CHILE CLOSE-UPon photo safari in Torres del Paine – page 4

NEW RIVER CRUISES ANDHIDEAWAYS IN INDOCHINA – Page 2

REMOTE NOVA SCOTIA’S SABLE ISLAND – page 5

REMOTE NOVA SCOTIA’S SABLE ISLAND – page 5

INTRODUCING AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN and a profusion of new possibilities for 2014!

ADVENTUREScreating

See what we can tailor-make for you at www.farfrontiers.com and www.arcturusexpeditions.co.uk

Fiona Brijnath, Director

Ninestone, South Zeal, Devon EX20 2PZ

Happy New Year! In this,my 14th year of operation,

I am feeling as upbeat as ever!With recession less prominentin the headlines I amdedicating this edition to‘new’ news. Tourism aroundthe world is brimming withinnovation and in this issue we bring you a worldwideselection of new propertiesand concepts, all of which wecan incorporate into a holidaytailored for you.

In the past few months wehave scouted out some topnotch partners in bothAustralia and Japan. I’m notsuggesting you combine themon the same trip but, if youhave a yearning for somethingseriously far flung, then do getin touch. In Asia the talk is allabout Sri Lanka which hasexperienced a surge inpopularity in recent months,whilst in the polar regionswe’ve added new voyages,journeys and ships to ourportfolio.

Do call or email me to discussyour ideas – you’ll find me asenthusiastic as ever to help youto build the trip of a lifetime!

tel & fax

01837 840640email fiona@farfrontiers.comfiona@arcturusexpeditions.co.uk

update | January 2014

NEW RIVER CRUISES ANDHIDEAWAYS IN INDOCHINA – Page 2

CHILE CLOSE-UPon photo safari in Torres del Paine – page 4

Photo: Andy Rouse

» VIETNAM & CAMBODIAWow factor cruising

Take a day cruising in style around Vietnam’sWorld Heritage destination of Ha Long Bay on adistinctive 1930’s Indochina styled boat with acrew to guest ratio of one to one. The gourmetdining is exquisite and your journey will take inthe narrow rock channels of Bai Tu Long Bay andquaint fishing villages. Take a side trip on abamboo boat or join in the cooking and flowercarving demonstrations.

» Fiona’s tip « This is perfect for small privategroups who want the exclusivity of their ownvessel for anything from four hours to a full day.

Get high in the mountainsThe H’ Mong Mountain Retreat overlooking thebreathtaking terraced rice fields of Sapa inNorthern Vietnam is the ultimate loftyhideaway. Tour the Sapa region by foot orvehicle with your guide from a local hill tribe tosee the life of the local people and a culture thathas charmed visitors for many years. There’s alsoa popular daily Vietnamese cooking class.

Incomparable retreatAmano’i is a tranquil hillside retreat and spaabove a white sandy beach overlookingspectacular Vinh Hy Bay, northeast of Ho ChiMinh City. This dramatic coastline is part of oneof Vietnam’s largest natural conservation sites.The villas have panoramic views and a privatepool with a housekeeper and personal chef.

» Fiona’s tip « For the ultimate indulgent tour of South East Asia check into the Amanpuri inThailand, the Amantaka in Laos and theAmansara in Cambodia.

Small boat river cruisesWe’d like to introduce you to the Toum Tiouriver cruisers that can navigate all the way fromSiem Reap Pier in Cambodia to SaigonHarbour (Ho Chi Minh). You’ll reach theremotest of villages whilst gently hugging theriver line, with priceless views of people, floraand fauna barely touched by modernity. Tencosy double en suite cabins each have a privatelounge area and air conditioning.

» Fiona’s tip « Itineraries range from Siem Reapto Phnom Penh (three days/two nights) to aneight day journey all the way to Saigon. Build thisinto our 22 day Indochina Explorer itinerary.

what’s newAROUND THE WORLD

» INDIALeopard watching in luxury

Recently opened in an untamed wilderness whereleopards roam wild and free, is Jawai LeopardCamp. Its eight luxurious tents are surrounded bygranite caves, kopjes, scrub and winding river-beds,providing an entirely different experience fromelsewhere in Rajasthan.

» Fiona’s tip « You’ll still find plenty of heritagearound from Kumbalgarh Fort to the sculptedtemples at Ranakpur. Udaipur and Jodhpur areeasily accessible by car so Jawai is a perfectcontrast within your Forts and Palaces ofRajputana itinerary.

New Ganges cruiseThis February, the new ABN Rajmahal commencesoperation and will offer weekly seven night cruiseson the River Ganges. She’ll venture upstream fromPatna right up as far as Varanasi. Both cities areserved by excellent flight connections, so you canexperience India's holiest city as well as exploreuntouched rural areas. Among her 22 cabins are foursingles for which no supplement is charged.

