Spirit Mountains Arctic Cruise July 1-12, 2010

Limited to just 16 participants... Our 'Spirit Mountains' Arctic Cruise leaves the modern world behind and sails to remote outposts and follows in the footsteps of early explorers in their search of new lands. Join us on the intimate 108 passenger expedition ship MS Lyubov Orlova' as she glides alongside immense icebergs thousands of years old, and takes in the scenery of the vast tundra arctic and towering atlantic fjords. Come and explore what Canada has to offer, a place where everything in nature is infused with the spirit of life.

Day Date Itinerary Lodging Meals - - Depart for St. John's, Newfoundland - - 1 Thurs July 1st Arrive in St. John's, Newfoundland Ryan Mansion D 2 Fri July 2nd Board MS Lyubov Orlova MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 3 Sat July 3rd Cruising at Sea (L'Anse aux Meadows †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 4 Sun July 4th Cruising at Sea (Red Bay †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 5 Mon July 5th Cruising at Sea (Battle Harbour †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 6 Tues July 6th Cruising at Sea (The Wonderstrands †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 7 Wed July 7th Cruising at Sea (Makkovik †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 8 Thurs July 8th Cruising at Sea (Nain †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 9 Fri July 9th Cruising at Sea (Hebron †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 10 Sat July 10th Cruising at Sea (Torngat Mountain Range †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 11 Sun July 11th Cruising at Sea (Killiniq †) MS Lyubov Orlova B-L-D 12 Mon July 12th Arrive in Kuujjuaq - Depart for Montreal, Quebec MS Lyubov Orlova B-L † - As with all arctic expeditions, weather, ice, tides and other conditions will dictate our itinerary and shore excursions. Wildlife sightings and some activities depend on favourable conditions. Because of this, the places we may visit are L'Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay, Battle Harbour, The Wonderstrands, Makkovik, Nain, Hebron, The Torngat Mountain Range and Killiniq.

Tour:

Spirit Mountains Arctic Cruise - 12 Nights

Classification:

Fully Escorted Tour

Dates:

Thursday July 1st to
Tuesday July 13th, 2010

Arrival City:

(YYT) St. John's, NL

Departure City:

(YUL) Montreal, QC

Overnights:

• 1 Nt St. John's, Newfoundland
• 11 Nts MS Lyubov Orlova

Price:

• USD $4,389 Per Person (Dble or Shared Twin)
  + USD $513
  Domestic Flights
  + USD $433 
  Taxes
• Rate refects USD $400 early booking bonus if booked and paid in full by Jan 2010
• Rate based on "LOWER DECK"category on the MS Lyubov Orlova
• Guaranteed shared option available.
• Single supplement available upon request.

What's Included:

• An Out of the Box Tours 'Travelling Assistant'
• 12 Nights Accommodations (Deluxe in St. Johns, Superior on MS Lyubov Orlova)
• Domestic flights per itinerary (Kuujjuaq to Montreal)
• All meals (Welcome dinner & breakfast in St. John's, All meals on MS Lyubov Orlova)
• All non-alcoholic beverages (At meals in St. John's, Coffee, tea, hot chocolate & water on MS Lyubov Orlova)
• Airport & transport transfers in Montreal and Kuujjuaq
• All gratuities (accommodations, meals, ship staff, airport transfers and baggage)
• Shore excursions, zodiac cruises, guided hikes and lectures
• All group transfers, port dues and baggage handling on tour
• Sightseeing with an English-speaking guide as per itinerary
• A comprehensive trip handbook
• Guaranteed shared option

Weather (Min to Max):

St. John's 54°F/12°C to 71°F/21°C

Nain 48°F/9°C to 62°F/17°C

Kuujjuaq 45°F/7°C to 70°F/21°C

 FULL ITINERARY:

Enroute to St. John's, Newfoundland in Canada Board your choosen mode of transport to St. John's, Newfoundland in Canada. (Being partnered with a full service travel agency, Out of the Box Tours is happy to assist you with your travel arrangements including pre-tour arrangements to join this tour. We suggest booking early to obtain the best flights and rates available.)

