt greeting awaits us at Tymlat Bay, a Koryak village, as these wonderful, hardy folk display their unique culture through dance, games and deliciously fresh food. Day 9 A Zodiac cruise along Govena Peninsula takes us into stunning Lavrova Bay fjord where an abandoned herring factory attracts bears. Orcas and Bryde’s whales frequent these waters. Afternoon hike along Uznaya Glubokaya Bay reveals succulent roseroot, magenta pixie eyes, cheery purple-blue Jacob’s ladder and vista of jagged peaks. Day 10 Wake to spectacular mountains rising above Natalya Bay. Zodiac cruise beneath Bogoslov

Island’s sea cliffs, where puffins, kittiwakes, murres and cormorants breed, and climbing bears raid their nests. Walrus haulout nearby. Hike to hidden alpine lakes and gaze upon the dramatic glacier-carved valleys of St Peter Bay, or Glybokaya Bay. Birch and alder hide singing bluethroat, while golden rhododendron and dwarf azaleas carpet the tundra. Day 11 Lush valleys and dramatic mountains feature in the Koriakskiy Reserve, one of the planet’s greatest waterfowl reserves, where 700,000 white-fronted and bean geese, whooper swans, little brown cranes and shore birds come to nest. Dezhneva Bay offers a coastal lagoon for birders and, possibly, grey whales. In Anastasia Bay are walrus haulouts and birdlife, including bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat. Day 12 Explore Gabriel Bay’s lagoon and stone tundra country dotted with cheery pale-blue blossoms of forget-me-not. We may meet local Chukchi fisherman living a traditional lifestyle and inspect an abandoned weather station. Watch for brown bears, wolves, and beluga whales.

Day 13 With the Bering Sea behind us, we arrive early in Anadyr and after breakfast, bid farewell to staff and crew before being transferred to the airport for onward adventures. Opposite page top: Stealth sea kayaking on the Kamchatka coast delivers wildlife encounters like no other – with brown bears, sea birds, seals, even whales. Photo Judd Hill. Inset: Arctic fox thrive in northern Kamchatka and Chukotka. Photo Geophoto. Clockwise from top left: Paradise: Trekking through lush vegetation of Kunashir Island, with 1722m Fussa volcano as a backdrop. Photo David Mannix. Koryak performers act out a cautionary tale in the village of Tymlat, Kamchatka. Whether it’s Koryak plays, Inuit song or demonstrations of Chukchi reindeer herding, our voyages are rich with indigenous culture. Photo Howard Whelan. Steller’s sea lion colony at Yuzhno Vostochny, Medny Island, in the Commanders. Although large and loud, these animals are more shy than intimidating. The islands are renowned for their abundance of marine wildlife. Photo Howard Whelan.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

● NEW VOYAGE

13 DAYS ● 19 – 31 July 2012 Kayaking option ● NEW VOYAGE

Treasures of the Russian Far East – Chukotka and Kamchatka A rare chance to search for indigenous nomads, the Chukchi and Koryaks, as they bring their reindeer herds over coastal mountains for life-sustaining sips of seawater. Migratory birds fill Chukotka wetlands and flowers brighten tundra walks. Whales blow hauntingly in fog-still bays, walrus haulout in their hundreds to pack protected coves. Northern Kamchatka’s deep fjords offer soaring bird cliffs and hikes to pristine mountain lakes. Further south, rivers dense with spawning salmon for feasting brown bears rush from snowy, soaring volcanoes. A powerful mix of traditional cultures, spectacular landscape and wildlife beyond counting in a truly remote region. Day 1 Arrive to a world of tundra and permafrost, transfer from airport to seaport on the mighty Anadyr River and a warm welcome on board Akademik Shokalskiy. In the evening, we sail into the Bering Sea, watching for belugas.

the Bering Sea, taste local caviar and salmon, and savour a glimpse of local life. With time to explore, we watch for migratory birds like the lesser sand plover, red knot and murrelets.

Day 2 Zodiac and environmental briefings prepare us for our first landings as we sail south along Chukotka’s coast, whose shallow bays, wide beaches and low hills are reminders of former ice sheets. An expedition day, weather and sea conditions determine our first landing. Day 3 Visit the small Chukchi fishing village of Mainapilgino, set on a long spit of land along

Day 4 Listen for the blow of grey whales on a still, misty morning, as we load Zodiacs to land in Dezhneva Bay. Hike from the beach to a shallow coastal lagoon where white-fronted bean geese, whooper swans and shore birds nest. As the fog lifts, rolling tundra gives way to spectacular snow-covered hills. Days 5-7 Over three days we explore Ekspeditsiya and Machevnaya bays, and Amayan Lagoon. Our spirit of discovery is heightened as we Zodiac up big rivers to freshwater lagoons, hike across budding tundra, and search for vantage points in the surrounding, ancient 1000-metre peaks. It’s a time of plenty, with mushrooms, ripening berries, and the air filled with

birdsong. We may see bears fishing for salmon and reindeer herders bringing their charges 13watching days 6fill Nov to the coast.Voyage1: Bird and whale the – 18 Nov 2011 Voyage remaining hours of our days.

2: 13 days 18 Nov – 30 Nov 2011

Day 8 Hike to hidden alpine lakes and gaze upon the dramatic glacier-carved valleys of St Peter Bay, or Glybokaya Bay. Scattered stands of birch and alder shelter singing bluethroat, while golden rhododendron and dwarf azaleas carpet the tundra.

Zodiacs carry us to nearby coves in search of walrus haulouts. Day 11 Our northbound voyage carries back into tundra country and a visit to Khatyrka village, set between a vast river and nearby freshwater lagoon. Here the Chukchi people fall into two separate sub-cultures – reindeer herders and fishermen. Each has learned to survive and thrive on what the land and sea provide. We spend half a day with the villagers before exploring the surrounds.

Day 9 Wake to spectacular mountains rising above Natalya Bay. Zodiac cruise beneath Bogoslov Island’s sea cliffs, where puffins, kittiwakes, murres and cormorants breed, and climbing bears raid nests. Walrus haulout nearby. With luck, we encounter nomadic reindeer herder camps, recently set up on verdant coastline amidst breathtaking alpine scenery.

Day 12 Discover Gabriel Bay’s wide river mouth and lagoon, classic stone tundra country dotted with cheery pale-blue blossoms of forget-menot. We may meet Chukchi fishermen living a traditional lifestyle, and inspect an abandoned polar weather station. Watch for brown bears and beluga whales.

Day 10 Anastasiya Bay is a beachcombers’ dream, while walks inland take us through prime habitat for nesting birds including the bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat. Our

Day 13 With the Bering Sea behind us, and an early arrival in Anadyr, we bid farewell to staff and crew after breakfast and transfer to the airport for onward adventures.

