Arctic Heart of the Northwest Passage - via Simpson Strait

1. How big are the groups?

The Akademik Ioffe can carry a maximum of 118 passengers. To explore such a region with just a small number of fellow passengers from all over the world will make your Arctic voyage of discovery and adventure a truly unforgettable experience.

2. What is included in the tour price?

• Voyage aboard the Akademik Ioffe as indicated in the itinerary
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
• Transfers between the meeting point and airport in Ottawa and to/from the charter flights, as indicated in the itinerary
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
• Comprehensive pre-departure booklet and expedition manual

3. What is not included in the tour price?

International flights — flights to Ottawa at start of expedition or from Ottawa on conclusion. Charter flights Ottawa to Resolute and Cambridge Bay to Edmonton are not included, budget approximately $1,650 USD. Airport transfers in Ottawa. Visa and passport fees, airport departure taxes, pre-trip and post-trip hotel accommodation in Ottawa, laundry, postage, telephone calls, drinks, medical expenses, travel insurance, emergency evacuation charges, gratuities to staff and crew.

4. Is medical insurance required?

Insurance coverage is not included in the cost of your trip. Please note that comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory to participate in all Northwest Passage adventures. Please contact ElderTreks for details on the minimum coverage amounts required. If you are purchasing insurance elsewhere, please ensure you provide the details to ElderTreks as soon as possible.

5. Are these “educational” tours?

Yes, we travel with an experienced team of naturalists and lecturers, offering a unique educational program. With formal lectures, as well as informal briefings, your lectures and expedition leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment. On board, you will be fully briefed on safety issues and the environmental policy and you will also receive appropriate briefings before every landing.

6. How do we travel during the tour?

We sail aboard the Akademik Ioffe. We use Zodiacs for shore excursions; sea kayaking is offered as an optional package and it must be booked prior to your departure from home.

7. What are our accommodations like?

The Akademik Ioffe can carry a maximum of 118 passengers. All cabins have an outside view with portholes or windows with either semi-private or private facilities. On board facilities include a spacious top-deck, a sauna and plunge pool, a library, an exercise room and comfortable lounge. The ship is equipped with Inmarsat telephone and fax equipment was well as short-wave, SSB and VHF radio systems as well as current satellite navigation equipment.

8. What about the weather?

In very general terms, be prepared for temperatures that range from 5°F (-15°C) to 40°F (4°C). If you are properly dressed, even sub zero temperatures can be quite comfortable.

9. When is payment due?

A deposit of $1000 of the cabin rate is required to confirm a reservation with final payment due 120 days prior to departure. Deposits can be made by credit card and/or personal check. Final payments can be made by check or credit card. Cancellations received 120 days prior to departure are fully refundable less the deposit. For these reasons you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. Cancellation information is outlined in the “Terms and Conditions” section of our brochure.

10. What are the meals like?

Chefs prepare varied international cuisine using fine provisions from around the world. The dining room is located on the main deck and it seats all passengers comfortably in one seating. It is attractively lit and comfortably furnished. There are outside windows and it is immaculately maintained. In one corner, there is a bar, which is used at meal times. There is also a comfortable lounge area in this corner. Lunches and dinners are served to the table by our ship’s stewards. Breakfast is also served here, but in a buffet style.

11. What should I take on the tour?

Once you have made your reservations, a “Trip Information Guide” primer will be sent to you in your pre-departure Trip Kit.

12. Can you arrange my flights?

We would be happy to take care of your air arrangements. ElderTreks offers personalized flight itineraries — not group flights. Stop over en route, come in a few days early, or extend your stay. Call us for a customized itinerary.

13. What if I would like more information?

If you have any further questions about the trip, please do not hesitate to contact our office or your travel agent for additional information. A Trip Kit containing further details on the destination will be sent to those who have booked on the tour.

Additional information about Akademik Ioffe

The Akademik Ioffe is a modern, ice strengthened vessel that is very comfortable and ideally suited for polar exploration. There is ample space for meetings of the full group as well as smaller rooms for more intimate meetings. Slide and video projection equipment are available, as well as overhead projection. There is a separate bar, lounge, library, video room, and dining space for the full passenger complement in one seating. There is also a gymnasium, sauna and swimming pool.

Comfort

As a relatively new Scandinavian-built exploration vessel, the Akademik Ioffe is very comfortable, especially following refitting and refurbishment over the last five years. All passenger areas are thoroughly heated and air-conditioned. Cabins are tastefully and pleasantly decorated. The vessel is maintained to the highest standards and is kept immaculately clean. As the ship was built to perform delicate and sensitive hydro-acoustic work, she is also designed to run very quietly. In cabins and public spaces there is very little if any ambient noise from engines or machinery. Further, most passenger cabins (except the Main Deck cabins) are on a separate deck from the well-used public spaces and lounge areas, so noise is seldom a bother.

