During this 17-day icebreaker expedition you will explore Europe’s most northerly group of islands; a UNESCO international biosphere reserve and an archipelago inhabited by only four species of land mammal. In true expedition-style, the actual route and your daily adventures will unfold in response to local conditions. Sailing north from Murmansk, you will need to be out on deck with the expedition team to make the most of the rich diversity of extraordinary wildlife found in the Barents Sea: from colonies of Puffins and Guillemots, to kelp forests and coral reefs, as well as Walrus, Bowhead Whale and Polar Bears. The largely uninhabited and rarely visited archipelago of Franz Josef Land lies between the latitudes of 80° and 81° north and you will be only 900 kilometres from the North Pole when you go ashore to explore the islands’ former polar exploration bases. En-route from Franz Josef Land to Greenland, you will visit the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard where, amongst a spectacular backdrop of icebergs, glaciers and immense sea cliffs, you may encounter the magnificent Polar Bear. Although only four species of land mammal live here, the surrounding seas are prime breeding grounds for a diverse range of seabirds and marine life. Early nights are not advisable as this is a great place to experience the midnight sun. Wild, rugged and often icebound, the eastern coastline of Greenland is the habitat of Walrus, Polar Bear and Fur Seal. Designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, Northeast Greenland National Park covers an impressive 972,000 square kilometres, making it the largest national park in the world. Up to 40% of the world’s population of Musk Ox are believed to live near the Park’s coastline, so sightings are very likely. Sailing south through dramatic fjords and calving icebergs, you may have an opportunity to board the helicopters for flight-seeing over the magnificent landscape of King Oscar Fjord and Scoresby Sund. You will cross the Greenland Sea and Denmark Strait for the final part of your journey and disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland. Arctic Islands Franz Josef Land, Svalbard and Greenland: still relatively untouched by human intervention, these Arctic Islands are a remote wonderland of landscapes, wildlife and history. S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com Itinerary Day 1. Helsinki Day 2. Flight from Helsinki to Murmansk and embark Days 3 & 4. Barents Sea Days 5 to 7. Franz Josef Land Days 8 to 10. Svalbard Days 11 & 12. Northeast Greenland Days 13 to 15. Northeast Greenland National Park and King Oscar Fjord Days 16 & 17. Reykjavik and disembark Vessel Kapitan Khlebnikov (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Murmansk, Russia Disembark Reykjavik, Iceland Voyage nights 15 nights Departure dates 21 Jul to 6 Aug Price From £8,095 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included One night in Helsinki, air charter between Helsinki & Murmansk, voyage including guided shore, helicopter & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Guide price for flights & accommodation package Around £625 including return flights from the UK & 1-night in Reykjavik. 185

The Arctic is a vast landscape of serene beauty and seemingly impossible contradictions of nature. In a precarious balance of survival, delicate wildflowers carpet the rocky tundra amidst a surprising abundance of wildlife. On this exceptional and authentic nine-day journey you will be accompanied by local Inuit guides who will introduce you to the essential Inuit belief that everything in nature is infused with the spirit of life. Summer arrives early in the Hudson Strait: the deep undercurrents of the Atlantic Ocean rise to meet the Arctic seas and nutrient-rich waters stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, feeding the entire marine food chain so critical to the existence of the nomadic Inuit. Icebergs drift down from Greenland and gather in the calm waters of Ungava Bay. Here, under the circling midnight sun, the area is teaming with wildlife: there is the collective screech of a half-million Thick-billed Guillimots nesting on the cliffs; the silent gliding of white Beluga Whales in the warm waters of the Churchill River, and the humorous cacophony of a Walrus colony. Seals poke their heads out of the water and Polar Bears – the undisputed monarch of the Arctic – patrol the ice floes and their favourite beaches. You will travel to archaeological sites dating back thousands of years, explore remote outposts and retrace long forgotten paths of European explorers. Inuit communities will give you an insight into their fascinating culture and you will experience, firsthand, how many residents still continue to practice traditional methods of harvesting the land. Arctic Odyssey Inuit culture, majestic icebergs, pristine wilderness, the legendary midnight sun or your first Polar Bear in the wild, this voyage has it all – a great way to experience the Canadian Arctic for the first time. F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Itinerary Day 1. Embark in Kuujjuaq Days 2 to 8. Akpatok Island Kangiqsujuaq Digges Island & Mansel Island Walrus Island Kimmirut for Katannilik Territorial Park (Soper Heritage River) Inukjuaq Beechey Island Day 9. Churchill and disembark Vessel Lyubov Orlova (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Canada Disembark Churchill, Manitoba, Canada Voyage nights 8 nights Departure dates 12 to 20 Jul, 20 to 28 Jul Price £2,595 in a triple share cabin £2,995 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included Voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Adventure options Kayaking – everyone is welcome to sign up for a modest hourly fee. Guide price for flights & accommodation package Around £1,025 including return flights from the UK & 1-night in Ottowa. 186 Alternatively, you can join a voyage to explore the remote Coast of East Greenland. The polar areas have always held a mystical allure – however perhaps this attraction has become even stronger following the recent activities surrounding the International Polar Year and heightened concern about global warming. As you cruise amongst the pack ice and late summer icebergs of the remote east Greenland coast, you will witness firsthand the Arctic environment with its dramatic natural landscapes and elusive wildlife. Tales of early explorers will fascinate you on visits to setters’ huts and today’s Inuit community. The 13- or 14-day voyage onboard the expedition cruise vessel, Polar Star, will embark in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen and disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland. Departures: 22 August 2008 (11 nights) 28 August 2009 (12 nights) Prices: From £1,895 in a triple share cabin From £2,295 in a twin share cabin