Opposite page top: A Chukchi boy lassos a reindeer on the Chukotka coast. Although reindeer herding takes place across Arctic Russia, it’s a special privilege to meet up with the nomadic herders as they bring their reindeer to the coast to sip seawater for minerals. Photo Colin Monteath/hedgehoghouse.com. Inset: Longer tusks indicate older age in walrus. Photo Howard Whelan. Clockwise from top left: Nice catch! Kamchatka brown bears live mostly on fish and berries, and are especially active when salmon swim up rivers to spawn. Photo GeoPhoto. Orcas patrol the coastline, from the Kurils to Chukotka. Our expedition ship provides the perfect viewing platform for these imposing creatures. Photo iStock. A juvenile Steller’s sea eagle chases an adult clutching salmon. Breeding only in the Russian Far East, these magnificent raptors gorge on fish during the annual salmon run. Photo Igor Shpilenok. Chukchi reindeer herder’s camp in Chukotka. Photo GeoPhoto.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

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Aurora Expeditions’ Russian Arctic bursting with life The Russian Arctic summer is short and very sweet. Chased by the Midnight Sun, pack ice recedes, allowing access to remote archipelagos where polar bears burst from their dens, new cubs in tow, walrus gather in their thousands, and countless seabirds migrate to age old breeding cliffs. Seaways dotted with ice teem with bearded and ringed seals, beluga whales, dolphins and possibly the magical narwhal.

islands that once formed hills and mountaintops on the Great Arctic Plain, where rhinoceros and woolly mammoth grazed, leaving fossils in the permafrost for us to discover.

From Bering Strait across nine time zones to the Barents Sea, Siberia’s north coast awaits us. Walk across tundra, photograph swathes of tiny flowers and bonsai trees, Zodiac cruise in the world’s great river deltas thick with wildlife.

On our inaugural Arctic Ocean Discoverer voyage, we aim for Wrangel Island, World Heritage-listed for its concentration of polar bear dens, prolific wildlife and amazing Arctic flowers.

Visit historic sites little changed since Nansen, Nordenskjold and Lomonov explored and mapped the region, and meet Karelians, Inuit and Chukchi who live there today. Land on

Above: Black-legged kittiwakes nest in their thousands on cliffs along the Russian Arctic coast and on offshore islands. Photo Adrienne Bradley. Opposite page: Ice-filled Mack’s Bay, Novaya Zemlya. Our Russian Arctic voyages take us to places that, due to military sensitivities, have been closed to visitors for decades. Photo B&C Alexander.

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Voyage Highlights: Arctic Ocean Discoverer departs Anadyr for Wrangel Island, via the Arakamchechen Archipelago, visiting World Heritage-listed Whalebone Alley and Chukchi villages. Bering Strait, gateway to the Arctic, gives access to the rugged Chukotka coast, alive with migratory birds. Ice permitting, we explore Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, with its scientific research station, Inuit settlement and the greatest diversity of plants and animals of any Arctic Island. We dip into the celebrated North East Passage before returning to Anadyr, exploring new landings along the way. Across the North East Passage departs Anadyr for one of the planet’s greatest expedition voyages. Passing through Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska, we hope to visit spectacular Wrangel Island and some of the world’s most remote archipelagos, such as Medvezie (Bear) and Novosibirskie islands, Severnaya Zemlya and Novaya Zemlya. We explore huge Siberian river deltas and discover isolated Eskimo villages and a treasure trove of Arctic wildlife. Murmansk completes our epic journey. This voyage attracts the adventurous keen to explore this region. Voyage to the End of the Earth offers a rare chance to visit Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. Access to these Arctic wonderlands has been restricted for decades, due to their military sensitivity. The highly productive Kara Sea attracts diverse marine life, including walrus, whales and seals. Explorers have been drawn to this area for centuries, searching for both the North Pole and a maritime route to the east. Our own explorations take us to historic huts and abandoned research stations.

We can also book your full travel arrangements: flights, hotel accommodation, tours and transfers, making us a ‘one stop’ shop for your trip of lifetime. Call our Expedition Experts on +61 2 9252 1033 25

14 DAYS ● 31 July – 13 August 2012 Kayaking option ● NEW VOYAGE

Arctic Ocean Discoverer – Wrangel Island Wrangel Island, Russia’s treasured wildlife sanctuary, features some 400 plant species, polar bears and cubs, vast walrus breeding grounds, reindeer herds, Arctic fox, lemmings, seals and multitudes of migratory birds. Almost 24 hours’ daylight and retreating pack ice make this the ideal time of year to attempt reaching Wrangel Island. We pass through Bering Strait, watch for beluga whales, experience traditional Chukchi life and explore the Chukotka coast west along the Northeast Passage. We return through the Diomedes dictates our landings. On Itygran Island, Islands, famous for their role in the Cold War. Whalebone Alley is an avenue of raised Day 1 Excitement mounts as we transfer from the airport and expedition staff greet us on Anadyr’s wharf in the afternoon. We settle in on Akademik Shokalskiy before sailing downriver and into the Bering Sea. Day 2 Walrus and grey whales stir the waters of Arakamchechen Archipelago and weather

bowhead and grey whale ribs and jawbones, believed to be an ancient ceremonial site of Chukchi hunters. At Yanrakinnot, we meet modern-day Chukchis who still live a traditional lifestyle – herding reindeer, fishing and hunting. Parakeet auklets, horned puffins and pomarine jaegers herald the feast of bird life to come. On board, our lecturers and naturalists begin their entertaining presentations to inform us of the area’s wildlife, geology and history.

Day 3 Beluga whales may appear as we pass through Bering Strait, where Russia and North America are but 100-kilometres apart. If conditions allow, we land at Cape Dezhnev, easternmost point of Eurasia, to visit an abandoned polar research station and indigenous settlement atop windswept cliffs. After lunch, local crafts and a small museum displaying traditional Chukchi and Inuit clothing, artwork and ivory carvings feature in Uelen village. Late afternoon we cross the Arctic Circle on the international dateline, the chance to straddle two continents, two time zones and two oceans at once, before continuing north into one of the least-visited corners of the Arctic Ocean. Day 4 Wild and untouched, the Kolyluchinskaya Estuary is ancient tundra between the Amguena and Vankarem Rivers along Chukotka’s north coast. In Zodiacs we search for ringed seals and whales, while on

land we hike amongst tundra flowers and watch for yellow-billed loons, tufted puffins and the endemic emperor geese. Our Russian crew and expedition leader assess the pack ice to determine our chances of visiting Wrangel Island. Days 5-7 We thread our way amongst ice floes, searching for a route to Wrangel Island. Weather and ice pose challenges, but we’ve timed our run to give us the best possible chance. If conditions allow, we land and meet local scientists, who guide us into the vast nature reserve that protects the high Arctic’s greatest biodiversity of plants and animals. Fuelled by the midnight sun, the tundra bursts with life. Inland hills have a high concentration of polar bear dens, and we may see mothers and cubs. We hike across vast alpine valleys, where reindeer, musk ox and Arctic fox live and fossilised remains of woolly mammoth may be found. Zodiacs carry us across Inuit fishing grounds to search for walrus and grey whales.

Days 8-12 Returning to the rugged Chukotka coast, we first head west toward the port of Pevek to explore the celebrated North East Passage for several days. This is expedition cruising at its best, searching for new tundra walks, Zodiac trips and Yupik and Inuit villages. Rhinoceros and woolly mammoth roamed this coastline when it was part of the Great Arctic Plain. We’ll search for megafauna bones and tusks under the vast East Siberian sky. Our return through the Chukchi Sea promises fresh discoveries and a visit to Cape Vankarem, one of northeastern Russia’s largest walrus haulouts. Day 13 We pass through Bering Strait on the lookout for orca and beluga whales, setting a course through the Diomedes Islands, a Cold War hotspot. We hope to visit Arakamchechen Island, home to murres, tufted puffins and crested auklets. Day 14 Our grand adventure behind us, we dock early at Anadyr, bid farewell to our travelling companions and transfer to airport.

