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On the Trails of Vitus Bering - Petropavlovsk - Seward
MS Hanseatic - June 29 - July 15, 2012
Voyage HAN1212
It is believed that the first
immigrants reached America via a former land connection - the Bering Bridge. Today, the old
land route is jagged and characterised by majestic volcanoes and blossoming tundra, where
Steller's sea eagles and brown bears have their undisturbed home. Join the HANSEATIC on a
voyage into the rugged fairytale world which you will explore intensively with the
Zodiacs..
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| Date |
Destination |
| 29-Jun-12 |
Charter flight from Dusseldorf to Petropavlovsk. |
| 30-Jun-12 |
Embarkation in
Petropavlovsk/Kamchatka, departure 18.00 hrs |
| 1-Jul-12 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 02 Jul - 05
Jul-12 |
Kamchatka (Morzovaya
Bay , Komandor Bay , Nicolkoye , Chazma River , Kamenistaya Bay ,
Petropavlovsk) |
| 6-Jul-12 |
Relaxation at sea -
crossing the International Date Line (day counts twice) |
| 6-Jul-12 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 07 Jul - 11
Jul-12 |
Aleutian
Islands/Alaska (including Adak, Seguam Island , Chagulak Island , Akutan Island
, Unga Island ) |
| 12-Jul-12 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 13 Jul - 14
Jul-12 |
Alaska (Kodiak,
Amalik Bay , Kukak Bay ) |
| 15-Jul-12 |
Seward/Alaska,
arrival 8.30 hrs. Disembarkation. |
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Kamchatka: Dancing on Volcanoes
When the snow
and ice melt in the summer and the tundra comes into flower, yellow birch woods
and tall forb meadows confer an almost magical touch on the bizarre lunar
landscape. You can look forward to exciting expedition experiences when you
land with the Zodiacs on the pebble beach of Morzovaya Bay. On the bank
of the river which flows into the bay is an abandoned trapper's hut - not far
from an old Japanese shipwreck. The Commander Islands are situated to
the east of the peninsula. On the biggest of these, Bering Island, the
Dane Vitus Bering found his last resting place in 1741, after he had been
commissioned by the Russian tsar to search for a land bridge between Asia and
America. You will land with the Zodiacs in Komandor Bay, giving you a
chance to visit his grave. A walk with our expert takes you to an interesting
museum and introduces you to the village of Nicolkoye , established back
in 1826 by fur traders. To the south of the mouth of the Chazma River,
the Zodiacs will land on a shallow sandy beach. Alders, rowans and tall forb
meadows overgrown with wild roses will be in evidence on your nature hike to
the hot springs. Rugged bays, waterfalls and the precipitous crater landscape
of extinct volcanoes are characteristic of the panorama that awaits you in
Kamenistaya Bay. Surrounded by the volcanoes Koryakskaya Sopka and
Avatchinskaya Sopka, the city of Petropavlovsk is situated in a
sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Avacha. The scientific and cultural
centre of the region, Petropavlovsk is your starting point for a helicopter
flight to the Valley of the Geysers*, on which you will experience the
impressive spectacle of the hot springs in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. The
steaming clouds of mist make it apparent why the valley is a sacred site for
the Koryak people, which was only officially discovered by a Russian lady
geologist in 1941. Alternatively, you can enjoy a helicopter flight over the
volcanoes*. Or you may prefer to opt for a landrover drive and hike on
the Avacha Volcano*. Avacha is one of the last still active volcanoes in
Kamchatka.
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The Aleutian Islands and Alaska: A Kingdom of Animals
When
you cross the International Date Line, you reach the Aleutian Islands. The
Zodiacs take you ashore on the island of Adak. With the help of our experts
you will discover the most exciting aspects of the island, which is dominated by
the volcanic Mount Adagdak. Continuing in the direction of Seguam Island and
Chagulak Island, it is well worth keeping an eye on the open sea - with a
little bit of luck, you may see orcas showing their black and white backs above the
water. The lonesome sandy beaches of Seguam Island have become a home for Steller
sea lions and spotted seals, who can raise their young here without being
disturbed. Where fur hunters once camped on Akutan Island, there is now a
fishing community of merely around 700 inhabitants. The blossoming magnificence of
a richly varied plant world will greet you on the coast of Unga Island,
where the Zodiacs will introduce you to the sea otters at close quarters.
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| A Russian Orthodox church in Kodiak testifies to the city's era as the
capital of Russian America. This is where Alaska's oldest wooden building is
situated, which you can visit on the excursion Kodiak - the city and its
museums*. However, Kodiak Island is primarily known for the formidable Kodiak
bears. These solitary creatures can grow to a height of three metres and more and
only get together during the mating season. Explore remote regions in search for
the bears - flight and hike*, and there is a good chance that you will get to
observe these gigantic animals in their natural habitat. You will probably catch
sight of brown bears during exciting Zodiac rides in Amalik Bay and Kukak
Bay on the periphery of the Katmai National Park. Many of these mighty
creatures are to be found here, helping themselves to nature's abundant supplies. A
fascinating natural spectacle to conclude an expedition on which you will have
experienced many unforgettable encounters. |
On this expedition the Zodiac landings are subject to official permission, and a
change of itinerary may be necessary. The captain will decide on the best possible
alternatives depending on the weather and local conditions.
* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The shore
activities listed here are in the planning stage and are subject to changes. |
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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