Day 1: Thurs. July 1st, Arrive in St. John's, Newfoundland in Canada Welcome to the Rock! After arriving in St. John's you'll transfer by limo to your luxurious boutique hotel where you'll be met by your Out of the Box Tours 'Travelling Assistant'. After settling into your suite, unwind and enjoy your afternoon by exploring St. John's harbour. This evening enjoy a special 'Titanic' dining event with your fellow travelling companions at the tour's welcome dinner. After dinner we'll make our way to Quidi Vidi, once a historic fishing village to enjoy a fireworks display celebrating Canada's 142nd Birthday. Meals: (D) Welcome Dinner Lodging: The Ryan Mansion

Day 2: Depart St. John's, Newfoundland This morning after a relaxed breakfast we'll make our way down to Pier 7. We board the intimate 108 passenger expedition ship 'MS Lyubov Orlova' and depart St. John's on your Spirit Mountains Arctic Cruise for a spectacular voyage of exploration and adventure along Canada's rugged east coast to the arctic. Meals: (BLD) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: The MS Lyubov Orlova

Day 3 to Day 12:Cruising at Sea As with all arctic expeditions, weather, ice, tides and other conditions will dictate our itinerary and shore excursions. Wildlife sightings and some activities depend on favourable conditions. Because of this, the places we may visit are L'Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay, Battle Harbour, The Wonderstrands, Makkovik, Nain, Hebron, The Torngat Mountain Range and Killiniq. Meals: (BLD) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: The MS Lyubov Orlova L'Anse aux Meadows On this rugged east coast of Newfoundland are the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discovered in 1961, this is where Norsman Leif Ericson is thought to have founded “Vinland” in 1000 AD.

Red Bay An ideal natural harbour, and the site of five whaling stations that operated between 1540 and 1610. Red Bay National Historic Site has the world’s only wooden chalupa, a preserved early Basque whaling boat. Battle Harbour Once a bustling fishery, Battle Harbour is one of the oldest and most picturesque communities along Labrador’s south coast. The Wonderstrands The Wonderstrands’ endless miles of sandy beach are described in the Viking Sagas. The remote islands and islets nearby are a hotspot for wildlife, and the sheltered waters are great for zodiac cruises and hikes on shore.

Makkovik Rich in natural and cultural heritage, Makkovik is surrounded by many offshore islands, large, deep bays and several major rivers. We explore the town’s vibrant mix of Inuit and settler traditions. Nain Set on the shores of a scenic inlet, Nain is the most northerly inhabited community in Labrador. We take in a cultural performance and visit with local artisans as our chefs stock up on fresh seafood. Hebron Inhabited by indige­nous peoples at least 6,000 years ago, the scenery here at Hebron is stunning, as we explore the aban­doned buildings of a 19th century Morovian mission and hike out into the hills.

The People of the Arctic The Inuit and their ancestors have lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Even though the Inuit way of life is more diversified today than in the past, hunting, fishing and gathering activities for subsistence purposes remain central to life in Nunavik. While the people’s mother tongue and regular language of communication is Inuktitut, many Inuit speak English as a second language and some French as well. The Inuit people have ingenuously adapted to the severe Arctic and learnt to live gracefully in the severe cold desert. With surprising skill and swiftness, the most experienced guides are able to erect shelters with the North's most abundant material: snow.

Torngat Mountain Range The north coast of Labrador, where the Torngat Mountain Range rises to more than 1,800 m (almost 6,000 ft), is among the wildest and most magnificent coastlines in North America. We marvel at the cascad­ing waterfalls and ancient burial grounds that dot the shoreline, and take to our zodiac boats to explore these remote fiords, carved by glaciers millions of years ago – a true photographer’s paradise.

