GREAT OFFERSincluding sailing the Northwest Passage in August and some fantastic new voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic

Just as the first spring snowswere settling over Dartmoor,

I headed off to even colder climeswith a week in Iceland in earlyFebruary. It was a valuable tripwhich will further enhance whatwe can offer there – do read myreport on page 3. On a moregeneral note, I am pleased to saythat 2012 has started verypositively, with the first fewmonths of the year as busy as I can remember. There’s been astrong trend for last minutebookings – so don’t lose heart ifyou have yet to make your travelplans – there is still time to call us.You’ll see from this issue thatthere are quite a few offersavailable around the world, soyou might even consider an areaor a holiday you had not thoughtof before!

OUR NEW E-NEWSLETTERDon’t miss anything we mightmention in dispatches, our thrice-yearly e-newsletter whichwill bring you the very latest news and offers from around theglobe. If you have not received our first edition which wasemailed early in March, do checkwe have your current emailaddress. The next issue isscheduled for mid-June.

Fiona Brijnath, Director

tel & fax

01837 840640email fiona@farfrontiers.comfiona@arcturusexpeditions.co.uk

webwww.farfrontiers.comwww.arcturusexpeditions.co.uk

addressNinestone, South Zeal,Devon EX20 2PZ

update | April 2012

EXPLORE MONGOLIA on one of our new small group

tours this summer or autumn

GREAT OFFERSincluding sailing the Northwest Passage in August and some fantastic new voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic

Photo:Wally Chin

Just some of Fiona’s top newofferings and recommendationsfor a holiday with a difference.

Just some of Fiona’s top newofferings and recommendationsfor a holiday with a difference.

WHAT’S NEWWHAT’S NEW

MONGOLIAWe have three fantastic small group trips to explorethe wild and remote outpost of Mongolia, allguaranteed to run with two people.

Riding in the cradle of Nomadic civilizationA superb ride in the Khangai Mountains in CentralMongolia where life for nomadic peoples and theiranimals has changed little. Local horsemen willaccompany you to their homeland and you’ll havecomfortable overnight camps with good food, warmtents and a shower and toilet tent. There are back-up vehicles for those who don’t want to ride theentire distance. Watch the opening ceremony of theNaadam ‘manly’ games of wrestling, archery andhorseracing – the best of Mongolian traditions,costumes, songs and dances.

» when « 29 June – 13 July 2012» price « £3,775 per person

Spirits of reindeer herdersA daring ride into the taiga to meet the Tsaatans,the only reindeer herding people of Mongolia and atribe which numbers about 300. These enigmaticpeople herd reindeer not only for their antlers, alucrative medicinal product, but also for their milkand meat. This is your chance to sample both andtake a reindeer ride!

» when « 1 – 19 August 2012» price « £4,530 per person

Hunting with golden eaglesThis is one of the oldest and most spectacular customsof Mongolia’s Kazakh people. The tradition of huntingwith specially trained eagles displays the pride of theKazakhs and their skill as hunters and culminates inthis annual festival. It is held in the extreme west inthe heart of the majestic Altai Mountains, an area ofrivers, glaciers and the beautiful landscapes ofMongolia’s Bayan-Ulgii province.

» when « 26 September – 9 October 2012 » price « £3,990 per person

ARGENTINAPrivacy, traditional hospitality,nature and adventureIf you are looking for an exceptional estancia stay,look no further than Rancho ’e Cuero, just twohours’ drive (100km) from Mendoza in north westArgentina. This 3,000 hectare ranch has been inthe same family for over 200 years and your hostsare keen to share the magic of its landscape.Activities include riding, trekking, fly fishing and4x4 excursions. For nature lovers, the estancia’spermanent residents include condor, foxes andhares. Call us to find out how we can incorporatethis into a fantastic South America holiday.

SOUTHERN CHILENew luxury hotel and spa Recently opened in the stunning environs of Chile’sTorres Del Paine National Park is the authenticallydesigned Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa. Perchedon a bluff where the vast pampas meet LakeSarmiento, it has just 40 guest rooms, magnificentviews and a warm Patagonian ambiance. Enjoy anall-inclusive Patagonian experience with excellentguided excursions in the park ranging from a fewhours’ trek to a full day, delicious and healthy localcuisine, open bar, and access to all the spa facilities.

Tierra Patagonia has a sister property in themesmerizing Atacama Desert in Northern Chile.Call us about combining the two into your trip.The best time to travel is December to March.