Opposite page top: World Heritage-listed Wrangel Island at sunset. Although renowned for its many polar bear dens and the world’s largest population of Pacific walrus, it’s also a migratory bird sanctuary surrounded by whale-rich seas. It boasts the highest biodiversity of anywhere in the high Arctic. Photo Colin Monteath/ hedgehoghouse.com. Inset: Snowy owl on Wrangel Island. More than 100 migratory bird species nest on Wrangel and nearby Herald islands. Photo GeoPhoto. Clockwise from top left: Arctic foxes may be seen along the Chukotka coasts and on Wrangel Island. Some species change colour with the season, from brown in summer to pale blue or white in winter. Photo GeoPhoto. Wrangel Island beach action! Thanks to the high numbers of both polar bear and walrus on Wrangel Island, it’s possible to see both sharing the same beach. Photo Geophoto. Always elegant and well-groomed, the tufted puffin is a favourite of our photographers. When fishing it can hold up to 20 fish crossways in its bill. Photo Geophoto. A young girl and her grandmother milk the family’s reindeer at their camp. Photo B&C Alexander/ hedgehoghouse.com.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

26 DAYS ● 13 August – 7 September 2012 Kayaking option

Across the North East Passage Autumn, when Arctic pack ice recedes, offers the best chance to complete the North East Passage. Cross nine time zones, traverse Siberia’s vast north coast, land in places few have seen. Marvel at the tundra’s breathtaking autumn colours, millions of migratory birds, and polar bears busily feeding cubs before winter’s hibernation. We encounter massive river deltas, exploring their wilderness maze, and roam across islands, alert for remnants of woolly mammoths that grazed here when it was the Great Arctic Plain. As our icestrengthened ship tracks close to the coast, we land at whim, visiting hunting camps and historic sites, and meeting local people. A true expedition, only adventurous spirits need apply. Day 1 Transfer from airport to board Akademik Shokalskiy late afternoon for an evening departure from Anadyr. Informative talks, preparatory briefings, bird and whale watching on the Bering Sea.

Day 4 Chukchi and Eskimo ivory carvers and hunters in Uelen village share their culture. From Cape Deshnev, easternmost point of mainland Asia, we visit Big Diomede Island. Day 5 Zodiacs transport us to Kolyuchin Island’s cliffs where puffins and cormorants fledge.

Day 2 Explore Achen Lagoon, a favourite of migratory birds, and cruise amongst Preobrazheniya Bay’s extraordinary basalt spires and overhangs. Day 3 ‘Whalebone Alley’, Yttygran’s historic sculpture park of weathered whalebones, precedes our visit to the Chukchi inhabitants of Yanrakinnot village. Pintegney Bay and Seniavinskiy Strait may reveal puffin rookeries, walrus and beluga whales.

Days 6-8 Wrangel Island, the world’s northernmost World Heritage site, is a wildlife paradise where low mountains, rivers and wetlands support 400 plant species and the planet’s greatest concentration of polar bear dens. See thousands of migrating birds, countless animals and the last-known stomping grounds of the woolly mammoth. Day 9 Reindeer herds roam across Chukotka’s Aion Island, where archaeologists unearthed ancient Eskimo artefacts in the 1920s-30s.

Day 10 Often icebound, even during summer, the Medvezie (Bear) Islands are a popular denning area for polar bears. Day 11 The Indigirka delta’s patchy forests, autumnal grasses and mosses provide habitat for myriad birds in one of the world’s most important breeding grounds. Day 12 Melting permafrost on the Novosibirskie Islands reveals megafauna bones and tusks dating back 200,000 years, when mammoths and rhinoceros roamed the Great Arctic Plain. We may see sanderlings, sandpipers, red knots, wolves and polar bears. Day 13 Mighty Lena River delta, the world’s second largest, fosters carpets of moss, lichen, medicinal herbs and flowers. Walrus, seals, many land mammals and 100 bird species feed here. Narwhals forage in outer channels. Day 14 Seek the world’s biggest migrating caribou

herd, a diversity of birds and woolly mammoth tusks on the Taimyr Peninsula, mainland Asia’s northernmost feature. Days 15-17 Mountains, ice caps, glaciers and fjords feature on Severnaya Zemlya’s four biggest islands. Little auks, guillemots and kittiwakes wrap up their breeding season. Days 18-20 Enter icy Kara Sea aiming for Uyedineniya and Pakhtusova Islands, favoured by seabirds, walrus and polar bears. Days 21-23 Zodiac cruise near militarily restricted Novaya Zemlya, visit Willem Barents’s 1597 overwintering site and replica house. Look for migrating terns, grouse and snowy owls. Days 24-26 A time to relax, recap all that we’ve seen and enjoy crossing the Barents Sea. Disembark in Murmansk in the morning and celebrate our month-long adventure, sailing the North East Passage! Overnight in Murmansk and transfer to airport.

Opposite page top: Searching for adventure! Checking for open leads in the pack ice, North East Passage expeditioners gaze across the Chukchi Sea from Cape Waring, Wrangel Island, to Herald Island. Photo Wolfgang Kaehler. Inset: Polar bear pose. Where there’s pack ice, there’s a chance to see polar bears. Although our North East Passage route takes us close to the Siberian coast, we’ll see plenty of pack ice as well. Photo Carol Hall. Clockwise from top left: Approaching Wrangel Island, we enter the world’s greatest concentration of walrus. This is Somnitelnaya Spit on Wrangel Island, where more than a thousand walrus haulout at one time. Photo Geophoto. Woolly mammoth tusk on the Novosibirskie Islands. Megafauna fossils like these hark back to the days when rhinoceros and woolly mammoths roamed the Great Arctic Plain. Photo Colin Monteath/hedgehoghouse.com. A barnacle goose and her chicks stop for a drink along the Siberian coast where we explore some of the world’s greatest river deltas – a birdwatcher’s dream! Photo Geophoto.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

14 DAYS ● 8 – 21 September 2012 Kayaking option

Voyage to the End of the Earth – Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land A rare chance to visit the once forbidden Novaya Zemlya and explore Franz Josef Land’s distant and wondrous islands. Departing Murmansk, we sail north into the Barents Sea to a world few have seen. Sea time passes quickly, with entertaining and informative talks about the region’s early explorers, the wildlife and plants we hope to see in the Russian Arctic National Park. Watch for whales, walrus and seals, and – as we reach pack ice – maybe polar bears. Spectacular bird cliffs feature, as do long tundra walks and historic huts. In true expedition style, weather and pack ice dictate our movements. Day 1 Overnight in Murmansk then tour this bustling home to Russia’s Northern Fleet. We visit Aloysha, the towering Soviet monument to Arctic defenders, and the delightful Churchof-the-Saviour-on-Waters. Mid-afternoon we’re warmly welcomed aboard Akademik Shokalskiy, to settle in before departure.

