Sea of Okhotsk: Realm of the Sea Eagle
July 19, 2001 | Tags: ArcticHaving spent the last 30 years traveling the earth and exploring her spectacular natural wonders, I can honestly say that I've been almost everywhere. Of the few areas that I haven't visited, one in particular represents a long-unfulfilled dream for me, Russia's expansive Sea of Okhotsk. I will finally realize this dream next year when Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions launch a pioneering expedition to this once-off-limits corner of the globe. This program, departing 24 May 2002 aboard the Clipper Odyssey, will circumnavigate the Sea of Okhotsk in true expeditionary fashion; many of our landings will be first-ever visits by seafaring Western adventurers. There are few places left that you can go and know that virtually no Western eyes have beheld their vistas.
Our innovative voyage begins in late spring, just as the ice floes have started to disappear and wildflowers begin to carpet the tundra. Every day, we shall witness a stunning display as millions of birds migrate north-whiskered auklets, Siberian rubythroats, yellow-breasted buntings, Far Eastern curlews-these and many more species will be arriving to establish their nests. As an ornithologist, I can tell you that, from a birding perspective, the area is literally unexplored, presenting unmatched photographic opportunities. Iony Island is so tightly packed with cliff-dwelling murres that some must nest on a flat plain; our stop at Talan Island will bring us into proximity to the world's largest colony of tufted puffins, home to nearly one million of these birds.
The Sea of Okhotsk is also the domain of the magnificent Steller's sea eagle, the world's largest raptor. These birds, true icons of the area, are so huge, so powerful, that they have been known to carry off 40-pound baby seals. Writing in International Wildlife, Lucille Craft notes, "Placing a Steller's beak beside that of a falcon, kite, or osprey is like setting a hatchet beside a penknife." Only about 7,500 of this species of eagle remain in the world and can only be found here.
Birds compose only part of the rich wildlife tapestry. We will see rivers choked with salmon; beaches full of fur seals just arriving to pup; hills roamed by wolves, bighorn sheep, and Arctic fox; and the wildlife-rich Ptichi Islands, home to cavorting sea otters. With luck, we will catch sight of the lumbering Kamchatka brown bear, an animal equivalent in size to the famed Kodiak bear.
The ocean waters hold an amazing profusion of whale species. Once hunted nearly to extinction, the populations have recovered due to anti-whaling laws; we may see pods of orcas 200-strong. In addition, we should spot the Dall's porpoise, a marine mammal capable of traveling at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
The landscapes are as remarkable as the animals they contain. Our itinerary includes the Kamchatka Peninsula, land of smoking volcanoes. Of the 300 volcanoes found here, 29 are active. These geological marvels are rivaled by the Kuril Islands, an archipelago nearly equal to the Hawaiian Islands in landmass. Its 56 islands boast a total of 40 active volcanoes.
For those interested in human history and anthropology, the Sea of Okhotsk is a treasure trove. Sakhalin Island, one of our first stops, was first inhabited nearly 12,000 years ago. We shall meet the indigenous Nivkh people, descendants of the island's original Neolithic settlers. Tides permitting, another ethnic group, the Oroki, may meet us at Piltun Lagoon, herding their reindeers across the tundra as they have done since prehistory. A people without a written language, the Oroki are Russia's smallest indigenous group, with only about 200 remaining today.
Sakhalin's recorded history stretches back 2,000 years. The West's first notice of the island came when Marco Polo returned to Venice, bearing with him maps clearly delineating Sakhalin, Kamchatka, and the Kurils. The Japanese explored the island in 1635, followed by the Cossacks in the 1640s, and the eventual tug-of-war between Japan and Russia that lasted into the 20th century.
Our ship also calls at Okhotsk Town, the first settlement in the region. The Danish explorer Captain Vitus Bering headquartered here in the 1720s, using the town as a base from which he launched two extraordinary expeditions. Okhotsk seems frozen in time; its modest clapboard houses surrounded by small gardens appear unchanged since Bering's era.
