21 Days of
Following the Ice Edge
22 July to 3 August 2004
Exalted by nature and unscarred by man, the coasts and islands of the Bering Sea present thousands of miles of spectacular scenery, resplendent wildlife, and the unique indigenous cultures. Historically, this region has benefited form its geographic isolation. Local peoples live in harmony with their environment, many continuing a subsistence lifestyle millennia old. Wildlife continues to reign, ranging from lumbering brown bears to unfathomable numbers of sea birds. And yet this region’s strongest feature could be its remarkable scenery. Smoldering volcanoes and lush forests alternate with stunning carpets of tundra wildflowers and fascinating coastal rock formations.
Traveling with about 150 other adventurers aboard the New World Discoverer, we will have ample opportunities to discover the region’s spectacular scenery, cultures, and wildlife. This itinerary will visit six distinct cultural groups: the Yup’ik, the Koryak (a reindeer herding people), the Chukchi, the Aleut, the Inupiak and traditional Russian cultures. This voyage will also be the first circumnavigation of the Bering Sea by a passenger ship. We will call on Russia’s Chukchi region, northern Kamchatka, the Commander Islands, the Aleutians, and other islands of the Bering Sea. While traveling the Bering sea. While traveling the Bering waters, we will see scores of sea mammals, from walrus, to sea otters, to a variety of whales and seals.
Itinerary
Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
22 July to 3 August 2004
Day 1
Flights to Anchorage, Alaska
Depart home cities for Anchorage. Transfer to our deluxe hotel, where we will overnight .
Day 2
Anchorage to Nome, Alaska
Fly from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. Upon arrival in Nome, we will take a tour of this former boomtown of the 1899 gold rush. We will transfer to the historic St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (now a museum) for refreshments and the opportunity to freshen up or further explore the town independently. In the late afternoon we will transfer to the new World Discoverer , where we will board and settle in. The first of many gourmet dinners onboard will follow.
Day 3
Little Diomede Island, Bering Strait, Alaska
Little Diomede sits on the edge of the U.S.- Russia border. This steep-sided island is home to hundreds of seabirds, including auklets, murres, and Black-legged Kittiwakes. The World Discoverer will visit Ignaluk, the island’s only village, and meet some of its residents, who are primarily Inupiak Eskimos. After a tour of the tiny village, we will witness authentic Inupiak dances performed under the direction of village elders.
Big Diomede supports a 20-man border guard station. During the Cold War, the Russian government transferred all native islanders to the mainland, severing the close bond that existed between the people of the two islands. Today, residents of Little Diomede continue to travel to Big Diomede to hunt. Our landing will be one of the few landings permitted by the Russian government for a passenger ship. The rocky shores are typically teeming with walrus and bird-life.
Day 4
Gambell, Saint Lawrence Island, Bering Sea, Alaska
In Gambell, we will investigate ancient traditional hunting sites established by the early Yup’ik settlers. Today, Yup’ik culture remains distinct from that of the Aleuts. Islanders here have retained their native tongue, similar to the dialect found in Provideniya, across the Bering Strait. Whalebones, fish-drying racks and umiaks (traditional walrus skin boats) are a regular part of the landscape here. We will view traditional dances, which also bear similarities to those of their Siberian cousins. The fine art of carving walrus ivory has been a part of the Siberian-Yup’ik culture for generations. We may have the unique opportunity to see some of the exquisitely carved pieces and perhaps even witness a carving demonstration.
Day 5
Saint Matthew Island / Hall Island, Alaska
Isolated in the middle of the Bering Sea, this deserted island presents a spectacular thousand-foot cliff. We take Zodiac excursions around the tip of Hall Island to gushing grottos filled with thousands of seabirds, including puffins, cormorants, Northern Fulmars and Glaucous Gulls. Conditions permitting, we may visit Bull Seal Point for a nature walk on Saint Matthew Island. Here the tundra is a mass of wildflowers. Beach walkers may find agates and seashells, while those hiking into the nearby hills may spot the endemic McKay’s Bunting, or the remains of a 6,000-head reindeer herd, which was introduced to the island during World War II, but died out in the 1960s
Day 6
Saint Paul, Pribilof Islands, Alaska
Though discovered in 1786, the Pribilofs did not have permanent settlers until 1820, when the Russians relocated Aleuts to the island. We search the cliffs of Saint Paul for the estimated two million nesting seabirds that inhabit these precipitous environs each year. Guided by our Society Expeditions ornithologist, we should find Horned Puffins, Thick-billed Murres and Crested Auklets in some of the largest seabird colonies in the Western Hemisphere. The Pribilofs also are the site of the world’s largest breeding colonies of northern fur seals. An ecologically controlled visit to their rookery should afford unsurpassed photo opportunities, including large bulls with their harems and newborn pups. A fascinating visit to the tiny Aleut community reveals the Russian influence still found here, as reflected in the elaborate Orthodox church of Saints Peter and Paul.