1000km in an elongated crescent between the Barents and Kara seas. It remains one of Russia’s most restricted regions. Most lies within a closely guarded military zone, but we head north, hoping to visit Putin’s recently extended Arctic National Park. We Zodiac cruise around offshore island bird rookeries of glaucous gulls, Arctic terns, snowy owls, geese and eider ducks. Whales, walruses, seals and dolphins frequent the surrounding waters. We plan to land at North Cape. Days 2-3 Sailing north across the ice-speckled Barents Sea, affords a fantastic opportunity to hear stories of explorers Barents, Nansen, Sedov and many more. We spend time with our enthusiastic crew and staff, watching for Arctic wildlife and the first signs of pack ice. Days 4-6 Mountainous and shrouded in mystery, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago comprises one large island and many small, stretching

Days 7-11 As we push north to the outer limits of the Barents Sea, an archipelago of 191 icecovered islands rises from the horizon – Franz Josef Land, the planet’s last major landmass to be discovered! Over the next five days we enter a world of exquisite Arctic beauty that few have seen. Uninhabited, bar a few Russian border guards who maintain a presence here, this is the realm of the polar bear, walrus, seals and elusive beluga whales. Migrating

visitors include kittiwakes, fulmars and gulls. While the archipelago is 85 per cent glaciated, the mostly ice-free shoreline of each island is unique. Just off Cape Tegetthoff, Hall Island, a huge cliff rises from the sea like a giant shark’s dorsal fin. Nearby are the weathered remains of explorers’ huts. Seabird cliffs tower over Cape Flora, Nordbrook Island, close to where Nansen met the Jackson expedition after his failed attempt on the North Pole. Walrus haulouts feature at Stolichky and Appolonov islands; Hooker Island has an abandoned polar research station and unpredictable polar bear visitors. Majestic Champ Island’s ice-capped mountains are the highest in the archipelago. There we search for the geological oddity of unique stone spheres up to 3 metres in diameter. Along the entire coastline we watch for remains of explorers’ and hunters’ huts

and camps. Some may be little more than weathered timbers and a gravesite, while others stand strong. Although Franz Josef Land’s southern waters are relatively ice-free at this time of year, our schedule is dictated by weather and ice conditions. Fortunately, we have many options. Days 12-13 As we sail southwest across the Barents Sea, we have time for lively discussions about all we’ve seen, to enjoy the beauty of European Arctic light, and top up our tally of whales, seals and seabirds. Day 14 We enter Kola Bay for an early morning arrival in Murmansk - largest city north of the Arctic Circle. After bidding our crew and staff goodbye, transfer to the airport.

“Plenty of everything we didn’t expect in such volume – bears, walruses, fur seals, reindeer, birds in excess…” – JOHN BORTHWICK – RUSSIA 2008

Opposite page top: Mysterious Bell Island, named for its shape, beckons as we approach Franz Josef Land. It was here in 1897, after their unsuccessful attempt to reach the North Pole, that Fritdjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen met up with the British explorer Frederick Jackson. Inset: Extravagant mosses at Cape Flora on Northbrook Island, Franz Josef Land. Jackson took Nansen and Johansen here to recuperate at his camp. Clockwise from top left: An abandoned meteorological station, Tikhaya Bay, on Hooker Island, Franz Josef Land. It was operational from 1923 to 1963. Like a rocky beacon, Cape Tegethoff marks one of the largest islands in the archipelago, Hall Island, named after American explorer Charles Hall. Rock and roll! Unique geodes found at Cape Triest, Champ Island, Franz Josef Land. Formed around an organic core, like a fossil, their hard surface is released from surrounding rock by erosion. Polar bears are often sighted in the pack ice between Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. All photos Geophoto.

VOYAGE PRICES For full pricing on all cabins for this voyage and surcharge for sea kayaking, please refer to the price sheet accompanying this brochure, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

Wild Scotland and Arctic Diving Adventures Basking sharks, rare sunfish and seals share your Scotland dives, or slip beneath icy waters to a dazzling world of grounded bergs, giant starfish, and multi-coloured sponge gardens of the Arctic. Waterproof Expeditions – specialists in photography, diving and snorkelling in some of the world’s most remote and exotic destinations – joins forces with Aurora Expeditions to offer advanced divers the experience of a lifetime. In 1998 Aurora Expeditions offered the first commercial dive trip to Antarctica, and we’ve built on our polar experience ever since. With more than a decade of diving in extreme conditions, we find protected waters with the best visibility, choosing the optimal sites and times. We cater for changeable weather and ice conditions, whilst maintaining the highest safety levels. Discover Scotland’s WWII wrecks or the fabulous kelp forests of Spitsbergen’s northeast coast with their curious seals and unique marine life. Greenland features real expedition diving, where each descent could well be a “first”, and exquisite icebergs vie for attention. Across the Arctic Ocean, diving amongst pack ice in the realm of walrus and polar bears stirs the adrenalin, but our highly qualified and experienced dive guide makes your safety his priority. Experienced dry-suit divers only. For more information, please contact our Expedition Experts on +61 2 9252 1033 or 1800 637 688 (freecall within Australia).

Above: Whether exploring grounded icebergs in Greenland, swimming with seals in Svalbard or with sunfish in Scotland, you’ll treasure our high latitude scuba dives. Photo Waterproof Expeditions.

High latitude sea kayaking Kayak hulls nudge brash ice aside as we glide beneath sculpted sea stacks festooned with newly hatched chicks. Above us comes the unmistakable whir of thousands of seabirds returning to their nests. Imagine paddling across the top of the world, in waters few have seen. Now is your chance, as sea kayaking is available on all our Scottish, European Arctic and Russian voyages. Our watery playground encompasses ice-choked fjords and sheltered bays glittering with sculpted icebergs, shining against an ever-changing landscape. Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land’s mountainous backdrops, Siberia’s complex river deltas, dramatic volcanic Kamchatka and geological oddities of the Kuril Islands delight kayakers in these wild, remote environments. New wonders greet us daily, from snuffling walrus, lazing otters, salmon-fishing brown bears, and the regal polar bear. With a decade of polar kayaking experience, Aurora Expeditions can advise you how best to prepare for your Arctic adventure. Aboard Polar Pioneer and Akademik Shokalskiy, our guides fit you with dry suits and keep you safe on excursions you’ll remember forever. If you want to join the kayakers, you need to advise us at the time of booking. Prior kayaking experience is essential.

Above: Paddle power meets horsepower for an impromptu pow-wow off the coast of Red Island, Greenland. Our Russian voyages offer the chance to kayak amongst nature’s wonders. Photo Carol Hall.

Life aboard our expedition ships After months of planning, preparation and travel, we arrive on the wharf, clear security and make our way past unloading lorries and sweeping cranes. Our pulse quickens with seagull cries and salt air. Ahead, our sturdy expedition ship, Polar Pioneer or Akademik Shokalskiy, promises adventure beyond the scope of massive cruise-liners nearby. As we step aboard to a warm welcome, we appreciate the camaraderie and the relaxed, exciting atmosphere. After the initial briefing, we gather on the flying bridge as the ship’s lines are cast off, and with a blast of the horn, our adventure begins.

“The team did everything possible to make this voyage enjoyable, interesting, comfortable and memorable.” – JEWELS OF THE ARCTIC 2010 – JILL TUFLEY

If the weather gods smile, the bright sunshine of a high latitude evening may highlight puffins and fulmars or perhaps the blow of a minke or fin whale, before we turn inside for briefings to prepare for tomorrow’s landings. Except when the pilot is on board, we’re welcome to visit the bridge. Thanks to our Captains’ “open bridge” policy we have a congenial place to watch for seabirds, whales and spectacular landscape. The outside decks also provide great viewing platforms. The sauna is especially appreciated after a polar plunge, a day’s hiking, kayaking, diving or a brisk Zodiac cruise through grounded icebergs. Our excellent chefs prepare three delicious, hearty meals each day, with snacks and treats available in the dining rooms at other times. Our resident medical officer is on hand throughout every voyage. The bar/ lounge is a homey spot to play cards and read in the afternoon, a lively place at Happy Hour where the day’s excitement is shared.