No matter what your interest-birding, botany, hiking, history, photography-you will revel in the Realm of the Sea Eagle's breathtaking environment. I hope you will join me on what will be one of the landmark departures of 2002.
Under Sail
April 20, 2001
Werner Zehnder, April 2001
Over the last few years, many passengers have asked us when will we return to Arabia and the Indian Ocean. Our response has always been, "when we find the right ship." I am excited to announce that we have done just that - the wonderful sailing vessel Le Ponant.
Standing on an overlook on the island of Corsica this last year, I caught my first glimpse of Le Ponant as she emerged from the fog into the narrow harbor of Bonifacio. She appeared as if by magic - a bright gem materializing from the mist. From my vantage, I could see her expansive deck space where a small, jovial group of passengers were gathered. I immediately sensed Le Ponant was the perfect vessel for Zegrahm.
Once I boarded the ship for my inspection cruise, my instincts were confirmed. At 290 feet in length, Le Ponant is the most spacious expedition vessel I have ever encountered. While most vessels her size accommodate 100 passengers, she carries an exclusive group of 55. With a friendly crew of 30, her ratio of passenger-to-crew is unmatched, assuring every comfort throughout our stay. Le Ponant's operational capabilities are no less impressive with 16,140 square feet of brilliant white sails, a fleet of Zodiacs, diving and snorkeling gear, and the latest in navigation and safety equipment. Le Ponant is the ideal combination of luxury, comfort, and true expeditionary spirit.
We've planned an ambitious series of programs-15 voyages in all-exploring the sun-drenched regions of Arabia, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean. We begin with a series of four pioneering Arabian Nights itineraries, followed by two extensive Indian Ocean programs, then a return north to the Mediterranean.
Our Arabian Nights programs will sail a historic pathway crisscrossed by seafarers since prehistory, visiting some of the most legendary cultural and natural sites gracing this "crossroads of empires" - the rose-colored city of Petra in Jordan; Egypt's underwater wonderland at Sharm El Sheikh and the Monastery of St. Catherine; the old town of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; the birding mecca of Eritrea's Dahlak Peninsula; and the magnificent soaring mud-brick buildings of Yemen's Shibam.
Continuing along the coast of Oman, Le Ponant will call at Salalah, Kuria Muria Island, Masirah Island, Muscat, Sohar, as well as the exotic cliffs of the fjord-like Musandam Peninsula. Sailing through the Strait of Hormoz, we enter the United Arab Emirates for an exploration of four of the seven sheikdoms - Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujaira. We then cross the strait to Iran - a country recently opened to Westerners - stopping at the fascinating port city of Bandar-e Abbas and Gheshm Island for hiking and snorkeling.
At the end of January 2003, Le Ponant will sail south to the idyllic shores of the Seychelles Islands. Refreshing tropical winds will carry Le Ponant from Mahe to such islands as Aride, Cousin, Desroches, La Digue, Praslin, and Bird for encounters with rare giant tortoises, colorful chameleons, elegant tropicbirds, a kaleidoscope of fish and coral, and friendly Seychellois locals.
Our second Indian Ocean program includes eight days in the Seychelles highlighted by stops at Aldabra, the largest raised atoll in the world, and Assumption Island, one of only two islands populated by the Abbot's booby. We sail on to Mayotte in the Comoros Islands before ending the program with three days in Madagascar.
By March 2003, Le Ponant returns to the Red Sea for a final Arabian Nights program. Then, her sails carry her north through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, where we have two expeditions planned: Aqaba to Crete, and onwards from Crete to Nice.
Although relatively short (trips range from nine to sixteen days), these voyages offer great versatility. They can be taken singly or combined, accommodating those of you with less time or those who wish to couple their voyages with a variety of optional extensions.
If you are looking for a unique sailing experience combining the best of three worlds- vessel, destination, and Zegrahm's expeditionary style-please join us for a winter get-away to warm retreats in Arabia, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean under the billowing white sails of the spacious Le Ponant.
