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Exploring East Russia's TreasuresLand Program June 15-June 30, 2007, Expedition cruise from Vladivostok to Sakhalin Island and Petropavlovsk Highlights: Exploring the wondrous coastlines of the Russian Far East is discovering a world of sublime nature. Since few have ever explored this region, it will be you, nature and whomever you picture in the sky. Every day brings another discovery, whether is it is a spouting whale, a colony of magnificent Steller Seal or a glimpse of a noisy seal rookery. We have made the journey even more exciting by adding a visit to the Primorsky Krai, the home of the elusive Amur Tiger. At the end of the journey as you enter majestic Kamchatka and you just can not give up the pleasure of the journey, we would be happy to offer you a closer look at this marvelous peninsula. Logistical details: You will meet in Vladivostok. Where you will spend some days exploring the city and visiting Victor Yudin's Tiger Reserve and Lake Khanka, a nesting area for Japanese and other cranes. You will then fly to Sakhalin, where you'll spend time exploring the culture and nature of the island before you join the ship for its journey to Kamchatka. The trip combines a pre-cruise excursion with exploration by ship through the Kuriles. The land portion will be operated by WWEN and the cruise by Poseidon Expeditions, an experienced Russian cruise operator. Overview We are happy to present you with a combination land and cruise program that will allow you to get intimately acquainted with Wild and Beautiful East Russia. In this journey we have combined the most memorable sights of three regions. Your first stop will be the Primorsky Krai and its vibrant capital, Vladivostok. No visit to this region, should exclude its master, the Amur Tiger, roaming through its vast wilderness. This region also is well known for Khanka Preserve, located on the Chinese border and a nesting place for numerous cranes, including While Hooded Cranes (Grus monachus), Siberian White Cranes (G.Ieucogeranus) , white-naped crane (Grus vipko) and Japanese crane (Grus japonensis), Your second stop will be Sakhalin Island, which through its past, as a prisoner colony and off and on under Japanese occupation offers a rich history. Now a place humming with oil activity, it is using its ecological muscle to protect some of its natural treasures, such as the gray whale. But the center of the program is the cruise to the Kuriles. Not one place in Russia can match the Kuril Islands unique beauty and most of all its solitude. Walking and hiking amidst its spectacular volcanic landscape, beautiful wildflowers and loudly clamoring flocks of birds, one could imagine oneself to be present at the birth of the Earth. There is no way to see these wondrous islands than by expedition ship and more importantly to do this on a Russian ship, with Russian crew and staff. These are the people who know their region well; these are not visitors themselves but people born in this land of beauty. Your leader on this trip is Aaltje van Zoelen, not a stranger to this land either. Fifteen years or more ago, she first visited these islands not by expedition ship but by a small commercial vessel taking needed goods to the region. She has traveled widely in these regions more then once. To her is the task to emerge you into the Russian soul, to discover how nature is entwined in any human being living in these regions. Please, note! Passengers should keep in mind that this is a unique expedition to a remote and little explored part of the globe. Our sample itineraries should therefore be read as a guide only, depending heavily on weather conditions, as well as on other circumstances. Itinerary Day 1: Saturday, June 15 Day 2: Sunday, June 16 Day 3: Monday, June 17 Day 4; Tuesday, June 18 Day 5: Wednesday, June 19 Day 6: Thursday June 10 Day 7: Friday, June 21 Day 8: Saturday, June 22 The warm streams in the coastal waters have produced an abundance of underwater wildlife and fantastic plants. Even if you are not a diver you'll be able to appreciate this underwater realm. The exclusive clarity of coastal waters (30 - 40 meters) allows you to observe fish, sea-urchins, shellfish and plants even from your vessel's decks. If the water is calm enough, your zodiac-drivers will slow down, or even stop the engines for you to admire the underwater world for a while. Day 9: Sunday, June 23 You will watch more wonders of nature at Stolbchaty Cape. It seems nature itself tried to adorn this place with fantastic formations: volcanic activity has turned nearby rocks into a stone organ". The surface of the cape is covered with stark and cracked lava, amazingly looking like a cobblestone pavement. Day 10, Monday, June 24 As on Kunashir, many species of birds make their home on this island. They include: Short-tailed Albatross, Streaked Shearwater, Mandarin Duck, Golden Eagle, Steller's Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Peregrine, Japanese Crane, Latham's Snipe and Blakiston's Fish-Owl. You discover Lvinaya Past (lion jaws) Bay on the southern coast of Iturup early in the morning. The shape of this bay takes after a mouth of a roaring lion. In case of good weather conditions your expedition vessel will enter the bay to lower down zodiacs for a ride or a landing. Heading north we keep close to the shoreline in order not to miss wonderful views of the dramatic Atsonopuri volcano, the Zolotaya (Golden) Bay, and the 140-meters high Ilia Muromets waterfall, one of the highest in Russia. In the evening we approach Medvezhia (Bear's) Caldera. We plan a landing here to explore this remarkable place with a mountain looking like a giant Bear's paw. Bears are regular visitors here. Day 11: Tuesday, June 25 Thermal springs can be found in the upper Taka River. You will be surprised by the rich flora of Urup: Cloudberry, Great Bilberry, Seaside Sandplant, Kamchatka Stonecrop, Arctic Daisy, thickets of Kuma-Zasa, Wild Rose and others. Be careful, though, mosquitoes also are prime inhabitants of this island. You continue your exploration today on Broutona Island, famous for its spectacular birdlife. This tiny spot of land is a home for a vast colony of Fulmars. Day 12: Wednesday, June 26 Conditions permitting, you land onto Ketoy Island, boasting numerous breeding sites of Sea Lion. This is also the nesting place of numerous Pelagic Cormorants.