Killiniq Killiniq and the Button Islands mark the entrance to the Hudson Strait. The nutrient-rich ocean here attracts marine mammals including polar bears, seals and several species of whales. Killiniq is the site of an abandoned Moravian mission and, until quite recently, was a thriving Inuit village. It is deserted now save for the many polar bears that spend their time waiting for the winter ice to return.

OPTIONAL: Kayaking in the Arctic For the ultimate thrill seeker 'Kayaking in the Arctic' option is an absolute must. A sea kayaker’s dream, the Arctic coastline offers up a myriad of bays, fiords and sheltered inlets perfectly suited for kayaks. Those who wish are welcome to join a small group of fellow paddlers for the experience of a lifetime. Using the most modern equipment and in the company of first-rate guides, everyone is welcome to sign up and participate for a modest hourly fee, which includes the use of all necessary equipment.

Day 13: Kuujjuaq to Montreal This morning we manoeuvre up the Koksoak River to our anchorage just outside Kuujjuaq. After a brief tour of the town and buffet lunch, we transfer to the airport and prepare for our journey home, enriched by the many wonderful memories of our Arctic Spirit Adventure. Meals: (BL) Breakfast, Lunch

• As with all arctic expeditions, weather, ice, tides and other conditions will dictate our itinerary and shore excursions. Wildlife sightings and some activities depend on favourable conditions • (BLD) Included breakfast, lunch and dinners on tour • Out of the Box Tours is not responsible for any errors or ommissions contained in this itinerary

LODGING:

St. John's, NL - The Ryan Mansion in St. John's is a superior 5-star boutique hotel with a titanic of a story behind its history. Built during the period between 1909 and 1911, oral tradition maintains that The House's Grand staircase and mantles were supplied by the same craftsmen and manufacturer who built and installed the Grand staircase of the Titanic. Enjoy superior hospitality and top-notch service while reliving a bygone era.
At Sea - MS Lyubov Orlova is a spacious, comfortable ice-strengthened expedition vessel that carries a maximum of 110 passengers and has passive stabilizers for smooth sailing. She was built in the former Yugoslavia in 1976 and in 2006 underwent extensive renovations to its forward lounge, dining room and passenger cabins. The Russian Captain, officers and crew speak basic english.

TOUR DETAILS:

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

Terms & Conditions:
Out of the Box Tours (hereinafter referred to as OOTBT) and/or their agent’s act solely as agents for the Travel Service Suppliers such as airlines, hotels, local sightseeing and adventure companies, bus companies etc...  who are providing their facilities as described in their programs.  We do our best to select such suppliers but exercise no control over them and cannot be held responsible for the failure of these suppliers to carry out any obligations.  Any and all bookings made with these suppliers by us, for you, are subject to the terms and conditions of each and every such supplier. (The above also applies to arranged by OOTBT.)

Law, tariffs, may also limit suppliers’ liability or conditions set forth in their documentation, tickets, etc.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, OOTBT and its agents are not responsible for any and all claims for losses, damages, delays, illness, injuries, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, or anxiety arising from:

a) fault of negligence or omissions on the part of said travel suppliers;
b) Illness, theft, strikes, mechanical problems, quarantine, governmental intervention, weather conditions, acts of hostility or violence and any other grounds beyond their control;
c) Your failure to obtain passport, visas, inoculations or other ground documents; 
d) Your failure to report on time at an airport or ground transfer facility;
e) Material damages, theft or other mysterious disappearance of your goods;
f) Personal injury or death;
g) Force Majeure – event(s) beyond our, or our suppliers’ reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of God, strikes, lockout or other labour disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or acts or restraints imposed by governmental authorities. 

Liability:
Where travel services are purchased separately, and not as part of an inclusive package, OOTBT’s responsibility shall extend only to the provisions of advice as to industry standard or supplier recommended, connection and check-in times.  Provided OOTBT supplies such advice, it shall not be responsible for missed connections or departures, regardless of the cause. 