» when « Nine departures between 2 August and 4 October 2014 between Patna and Varanasibefore she heads down to the Hugli for the winter

» price from « £2,795 per person for 11 daysincluding flights

We’ve got some brilliant new locations and activities for 2014! All these examples can beincorporated into our suggesteditineraries for a holiday that’s uniqueand memorably tailored for you.

Assam elephant safariIf you’re seeking a high end, out-of-the-ordinarywildlife tour, the Great Indian Elephant Safari inManas National Park, in the Bodoland region ofNortheast India includes daily elephant treks, teaplantation and village visits as well as silk weavingand rice wine-making experiences between stays in small eco camps and jungle lodges.

» Fiona’s tip « Tour options start with five night/sixday fixed departure itineraries but speak to us aswe can arrange longer tours for private groups.

» price guide « £3,390 per person for nine daysincluding flights

Exciting new hotel additions» Fiona’s tip « If you’re staying in Delhi,

The Lodhi will provide a calm oasis ofcontemporary style, whilst in Kerala, theboutique Infinity overlooking Marari Beachcombines well with The Malabar House (ourfavourite property in Cochin, 65km away).Call us for more details of these properties.

Photo: Jaisal Singh

» THAILAND Island paradiseOur three day/two night trip to Koh Lipe in theSouth Andaman Sea with its fantastic beaches,diving and snorkelling is the ultimate islandgetaway experience. It lies close to Malaysia’sLangkawi Island and is part of the TartanNational Marine Park, a group of over 70 islandswhose waters host a vast variety of marine speciesincluding dolphins, mantas, sharks and reef fishsuch as clown, angel and lion fish.

» CHINAPandering to pandas

This new trip will enable you to get up close andpersonal with giant pandas through a volunteerstint at the Bifengxia Panda Reserve where you’llplay a prominent role in assisting work to preservethese endangered creatures. The reserve is locatedin the ecological paradise of Bifeng Gorge, 90minutes’ drive south of Chengdu in SichuanProvince. Be prepared to prepare food, cleanenclosures, carry lots of bamboo and help staffwith the collection of behavioural data.

» Fiona’s tip « We can combine this excursion withany itinerary that has a Chengdu or Sichuancomponent.

Despite Japan’s densepopulation it has vastareas of rural, unpopulatedwilderness and forests,mountains and volcanoes.It’s also less expensive thanyou’d imagine. As well asthe Golden Route – Tokyo,Hakone/Mt. Fuji and Kyoto –we can recommend hiking in theJapan Alps, ice festivals in Sapporo,skiing in Niseko and taiko drummingon Sado Island. Call us and we’ll buildyou a fascinating and memorable trip!

Colonial chic The new Le Sun Chine boutique hotel harks backto the golden era of Shanghai in the 1930s. Oncethe home of the famous Sun family, this historicsite has been meticulously restored in every detail.Each individual room is named in both French andEnglish after the streets in the city’s heyday.

» MYANMARMandalay to Bagan by boat

Base yourself on a luxury floating hotel in Mandalayand Bagan with a river cruise in between! TheOrient and Sagaing Pandaws will each cruise weeklyexploring the small towns and villages of lost Burmabetween these historic cities (two nights moored atBagan and three at Mandalay).

» prices from « £1,765 per person in low seasonfor nine days including flights

» Fiona’s tip « Fly in and out of MandalayInternational airport from Bangkok or Singaporeto be met and transferred to the ship in Mandalay or in under three hours to Bagan. This option avoidshotel room shortages and erratic domestic flights.Also there’s no single traveller supplement from July to October and on selected 2015 dates.

New to Dal Lake in 2013 and in an enviableposition is the peaceful, exclusive and privateSukoon house boat. With her original glasschandeliers and intricately carved panelling sheis a traditional residential houseboat withmodern comforts. Each of her five spaciouscabins (including one suite) has a large windowfacing the lake and a roomy bathroom.

Watch life on the lake quietly unfold from theveranda or relax under a shamiana (canopy) onthe unique roof terrace with stunning viewsacross to the mighty Himalaya.

» Fiona’s tip « Come here for a heavenly fewdays of sunshine, walking, exploration andwater trekking in the warm days of summer ora wonderfully restorative break after someenergetic skiing in Gulmarg.

» KASHMIR House boat with a history

» Introducing JAPANWhere the past meets the future

Photo: Paul Levrier

The guides we work with are oftenconservationists in their own right, always localand keen to share their expertise and passionfor Australia’s natural and cultural heritage.Above all, it will give you an exclusive, personalexperience and a genuine insight into Australianlife. For the last word in exclusivity we cansuggest some wonderful lodges onincomparable islands and in wilderness areas,decadent tented camps in the desert or amongcoastal sand dunes, private spa and vineyardretreats and remote country lodges. Do call usfor more details.