Africa By Air - Tracing the Great Rift Valley
April 20, 2001Nadia Eckhardt, April 2001
As those who know me can attest, my enthusiasm for my native Africa never wanes; I simply love sharing this incredibly diverse continent with Zegrahm and Eco-Expeditions' passengers. It was such a thrill for me to co-lead last year's Africa by Air program, one of the most exciting African expeditions ever designed. The itinerary, tracing the Great Rift Valley from South Africa to Ethiopia, provided travelers an ideal way to experience the wonders of this rich and varied continent-from the comfort of a vintage Douglas propliner.
In September 2001, we will repeat this fantastic journey, traveling aboard a nostalgic DC-6. Refurbished and operated by South African Historic Flight, the DC-6 is the perfect vehicle for our journey. This propeller-driven aircraft recalls an era when events proceeded at a more measured pace. A well-appointed cabin with generous legroom ensures passengers' comfort. Our flight crew, who will remain with us throughout the trip, includes some of the most experienced propliner pilots in the world. They, along with the engineers and flight attendants, convey an infectious zeal for the joys of classic air travel. This was more than apparent on last year's journey where the crew became an integral part of our staff, involving passengers in the nostalgic flight experience, from providing route maps to their ever-professional service and attention to detail.
Using the plane as a base of operations, the expedition will depart from Johannesburg and fly north to Ethiopia, our ultimate destination. Along the way, we stop at some of Africa's famous wildlife reserves in Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda.
Our planned itinerary includes Chobe National Park, home to the planet's largest elephant herds, and the Luangwa National Park in Zambia, famous for its large population of leopards. Further north, we will witness the great plains game migration of the Serengeti, and then we move on to the "Pearl of Africa," Uganda.
Africa by Air journeys across time as well as distance. The Great Rift Valley contains a fossil record that stretches back millions of years, revealing insights into humanity's origins. We shall visit such famous hominid sites as South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves, as well as Ethiopia's National and Ethnographic Museum.
Departing 22 September 2001, Africa by Air offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore Africa's staggering array of landscapes and biodiversity from the vantage of a DC-6. I hope you will join Peter Harrison, Shirley Metz, and me on this one-of-a-kind adventure to experience Africa's wonder and romance.
Under Sail
April 19, 2001 | Tags: Middle East
Werner Zehnder, April 2001
Over the last few years, many passengers have asked us when will we return to Arabia and the Indian Ocean. Our response has always been, "when we find the right ship." I am excited to announce that we have done just that - the wonderful sailing vessel Le Ponant.
Standing on an overlook on the island of Corsica this last year, I caught my first glimpse of Le Ponant as she emerged from the fog into the narrow harbor of Bonifacio. She appeared as if by magic - a bright gem materializing from the mist. From my vantage, I could see her expansive deck space where a small, jovial group of passengers were gathered. I immediately sensed Le Ponant was the perfect vessel for Zegrahm.
Once I boarded the ship for my inspection cruise, my instincts were confirmed. At 290 feet in length, Le Ponant is the most spacious expedition vessel I have ever encountered. While most vessels her size accommodate 100 passengers, she carries an exclusive group of 55. With a friendly crew of 30, her ratio of passenger-to-crew is unmatched, assuring every comfort throughout our stay. Le Ponant's operational capabilities are no less impressive with 16,140 square feet of brilliant white sails, a fleet of Zodiacs, diving and snorkeling gear, and the latest in navigation and safety equipment. Le Ponant is the ideal combination of luxury, comfort, and true expeditionary spirit.
We've planned an ambitious series of programs-15 voyages in all-exploring the sun-drenched regions of Arabia, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean. We begin with a series of four pioneering Arabian Nights itineraries, followed by two extensive Indian Ocean programs, then a return north to the Mediterranean.
Our Arabian Nights programs will sail a historic pathway crisscrossed by seafarers since prehistory, visiting some of the most legendary cultural and natural sites gracing this "crossroads of empires" - the rose-colored city of Petra in Jordan; Egypt's underwater wonderland at Sharm El Sheikh and the Monastery of St. Catherine; the old town of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; the birding mecca of Eritrea's Dahlak Peninsula; and the magnificent soaring mud-brick buildings of Yemen's Shibam.