The Bellsund Arctic Cruise is a five dayvoyage along the west coast of Spitsbergenaboard the Dutch schooner Noorderlicht.It starts in Longyearbyen, continues outthrough Isfjord and follows the west coast ofSpitsbergen to Bellsund, one of the majorwhaling grounds during the 17th century.

» when « Voyage dates 24 – 28 May 2012» price guide « £1,740 per person

(voyage only)

A five day cruise on Noorderlicht along thewest coast of Spitsbergen. We head norththrough the Forland Strait to magnificentKongsfjorden, known for its rich animal life,beautiful scenery, and the world’snorthernmost settlement, Ny-Ålesund. Thisvoyage can be combined with the Bellsundcruise into a 10 day voyage.

» when « Voyage dates 28 May – 1 June 2012» price guide « £1,740 per person

(voyage only)

Join Noorderlicht to cruise along the west andnorth coast of Spitsbergen, following the westcoast to Ny-Ålseund and passingMagdalenafjorden and the former whalingtown of Smeerenburg.

» when « Voyage dates 1 – 10 June 2012 » price guide « £3,000 per person

(voyage only)

SPITSBERGENThree new sailing voyages on Noorderlicht

SPITSBERGENNew dog carting tripWe have a new sledging partner in Spitsbergenand can now offer more options in the Svalbardarchipelago. When the snow starts melting atthe beginning of June, we use dog carts insteadof sledges. Drive your own cart with six huskiesin front – our guide will help you harness thedogs and drive in front of you with his ownteam. You will go through beautifulAdventdalen with its unique arctic nature. If youtake a winter dog sledding trip there are goodchances of seeing ptarmigan and reindeer.

ANTARCTIC Uniquely withhelicopters We are delighted to announcemore voyages further afield in theAntarctic for the 2012-13 seasonwith three to the Weddell Seaand its emperor penguins on boardMV Ortelius. A new and uniquehighlight is that Ortelius will beequipped with helicopters duringits Ross Sea voyages, offering twonew spectacular experiences.Prices start from £13,495 in a twincabin with porthole for a 31 nightRoss Sea voyage (voyage only).

Suites and spa hotel in AtlasMountains Widiane Suites & Spa on Lake Bin El Ouidanein the heart of the Berber country is just threehours’ drive from Casablanca and Marrakech.It has 31 traditionally designed guest rooms and suites from which to survey the spectacularviews and take picturesque walks through the surrounding forests and orchards. Theimmaculately appointed Thai spa and fitnesscentre and the Indonesian and Moroccanmassages and beauty treatments are not to

be missed!

Five star luxury in EssaouiraEssaouira is laid back, unspoiled and with greatatmosphere. I often recommend one of themany atmospheric riads dotted about the oldtown for their quirkiness and style, but for thosewanting somewhere with more facilities thereare plenty of options, such as the new SofitelEssaouira Mogador Golf and Spa Hotel. It’s afew km from the centre but has everything youcould want from a luxury beach holiday. Best ofall, until 6 May they are offering seven nightsfor the price of five as well as offers at the spaand on the golf course. Call us for details.

We’ll be expanding our progamme in Iceland so look out for details later this summer on our websiteand in the new Arcturus brochure due out in July.

It was still dark as we slipped quietly out of the cityand headed north west on a visit to the starkly beautifulSnaefellsnes Peninsula some two hours’ drive fromReykjavik. It’s a national park, the coast a juxtapositionof wild rugged beaches with crashing waves and calmcolourful harbours – a scenic retreat for the local fishingfleets. The black pebble beaches, snowy scapes andapproach through a lava field did well to remind me thatI wasn’t on a Cornish beach – as in all other respects, thejagged rock and crashing waves could have been theLizard Peninsula on a wintry day!

Basalt cliffs with extraordinary rock formations, birdsnesting on perilous ledges, blow holes and stonearches weathered by centuries of pounding surf andeven a lone harbour seal, all are magic ingredients fora fantastic day out. After hot Icelandic meat soup in a café overlooked by the brooding SnaefellsnesVolcano, we made the long drive back to the city and I prepared for my next adventure. This was the socalled ‘Golden Circle’ – a full day from Reykjavik out tothe spectacular Gullfoss waterfalls – which make apassable impression of Victoria Falls (on a muchsmaller scale of course) and the geothermal areawhere boiling mud pools and spurting jet streams arethe order of the day. I ended that day in ThingvellirNational Park. Even the weather couldn’t dampenmy enthusiasm for the place – a dramatic escarpmentoverlooking the rift valley where the first IcelandicParliament was held in 930 AD.