Above: Both Polar Pioneer and Akademik Shokalskiy offer fantastic places to enjoy passing scenery and wildlife, and everyone seems to find their secret spot. Don’t tell anyone, but this is just behind the bridge on Deck 6! Photo Chrissie Goldrick. Below left: Our dining rooms are comfortable and informal, a perfect place to share delicious food with new friends. Photo B&C Alexander. Below right: An impromptu picnic on the bow, the scrape of passing pack ice and glorious sunshine – bliss! Photo Alan Burger.

Polar Pioneer – Our expedition ship Polar Pioneer was commissioned in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, specifically designed for exploring polar waters. In 2001 she was refurbished to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. Her excellent reputation for polar expedition cruising is due to her strength, manoeuvrability and size. Our highly experienced Russian captain and crew are among the best ice navigators in the world. The spacious bridge is always open to us and decks are ideal for viewing the dramatic polar landscapes and wildlife. The accommodation is simple, yet comfortable, and all cabins have outside portholes and ample storage space. Meals are wholesome, delicious and prepared by Western chefs, while Russian stewardesses attend the dining room. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs enables easy travel from ship to shore.

Captain’s Deck 501

Upper Deck

Captain’s Cabin

503

502

505

401

400 402

403 405

404

504

507

506

406

Clinic

408

Bar/Lounge

Captain’s Suite

Mini Suite

Twin Private

SPECIFICATIONS

Main Deck Galley Dining

Dining

Hall

301 303 305 307

300 302 304 306

309

308

311 313

310 312

Twin Shared

Triple Shared

Length

71.60 meters

Beam

12.8 meters

Draft

4.5 meters

Cruising speed

12 knots

Registry

Russian

POLAR PIONEER IS AN EXCEPTIONAL VESSEL FOR POLAR TRAVEL, FEATURING A VARIETY OF PUBLIC AREAS, INCLUDING THE BRIDGE, OUTER DECKS, LECTURE ROOM, DINING ROOMS, LOUNGE BAR, LIBRARY AND SAUNA. The Captain’s Suite: Double bed in separate room, plus foldout couch that can be used as a single bed; forward and port windows; lounge and table area; fridge; TV/DVD player; private bathroom, with shower, toilet and washbasin. Mini Suite: Double bed in a separate room, foldout couch that can be used as a single bed; TV/DVD player; windows; desk; and private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Twin Private: Two lower bunks, a desk, windows and private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. NB: Cabins 402 and 403 have upper and lower bunks and a couch. Twin Public: Two lower bunks, desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space, couch and a porthole. Showers and toilets are close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.

Top: Our trusty ship, Polar Pioneer, is our floating base camp for for our Scotland and European Arctic explorations. From the moment you step aboard, you’ll feel at home with the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the easy camaraderie between our Russian crew, Aurora Expeditions staff and shipmates. Photo Tony Gordon. Above: Our simple, comfortable cabins offer the perfect place to recharge.

Triple: Two lower bunks and one upper bunk, desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and a porthole. Showers and toilets are close by and shared with other Main Deck cabins.

Akademik Shokalskiy – a welcome addition Aurora Expeditions is pleased to present Akademik Shokalskiy – sister ship to our beloved Polar Pioneer. Designed and built as an ice-strengthened research ship in Finland in 1982, Akademik Shokalskiy has explored much of the world’s frigid waters. Fully refurbished in 2008, the ship provides simple yet comfortable accommodation for a maximum of 54 passengers. Her excellent reputation for polar expedition cruising is due to her strength, size and manoeuvrability. Our highly experienced Russian captain and crew are among the world’s best ice navigators, and they make us welcome on the ship’s spacious bridge. Western chefs prepare hearty, wholesome food, which is served in the dining rooms by Russian stewardesses. The vessel is equipped with a small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs, ensuring safe travel from ship to shore.

Captain’s Deck Captain’s Deck Captain’s Cabin

513

510

517

509

518

505

521

Upper Deck Upper Deck 415

418

413

420

411

421

Main Main Deck Deck Galley Dining Room

Dining Room

321

315 Hospital Doctor’s Cabin

425 426

Lounge/Library

322

314 313

312

Suite

Twin Private

Quad Private

311

331

310

332

Twin Share

71.60 meters

Beam

12.8 meters

Draft

4.5 meters

Cruising speed

12 knots

Registry

Russian

327

S/T S/T

337

Bar

Mini Suite

Length

326

309

SPECIFICATIONS

Triple Share

AKADEMIK SHOKALSKIY IS AN EXCEPTIONAL VESSEL FOR POLAR TRAVEL, FEATURING A VARIETY OF PUBLIC AREAS, INCLUDING THE BRIDGE, OUTER DECKS, LECTURE ROOM, DINING ROOMS, LOUNGE BAR, LIBRARY AND SAUNA. The Captain’s Suite: Double bed in separate room, plus foldout couch that can be used as a single bed; forward and port windows; lounge and table area; fridge; TV/DVD player; private bathroom, with shower, toilet and washbasin. Mini Suite: Double bed in a separate room, foldout couch that can be used as a single bed; TV/DVD player; windows; desk; and private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Quad Private: Two upper and lower bunks, window and private bathroom and shower, toilet and washbasin. Suitable for a family of four or a group of friends travelling together. Twin Private: Two bunks, a desk, windows and private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Twin Public: Two bunks, desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space, couch and a porthole. Showers and toilets are close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.

Top: Our new sister! Recently refurbished Akademik Shokalskiy is of the same class and style as Polar Pioneer. She is home for our Russian Arctic and Russian Far East voyages. Above: As with Polar Pioneer, her cabins offer a welcome place to rest after the day’s adventures. Photos Quark Expeditions.

Triple: Two lower bunks and one upper bunk, desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and a porthole. Showers and toilets are close by and shared with other Main Deck cabins.

Left: Rare photo of expedition staff captured off Scotland coast. (Standing left to right) Sarah West, Jenny Scott, Al Bakker, Dave Burkitt, Dr Jamin Mulvey, Carol Knott, Gray Kirkpatrick. (Front) Gary Miller, Robyn Mundy, Andy Westwood. Photo Marianne Cochrane. Below: Inuit woman shares a smile with expedition leader Henrik Lovendahl. Photo Sue Werner. Bottom: Historian Carol Knott (in red, back to camera) enthusiastically offers her love and knowledge of Wild Scotland. Photo Robyn Mundy.

Our enthusiastic experts welcome you Our expedition staff are a special bunch, originally gleaned from fellow adventurers, scientists and close friends. Their unstoppable desire to explore wild places made Aurora Expeditions a leader in the fledgling world of expedition cruising. Today, our staff members are chosen not just for their impressive credentials and love of nature, but because they enjoy people and have a real passion for the places we visit. Whether in Scotland, the European Arctic or Russia, limited voyages keep our team fresh, keen to go ashore whenever possible and to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. Each voyage has an expedition leader, assistant expedition leader, naturalist, doctor and hotel staff. Guest lecturers join us on our Scottish and Russian trips and professional guides join our sea kayaking and scuba diving voyages. Through informal, illustrated talks, our team will clue you in to the world around you. Our expedition teams are among the industry’s finest. The high latitude environments we visit can be challenging, and with weather and ice conditions changing quickly, our staff’s hard-won experience often makes the difference between whether or not we go ashore. Your safety comes first, followed closely by exhilarating adventure!