Continuing along the coast of Oman, Le Ponant will call at Salalah, Kuria Muria Island, Masirah Island, Muscat, Sohar, as well as the exotic cliffs of the fjord-like Musandam Peninsula. Sailing through the Strait of Hormoz, we enter the United Arab Emirates for an exploration of four of the seven sheikdoms - Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujaira. We then cross the strait to Iran - a country recently opened to Westerners - stopping at the fascinating port city of Bandar-e Abbas and Gheshm Island for hiking and snorkeling.
At the end of January 2003, Le Ponant will sail south to the idyllic shores of the Seychelles Islands. Refreshing tropical winds will carry Le Ponant from Mahe to such islands as Aride, Cousin, Desroches, La Digue, Praslin, and Bird for encounters with rare giant tortoises, colorful chameleons, elegant tropicbirds, a kaleidoscope of fish and coral, and friendly Seychellois locals.
Our second Indian Ocean program includes eight days in the Seychelles highlighted by stops at Aldabra, the largest raised atoll in the world, and Assumption Island, one of only two islands populated by the Abbot's booby. We sail on to Mayotte in the Comoros Islands before ending the program with three days in Madagascar.
By March 2003, Le Ponant returns to the Red Sea for a final Arabian Nights program. Then, her sails carry her north through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, where we have two expeditions planned: Aqaba to Crete, and onwards from Crete to Nice.
Although relatively short (trips range from nine to sixteen days), these voyages offer great versatility. They can be taken singly or combined, accommodating those of you with less time or those who wish to couple their voyages with a variety of optional extensions.
If you are looking for a unique sailing experience combining the best of three worlds- vessel, destination, and Zegrahm's expeditionary style-please join us for a winter get-away to warm retreats in Arabia, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean under the billowing white sails of the spacious Le Ponant.
Africa By Air - Tracing the Great Rift Valley
April 19, 2001 | Tags: AfricaNadia Eckhardt, April 2001
As those who know me can attest, my enthusiasm for my native Africa never wanes; I simply love sharing this incredibly diverse continent with Zegrahm and Eco-Expeditions' passengers. It was such a thrill for me to co-lead last year's Africa by Air program, one of the most exciting African expeditions ever designed. The itinerary, tracing the Great Rift Valley from South Africa to Ethiopia, provided travelers an ideal way to experience the wonders of this rich and varied continent-from the comfort of a vintage Douglas propliner.
In September 2001, we will repeat this fantastic journey, traveling aboard a nostalgic DC-6. Refurbished and operated by South African Historic Flight, the DC-6 is the perfect vehicle for our journey. This propeller-driven aircraft recalls an era when events proceeded at a more measured pace. A well-appointed cabin with generous legroom ensures passengers' comfort. Our flight crew, who will remain with us throughout the trip, includes some of the most experienced propliner pilots in the world. They, along with the engineers and flight attendants, convey an infectious zeal for the joys of classic air travel. This was more than apparent on last year's journey where the crew became an integral part of our staff, involving passengers in the nostalgic flight experience, from providing route maps to their ever-professional service and attention to detail.
Using the plane as a base of operations, the expedition will depart from Johannesburg and fly north to Ethiopia, our ultimate destination. Along the way, we stop at some of Africa's famous wildlife reserves in Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda.
Our planned itinerary includes Chobe National Park, home to the planet's largest elephant herds, and the Luangwa National Park in Zambia, famous for its large population of leopards. Further north, we will witness the great plains game migration of the Serengeti, and then we move on to the "Pearl of Africa," Uganda.
Africa by Air journeys across time as well as distance. The Great Rift Valley contains a fossil record that stretches back millions of years, revealing insights into humanity's origins. We shall visit such famous hominid sites as South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves, as well as Ethiopia's National and Ethnographic Museum.
Departing 22 September 2001, Africa by Air offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore Africa's staggering array of landscapes and biodiversity from the vantage of a DC-6. I hope you will join Peter Harrison, Shirley Metz, and me on this one-of-a-kind adventure to experience Africa's wonder and romance.