Heading to the south, I walked to the snout of theMyrdalsjokull Glacier – here more tangible evidence ofglobal warming when you see how far it has retreated inthe last ten years. The route continued through gloriousfarmland dotted with Icelandic horses with a backdrop of boulder-strewn hills to the dramatic south shore – vastblack sand beaches dominated by ferocious looking seas– you can see why no fishing fleet operates out of here.

To the east I explored the land of the puffins where theharbour at Borgafjordur Eystri comes alive withthousands of breeding pairs in summer and I lookedlongingly at the glorious mountain trails for which thearea is so renowned. Sadly I’ll have to save those for alonger visit.

“Have you ever seen a waterfall being blownupwards by the force of the wind? Or tried to stand upright in the teeth of an icy gale, and literally been nearly swept off your feet? It’s justsome of what to expect from a winter visit to Iceland, a trip for the true adventurer!…

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JAN MAYEN ISLANDMountaineering for the hardy

New for June is an optional mountaineeringexpedition to Mt. Beerenberg during oursummer Aberdeen to Spitsbergen voyage.It involves elements of glacier travel andcamping and is for those who wish to gobeyond the shore radius to reach highergrounds and view-points. Mountaineeringknowledge is preferable but not required,although fitness is essential. Special glacierequipment will be provided. You will carry yourpersonal and shared equipment (food, stoves,fuel) to establish basecamp, moving throughsteep, deep snow-covered, sometimes difficult,glaciated, crevassed and potentially hazardousalpine terrain.

» when « Voyage dates (including expedition) 9 – 18 June or 17 – 26 June 2012

» prices from « £3,095 per person for allarrangements

Fiona’s trip report:ICELAND, February 2012

On my last day I did, however, manage to indulge mylove of riding with a half day trek on horseback throughthe lava fields close to Reykjavik. I will carry with me thememory of my sturdy Icelandic horse and its peculiar gaitor tolt (half walk/half trot as comfortable as anarmchair) for which the breed is famous, not to mentionthe hailstorm we braved on the ride home!

I like to think of Iceland like a giant iced cake: Visit bite-sized chunks around the outside or carve a slice with atrip into the interior. There are many options for gettingabout, from budget to luxury. We can offer the full rangefrom small group bus tours to self-drive. Use thenumerous daily bus excursions (for those who want tokeep costs down) or book a tailor-made tour for two.It’s a fascinating country: In summer you’ll have almostconstant daylight, the green of the National Parks, andthe joy of a little warmth. June to August is puffin seasonand great for whale watching. In winter the long darkdays are compensated by the anticipation of maybecatching the Northern Lights. Always there is superbseafood as well as chilled beers, boutique hotels inReykjavik and the elation of a thrilling landscape justaround the next corner. Whenever you come, at somepoint along the journey will be one of those pricelessmoments that money can’t buy – like when I wanderedinto the soaring church at Skalholti and found theorganist practising – raising the roof with Widor’s Toccataand Fugue in D minor. Now you don’t get that every day.Nor do you get the Northern Lights which evade me still. Well, I have to have a reason to return!”

MOROCCO

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Design: String concept and design 01323 647078

The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOLprotected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Our ATOL number is ATOL 9270. Please see our booking conditions for more information.

Your feedbackSee our websites for more client comments on trips that interest you – we are alwaysadding new feedback.

“We had a marvellous time on our travels, loads ofphotos, and many wonderful memories. Guidesand drivers in all countries were very good indeed.Irrawaddy trip was excellent – lovely cabin, nicecrew and good trips to local villages. Thank you foryour marvellous organisation, as always”.

Andrew and Judy Given, Myanmar, Cambodiaand Laos, December 2011

SPECIAL OFFERSWe’ve assembled some really great deals here – but you may need to hurry if you want to takeadvantage of them!

MALAYSIASecrets of Sabah on luxury cruiseBorneo is an ecological mecca. Take this luxuryexpedition cruise on board the all-suite OrionII to its remote and seldom visited islands andwitness the marine diversity that exists in theheart of the ‘coral triangle’. Explore Sandakanand the Kinabatangan River, including anovernight stay in the rainforest lodges ofSukau. Wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys,macaques, and countless bird species can all beseen along the river and you will also learnabout the struggle to save the orangutan atSepilok Sanctuary. This promotion gives you 20 per cent off selected cabins, which equatesto £1,140 per person off the twin Ocean Suite.