Stability and Safety

This vessel has external stabilizers on her hull. She also has a built-in trimming system which is operated by the flow of water ballast from tanks in either side of the ship. A series of valves causes the water to flow to the side where its presence guarantees greatest stability. Added to her modern hull design, these systems make for a very stable ship. The Akademik Ioffe carries all current certifications required by law for ensuring passenger safety and well-being. All equipment and systems are inspected and tested regularly. A lifeboat briefing and drill will be conducted early in each expedition to ensure that all passengers are familiar with the location of life jackets and lifeboats, and the procedures to be followed in the highly unlikely event of an emergency.

Bar

On the main deck to the aft of the lobby, there is a separate room which is operated as a bar, with an adjacent lounge area. It is a very comfortable room with outside views and an exit to the main outer deck and has seating for about 25 people in comfortable sofas, armchairs. There are also a number of traditional bar stools surrounding a large semi–circular bar. There is a stereo with CD-player in the bar area. If you are interested in where we are going, there is also a television monitor showing video of the view from the bridge at all times as well as a modern chart-plotter located in the corner.

Bridge

On Deck 6 the ship’s bridge is open to passengers virtually 24 hours each day. With an officer and sailor (and often the captain) on watch, you are always able to learn something. The chart and navigation room is open to everyone, as are places to view the equipment and instruments. The bridge is a fascinating part of the ship and often a great place for sightseeing and bird watching — it provides a great view!

Communications

The ship carries all required communications and navigation facilities and equipment. She has Inmarsat telephone and fax equipment as well as a variety of shortwave, SSB, and VHF radio systems. She also carries fully current GMDSS (Global Marine Distress and Safety System) equipment.

Elevator

In addition to the stairs between decks, there is one lift/elevator on the ship operating between all passenger deck levels and to the bridge level. Please note that this does not remove the need for passengers to have a reasonable level of mobility, as ship access to and from zodiacs is by way of a staired gangway.

Gift Shop

On the Main Deck there is a small kiosk and gift shop. It carries a selection of souvenir items such as postcards, hats, t-shirts, and books to bring home from your voyage. It also has a basic supply of toiletries such as sunscreen, lip balm, usually some film and some camera batteries. It is open each day.

Gymnasium

There is a small gymnasium on the ship with a set of free weights, exercise bike, rowing machine, and step trainer.

Infirmary

On Deck 5 there is a basic infirmary and crew doctor available for passengers. As the ship was designed for extended projects, she carries an impressive list of equipment and supplies. However, passengers are reminded that this facility is intended as a basic or emergency service. While the inventory of medicines and equipment is extensive, passengers should bring their own basic first-aid kit as detailed in the Trip Information Guide for any minor problems, and if using specific medications should ensure they bring a supply adequate to last the entire journey. If there is a need to consult the ship’s doctor and to receive medications, etc., from the infirmary passengers will be invoiced for the cost of any items supplied.

Library

On deck five and forward, situated in a quiet part of the ship, there is a library area. With a large conference table, comfortable chairs, and sophisticated decor this serves as a great, quiet space to read from our selection of expedition reference materials, atlases, magazines, novels and the like. There are attractive wooden bookcases and quality lighting. There are also windows which overlook the bow of the ship for good sightseeing from indoors. Just outside the library itself there is another quiet area with good lighting and very comfortable armchairs which is usually also reserved as a reading room. The library also has a slide screen and whiteboard for smaller discussions and meetings. It seats about 20.

Lounge

In the aft part of the ship and reached through the bar is the television lounge. It seats about 25 and has an exit to the main outer deck space. It also has outside views. There is a television and VCR for educational and entertainment programming as well as watching the relayed video images of the view from the bridge. There is a collection of games and puzzles, maps, and a piano. This area, along with our bar, serves as the main social area of the vessel.

Mud Room

Towards the aft section of the main deck, and not far from where you will disembark from the zodiacs, there is a “mud room” where you can change out of your wet-weather gear on returning from shore excursions and leave your waterproof rubber boots.

Presentation Room

Our presentations take place in the dining room. All passengers can be seated there at the same time and it has a PA system to ensure that everyone can hear talks and announcements. It has a TV and VCR to help in programming as well as modern projection facilities and screens. Sauna and Swimming Pool On Deck 5 there is a small swimming pool and a sauna. A plunge pool really, the former is filled on special occasions or on request and is on the outer deck just outside the sauna. It gets a certain level of use, even in the Arctic waters! The sauna is open each afternoon and evening and seats about six people — it is a great place to relax after your shore excursions. It also has a change room and shower room.

Top Deck

There is also a spacious open top deck; from here you can enjoy spectacular views.

Sea Kayaking Option

A maximum of 10 paddlers per voyage can experience the Arctic in its most serene and tranquil state. If you have some experience in kayaking and are up for some nautical adventure, then be sure to reserve your spot at the time of booking your voyage. The kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, and dry suits are included, as are the services of a qualified kayak guide. A minimum of 2 kayaking excursions is planned, with possibly more, taking the opportunity to paddle when possible.
Cost per person: $395 USD
Please note: Sea Kayaking option must be booked prior to your departure from home: it cannot be booked on the ship. Some prior experience is required.