“Thanks to Aurora for the opportunity to experience cruising as a passenger. I now know why so many are return passengers! Many thanks to the Polar Pioneer staff for making it such an amazing, unforgettable trip of a lifetime.” AMY CORT – WILD SCOTLAND 2010

Here’s a sampling of our experts who might welcome you on board:

Howard Whelan – Expedition leader, journalist and cinematographer, Howard filmed the first Australian ascent of Mt. Everest, was founding editor of Australian Geographic and led film crews to Antarctica for the Academy Award-winning Happy Feet. He has led expeditions to some of the planet’s most remote regions, including Antarctica, the Amazon, Galapagos Islands, and the Arctic Ocean. He spent three months in Russia researching an Outside magazine story, travelling from the Kola Peninsula, across Siberia to Kamchatka.

Henrik Løvendahl – Expedition leader, polar dive master and photographer, Henrik has a special affinity for the Arctic and his Viking heritage. Born in Denmark, he longed to explore beyond the Arctic Circle and visit northeast Greenland’s Danish Sirius Patrol headquarters. Both dreams fulfilled, Henrik has spent more than a decade leading Aurora Expeditions’ voyages to Greenland and Svalbard. He pioneered our polar diving programs, in Antarctica and the Arctic, and loves sharing his passion for the polar regions.

Alan Burger – Expedition naturalist, Alan was born and raised in the South African bushveld. He’s studied albatross, petrels, penguins, and terrestrial invertebrates. Immigrating to Canada in 1980, Alan is now an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. A wildlife conservationist, Alan has worked with Aurora Expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic and Russian Far East. Interpreting science and helping others enjoy the wonders of nature is one of Alan’s main interests.

Robyn Mundy – Assistant expedition leader, Robyn joined Aurora Expeditions in 1996 and has visited polar regions almost every year since. In the summer of 2003–04, Robyn spent a season living at Davis Station, where she worked as a field assistant researching south polar skuas. In 2008, Robyn over-wintered at Mawson Station, working with emperor penguins on the sea ice at Auster Rookery. Robyn has a PhD in Writing and is a keen photographer. Her first novel, The Nature of Ice, reflects her passion for Antarctica and polar history.

Carol Knott – A historian, Carol discovered archaeology in her teens, and received a Masters degree in Archaeology and History from the University of Glasgow. Living and working in the Outer Hebrides, she focuses on the history and archaeology of remote communities and deserted offshore islands and of understanding the lives of the resilient people who have made their homes there from earliest times. Carol’s particular interest is in the connections between Scotland, Scandinavia and the North Atlantic in the Middle Ages.

Dmitri Banin – Naturalist, Dmitri was born in Moscow, Russia, where he completed his PhD in Zoology. His research interests include behavioural ecology, conservation biology and wildlife management. He has studied migratory birds in the White Sea, Sea of Japan, Sakhalin and Kuril Islands, and developed research programs for all Nature Reserves of the former USSR. His lifelong interest, comparing high mountain ecosystems with those of the Arctic, has taken him to Alaska, Chukotka, the North Pole, Franz Josef Land and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.

Aurora Expeditions – Your Travel Agent From your first contact with us, through booking your travel arrangements, to when you’re welcomed aboard, you’ll appreciate the friendly expertise of our knowledgeable office staff. Our focus is to deliver one-on-one service for your upcoming expedition. As a licensed travel agent, we can make all your bookings for air travel, hotel accommodation and transfers to and from our expedition departure points. Meet the Aurora Expeditions office team: Back row: Mael, Arash, Ania, Becky. Middle row: Anne, Olivia, Jane, Bec, Emma. Front row: Leani, Cecily, Lisa, Veronica. Absent: Alison and Ludmila. Photo Mael Ressos.

Moscow at a Glance – Russia City tour includes a visit to St Basil’s Cathedral plus a Kremlin tour including the Armoury and Cathedral. St. Petersburg at a Glance – Russia City tour includes a visit to Peter and Paul’s Fortress, the Hermitage, the town of Pushkin, including Catherine Palace, Alexandrovsky Palace and Evening Folklore show.

Above: Astonishing St Basil’s Cathedral marks the centre of St Petersberg, Russia. Photo Cloki. Middle: Valley of the Geysers, Kamchatka. Enjoy a helicopter flight above the volcanoes into this geological wonderland. Photo Skye Marr-Whelan. Left: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, is the perfect place to unwind. Photo Blue Lagoon.

Valley of the Geysers, Kamchatka – Russia Wonderful sites with over 20 big geysers an indisputable World’s Miracle, the most precious natural relict of the mankind legacy. Although, helicopter flights are very weather dependant it is well worth the visit. Oslo Grand Tour – Norway Leisurely cruise of beautiful Oslofjord and hop on a coach to see the famed polar ship Fram, Kon-Tiki, Viking ships, a sculpture park and the Holmenkollen ski jump. Full day tour includes lunch. Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik – Iceland Bathe in the milky blue-green waters of this unique geothermal spa or hike through one of west Iceland’s youngest lava fields.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO BOOK

Foreigners entering the Russian Federation require a valid visa. A tourist visa is issued for a period of 30 days. Please refer to your appropriate Consulate in your country of residence for details. Please visit http://sydney.rusembassy.org for more information.

A deposit of US$1,250 / AUD$1250 per passenger per voyage and a completed booking form should be sent to our Sydney office. The final balance and personal forms are then due 90 days prior to departure. If the personal forms and final balance are not received by the due date, we will regard the booking as cancelled. You can download the booking form on our website: www.auroraexpeditions.com.au Payment Options: Direct deposit to bank account, bank cheque / draft or personal cheque, cash credit card (surcharge on credit card will apply on final payments only).

Cruising to the heart of nature Scotland, European Arctic & Russian Coast 2012 Price Sheet Wild Scotland and the Faroe Islands 14 DAYS: 11 June – 24 June 2012 Kayaking and Scuba Diving options

Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from ship to airport in Torshavn, Faroe Islands L Flight from Torshavn to Copenhagen in economy class L All entry fees to historic landings and historic sights L 12 month National Trust Membership

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

AU$7,500

Main

Twin, shared facilities

AU$8,750

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

AU$10,500

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

AU$11,900

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

AU$13,250

Surcharge for sea kayaking AU$1095. Surcharge for scuba diving AU$850. Prices quoted are per person in AU$, based on twin share. Price inclusions as stated. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin airportshare rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

European Arctic Voyages Spitsbergen Odyssey

12 DAY Complete Package 11 DAY CRUISE: 19 July – 29 July 2012 Kayaking option 11 DAY CRUISE: 29 July – 8 August 2012 Kayaking and Scuba Diving options

Voyage inclusions: L Overnight accommodation in Oslo, including breakfast L Transfer from hotel to airport L Flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen in economy class L Tour in Longyearbyen and transfer to ship L Transfer from ship to airport L Flight from Lonyearbyen to Oslo in economy class