Promotional Material:
OOTBT programs very often include photographs of our past tour participants that may be used on our websites and promotional material.  If any of our passengers do not wish to have pictures, which include their image used by OOTBT, said passengers must advise OOTBT prior to departure in writing.  Costs for this program are based on the exchange rate at the time of printing and are subject to currency fluctuation. 

Website and Brochure Accuracy:
Every effort has been made to describe the travel services on our website as accurately as possible, but please note there may be different living standards and conditions with respect to the provisions of utilities and services than you are accustomed to at home.  Information and photographs contained herein were accurate at time of printing and are subject to change: however, we will do our best to inform you should any significant changes occur. OOTBT reserves the right to decline any passenger as a member of any tour at any time.  It is understood that all passengers reserving on any OOTBT program are personally physically mobile. 

Itinerary Changes:
Although every effort will be made to keep itineraries, hotels and carriers as they are shown on our website and in our brochures, we reserve the right to substitute itineraries, hotels or carriers due to conditions beyond our control. In such cases, we will do everything possible to ensure that the locations visited, the excursions taken and the hotels offered are similar to the ones originally planned. Any change to itineraries will not result in eligibility for a refund.

Personal Documentation Requirements:
All passengers must travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months after the return date of the trip. Visas may be required by some passengers for entry into another country – please contact a OOTBT representative at 1-866-404-1660 for further details. Please note that entry into any country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete. It is the passenger's responsibility to obtain at the passenger's expense, all documentation required by all relevant authorities. In the event that the passenger does not possess the proper documentation, the carrier (cruiseline, airline etc...) reserves the right to refuse passage. It is absolutely necessary for OOTBT to be aware of the citizenship/nationality of all its passengers to ensure that we provide correct information regarding personal documentation requirements.

Pricing:
Prices in this brochure or on our website are for the most part per person, based on two persons sharing a room, and are in effect at the time of printing or loading and are subject to price increases. Please note that no price increases are permitted after the customer has paid in full. If the price icrease is more than 7% (except for increases resulting from an increase in retail sales or federal tax, the customer has the right to cancel the booking and obtain a full refund.

Bookings, Payments, Cancellations and Refunds:
A deposit of $550.00 (USD) per person plus the optional applicable insurance premiums are due upon booking. The balance of payment and mandatory insurance is due no later than 120 days prior to departure. Please note that the deposit and any payments received are subject to cancellation charges according to the date of cancellation by the passenger. Please see applicable cancellation charges below:

Cancellation notice received 130 days or more prior to departure - Forfeits full deposit of $550.00 (USD) per person plus optional purchased insurance premiums
Cancellation notice received 129 days or less to departure - 100% of full fare† non-refundable

† Full Fare is defined as the cost of any tour, land, air and insurance element purchased from Out of the Box Tours. Voluntary or involuntary termination by the passenger of a tour in progress will result in no refund or alternative travel arrangement. Please note there is no refund for unused services or if portions of a tour are missed. Please contact a OOTBT representative for suggested insurance options which could protect you from the above cancellation charges.

Insurance:
Medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory on all of our tours to the Arctic and Africa. Cancellation, baggage, and various additional insurance coverages are strongly recommended and are available at the time of booking your vacation. A OOTBT representative would be happy to offer you an insurance quotation for your upcoming vacation. Please feel free to contact an OOTBT representative at 1.800.404.1660 or info@outoftheboxtours.com

Tour Documents:
A tour document packet is sent two weeks prior to a passengers departure. If you request documents earlier there is a $75 CAD handling charge to cover the extra costs of early processing. If a reservation is made within three weeks of departure, a late booking fee of $75 USD may be assessed to facilitate RUSH documentation.

Booking Revision Fee:
A $75 CAD revision fee per revision is charged for any changes made to a reservation after the written confirmation is sent. Please use the names of the travelers exactly as they appear on their passports. A change in name or departure date may constitute a cancellation, and penalties may apply.

Out of the Box Tours is a division of The Travel Broker, registered under the Ontario Travel Industry Act. Ontario registration No. #981363484. TICO registration No. #1864205.
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