Your next stop is Ushishir Island - Ryponkicha (Kita) Island and Minamisima (Yankicha) Island. These tiny isles offer a variety of bird species that every birder dreams about: Red-throated Pipit, Greenshank, Buff-bellied Pipit, and Rough-legged Buzzard. The Ushishir Islands were favored by the Ainu people, an ancient people, who were the native inhabitants of the Kuriles. Numerous thermal pools on the islands used to be the objects of religious ceremonies and legends of Ainu. On Yankicha Island we try to reach the volcanic caldera, which forms Kraternaya Bay. A colony of Auklets has found shelter on the nearby rocks. Day 13, Thursday, June 27 The Avos Rock, resembling a sailing ship attracts your attention. This 35-meters high "sailing vessel" is a shelter for sea lions that live here in the vicinity of large colonies of Murres, Sea Gulls, and Cormorants. You will be able to get very close to Avos to enjoy the view and to make spectacular photos. In the evening we will pass by Makanrushi Island. The coastal waters surrounding the island are frequented by Sea Lions. The dramatic Makanrushi volcano is what you see first on our approach to the island.
Day 14: Friday, June 28 Another good landing site is Atlasova Island. The majestic focus of the island is the Alaid (Oyakoba) volcano, the highest on the Kuril Islands. Its eastern peak Khitam is 2 334 meters and the western peak Nisiiva is 2 289 meters high. Day 15, Saturday, June 29 In the afternoon we visit Vestnik Bay. Exciting view of imposing rocks colored red by sunset is your appropriate first stop on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Day 16, Sunday, June 30 We drop the anchor at the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Having disembarked, you will be able to take some optional excursions in the city and its suburbs or take your flight home - it will depend on your own after-trip schedule.
Land and expedition rates include:
Not included:
Named after the renowned Russian poetess - Marina Tsvetaeva - the ship was build in the famous Polish ship-yard Gdynia in 1989 as an ice-strengthened passenger vessel. Her two sister ships were named "Boris Pasternak" and "Anna Akhmatova" after two contemporary poets of Marina Tsvetaeva. From the very beginning "Marina Tsvetaeva" was meant to transport passengers across the Arctic seas during the summer season. Completely refurbished in early 2005, she is now able to comfortably accommodate up to 115 passengers for expedition cruising to remote areas of our planet. A fleet of zodiacs accommodates landings in wilderness areas. The passenger cabins are spacious and cozy. And the public areas (including the bridge, library, lecture room and bar) are great places to read a book or to communicate with fellow passengers. A sauna and open-air swimming pool with heated water offer additional recreational possibilities. Cabin Description Twin non-Private: Two lower berths, a desk, chair, wardrobes and a washbasin. Showers and toilets are located on the same deck outside the cabin. Triple accommodation is possible on request.
Twin Private: Two lower berths, a desk, chair, wardrobes and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Triple accommodation is possible on request.
Mini Suite: Two lower berths (bed and divan-bed), a desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, chair, TV and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Suite: Two rooms, three lower berths (2 beds and 1 divan-bed), a desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, 2 arm-chairs, chair, TV and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Superior: Two rooms, two lower berths (bed and divan-bed), a desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, chair, TV and a private bathroom with bath, shower, toilet and washbasin.
