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FREIGHTER CRUISES & EXPERIENTIAL EXPEDITIONS
Experiential Expeditions
It's the experience that makes the difference
Designed for the curious and seasoned traveler, Katlin Travel's new series of self-guided and group "Experiential Expeditions" extends to areas of the travel world not visited by most tourists. Our small group programs or self-guided itineraries ensure in-depth visits to some of the more interesting and remote parts of the world, places that are seldom included in the customary tour packages. Our current most popular trips are outlined below; new ones are being added on a regular basis. For more detailed information, itineraries and pricing, or simply to find out more about the trips from the people who have been there, either telephone us at 1-800-552-8546 or e-mail us at info@katlintravel.com.
Egypt's Western Desert Oases
Designed for a maximum of 16 travelers, this two-week program incorporates all five of the Western Desert Oases. Senior anthropologist and Professor Dr. Carolyn Lobban leads the trip. You will meet the local people, visit with community leaders, and experience rural life in isolated oasis towns. This program is designed for travelers who have already visited Egypt; they already know the pharaohs, have climbed down into the usual tombs, and are fascinated with both the Egyptian people and culture. Our program enables travelers to experience something new and unique, the 'other half' of Egypt. Our trip will visit all five oases spending one or more nights in the best available hotels in each. You will visit Coptic monasteries, the al-Alamein museum, spend a day with the director of the Dakhla project visiting some of his archaeological sites, visit the town of 250 people where racing camels are raised, explore ancient inhabited mud-brick towns, and, after a barbecue, sleep beneath the stars on a tented overnight safari in the White Desert. You may even want to take a swim in Cleopatra's baths in Siwa oasis where she was reputed to have bathed 2500 years ago.
There is lots more: we visit the oldest known Christian necropolis in Kharga, see the newly-discovered 'golden' mummies in Bahariya, visit a weaver and his family in Farafra, and finally have two days in Cairo for a bit of rest and relaxation or to visit the Cairo Museum, Giza, and/or Khan-al-Khalily. Throughout the desert we will have a private and spacious motor coach with full facilities. On the overnight safari you will be supplied with sleeping bags and tents and other necessary equipment.
Departures will resume in 2007.
French Polynesia Freighter Cruise
The Aranui III is a mixed passenger/cargo vessel sailing from Pepeete, Tahiti, out and back to the Marquesas Islands. The Aranui III is a 386 foot, 3800 ton vessel with a capacity to carry 200 passengers. The vessel was built in 2000 in Romania. She is of French registry and is crewed primarily by Marquesans. They are extremely skillful and very hospitable. It is often their custom to give an impromptu concert in the evenings, both for their own and for the passengers' pleasure.
The ship features a small boutique and there are washing machines and dryers aboard (dry cleaning is not available). There is a swimming pool and sunbathing space.
Aranui III sails from Papeete, Tahiti, out and back to the Marquesas Islands, stopping at all the Marquesian inhabited island villages and towns. You will experience Polynesia as it really is, not with hundreds of other passengers packed on a huge cruise ship which visits only the larger ports. You will be on a true freighter, the ‘life line’ of the islands, supplying all of the island needs from cars and trucks, to aviation fuel, food, lumber, cement, and the myriad of things every town needs: clothes, furniture, paper products, books, school supplies, and everything else imaginable. In each town, go ashore either by whaleboat to the town beach or, when the Aranui docked, just walk ashore. You'll be afforded the opportunity to explore the local culture either in groups or on your own.
The cuisine is French/Polynesian with complimentary wine at all luncheons and dinners. When the local fisherman comes by in the morning with his catch, you'll have fresh fish for lunch. On some islands, while the ship is loading and unloading, you'll be taken for a tour of the island, perhaps with a luncheon of native foods, prepared and served by local women. At another island, you'll have a 4-wheel vehicle tour of Polynesian historic sites. At yet another, you'll visit one of the black pearl farms. You'll see the crafts, hear the music of the islands, and see dance performances. And all this is included in
the price (all meals and all land excursions). And don't worry, there's time for sun, swimming and just 'vegging out'.
