Trip Dossier

Specialist in nature tours since 1986

Itinerary Highlights:

๏ Get up-close with Spitsbergen’s dramatic fjords ๏ Sail along East Greenland’s magnificent coastline ๏ Marvel at the world’s largest icebergs in Scoresbysund ๏ Interact with the friendly Inuit communities share their culture ๏ Explore the wildlife-rich Arctic – polar bears, walrus, seals, reindeer, sea birds, musk oxen,

arctic fox, arctic hare and whales ๏ Visit the world’s largest national park in North East Greenland and the world’s largest fjord

system, Scoresbysund ๏ Celebrate near-endless sunlight under the glistening midnight sun Cruise among the fantastic

shapes and colours of Greenland’s famous giant icebergs ๏ Visit a small isolated Greenlandic village, Ittoqqortoomiit

17 Days Jewels of the Arctic Expedition Cruise with Tom Grove

Oslo, Norway to Reykjavik, Iceland 25 July - 10 August 2020

Tom Grove, Managing Director of Coates Wildlife Tours is excited to be escorting a small group of Coates’ guests in 2020 to discover the wonders of Svalbard’s northwest coast, Greenland’s spectacular east coast and a touch of Iceland on board the new Greg Mortimer Expedition Ship, a modern and custom-designed ship at the cutting edge of nautical technology.

As Aurora Expeditions share our ethos of providing genuine natural history experiences whilst preserving and protecting the environment, we have worked with them to put a package together exclusively for Coates’ travellers on this voyage, which includes the 15 day cruise plus the airfare from Oslo to Kirkenes as well as pre and post cruise accommodation and activities at no additional cost.

Our days will be jam-packed with unforgettable moments: while cruising the icy waters of the Greenland Sea between Iceland and Spitsbergen, keep an eye out for whales, sea ice and countless sea birds. We will Zodiac cruise amongst gigantic icebergs, revel in gorgeous tundra walks, spot Arctic foxes, musk ox, walrus and polar bears. Greenland’s breathtaking mountainous landscapes will leave you speechless and Inuit communities will make you feel at home whilst we stop by their small settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit. These are the jewels of the Arctic!

Join Tom and 12 fellow Coates travellers on this once in a lifetime adventure.

Greenland Sea

Denmark Strait

Norwegian Sea

GREENLAND

ICELAND

SVALBARD

Reykjavik

Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord

Scoresbysund

King Oskar Fjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

NORWAYKirkenes

EDGEØYA

Hinlopen StraitLongyearbyen

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Oslo Meet Tom and your fellow Coates passengers this evening for a welcome dinner and drinks at the hotel. Accommodation: Thon Hotel Opera including breakfast.

DAY 2 Oslo to Kirkenes Transfer to Oslo Airport for your flight Kirkenes on the northern coast of Norway. Upon arrival, enjoy a half day excursion or activity. Late afternoon sees us warmly welcomed on board the Greg Mortimer.

DAYS 3–4 At Sea Over the next two days at sea, enjoy informative and entertaining lectures from our expert expedition team including naturalists and historians before reaching Svalbard’s southeast coast.

DAY 5 East Coast Svalbard and Hinlopen Strait As the Greg Mortimer passes between Spitsbergen and the smaller islands of Barentsøya and Edgeøya, we cross a major polar bear migration route and the beautiful fertile plains of Sundeneset. The spongy ground is richly covered with bright green mosses, a variety of delicate and colourful flowers, particularly the yellow marsh (bog) saxifrage, various mushrooms, fungi, clear bubbling streams and small tarns. Tiny (micro) flowers such as Mouse Ears grow in Spitsbergen creating faerie like mossy rock gardens. We look for polar bears hunting on pack ice and we may explore this beautiful terrain on foot, marvelling at the contrast between the colourful soft ground and the barren, rocky terrain from further north. Reindeer antlers lie scattered along the ground. If conditions allow, we will pass through the narrow Hinlopen Strait. The strait is flanked by creamy coloured slabs of rock that are rich in fossils. We may visit Alkefjellet in the Strait, where a series of one-hundred-metre-high dolerite towers are home to nearly a million nesting Brünnich’s guillemots – the penguins of the north – that occupy every available nook and cranny. Elsewhere we seek out eider ducks and geese, and hope to spot walrus, Arctic fox and the beautiful ivory gulls.

