Friendly Islands Kayak Company Tonga Office (Local Enquiries) Private Bag 10 Neiafu, Vava'u KINGDOM OF TONGA South Pacific Ph/Fax: 676 70 173 New Zealand Office (International Enquiries) PO Box 142 Waitati, Otago 9069 NEW ZEALAND Ph/Fax: 64 3 482 1202 Email tours@fikco.com © 1998-2004 FIKCO Last updated 09/23/2005. Please send any comments about this web site to the Webmaster		2007 / 2008 Polar Voyages.... aboard Polar Pioneer Back to Tours AURORA EXPEDITIONS... ...in conjunction with Southern Sea Ventures and Friendly Islands Kayak Company, offers ecotourism voyages to Antarctica, the High Arctic and Greenland, with a sea kayaking option, taking adventurous expeditioners deep into the domain of polar bears, penguins and whales. Co-founders Greg Mortimer and Margaret Werner and their crew believe in sharing their love of adventure. Expeditions attract people from all walks of life and all ages. POLAR PIONEER... ...was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship. In 2001 she was refurbished to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. Her enthusiastic Russian captain and crew are among the world's most experienced ice navigators. All cabins have outside portholes and ample storage space. Accommodation is simple yet comfortable; meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. Polar Pioneer is an ideal mothership. Once or twice daily, we launch our kayaks to glide amongst icebergs and icefloes for encounters with wildlife or to visit whaling industry remains, Inuit communities and scientific research stations. Inflatable Zodiacs are also used for excursions. The Polar Regions are wild and humbling places of indescribable beauty. Each trip is guaranteed to offer new and exciting experiences.   HIGH ARCTIC & GREENLAND   The wonder and beauty of the High Arctic in midsummer is something very special! Life explodes during the brief, but intense Arctic summer, and sea kayaks are a superb way to see walrus, reindeer, and millions of migratory land and sea birds. The circumnavigation of Spitsbergen takes you within 600 miles of the North Pole, well into the realm of the polar bear. Using Polar Pioneer as a base and with 24 hours of daylight, we make the most of each day. Tundra walks provide a pleasing contrast to paddles through narrow, ice-choked fjords. In Greenland, icebergs aglow with summer's midnight sun give way to early autumn opportunities to view Aurora Borealis - the northern lights. The world's largest island supports the world's second largest icecap, and is home to polar bear, muskoxen, whales and narwhale as well as remote Inuit communities.   ANTARCTICA   Antarctica is simply the most humbling and powerful place on earth. Every day holds new wonders, from face to face encounters with whales to serene paddles through narrow fjords dwarfed by enormous icebergs. Melting sea ice releases the continent from winter's frozen grip, and millions of penguins, sea birds and seals pour from the ocean to breed along the continent's foreshores. Photos by Al Bakker 2007/08 HIGH ARCTIC VOYAGES (1) Circumnavigation of Spitsbergen:        Jul 26 - Aug 5 (2007) (2) Circumnavigation of Spitsbergen:        Aug 5 - 15 (2007)   COSTS in AUSTRALIAN $ (1) & (2) Triple Share AUD$ 5090 Twin (Public Facilities) AUD$ 6290 Twin (Private Facilities) AUD$ 7490 Mini Suite AUD$ 8190 Suite AUD$ 8690 Kayaking Surcharge: AUD$ 990 Voyages (1) & (2) (3) Across the Arctic Circle        Jul 13 - Jul 26 (2007) (4) Spitsbergen/Greenland/Iceland:        Aug 15 - Aug 28 (2007) (5) Iceland/Greenland/Spitsbergen:        Aug 28 - Sep 10 (2007)   COSTS in AUSTRALIAN $ (3) to (5) Triple Share AUD$ 6290 Twin (Public Facilities) AUD$ 7490 Twin (Private Facilities) AUD$ 8690 Mini Suite AUD$ 9790 Captain's Suite AUD$ 10790 Kayaking Surcharge: AUD$ 1090 Voyages (3) to (5)   Rates in USD$ available upon request   2007/08 ANTARCTIC VOYAGES (6) Antarctic Peninsula - Spring:        Nov 27 - Dec 7 (2007) (7) Antarctic Peninsula - Christmas:        Dec 18 - 28 (2007) (8) Antarctic Peninsula - New Year:        Dec 28 - Jan 7 (2008) COSTS in US $ (6) to (8) Triple Share US$ 5290 Twin (Public Facilities) US$ 6490 Twin (Private Facilities) US$ 7290 Mini Suite US$ 8090 Captain's Suite US$ 8690 Kayaking Surcharge: US$ 725 Voyages (6) to (8) (9) Antartic Peninsula - Climbers:        Dec 7 - 18 (2007) (10) Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea:        Jan 25 - Feb 5 (2008) (11) Across the Circle:        Feb 5 - Feb 16 (2008) (12) Across the Circle with Divers:        Feb 16 - Feb 27 (2008)   COSTS in US$ (9) to (12) Triple Share US$ 5490 Twin (Public Facilities) US$ 6890 Twin (Private Facilities) US$ 7790 Mini Suite US$ 8690 Suite US$ 9290 Kayaking Surcharge: US$ 725 Voyages (9) to (12) Diving Surcharge: US$ 650 Voyages (9) to (12) Climbing Surcharge: US$ 100 Voyages (9) to (12) (13) South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula:        Nov 9 - 27 (2007) (14) South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula:        Jan 7 - 25 (2008) (15) Shackleton Odyssey::        Feb 27 - Mar 19 (2008)   COSTS in US $ (13) to (15) Triple Share US$ 8790 Twin (Public Facilities) US$ 10,590 Twin (Private Facilities) US$ 12,290 Mini Suite US$ 13,490 Suite US$ 14,190 Alpine Crossing Surcharge: US$ 650 Voyages (13) to (15) Download summary of Antarctic tour info & prices Prices do not include airfare, pre- and post-cruise accommodation or transfers Prices are subject to change in the event of significant fuel increases.   DEPOSIT: US$ 1000 High Arctic US$ 1250 Antarctica For more information regarding these Polar Voyages, please contact us by filling out our Request Info Form or by e-mailing us at tours@fikco.com Home |  Our Company |  Tours |  How to Book |  Whale Watching |  Activities Request Info |  About Tonga |  Gallery |  Newsletters & Articles |  FAQs |  Books