» when « 25 July – 4 August 2012» new price « £4,560 per person (voyage only)

FRANZ JOSEF LAND Icebreaker, helicopter and Zodiac expeditionThe conditions in Franz Joseph Land make it nearlyimpossible for anything less than an icebreaker tonavigate the icy waters, so many shore landingshave to be made by helicopter. Starting in July2012, the Kapitan Dranitsyn will take you to itstowering cliffs, enormous seabird colonies andcolourful yet desolate Arctic desert scenery.

» offer « Free air charter and St. Petersburgaccommodation (value £830 per person)» when « 17 – 29 July 2012 » new price « From £10,435 per person in a twincabin (including flights)

ANTARCTIC Luxury voyage to Scott andShackleton huts We have great savings on the Orion 1 Ross Seavoyage for 2013, starting from £645 per person offtheir 20 night itinerary. This elegant andcomfortable 106 passenger ship leaves NewZealand on 25 January 2013 for a voyage coveringsome of the polar regions famously charted duringthe first race to the South Pole by Scott andShackleton 100 years ago. A variety ofopportunistic landings will be attempted, subject toweather conditions. Prices start from £12,265(voyage only) and we can help you to book flightsand additional arrangements in New Zealand.

A VOYAGE OFMEMORIESFollowing in herfather’s wake Our client ElspethHamilton wanted to go to Nordhauslandet lastyear, following in the stepsof her father who was on an Oxford Universityexpedition there in 1935-6. Arcturus arranged thetrip for her on Antarctic Dream and the shipplanned to try and do a special landing where hisbase had been. Sadly on the day it wasn’t possible,but instead, Elspeth read extracts from her father’sjournals to her fellow passengers to mark theoccasion. Here is an excerpt of her note to us:

“I loved the holiday and all your arrangements werespot on! The dog-sledging on my first day was suchfun and a great introduction to the whole experience.At the dog-pound there was a fine example of atrapper’s hut and also bear and fox-traps - all ofwhich my Dad often made mention of in his journals –so that set the scene. The ‘Antarctic Dream’ was ideal– the cabins comfy, the food good and the guides veryprofessional, knowledgeable and friendly. We hadlots of trips ashore on the zodiacs (polar bearspermitting) but didn’t manage it where my dad wasmainly based. The best landing was on the southcoast of Nordhauslandet, on to such a beautifulstony beach and we walked up the side of a glacier tothe ice-cap – that was really special.

I did give my talk – on the last day, and it went downwell. Probably about 30 people came. I’d made aslideshow of some of Dad’s tiny black and whitephotos and they showed up really well on the bigscreen. I read the entry in his journal covering thevoyage in a sealer from Tromsø to Nordhauslandet,and that drew a huge comparison to our experienceon the AD! My talk was given on August 7th and I readout his entry for that date 75 years ago – this waswhen they had made a last ditch attempt to finish themapping of the island, and on that very day theycompleted the task – just a week before the boat wasarriving to take them all back to England. It was allquite emotive actually. Not a dry eye in the house!”

If you have a specific reason to join a particularvoyage do let us know so we can help to make itthat much more personal and memorable.

ARCTIC RUSSIALast call for Solovetski IslandsAs always, we’ve have had a lot of enquiriesabout our summer trip to the Solovetski Islandsin the White Sea, 150km south of the ArcticCircle. If you want to go, now is the time tocontact us. Our delightful English speakingRussian guide will show you the very best of thearea including lakes, wildflowers, nesting birdsand wildlife with daily walks and some boat trips.It’s a very special and individual holiday,immensely enjoyed by all who venture there.

» when « 10 – 22 June 2012» price guide « £2,365 per person

CANADIAN HIGH ARCTICSail the Northwest PassageWe have the choice of two 14-night voyages throughthe Northwest Passage this summer on board theice-strengthened Akademik Ioffe. Departures are on12 August 2012 from Kangerlussuaq in Greenlandsailing west to Coppermine, Canada and from 26 August 2012 in reverse.

» offer « Either take a flight credit of £650 perperson or the opportunity to take a one-way flightfrom Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq (or vice versa)instead of a one way Canadian charter flight.» prices from « £8,830 per person for a twin semi-private cabin to include all arrangements

Photo: Prisca Campbell