Day 7
At sea
A full program of lectures will be offered today, along with leisure time.
Day 8
Kiska, Rat Islands, Alaska
Evidence of World War II occupation haunts this site with the remains of a Shinto Shrine, huts, and even a small beached submarine. On shore, we find grasses and wildflowers reclaiming their ancestral territories, with the song of the Lapland Longspur completing the scene. Conditions permitting, the World Discoverer will cruise by Sirius Point, where one of the greatest concentrations of Crested and Least Auklets occurs. As part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Kiska also provides sanctuary for endangered Steller’s sea lions and sea otters.
Day 9
Attu Island, Aleutians, Alaska
Today the World Discoverer visits Attu, the westernmost point of the United States, and the last island in the Aleutian Island chain. As most avid birders know, Attu is very significant for those keeping a North American list. Though American in soil, Attu is geographically closer to Asia. Asian migrants and vagrants are common – and if you spot them here they count on your North American list. Attu is also the site of the only World War II land battle fought on American soil. Rusty Quonset huts, emplacements and remnants of a prefabricated metal airstrip offer mute testimony to the struggle that occurred here. Much of the evidence is engulfed in the abundant wildflowers for which Attu is known. At the saddle of a nearby mountain pass, a war monument now stands in memory of both the American and Japanese soldiers who lost their lives in this decisive battle.
Day 10
Cross the International Dateline
This day will be lost as we cross the dateline for the first time
Day 11
Bering Island / Commander Bay, Russia
In 1741 an exploration party led by Vitus Bering was shipwrecked on an island off Kamchatka. Many of its members, including Bering, perished on the island, which has since been named in his honor. One notable survivor of the expedition was Wilhelm Steller, who described hundreds of plants and animals, including the Steller’s sea lion, Steller’s Jay, Steller’s Sea Eagle, and the now-extinct Steller’s sea cow. Today the island has a small Aleut population who operate a museum of local history and culture. We anticipate landing on the beach just below the hillside where Bering and several of his companions are buried. Shore walks guided by Society Expeditions naturalists will investigate the islands plants, birds, and terrain on this historically important island. Be on the lookout for arctic foxes.
Day 12
Cape Ozernaya, Kamchatka
Our expedition stop today will include hikes and zodiac excursions in this magnificent area of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Flowing out of Kuriliskoye Lake, the Ozernaya River is a natural habitat for Sockeye Salmon. Because of the incredible number of salmon in the river, this region is also rich with animal life including bears, wolves and foxes.
Day 13
Ossora, Karaginski Region
The Ossora Koryaks are the most traditional reindeer herders in Eastern Russia. Adhering diligently to a threatened way of life, the Koryaks actively practice the centuries-old traditions that are the hallmarks of their culture. These beautiful people will honor us with a rich cultural performance .
Day 14
South Glubokia Bay / Lavrova Bay, Russia
Join our lecturer and expedition staff ashore today as we land in these two remote and isolated areas of Kamchatka. Nature hikes will reveal the bountiful wildflowers, birds and wildlife. We may even spot a brown bear or two as they feast on the local berries .
Day 15
Glubokia Bay / Bugoslav Bay / Natalia Bay, Russia
Glubokia Bay’s pristine wilderness displays a rich complement of wildflowers. This beautiful marine habitat is also home to brown bears and mountain sheep. Bugoslav Bay is located on a seldom-visited island, and showcases a variety of seabirds, as well as a walrus rookery. Located on a large fjord, beautiful Natalia Bay is frequented by Koryaks and their reindeer herds. This lush outpost is also a summer feeding ground for brown bears, who indulge their largely vegetarian diets on the region’s abundant vegetation, gaining hundreds of pounds in preparation for the long winter.