Corner Suite: Two rooms, three lower berths (2 beds and 1divan-bed), a desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, 2 arm-chairs, chair, and TV. Two windows in the bedroom face frontward and others face the inside of the ship with a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Owner's Suite: Twice the size of any other cabin. The cabin features a large lounge with desk and settee. A separate bedroom has a double and a single bed. Three windows observe the lounge and three windows face the outside. Features a private bathroom with shower, toilet and wash-basin. Ample storage. TV, video player, refrigerator, bar counter, 2 sofas, 2 armchairs, chair, with country-style interior.
Terms and conditions / Far East Reservations and payment. A deposit of 20% of the cabin rate is required to confirm a reservation with final payment due 60 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in EUROS. No other currencies will be accepted. Cancellation and Refunds. All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellations received 60 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of USD 650 per person. Please note that within 60 days all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. For these and other reasons mentioned below, WWEN strongly encourages you to obtain trip cancellation insurance. Prices quoted are based on group participation in on board activities, and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate, including any helicopter flying time (if applicable and which at the discretion of the captain and expedition leader may or may not be utilized) It is understood that refunds cannot be made to the passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason whatsoever. Itinerary. The itinerary described is subject to change at the discretion of the expedition leader or of the operator of the vessel. This is an expedition to a remote and scarcely populated part of the world, and we expressly reserve the right to change the itinerary, the date or place of departure due to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control without consulting the participants. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the interests of all passengers aboard and with regard to the safety of the vessel. Participants have no right to any refund or other considerations in the event of these inevitable itinerary changes. Nothing in this brochure is meant to signify the use of any specific design or model of helicopter or of inflatable boat. If a passenger misses any scheduled sailing of the vessel from any port or place, including any stopover, the operator of the vessel shall not be liable for any costs, expenses or damages incurred by the passenger as a result of his/her action and no refund of fare shall be granted. Passengers who participate in tours, operated by the operator of the vessel, agree that any photograph that includes their person may be used by the operator of the vessel and its associates for promotional purposes. Passengers may not charge for their appearance in any photographs. Responsibility. The payment of a deposit of any part or full payment for a reservation on this tour shall constitute consent to all the provisions contained herein. The operator of the vessel acts as a general sales agent on behalf of the shipping company and as a sales agent on behalf of transport companies, hotels, and others supplying services included in the program. However, the operator of the vessel, its subsidiaries and/or its associated agents, shall not be held responsible for property loss or damage and /or any damages resulting from illness, personal injury or death which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any tour whether due to the ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any aircraft, helicopter, automobile, bicycle, boat, vehicle, hotel, state carrier or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. We can assume no liability due to any cause whatsoever whether caused by failure or delay or other irregularity, acts or omissions occurring during a tour under which the means of transportation or other service provided thereby is offered or supplied by owners, operators or public carriers for whom the operator of the vessel acts only as agents. The operator of the vessel reserves the right (at its discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary or change any reservation, feature and/ or means of conveyance without notice and for any reason whatsoever and without allowance or refund. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case payments will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The operator of the vessel shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property arising out of any act of war, insurrection, revolt or other civil uprising or military action in the countries of origin, destination or passage. The passenger is fully liable for damage (to self, other passengers, ship, staff or other) caused by improper behavior. World Wise Ecotourism Network strongly recommends individual passengers obtain appropriate insurance coverage. Passengers are not permitted to bring or have onboard any pets or animals, firearms, flammable or hazardous items, controlled or prohibited substances or drugs, contraband or items prohibited by any country or port to be visited. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely. In case of medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger. World Wise Ecotourism Network strongly advises that passengers ensure that such eventualities are covered by travel insurance. If not covered by travel insurance the responsibility still remains with the passenger and the operator of the vessel declines any responsibility whatsoever. Onboard medical personnel (doctor) are independent contractors and work directly for the passenger. The published rate is based on the prices, exchange rates, duties and taxes as known to the operator of the vessel at the time of publication of materials and at the time of travel confirmation. The operator of the vessel reserves the right to raise the published rate (on the grounds of among other things, unforeseeable increases of e.g. exchange rates, duties, taxes, port fees and fuel prices) if considered necessary by the operator of the vessel . The operator of the vessel will inform passengers, tour operators or agents at least 60 days prior to departure. In the case of a price increase of more than 5% of the total price of the trip, passengers, tour operators or agents are entitled to cancel the trip without incurring any costs. By forwarding of deposit the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/her or other passengers. The operator of the vessel reserves the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of a tour at any time.
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