» BORNEOMalay home stay hideaway

This traditional Malay-style private residence inSarawak offers an authentic experience of a localvillager’s life. The Village House is hidden down adusty track, just 100 metres from the beach in thefriendly village of Santubong. You’ll love the warmfamily ambiance and the welcoming hospitality forwhich Sarawak is famous. It’s close to mangroveforests and rivers where you can see finlessporpoises and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

Cruising the Indonesian jungle Our new overnight cruise on a traditional woodenboat meanders through the nature and wildlife ofKalimantan along jungle-lined rivers with orang-utans visible in nearby trees. It’s a natural paradiseof exotic birdlife and, further upstream, you’ll meetpeople in remote villages who make a sustainableliving from jungle and river resources.

» Fiona’s tip « Combines well with our Islands andHighlands of Indonesia 17 day suggested itinerary.

» AUSTRALIAUnique tailored experience

We have recently forged a new partnership in Australiaand have put together a select portfolio of outback properties,

bush camps, small lodges, island retreats and luxury hotels.

» CHILEPhotographic safari

Explore the majesty and biodiversity of the Torresdel Paine National Park from the extraordinaryTierra Patagonia. Their photo safari will reveal everchanging panoramas and remarkable wildlife – withluck you might see the elusive puma. You’ll beguided by the outstanding Chilean photographer,Pia Vergara who has worked in the area for yearsand knows all the best locations for great pictures.

» Fiona’s tip « We suggest a six day visit includingLaguna Azul, Lago Pehoe, Estancia Lazo, LagoNordenskjold and Lago Grey. You’ll be thrilled byclose-up sightings of guanacos, foxes, hue mules(native deer) and a great variety of birds such asthe majestic condor. Tours run until mid April 2014,or we can tailor-make a stay for another time.

» RUSSIAYamal polar express

A new private train is operating from Moscow to Bovanenkovo on the Yamal Peninsula in north-west Siberia, a journey of 2,906 km.

This ‘hotel on wheels’ transports you incontemporary luxury through majestic landscapesof mountains, river valleys, forests and tundra.Meet some of the region’s nomadic reindeerherders and find out how they have made this most inhospitable terrain their home for centuries.

» when « Three departures between May andAugust 2014 will operate for a small group ofaround 10 to 25 passengers

» prices from « £1,735 per person for the trainjourney. Tailor-made itineraries including flights to be added on

» Fiona’s tip « We can highly recommend a pre orpost-train extension in Moscow or to St Petersburg.

This year’s ‘must see’2014 sees the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg celebrate its 250th anniversary.One of the oldest and most prestigious museumsof the world, the Hermitage is always a ‘must’ forSt Petersburg and never more so than this yearwith the opening of the new wing – consisting offive courtyards and 800 rooms!

» Fiona’s tip « We can organise many memorableexperiences during your stay – why not include anevening of ballet or opera at the famousMariinsky Theatre?

» HIMALAYAS Space, peace and beautyDiscover compellingly beautiful and remoteregions of India with Shakti. After remotewalks with charming, well-spoken guides, returnto the delicious comfort of a cosy village housewith a log fire, a glass of chilled wine or beer, afeast of a dinner in the company of fascinatingmountain people and a divinely comfortablebed. All aspects of the houses’ developmenthave involved the local people.

» Fiona’s tip « Call us for itineraries and prices –Ladakh and Sikkim for summer visits, or try thetwo properties in Uttarakhand for winter visits.

» OMAN Trekking gentlyAs well as the ‘greats’ of Muscat including opera,ballet or classical Arab music at the new RoyalOpera House, this year we’re introducing our newsoft trekking itinerary for Oman. You’ll be whiskedinto the interior for some wonderful walkingamong terraced gardens and fruit orchards andthe stark beauty and plunging gorges of the JebelShams and Jebel Akhdar Mountains. Contact usto see a copy of the itinerary.

» SRI LANKAA warm welcome awaits

Having emerged from civil war Sri Lanka is onceagain attracting visitors. Its sweeping beaches,cool green mountainsides, UNESCO WorldHeritage Sites, spice gardens and historic teaplantations are all accessible with relatively shortdrives. We chauffeur you from A to B and canorganise a wonderful cross-section of smallboutique hotels, former governors’ residences, teabungalows and historic British hotels.

» Fiona’s tip « With prices looking favourableagainst other Asian destinations, Sri Lanka is agreat way to escape our grim British winters.We’ve a variety of itineraries to suggest – such asour 13 day Classic Ceylon itinerary.