Day 16
Dejneva Bay / Anastacia Bay, Russia
At Dejneva Bay, we will see the remains of and ancient Chukchi village. Today, this region is within the summer range of the Koryaks, a semi-nomadic reindeer-herding culture. We may cross paths with these intriguing people as they make their annual trek through the summer grazing lands. We should also have good views of a walrus rookery. We will also make an expedition stop to Anastacia Bay’s impressive cliffs. This area is still something of a frontier, giving us the opportunity to become modern-day explorers of a pristine wilderness l.
Day 17
Mainapilgino Village
Mainapilgino is a small Chukchi fishing village located in an isolated region of the Kamchatke Peninsula. We will be warmly greeted by the local people, and treated to caviar and salmon snacks. We may also have the opportunity to witness a dance performance, and visit the homes of some of the villagers .
Day 18
Sireniki / Provideniya
This morning we will visit Sireniki, a traditional Yup’ik village of 500 people, where residents hunt daily in their homemade umiaks. Around the village, we will seek locally produced craft items (NOTE: Passengers are advised not to purchase any items made of marine mammal material, as it is illegal to bring these products into the U.S.). Later, we will visit a bird cliff, where we will hopefully see thousands of Whiskered Auklets .
Day 19
Yandrakinot, Russia
Today we will visit the small Chukchi village of Yandrakinot. Near the village we will explore the remains of a ritual center built by a forgotten sea-mammal hunting civilization of the 13th and 14th centuries. Recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient monument was constructed from the skulls and mandibles of over 60 blow head whales .
Day 20
Cross the International Dateline
This day will be repeated as we re-cross the International Dateline.
Day 21
Nome, Alaska
Once a boomtown of the Gold Rush of 1899, Nome retains the flavor of a frontier outpost, where abandoned gold dredges and mining equipment recall its raucous heyday. Today, Nome is considered the gateway to the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, the U.S. portion of an international park to protect the shared natural and cultural heritage of the lands adjoining the Bering Strait. Disembark the World Discoverer and tour this historic town before transferring to the airport for our charter flight to Anchorage, connecting to homeward-bound flights. The Nome Mini-Convention Center will be available to us throughout the day for storing hand luggage, relaxation, or to freshen up
Following the Ice Edge Map
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST
* Cruise fare
* All shipboard gratuities
* Complimentary beveraqges during entire voyage (excluding top shelf liquors)
* Naturalist-guided shore excursions aboard comfortable and safe Zodiac craft
* Port charges
* Shipboard accomodations and meals
* A balanced program of informative audio/visual presentations and lectures by renowned experts
* Pre-cruise amenities package: Field guide, backpack, carry-On Travel Bag, Luggage Tags and more.
* Post-cruise journal of your voyage
INCLUDED In your PRE/POST PACKAGE FARE
* Charter flights where applicable
* Pre/Post-cruise hotel accomodations and tours as indicated. All transfers between hotels, airports, World Discoverer where applicable.
TOUR COSTS
(CRUISE ONLY - US Dollars / per person)
22 July to 3 Aug 2004
New World Discoverer
Category F - Double room
US$ 4,845
Category E - Double room
US$ 5,885
Category D - Double room
US$ 6,570
Category C - Double room
US$ 6,920
Category B - Double room
US$ 9,685
Category A - Double room
US$ 11,070
Owner's Ste. - Double room
US$ 13,840
Optional pre/past land package
US$ 1,010
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If you have any
questions on these expeditions please contact us at
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What you need to do to join us on
a unique adventure.
It's simple, just contact us with a rough outline of your requirements and let me, Captain Ben, and my Crew to do the rest for you.
Finally there isn't much we cannot cope with. Individuals or larger parties. Just let us know.
We have been located on the Beagle Channel, the entrance to Antarctica, helping people to fulfill their cruises dreams, since 1990.
Ring us direct by Telephone at 5661-621010
Or, for further information on expeditions or flights Patagonia, Antarctica, South Georgia, Cape Horn, and Tierra Del Fuego, please Email me at CaptainBen@victory-cruises.com
It's simple, just contact us with a rough outline of your requirements and let me, Captain Ben, and my Crew to do the rest for you.
Finally there isn't much we cannot cope with. Individuals or larger parties. Just let us know.
We have been located on the Beagle Channel, the entrance to Antarctica, helping people to fulfill their cruises dreams, since 1990.
Ring us direct by Telephone at 5661-621010
Or, for further information on expeditions or flights Patagonia, Antarctica, South Georgia, Cape Horn, and Tierra Del Fuego, please Email me at CaptainBen@victory-cruises.com