There are 15 departures every year for 15-day trips. Each departure has a trained naturalist and anthropologist on board. All lectures are given in English, French and German. The trip is very informal not a necktie in sight! And, if you want to meet the Captain, he's the tenor ukulele musician in the ship's band playing in the lounge when the ship is in port at night. ll cabins have two berths with full facilities. There is complimentary laundry for all passengers twice week. This tour is a planned, independent trip where all reservations and transfers are arranged for you, but without a guide until you board the Aranui.
Nubian Study Tour
Under the guidance of Dr. Richard Lobban, Professor of Anthropology at Rhode Island College, this trip to Egypt focuses on the history of Nubia, the ancient southern part of Egypt. You will spend five days in Aswan visiting the magnificent new Nubian Museum, taking trips to the Tombs of the Nobles, visiting Philae and Kitchener Islands, St. Simeon Monastery, and the Elephantine Museum. You'll also have a day-long hydrofoil trip to Abu Simbel followed by a three-day river cruise from Aswan to Luxor with stops along the way at the major sites.
In Luxor you will spend one day on the West Bank and another visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the Luxor Museum. Throughout the journey Dr. Lobban will lecture on Nubia. One of the highlights of the trip will be an exploration of Kharga Oasis in the Western Desert. There you will visit Bagawat, the earliest known Christian necropolis; Dush Temple and Fort, the southern-most extent of the Roman republic; and a very small town, Khartoum,
where racing camels are raised. When the trip leaves Kharga, fly to Cairo for two intensive days visiting the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and other major sights in the Cairo area.
This trip may be taken for academic credit at Rhode Island College, though about half of the group take the trip for their own interest, not for credit. All accommodations will be at four star or better hotels. Most meals are included and there is no tipping. All transfers are included, as are all shore excursions from the boats. Departures will resume in 2007.
Greenland Sightseeing Voyage and Safari
It's like nowhere else in the world; a place of majestic beauty, wonderful people, and unique sights. Our air is from Ottawa, where we will spend one night before flying to Nuuk, the Capital of Greenland. Here our program originates and here is where we spend two days before boarding the 90-passenger cruise vessel, the MS Shearwater, to embark upon a week-long voyage along the west coast. Visit small fishing villages and watch for seals, whales and all manner of northern sea birds. The most remarkable sight is the never-ending parade of icebergs; each a different size, shape and color. Stop to visit a calving glacier close up; possibly take a helicopter trip to the lip of the biggest glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, a glacier that calves enough ice every day to supply all
the fresh water needs of New York City for a year. Cruise up a fjord, through beautiful Disco Sound, and see some of the most awesome and thrilling geography in the world.
What's it like in Greenland in the summer? The day will be warm, but not hot,and nights are cool. Sweaters and perhaps a parka are necessary. There's a saying in Greenland, "Bring shorts, gloves, and everything in between." After the cruise, spend a day going via jeep to the ice cap and back where you may have your picture taken leaning against the oldest ice in the world. At its oldest, Greenland's ice cap is about 4 billion years old. Also go
on an arctic safari in search of a musk ox herd, spot barren lands reindeer and, if you keep a good eye out, you may also see the arctic foxes. After eleven days in Greenland, it will be back to Ottawa to spend another night before returning home.
Greenland departures during summer 2007 will depart on Saturdays from Ottawa and return a week from the following Wednesday. (This schedule is subject to change due to changes in air schedules). Our program will include airfare, hotels on land with breakfasts, and full board aboard the MS Shearwater. Also included will be a tour of the city of Nuuk, the arctic safari and the ice cap visit. The helicopter trip to the lip of the Illulisat glacier will be booked separately when you are on board the MS Shearwater.All lectures by the naturalists will be in English, as well as German and Danish.
Additional Programs
We also offer four riverboat cruises each summer on the MacKenzie River in arctic Canada; year-round eco-tourism trips to the headwaters of the Amazon in Peru; and our clients often join tours to Papua New Guinea and India.
Currently on the agenda for new programs from Katlin Travel are The Silk Route, with emphasis on Central Asian Republics, Women's Issues in Egypt and the Near East, Eastern Turkey with Capadocia and Antioch, and Ukranian Culture. We also offer a culinary program which visits the vineyards of Tuscany. As these programs are firmed up you'll find the latest on our web site.
info@katlintravel.com
Toll Free: 800-552-8546
Office Phone: 781-862-6229
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