15 DAY Complete Package 14 DAY CRUISE: 8 August – 21 August 12 Kayaking and Scuba Diving options 14 DAY CRUISE: 21 August – 3 September 2012 Kayaking option

Issued August 2011

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

AU$7,500

Main

Twin, shared facilities

AU$8,950

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

AU$9,900

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

AU$10,800

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

AU$11,500

* Surcharge for sea kayaking AU$995. Surcharge for scuba diving AU$850. Prices quoted are per person in AU$, based on twin share; not including airfares. Price inclusions as stated. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

Jewels of the Arctic – Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland

Voyage inclusions: Longyearbyen to Keflavik L Overnight accommodation in Oslo, including breakfast L Transfer from hotel to airport L Flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen L Tour in Longyearbyen and transfer to ship L Transfer from ship to airport L Flight from Isafjordur to Reykavik in economy class Voyage inclusions: Keflavik to Longyearbyen L Flight from Reykavik to Isafjordur L Transfer from airport to ship L Tour of Longyearbyen and transfer to airport L Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo L Transfer from airport to hotel L Overnight accommodation in Oslo, including breakfast

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

AU$8,500

Main

Twin, shared facilities

AU$9,950

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

AU$11,700

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

AU$12,975

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

AU$13,950

Surcharge for sea kayaking AU$1095. Surcharge for scuba diving $850. Prices quoted are per person in AU$, based on twin share; not including airfares. Price inclusions as stated. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices correct from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

www.auroraexpeditions.com.au | e: info@auroraexpeditions.com.au

>> P.T.O. | t: +61 2 9252 1033

Cruising to the heart of nature Scotland, European Arctic & Russian Coast 2012 Price Sheet Russian Far East Voyages Ring of Fire – Kuril Islands 13 DAYS: 25 June to 7 July 2012 Kayaking option Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from airport to ship L Transfer from ship to airport

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

US$8,450

Main

Twin, shared facilities

US$9,550

Upper

Quad, private facilities

US$10,150

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

US$10,700

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

US$11,150

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

US$12,050

Surcharge for sea kayaking US$995. Prices quoted are per person in US$, based on twin share; not including airfares or accommodation before or after the cruise. Price includes airport transfers to and from the ship. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

Bering Sea Explorer – Kamchatka, Commander Islands and Chukotka 13 DAYS: 7 July to 19 July 2012 Kayaking option Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from airport to ship L Transfer from ship to airport

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

US$9,050

Main

Twin, shared facilities

US$10,150

Upper

Quad, private facilities

US$10,750

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

US$11,300

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

US$11,750

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

US$12,650

Treasures of the Russian Far East – Kamchatka and Chukotka 13 DAYS: 19 July to 31 July 12 Kayaking option | NEW VOYAGE Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from airport to ship L Transfer from ship to airport

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

US$9,050

Main

Twin, shared facilities

US$10,150

Upper

Quad, private facilities

US$10,750

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

US$11,300

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

US$11,750

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

US$12,650

Surcharge for sea kayaking US$995. Prices quoted are per person in US$, based on twin share; not including airfare or accommodation before or after the cruise. Price includes airport transfers to and from the ship. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

>> P.T.O. Issued August 2011

www.auroraexpeditions.com.au | e: info@auroraexpeditions.com.au

| t: +61 2 9252 1033

Cruising to the heart of nature Scotland, European Arctic & Russian Coast 2012 Price Sheet Russian Arctic Voyages

Arctic Ocean Discoverer – Wrangel Island 14 DAYS: 31 July to 13 August 12 Kayaking option | NEW VOYAGE Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from airport to ship L Transfer from ship to airport

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

US$10,400

Main

Twin, shared facilities

US$11,400

Upper

Quad, private facilities

US$12,000

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

US$12,400

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

US$12,900

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

US$13,400

Surcharge for sea kayaking US$995. Prices quoted are per person in US$, based on twin share; not including accommodation before or after the cruise. Price includes airport transfers to and from the ship Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

Across the North East Passage

27 DAY Complete Package 26 DAY CRUISE: 13 August to 7 September 2012 Kayaking option Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from Anadyr airport to ship L Transfer from ship to hotel L Overnight accommodation in Murmansk L Murmansk city tour and transfer to airport

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

US$16,500

Main

Twin, shared facilities

US$19,550

Upper

Quad, private facilities

US$20,980

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

US$21,750

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

US$23,600

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

US$26,560

Surcharge for sea kayaking US$1550. Prices quoted are per person in US$, based on twin share. Price inclusions as stated. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

Voyage to the End of the Earth – Franz Josef Land

15 DAY Complete Package 14 DAY CRUISE: 8 September to 21 September 2012 Kayaking option Voyage inclusions: L Transfer from Murmansk airport to hotel L Overnight accommodation in Murmansk L City tour and transfer to ship L Transfer from ship to Murmansk airport

Deck

Cabin

Cruise Cost*

Main

Triple, shared facilities

US$8,890

Main

Twin, shared facilities

US$9,900

Upper

Quad, private facilities

US$10,875

Upper / Captain’s

Twin, private facilities

US$11,900

Captain’s

Mini Suite, private facilities

US$13,395

Captain’s

Suite, private facilities

US$14,600

Surcharge for sea kayaking US$995. Prices quoted are per person in US$, based on twin share. Price inclusions as stated. Single costs are 1.7 times the twin share rate. Fuel surcharge is also included in the price. Prices valid from 3rd August 2011. No refund of unused services.

As a licensed travel agent, Aurora Expeditions can book all your travel arrangements such as airfares, transfers, tours, hotel accommodation, visas and travel insurance. We have compiled a selection of fascinating tours that we are sure will tempt you into experiencing some of the unique cultures, wildlife and majestic landscapes that Scotland, European Arctic and Russian Coast has to offer. Please contact us about our Earlybird, VIP and back to back voyage offers on +61 2 9252 1033. Issued August 2011

www.auroraexpeditions.com.au | e: info@auroraexpeditions.com.au

| t: +61 2 9252 1033

BOOKING FORM

We look forward to welcoming you on board. To book, please complete and sign the booking form and send it to Aurora Expeditions along with your deposit and a photocopy of your passport (for international voyages only). PASSENGER I Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Last Name)

(First Name)

Address State Tel(hm)

Bus

Mobile

Postcode

Name on Passport Date of Birth

Nationality

Passport No.

Place of Issue

Date of Issue

Date of Expiry

PASSENGER 2 Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Last Name)

(First Name)

Address State Tel(hm)

Bus

Mobile

Postcode

Name on Passport Date of Birth

Nationality

Passport No.

Place of Issue

Date of Issue

Date of Expiry

TRIP SELECTED

Scotland

European Arctic

Russian Coast

Voyage Departure Date Cabin Category I would like Aurora Expeditions to contact me about organising my travel arrangements

OPTIONS (limited places on selected departures) Diving

Kayaking

How did you hear about us?

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS Signature 1

Date

Signature 2

Date

Signature of parent or guardian if under the age of consent

DEPOSIT PAYMENT – PER PERSON Scotland & European Arctic AU$1250

Aurora Expeditions NSW Travel Agents Lic. Number 2TA07028 Contact details Aurora Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 85 139766 911) Moran House, Level 3, 13-15 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Telephone: +61 2 9252 1033 Fax: +61 2 9252 1373 Email: info@auroraexpeditions.com.au Freecall: 1800 637 688

Russian Coast US$1250

BY CHEQUE

Please make cheques payable to Aurora Expeditions.