DAYS 6–7 Greenland Sea and Pack Ice As we cruise west across the Greenland Sea – the main outlet of the Arctic Ocean – we may encounter whales feeding in the productive waters of the north. Sightings of fin whales are common and blue whales have been seen in more recent years. As we begin to approach Greenland, we will likely encounter the East Greenland pack ice, and if we are lucky we will see polar bears hunting for prey. The strong icy currents have isolated East Greenland from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that vanishes with the onset of the midday sun. Our experts will inform and entertain us with fascinating discussions on plants, animals, ice, and early explorers like Nansen, Andree and Scoresby. Conditions permitting, there may be a chance for kayakers to launch their sea kayaks and the rest of us to cruise in the sea ice with Zodiacs. Perhaps if we have had a good crossing, we may even have the opportunity to make our first landing on the Greenland coast, weather permitting. This stretch of coastline is ripe for exploration, with its many secrets locked in place by drift ice for up to eight months each year. Home to polar bear, snowy owl and musk ox, it's the world's largest national park, covering 972,000 square kilometres; most of which is inland ice and the rest a composite fjord landscape.

DAYS 8–14 East Coast Greenland including kaiser Josef Fjord and Scoresbysund We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord we will marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains and land in a few places to explore the landscape and wildlife of Greenland. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions. We aim to reach Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers dump into this fjord, the birthplace of the famous big Greenland icebergs.

We hope to visit the remote Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresby Town) and to hike across the tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Paleo-Eskimos.

This area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking in its maze of calm, interconnecting waterways. We will keep a sharp eye out for musk oxen, Arctic hare and seals, and maybe if we are very lucky even a polar bear or narwhal. Scoresbysund offers many opportunities for walking cruising and kayaking so we will spend our days exploring the land, the ice and the sea. Other Landings along the coast may include:

Cape Humboldt – a beautiful point on Ymer Island. There is a good chance to take a tundra walk and witness musk oxen grazing. We will also keep a lookout for Arctic fox and ptarmigan. A lone trapper's hut looks over the bay and magnificent icebergs.

Blomsterbugten – An important site for paleo-eskimoes and more modern trappers, we may have a great opportunity to walk in the tundra with musk oxen or Arctic hare to a spectacular overlook onto Lake Noa which is pink with fine sediments.

Sefstrom Glacier adorns the narrow- peaked waterway in Alpefjord. We will Zodiac cruise (and kayak) around the snout of the glacier and deeper into the fjord behind. We can return along magnificent cliffs that are festooned with small colourful gardens of Arctic flowers growing wherever water is available. Ittoqqortoormiit is Scoresbysund’s colourful Inuit community of approximately 500 people. Feel free to explore the village, fascinating museum or sit quietly in the beautiful Lutheran Church. The people are friendly, and the young children vie for our attention from underneath their Arctic fox-fur jackets. Sydkap in Scoresbysund offers good walking and delightful views up Øfjord and into Hall Brednung. Kayakers will have good opportunities to explore the lonely beaches. We may explore the ancient gravesites on shore, or nearby giant icebergs that offer hours of enjoyment for kayak and Zodiac excursions.

Røde Ø – one of the most remarkable collections of beautiful icebergs in the world. A combination of shallows near the island and tidal currents strand hundreds of large iceberg in a small area around Røde Ø, or Red Island. The contrast between the magnificent blue of the ice and the red sandstone landscape is breathtaking.

Other possible landing points in the area include: Rømer Fjord, Rypefjord, Ø Fjord, Fonfjord, Bjornøya, Milne Land, Hekla Havn, Denmark Island, Nordvestfjord and Eskimobugt.

