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In the Wake of Bering

15 Days / 13 locations in Russia and Kamchatka

Run as a co-operative venture with BirdLife International, this unique expedition follows in the footsteps of the Danish Explorer Vitus Bering whose instructions from Tsar Peter the Great were to “sail north by northeast ... chart the coast and collect information”.

Our journey starts in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, the city which is named after two of Bering’s ships, and we will also travel north by northeast, along what is still one of the remotest coastlines on earth.

Our voyage is dedicated to looking for birds and wildlife and we can expect to have some truly spectacular experiences, however, there is one bird which makes this trip very special and that is the Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

This species is classified as ‘critically endangered’ and it is believed there are now less than 200 pairs which make the annual migration to Northern Kamchatka and Chukotka to breed.

Very few people have had the privilege of visiting this region to see this species and we hope to repeat the success of our 2011 expedition when we not only saw birds at Meinypil’gyno, the only monitored breeding site, but also made ornithological history by finding a new population further south.

Whilst the Spoon-billed Sandpipers are the central focus of our voyage, there will be plenty of other highlights and some of the special wildlife we will look for whilst ashore includes Steller’s Sea Eagle, Emperor Goose and Pechora Pipit, as well as Brown Bear, Kamchatka Marmot and Arctic Fox.

The seas also support a rich diversity of species and Blue, Grey, Humpback, Sperm and Baird’s Beaked Whales are all possible, along with 13 species of auks and other regional specialities such as the Red-faced Cormorant and Red-legged Kittiwake.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Petropalovsk

Arrive into Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, and transfer to a centrally located hotel.

 
Day 2     Petropalovsk
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Dinner

The morning will be free for you to explore the city. In the afternoon board the Professor Khromov and leave Avacha Bay, this is one of the greatest natural harbours in the world. As we cruise from the bay, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel and Red-legged Kittiwake are amongst the likely sightings. We may also encounter some cetaceans and have twice seen Blue Whale in these waters.

 
Day 3     Zhupanova River
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We will spend several hours in the Zodiacs cruising on the Zhupanova River where we should get great looks at Steller’s Sea Eagles; the birds often perch in the trees adjacent to the river. Other highlights should include Pacific Diver, Far Eastern Curlew, Glaucous-winged Gull, Aleutian Tern and Yellow-breasted Bunting.

 
Days 4 - 5     Commander Islands
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

There are two main islands in the Commander group, Bering and Medny, and during our two days we will explore several sites. While ashore, we stand an excellent chance of finding Rock Sandpiper, Mongolian Plover, Pechora Pipit and Grey-crowned Rosy-Finch, as well as the endemic subspecies of Arctic Fox. Zodiac cruising can be extremely rewarding here with Whiskered, Least and Parakeet Auklets all possible as well as the range-restricted Red-legged Kittiwake. The area is also extremely rich in marine mammals and previous voyages have encountered Sperm, Humpback, Northern Minke and Baird’s Beaked-Whales, as well as Orcas, Steller Sea Lions, Northern Fur Seals and Sea Otters.

 
Day 6     Karaginskiy Island
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Our proposed landing site is a patchwork of boggy tundra, ponds and shingle spits and an interesting range of waders can be found here including Pacific Golden Plover, Red-necked Stint and Red-necked Phalarope. The ponds also support a range of waterfowl and previously we have encountered Red-throated Diver, Bean Goose, Greater Scaup and Long-tailed Duck. Potential passerines include Kamchatka Leaf-warbler, Dusky Warbler, Bluethroat, Red-throated Pipits and Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

 
Day 7     Verkhoturova Island - Govena Peninsula
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Verkhoturova Island has some huge seabird colonies and by following a short trail to the cliff top we should be able to enjoy some fantastic views of Tufted Puffins, Brunnich’s Guillemots, Pelagic Cormorants and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Both Steller’s Eider and Harlequin occur too and we may also see some Steller Sea Lions, as they are often hauled out on some offshore rocks. Later in the day, there will be either a Zodiac cruise or landing on the Govena Peninsula. Good numbers of Brown Bears can often be found here, as well as King and Common Eiders and Black and Stejneger’s Scoters.

 
Day 8     Tintikun Lagoon and Olyutorskiy Bay
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Tintikun Lagoon is one of the most scenic places in the Russian Far East and the lake is surrounded by jagged mountains, glaciers and forested slopes. A shallow river allows us to drive the Zodiacs onto the lake and we intend to make several landings with Eurasian Nutcracker, Dusky Warbler, Siberian Rubythroat and Siberian Accentor amongst the possibilities. Later in the day, we will explore Olyutorskiy Bay, where we should encounter a range of seabirds which could include Aleutian Tern and the critically endangered Kittlitz’s Murrelet.

 
Days 9 - 10     Chukotka Coast
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We plan to spend two days with members of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Taskforce searching remote bays looking for unknown populations of this critically endangered species. The experts estimate that there may only be 200 airs left, however, the birds are very specific over the habitat they require for breeding and in 2011 we made ornithological history by locating three territories at a location which had not been previously surveyed. We will be assisting the Taskforce again this year and hope to repeat our success elsewhere. Other possibilities include Mongolian Plover, Far Eastern Curlew, Great Knot, Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, as well as Gyrfalcon and Sandhill Crane.

 
Day 11     Bukhta Petra - Bogoslova Island
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Another beautiful fiord possessed of a dramatic allure in the low sun of the Subarctic. A Walrus haul-out guards the entrance and we make a landing to explore the hinterland, surrounded by imposing mountain landscapes and verdant tundra.

 
Days 12 - 13     Meinypil'gyno
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Meinypil’gyno is located on a 40 kilometre long shingle spit and is the most important site in the world for breeding Spoon-billed Sandpiper. There are about 10 pairs which are monitored by members of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Taskforce. We hope to take you to at least one territory, although as we always put the welfare of wildlife first, viewing is likely to be at a range of at least 25 metres. Nevertheless, we hope to show everyone this iconic bird which is one of the most critically endangered on the planet. Meinypil’gyno is extremely rich in other wildlife too and we may also find Emperor Goose, Pacific Diver and Sandhill Crane, whilst just offshore Grey Whales and Belugas often gather to feed. We anticipate offering a Zodiac cruise to watch these animals and the sheer number can be breathtaking and are certainly comparable with some of the best known whale-watching sites in the world.

 
Day 14     Cape Navarin
On Board the m/v Professor Khromov
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

This coastline is rich in marine mammals and one creature we will be looking 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 we have had success here in the past. Good numbers of Grey Whales often congregate here too, and we may well end the activities of the expedition by Zodiac cruising some spectacular cliffs where tens of thousands of seabirds breed, giving us a final chance to watch birds such as Tufted Puffin and Black-legged Kittiwake.

 
Day 15     Port of Anadyr
Meals: Breakfast

As we cruise into Anadyr Bay, there is an excellent chance of seeing more Belugas and after a final breakfast on board the Professor Khromov, it will be time to disembark. We will provide complimentary transfers to a downtown hotel and the airport.

 

Notes

Special Conditions

Landing fees - $500 per person.

Price Includes
Pre and Post Cruise Transfers
Accommodations in Select Cabin Category
Meals Onboard
All Expedition Shore Excursions
Price Does Not Include
 Items of a Personal Nature Such As Bar, E-Mail, and Laundry.
 Gratuities
 Airfare
 Visa Fee
 Travel Insurance
PSO-1269
1.28.15.WP26