Small Ship Cruising --
Nature and Cultural Cruises
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Weaverville / Asheville, NC
Cruise West Ring of Fire Cruise: Dates, Rates, Itinerary Information
Ring Of Fire
The distant and isolated Kuril Islands, a paradise of bird and marine wildlife, contain over 100 volcanos, 35 of which are still active. Begin your journey to Anchorage, cruise through the Bering Sea past the Aleutians to the Kamchatka Coast, through the Kuril Islands into Japan's northern islands, ending up in Kobe.
This is unparalleled exploration cruising along the Kamchatka coast, through the Kuril Islands, and into Japan's northern islands. Enjoy dramatic scenery, and encounter the region's ancient cultures and fascinating people whose lives are rarely touched by outsiders. Keep your binoculars handy for viewing unique wildlife and birds and adding to your lifelist. This itinerary offers opportunities to look for Asian Rosy-Finches, Peregrine Falcons, Slaty-backed Gulls, Common Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Tufted Puffins, Northern Fulmars, Steller's Sea Eagles, and Harlequin Ducks. Of special interest are the Red-faced Cormorant on Audubon’s Red Watch List and the Whiskered Auklet on the Audubon Yellow Watch List.
The Kuril Islands are a chain of over 50 heavily-forested and volcanic islands - paradise for birdwatchers and twitchers. Once inhabited by the Ainu, who are thought to be descendants of migrating Mongolians, these islands are home to over 100 volcanoes, 35 of which are active. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime voyage through some of the most unusual terrain on earth. Conclude your journey in Kobe, where the ancient melds with the modern in a juxtaposition of unique contrasts.
Ring Of Fire Itinerary
Day 1: Anchorage
Upon arrival, transfer to the comfortable Sheraton Anchorage Hotel overlooking Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Meet fellow travelers this evening at a welcome dinner. D
Day 2: Anchorage To Seward
After a hearty breakfast at the Sheraton and a morning tour of Anchorage, transfer to Seward and set sail aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. BD
Day 3: Kodiak
One of the largest fishing ports in the nation, Kodiak (Alaska's "Emerald Isle") is famous for its lush, green summer months as well as for its abundance of brown bears. Enjoy tours of the Baranov Museum, the Alutiiq Museum and the Fish Tech Center. BLD
Day 4: Shumagin Islands
Cruise in the wake of the Bering Expedition of 1741. While humans are sparse, the islands are home to abundant seabirds, including auklets and puffins, plus fur seals and Steller's sea lions. BLD
Day 5: Dutch Harbor
The "Crossroads of the Aleutian Islands," Unalaska has undergone sweeping change in its thousands of years of human history. Learn about the days of Russian fur traders at the Museum of the Aleutians and explore the Russian church. Dutch Harbor, Unalaska's port city, is the only place in North America besides Pearl Harbor bombed by Japanese zeros during WWII. Explore bunkers, barracks and artifacts at the World War II Memorial Park. BLD
Day 6: At Sea
Relax aboard the Spirit of Oceanus and enjoy a day whale watching at sea. Look for humpbacks, orca and blue whales plus the rare short-tailed albatross. Listen to presentations by your team of onboard naturalists. BLD
Day 7: Kiska Island
Kiska was occupied by Japanese forces for over a year during WWII. Today we visit the haunting remnants of their encampment as we take time to observe the native flora found here. Now uninhabited, the island is home to Lapland Longsurs and Rosie finches and has been declared a National Historic Landmark and a part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. BLD
Day 8: Attu Island
Attu is the most remote of the Aleutian Islands and therefore one of the most rarely visited regions in the United States. Pristine and peaceful, this bird-watcher's paradise, is a refuge for many bird species, including the Brambling, Tufted Duck and an occasional Siberian Rubythroat. BLD
Day 9: Cross The International Date Line/ At Sea
We lose a day as we cross the International Date Line. BLD
Day 10: Petropavlovsk
Perched on the shore of a protected bay, Petropavlovsk was established in 1740 and remains one of the oldest settlements of the Russian Far East. With the Avacha and Koryak volcanos to the north and majestic Avacha Bay to the south, Petropavlovsk is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. A city tour introduces you to this outpost of Russian culture, including one of the country's few surviving Lenin statues. BLD
Day 11: Atlasova Island
Atlasova's black-sand beaches and 7,675-foot volcano - the highest in the Kurils - give the island a dramatic, mysterious appeal. Explore an abandoned prison for Russian women as well as lakes, scrub and hills of volcanic ash on a nature walk. Keep an eye out for Asian rosy finches, peregrines and slatey-backed gulls. BLD
Day 12: Exploring The Remote Kuril Islands And Yankicha Island Thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea lions and fur seals greet us with a cacophonous welcome as we explore the islands of this rarely visited pristine wilderness. Explore Yankicha Island's bubbling mud vents and hot springs. Be on the lookout for for whiskered auklets that breed here. BLD
Day 13: At Sea
Spend a relaxing day at sea. BLD
Day 14: Kushiro, Japan
Today we arrive in Japan for a visit to Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, home of Japan's sacred red-crowned cranes, the brown bear, Yezo deer and Sakhalin taimen, the most ancient species of salmon on Earth. BLD
Day 15: At Sea
Another relaxing day at sea as you journey to more adventures in Japan. BLD
Day 16: Matsushima
Matsushima's spectacular bay features 250 tiny islands, or shima, blanketed in pines, or matsu, hence its name. A dramatic monument to natural forces, Matsushima has earned recognition as one of Japan's Nihon Sankei (Three Great Sights). Visit the fabled Zen Temple of Zuiganji founded in A.D. 828. BLD
Day 17: At Sea
Cruise the scenic coast of Honshu, the largest of Japan's islands, as we make our way south. BLD
Day 18: Toba & Ise -jingu
Dating back to the 3rd century, Ise-jingu is Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine. From the port city of Toba we'll head inland to explore the shrine and its surrounding countryside of ancient forests of giant cryptomeria trees. BLD
Day 19: Kobe
Disembark in Kobe for a tour of Himeji (White Egret) Castle, Japan's most beautiful stronghold. Transfer to the Kobe Okura Hotel for an afternoon at leisure before a celebratory farewell dinner. BD
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
2009 Rates and Dates
September 10: Category Superior $8399 / Category Majesty $8949 / Category Premium $9349 / Category Classic $9999 / Category Explorer $11349 / Category Titan $12449 / Category Owner's Suite $17399
The cost of your cruise or cruise/land tour includes service charges for land-based personnel and $799 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and onboard services. Onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single-Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of your departure. Valid passport and Russian entry visa are required, and are not included in the cruise rates. How To Get A Russian Visa