DAY 15 Denmark Strait In the Denmark Strait, we sail towards Iceland. Keep a lookout for whale blows and the many seabirds that trail our ship in the ever present Arctic winds. Enjoy the time to reflect on your recent adventures, share and exchange photos, and soak in the fresh ocean air. As we near Iceland, you will find we are returning to the rest of the world as we encounter fishing vessels working the coastal waters

DAY 16 Disembark Reykjavik During the early morning we arrive into Reykjavik. Disembark the Greg Mortimer and enjoy a full day Golden Circle Iceland tour. Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavic including breakfast

Day 17 Depart Reykjavik to home port.

Itinerary is guide only. Itinerary is subject to ice and weather conditions. The embarkation point for this voyage may be impacted by the finish point of the preceding voyage. We

will be able to provide you with firmer details 12 months prior to departure.

Costs Per Person Twin Share

Cost: $12,000.00 Balcony Stateroom with private bathroom Prices quoted are per person and in Australian dollars, based on twin share. Solo Passengers can have sole occupancy of a cabin by paying 70% supplement on top of twin share price. No single travel fees apply if you are willing to share your cabin (twin cabins only). Fuel surcharge may apply in the event of significant fuel price increases. No refund for unused services. Starts : Oslo 25 July 2020 Ends: Reykjavik 10 August 2020

Tour Payments

Deposit $1,500.00 per person due 25 November 2018 Second Payments $3,000.00 per person due 28 February 2019Third Payment $1,800.00 per person due 22 July 2019Fourth Payment $1,800.00 per person due 23 January 2020 Final Payment $3,900.00 per person due 22 April 2020

In order to secure your berth you will need to book and pay your deposit of just $1,500.00 per person by the 30th November 2018

All deposits and payments are non refundable

Not Included ๏Flights to Oslo and from Reykajavik ๏Transfers not mentioned in the itienrary ๏Airport arrival or departure taxes ๏Visa, passport, and vaccination charges ๏Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges ๏Hotels or meals not included in itinerary ๏Optional excursions not included in the itinerary ๏Optional activity surcharge. Please contact us if you wish to book any optional activities, such as sea kayaking or polar snorkelling ๏All items of a personal nature including: Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks outside of meal times, gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi email or phone charges

Included ๏Escorted by Tom Grove ๏1 night at a centrally located accommodation incl breakfast and dinner ๏Flight from Olslo to Kirkenes ๏Group transfer from Kirkenes airport to ship ๏Half day tour or activity in Kirkenes ๏Fully-serviced accommodation in your chosen stateroom ๏Daily shore excursions, guided walks, Zodiac cruises ๏An experienced team of destination specialists and activity leaders ๏An informative and entertaining lecture program by our team of experts ๏Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. ๏House wines, beers & soft drinks with dinner. ๏Afternoon tea and snacks ๏Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages ๏Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team ๏Pre-dinner drinks including canapes and bar snacks ๏Complimentary 3-in-1 polar jacket ๏Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage ๏Complimentary use of fitness centre ๏Comprehensive pre-departure information ๏Complimentary access to on board expedition doctor and medical clinic ๏Personalised photo book from your voyage) ๏Entry fees to historic or tourist sites ๏Gratuities for crew will automatically be added to your bill. Please advise at the time of settlement if you would like this to be removed ๏Port, pilotage charges and landing fees ๏Full day tour in Reykjavik

Cruise Information Greg Mortimer Proudly named after Aurora Expeditions adventurous co-founder, the 104-metre the Greg Mortimer is their very first, purpose-built expedition vessel. Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the  Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards – designed in close consultation with their expedition specialists, taking advantage of our more than 25 years of experience.

Accommodating a maximum of 100  passengers plus  kayakers and divers, the  Greg Mortimer  redefines expedition cruising for the future. Not only is the ship bigger to contend with adverse weather conditions, its added creature comforts make for a more enjoyable journey out on the open ocean.

Accommodation - Balcony Staterooms The balcony Staterooms all include en-suite bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows and balconies. They have twin or double beds, desk area, closet, room-controlled thermostat, safe and a 42" flat-screen TV

Features:X-BOW® - Aurora’s expeditions face some of the worst Mother Nature can throw at us. However, this won't be a problem on the Greg Mortimer with the introduction of the patented X-BOW®, created by Norwegian ship designer ULSTEIN. As one of the leaders in marine engineering, ULSTEIN's X-BOW® is an inverted bow concept that's been built on over 100 vessels in the shipping industry. They are the first expedition cruise operator to utilise this technology for the challenging open ocean waves! 

