cruise-collection-2016-2017

Around the Sea of Okhotsk ABOARD THE SILVER DISCOVERER

A voyage across the remote and seldom visited Sea of Okhotsk offers fantastic wildlife and scenic experiences. The birdwatching is nothing short of spectacular, with huge concentrations that can literally darken the sky at times. Northern fur seals, rare ribbon seals, Steller sea lions, and orcas roam the isolated seascape. And the scenery? The breathtaking volcanoes and sea-filled calderas of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands! Throughout the journey, you’ll enjoy Zodiac explorations and shore walks with expert guides who share their knowledge of these far-flung natural history paradises.

DAYS 1-7 OTARU, JAPAN / SAKHALIN, SHANTAR, AND MALMINSKIE ISLANDS, RUSSIA Depart Otaru and cruise to Sakhalin Island. Explore Yuzhno- Sakhalinsk, the capital, then enjoy a walk in search of birdlife including Steller sea eagles, Aleutian terns, and Siberian rubythroat. In the Shantar Islands, bearded, ringed, largha, and ribbon seals roam the waters. In the tiny Malminskie Islands, Zodiacs bring you along the shoreline for stunning views of an array of seabirds including several species of auklets and guillemots. DAYS 8-13 OKHOTSK / TALAN ISLAND / KAMCHATKA After exploring Okhotsk, cruise to Talan Island and board Zodiacs in search of harlequin ducks,

goosander, and other birds. On Kamchatka, the Utkholok and Kvachina watersheds are among the most productive and best- protected steelhead rivers on the Peninsula. Three islands form Utashud, where gray whales feed from spring until late December. Petropavlovsk is one of the oldest cities on the peninsula, and you’ll visit a sled-dog kennel where racing sled dogs are kept. DAYS 14-19 KURIL ISLANDS / TYULENIY AND SAKHALIN ISLANDS / OTARU Stretching 800 miles, the volcanic Kuril Islands are one of the richest areas in the world for seabirds. Your explorations include Atlasova and its 6,500-foot-high volcano, Matua, home to one of the Kuril’s most active volcanoes, Yankicha, whose

caldera is accessible only by Zodiac at high tide, and Chirpoy, with its whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, northern fulmars, kittiwakes, and auklets. Crossing the Sea of Okhotsk, arrive at Tyuleniy Island, the summer home to tens of thousands of northern fur seals along with black-footed kittiwakes and tufted puffins. Coming full circle, arrive back at Korsakov on Sakhalin Island, and depart on Day 19 via Otaru. DATES Aug 29-Sep 16, 2017 TRIP COST From $12,550 Price is per person and depends on cabin type

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