BY CREDIT CARD

Payment by credit card only accepted for deposits.

Bankcard

Visa

Mastercard

AMEX

(AMEX only)

Card ID: Expiry

Cardholder’s Name

Signature

expeditions

Please read the booking conditions carefully. They set out your agreement with Aurora Expeditions and contain important information. We have tried to keep the fine print to a minimum, so please bear with us. By booking with us and paying your deposit you are agreeing to the General Terms and Conditions outlined below. If you do not understand these General Terms and Conditions please contact a member of the Aurora Expeditions sales team for clarification.

INCLUDED IN THE EXPEDITION PRICE

NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXPEDITION PRICE

◗ Ship’s accommodation and all meals on board ship. ◗ All shore excursions from the ship including Zodiacs. ◗ Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services. ◗ Medical services. There is a resident medical officer and well equipped clinic on board. ◗ Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities. ◗ Pre-departure information. ◗ Pre and post land arrangements as mentioned in the itinerary.

◗ Visa, passport and vaccination charges and airport departure taxes. ◗ Hotels and meals not included in ship cruise itinerary. ◗ Optional excursions not included in ship cruise itinerary. ◗ Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges and phone calls and optional end of voyage tips. ◗ Credit card surcharge, if making your final payment by credit card. ◗ Emergency evacuation charges. Travel insurance is mandatory.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Mandatory Travel Insurance Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. We travel to remote regions of the world and we recommend that the policy’s emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum. Please ask your Aurora Expeditions consultant or your travel agent about travel insurance. Cancellations If it becomes necessary to cancel your voyage, we ask that you notify your Travel Agent or our Sales Team immediately in writing. Cancellation will take effect upon receipt by Aurora Expeditions of your written notice. Cancellation made before 90 days of voyage departure are subject to a non-refundable deposit of $1250, however your deposit may be transferred towards a different voyage at a fee of $250. Transfers are subject to availability and are only valid on voyages that depart within 12 months from date of transfer. You must pay the difference between the original booked price and the price of any transferred booking including the new deposit amount. If cancellation takes place less than 90 days prior to departure, you will be required to pay the full cost of the voyage. Delay or change of itinerary Aurora Expeditions may for any reason change the date of departure or conclusion of the tour, the scheduled point of departure for the tour, omit or change any scheduled stop on the tour or change the scheduled place of conclusion for the tour whether before or after the tour has departed, without prior notice to you. You will have no right to any refund and Aurora Expeditions will have no obligation to you or be liable for any loss, consequential damages, expenses, loss of time or enjoyment or inconvenience in respect of such changes. Aurora Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case any payment made by you will be refunded in full and you will not be entitled to make any further claim for compensation or damages, for any loss, consequential damage, expenses, loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation. Trip costs Trip costs are based on ground costs, fuel prices, ship charter rates and airfares at time of printing. While we try our utmost not to increase our prices, this is sometimes outside our control. We reserve the right to amend our prices. Amendments should occur only

in the event of significant surface increases and/or marked fluctuations in the US$ exchange rate upon which the land content is based or large fluctuations in fuel costs. Any increase in price must be paid by you before your departure. Landing fees are noncommissionable to travel agents. RESPONSIBILITY This is very important – please read carefully. By my/our signature(s) as set forth on the booking form I also acknowledge and confirm the following: Except to the extent that this waiver may be prohibited or restricted by the Trade Practices Act 1974 or other legislation that may exist from time to time in Australia, I hereby release Aurora Expeditions, its servants and agents and any licensor or licensee of it from all claims and actions that I/we have or may have at any time in the future against them or any of them, howsoever arising, for personal injury, death, property damage or any other loss, damage or expense that I/we may suffer as a result of my/our participation in any trip organised with or in conjunction with Aurora Expeditions. I am aware that your adventure trip, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent, has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which may include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared, weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected change, remoteness from normal medical services, evacuation difficulties if I am disabled. I accept all the inherent risks of the proposed adventure trip and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting therefrom. I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of adventure travel is derived in part from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or work, and that these inherent risks contribute to such enjoyment and excitement, being a reason for my participation. I agree that if I suffer injury or illness Aurora Expeditions can, at my cost, arrange medical treatment and emergency evacuation service, as Aurora Expeditions deems essential for my safety. In entering into this Agreement, I am not relying on any oral, written or visual representatives or statements by Aurora Expeditions or its staff or any other inducement or coercion to go on the adventure trip, hence, only of my own free will. I confirm that I am over the age of 18 years and that I have read and understand the terms and conditions of contract and this Agreement prior to signing it and agree that this Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors. I agree that

this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by and interpreted in accordance with the law of New South Wales AUSTRALIA. Health, Fitness, Trip Grades and Age Limits It is your responsibility to advise Aurora Expeditions of any pre-existing medical conditions and / or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase risk of you requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a voyage and the enjoyment of other voyage members. You are required to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a fully qualified medical practitioner. Aurora Expeditions reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your booking and refund the money paid by you, less any unrecoverable costs. Aurora Expeditions also reserves the right to cancel your participation in a voyage at any time, including after the commencement of the trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other voyage members. Any person under 18 years of age must travel with their legal guardian. Authority of the Expedition Leader At all times the decision of the Aurora Expeditions expedition leader or representative will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. This includes any decision that the Aurora Expeditions expedition leader makes about your ongoing participation in the trip or certain activities that compromise part of the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by the Aurora Expeditions Expedition Leader, or interfere with the well-being of the group, the Aurora Expeditions expedition leader reserves the right to terminate this contract and order you to leave the tour immediately, with no right of refund. Feedback If you have any complaints about your trip, you must make it known at the earliest opportunity to the Aurora Expeditions expedition leader or an Aurora Expeditions representative, who will be able to take appropriate action. If at the end of the trip you feel that your complaint has not been properly dealt with please notify us in writing within 30 days of the end of your trip.

Aurora Expeditions NSW Travel Agents Lic. Number 2TA07028 Aurora Travel Pty Ltd ABN 85 139 766 911

Mother nature knows best! Recharge your spirit with a cruise to the heart of nature. Share an Antarctic beach with curious penguins and seals, enjoy comparing Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) art in the Kimberley, delight in Papua New Guineaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exotic cultures.

Like to know more? Contact our Expedition Experts and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you choose your adventure of a lifetime. Freecall 1800 637 688 (within Australia) or visit our website for more inspiration: www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

expeditions

Papua New Guinea

2012

expeditions

Aurora Expeditions Travel Brochure Printed July 2011

PHOTO CAROL HALL

Kimberley Coast

2012

expeditions

2011-12

Antarctica

Designed & produced by Tony Gordon Printcounsel & Whelan Productions Horizontal Waterfalls | Bigge Island | Yampi Sound | Prince Regent River

Falklands | South Georgia | Antarctic Peninsula | East Antarctica | Subantarctic Islands

Alotau | Sepik River | Madang | New Britain | Rabaul

Cruising to the heart of nature Aurora Expeditions. Level 3, 13-15 Bridge St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia T +61 2 9252 1033 I F +61 2 9252 1373 I Freecall 1800 637 688 (within Australia) E info@auroraexpeditions.com.au I W www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

e 44 xpeditions

antarctica I european arctic I russian coast I kimberley coast I papua new guinea