Hydraulic viewing platforms - We are all here to admire the spectacular landscape and spot the elusive wildlife in their natural habitat. To ensure you get the best views possible, the new ship features unique custom-built viewing platforms. The two platforms fold out hydraulically for unobstructed views of passing marine life and seabirds – make sure your camera is locked and loaded!

Zodiac launching platform - Zodiacs are a vital part of getting up close and personal on your adventure – sneaking into areas that the Greg Mortimer can't reach. There are specially designed launching platforms that enables them to load Zodiacs easily and quickly, allowing you to spend more time exploring on the two to three daily landings. There are 15 Zodiacs that are boarded from sea level.

Environmentally friendly - Climate change and carbon emissions continue to be major issues that everyone needs to be aware of and actively managing. Several features on the Greg Mortimer incude reduced emissions into the air and sea, lower energy consumption, high fuel efficiency, reduced light pollution  for minimal wildlife disruption and lower  on-board plastic use. It's vital to also mention the state-of-the-art virtual anchoring technology of the X-BOW®, which means the ship can float anchorless while launching Zodiacs, kayaks etc, without disturbing delicate sea floor areas.

Safety features - The Greg Mortimer  features the most up-to-date and concise safety technology. This starts with the return-to-port equipment – not compulsory  on a ship of this size – which duplicates the propulsion system. This enables the ship to maintain operating systems and comfort in the event of engine failure. Furthermore, she Polar Code 6 compliant, holds BV class and is fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements. It's also built with a Rolls Royce stabiliser system.  If there's an incident or accident during your adventure, the ship has an onboard, fully-stocked medical centre – where our trained medical team can provide necessary treatment in a timely fashion. 

Dining You're welcome to 24 hours complimentary coffee, tea and snack facilities in addition to the range of different menu options and courses for each meal. Meals are served in large dining room/restaurant. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild. On the last day of your trip, the team on the Greg Mortimer put on a special farewell four-course dinner and cocktails – a perfect way to reflect on your time on the ship and consolidate lifelong friendships.

Observation Decks There are plenty of dedicated observation spaces – ideal for keen bird spotters, wildlife watchers and those wanting to watch the scenery go past. From the indoor 180-degree lounge and outdoor 360-degree open deck, to the 270-degree open sundeck, there are plenty of observation points to share around the ship! If these are full, then you can take up a spot on one of the two hydraulic viewing platforms There is also has an open bridge policy, which means at any point you can come up to the bridge to watch navigational practices and observe mapping techniques.

On-board Entertainment On all our expeditions, there are experts who lead presentations in the spacious lecture room. These often include  topics as broad as history and culture to biology and climate change, these presentations aim to educate and entertain.  If you're keen to just watch the surroundings and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, you have access to two bars/lounges where the views are just stunning. There is a photography/art and library room and a Wellness Centre complete with gym equipment, sauna and spa.

Activity options There are many optional activities including kayaking and climbing. There is a specially designed launching platform for all activities. This area also includes individual lockers in the expansive mudroom and rapid drying areas for wetsuits so you can quickly get warm after exploring in the elements!  

Fitness Requirements This voyage is suitable for people of most ages and physical abilities. They offer a variety of soft and harder walking options, some of which may be over uneven and/or slippery surfaces. You are free to choose which activities and outings you would like to participate in, and less nimble passengers are given the choice whether to land or not. To fully enjoy your expedition, we recommend that you are able to walk up and down the ships gangway (the equivalent to a steep set of stairs), and are able to get in and out of Zodiacs (inflatable rubber boats) with the assistance from the staff.

To make a booking or further information please contact Tom or Sylvia Grove at Coates Wildlife Tours

P.O. Box 4502 Myaree BC, Myaree, WA 6960

Phone: 08 9330 6066 Free Call Country & Interstate: 1800 676 016 Email: coates@iinet.net.au Web: www.coateswildlifetours.com.au