Join the crew of the Spirit of Enderby on this very special 14-day cruise along the Kamchatka Coast! Siberia’s eastern coastline is undoubtedly one of the most remote and least visited regions of the globe. It is home to several groups of indigenous people, including the Itelmen, Koryak, Even, and Chukchi. This is an amazing coastline dominated by the volcanoes of Kamchatka in the south, the fjords of what was formally the Koryak region, and the rich estuarine areas and tundra of Chukotka. It has one of the most diverse assemblages of wildlife and habitats of anywhere of a similar latitude on the globe, and virtually no people or visitors to disturb them. Join researchers in monitoring the populations and distributions of the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpipers, seabirds, and waders.
Highlights
Travel to one of the most remote and least visited regions of the globe
Assist in monitoring the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, the capital and administrative center of the Kamchatka Region, and transfer to the port to board the Spirit of Enderby.
Spend this morning Zodiac cruising on the Zhupanova River. The main target here is the Steller’s sea eagle and there are usually some occupied nests close to the river. Good numbers of largha seals are also often hauled out on sandbars in the river and a good variety of waterfowl and waders can be sighted. By late afternoon, the ship should be over deep water heading for the Commander Islands. New species to look for include Laysan albatross, mottled petrel, and the fork-tailed storm petrel. The Kamchatka Trench can also be excellent for cetaceans - previously blue whales have been seen on this crossing.
The wildlife-rich Commander Islands were first discovered by the Commander Vitus Bering when his ship was wrecked here in 1741. Explore the islands through a combination of landings and Zodiac cruises. The first stop is the village of Nikolskoye where there is an interesting museum. Zodiac cruising is often spectacular - hope to encounter red-faced cormorant, red-legged kittiwake, pigeon guillemot, horned puffin, as well as parakeet, crested and whiskered auklets, and sea otters. Plans also include a ship cruise along the southern coast of Bering Island, as this area is excellent for cetaceans with humpback, sperm, northern minke, orcas and Baird’s beaked whales all regularly encountered.
The proposed landing site is a patchwork of boggy tundra, ponds, and shingle spits where an interesting range of waders can be found including Pacific golden plover, red-necked stint, and red-necked phalarope. Also, hope to see bluethroat and Pallas’ reed bunting.
Verkhoturova Island has some huge seabird colonies. By following a short trail to the clifftop, witness some fantastic views of tufted puffins, Brunnich’s guillemots, pelagic cormorants, and black-legged kittiwakes. Both Steller’s eider and harlequin duck occur here too. Som Steller sea lions are often seen as they hauled out on some offshore rocks. Later in the day, there may be either a Zodiac cruise or landing on the Govena Peninsula. Good numbers of brown bears can often be found here.
During these days of the expedition, travel along this largely unknown part of the coast. It comprises deep forested fjords where you should see brown bears, red fox, and with luck, mountain sheep and Kamchatka marmots. In the many lagoons and shallow bays, there is a vast array of bird life including tundra bean goose, Steller’s eider, great knot, long-tailed stint, gyrfalcon, Siberian accenter, and Asian rosy finch. This area is also a stronghold of the Kittlitz’s murrelet. Previous expeditions have explored much of this coastline, documenting the distribution and abundance of many species. In 2011, a previously unknown breeding population of spoon-billed sandpiper was recorded. Working alongside researchers from BirdLife International and Birds Russia, who travel with you, plan to revisit many of these areas to monitor changes and search for new breeding colonies. Enjoy unique opportunities for photography, for hiking, and for ‘birding’ in a species-rich country where literally only a few ‘westerners’ have ever been.
Meinypil’gyno, located on a 40 km long shingle spit, is the most important site in the world for breeding spoon-billed sandpiper. Here, about ten pairs are monitored by members of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Taskforce. As guests of the Taskforce, if possible, you may be guided to one of their monitored nests. The area is extremely rich in other wildlife, so you may also find emperor goose, Pacific diver, white-billed diver, and sandhill crane. The lagoon entrance often has largha seal, gray and beluga whales, and a spectacular number of gulls.
This coastline is rich in marine mammals. One creature to look for in particular is the walrus, as there is a known haul out. The animals do regularly move between locations, so finding them is always very much a matter of luck, although there were successes in the past. Good numbers of gray whales often congregate here too. To the north of Cape Navarin is Keyngypilgyn Lagoon - an excellent location for waterfowl and waders including emperor geese, greater white-fronted geese, brant geese, whooper swan, king eiders, red knots, and Aleutian tern.
Day 14: Port of Anadyr | Disembark
1 Breakfast
As the Spirit of Enderby sails it way to Anadyr Bay, there is an excellent chance of seeing more beluga whales. After a final breakfast onboard the Spirit of Enderby, it is time to disembark. Enjoy a complimentary transfer to a downtown hotel and the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,640
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Main Deck
Two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
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Superior
One bunk (one upper and one lower berth), writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
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Superior Plus
Two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
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Mini Suite
Separate bedroom with a double bed and a sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Mini Suites have windows.
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Heritage Suite
Large lounge area, separate bedroom with double bed and a sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Large forward and side facing windows allow great views.
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Main Deck Triple
One bunk (one upper abd ibe lower berth) and one additional lower berth, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
Notes
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