» ARCTURUS STOP PRESS «

SELLING FAST SO BOOKYOUR PLACE SOON!All the prices below include flights

Rembrandt Van Rijn – West Greenland sailing voyages» when « 10 voyages mid May to

mid October 2014 » guide price « from £3,585 per person

Spirit of Enderby – Russian Arctic Sea of Okhotsk

» when « 10 - 24 June 2014 » guide price « £6,930 per person

Plancius – North Spitsbergen» when « 16 - 24 June 2014 » guide price « £4,445 per person

Ortelius – Around Spitsbergen» when « 26 July – 5 August 2014 » guide price « £6,785 per person

50 years of Victory – North Pole byicebreaker» when « 5 - 18 August 2014 » guide price « £17,210 per person

Ortelius – East Greenland Scoresby Sundbasecamp voyage » when « 11 - 20 September 2014 » guide price « £4,295 per person

Sea Explorer – Falklands, South Georgia,Antarctic Peninsula » when « 30 October – 22 November 2014 » guide price « £10,980 per person

MV STRANNIK –Very small but perfectlyformed!There’ll be a new boat in the polar arena inmid 2016 which will bring a new meaningto the idea of small ship travel. MVStrannik has been designed to meet therigorous demands and expectations of thegenuine expedition traveller. With amaximum of 12 passengers in private ensuite cabins, the ship will combine comfortand style with the realities of expeditiontravel and her shallow draft will allow herto go into areas where others simplycannot. She will operate a competitivelypriced worldwide programme, the details ofwhich are still a secret! Do contact us toregister your interest for information.Private charters will also be a possibility.

» coming soon new ship «

Northwest Passage –Celebrating the 70thAnniversary of St. RochSail from Cambridge Bay to Iqaluit on the70th anniversary of the first transit of theNorthwest Passage in a single season made byStaff Sergeant Henry Larsen (RCMP) from eastto west in 1944. He had already transited fromwest to east in 1940-42, making his schooner,the RCMP St. Roch, the first to transit theNorthwest Passage in both directions.

» ship « Akademik Ioffe » when « 24 August – 7 September 2014 » price from « £6,840 per person in twin

(semi-private) cabin UK to UK.

THE ARCTIC

Bears of ChurchillLed by knowledgeable guides, this trip is for thosewho wish to visit Churchill to see Manitoba'smagnificent polar bears and experience the historyand culture of the region. It includes a town andarea tour, entrance to the Eskimo Museum andParks Canada facility and a private slidepresentation. There’s also dog sledding or a cultural-arts programme.

Two full days are spent photographing the polarbears and other wildlife up close on the tundra fromthe amazing Tundra Buggy platform with its frost-free windows and heating system.You will be pliedwith picnic style lunches and refreshments whilstbear watching.

» when « 12 departures between mid October andmid November 2014. Call us for details

» price from « £4,690 per person for seven daysUK to UK

Voyage to Sable IslandSable Island is an infamous 41km long sandbar,300km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Known asthe ‘graveyard of the Atlantic’ it is shrouded in fog,surrounded by sharks and battered by constantwinds and currents. Its shifting sands were the ruinof hundreds of wooden ships during the early daysof transatlantic sail and their wrecks and artefactslie there still.

Now a research and rescue station, this remoteplace was recently named a national park by theCanadian Government. It’s home to a population offeral horses, large breeding groups of harbour andgrey seals and vast colonies of birds including theunique Ipswich sparrow – not to mention acommunity of half a dozen people!

» ship « Sea Adventurer» when « 12 – 21 June 2014 » price from « £4,460 per person twin cabin

(private facilities) UK to UK

Belugas, bears and blooms During Canada’s summer months of July andAugust, the Churchill River is home to thousandsof beluga whales that migrate there to give birthand feed on small fish. They're known as the‘canaries of the sea’, and you can experience thebeauty of their songs by boat, kayak or, for themore adventurous, on a snorkelling adventure.You will be awestruck, surrounded by dozens ofwhales out on the water.

Fly to Churchill and explore the town’s manycultural attractions. A Tundra Buggy safari in theChurchill Wildlife Management Area will revealthe tundra blooming with colour. You may evensee the first of the summer polar bears as theybegin their migration into the area!

» when « 24 July – 13 August 2014. A variety ofdepartures are available, call us for availability

» price from « £3,790 per person UK to UK

Alaska’s inside passageFlying to Seattle, we take an onward flight toKetchikan in Alaska and embark on the 60passenger Wilderness Adventurer. The next twoweeks will be spent exploring secluded bays byZodiac and enjoying lush forest treks and longerhikes. The ship also offers the exciting new optionof polar snorkelling.

The temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaskareveals wildlife-rich fjords, massive icebergs,calving glaciers, and forests that are home to blackand brown bears, wolves, moose, mink, otters andeagles. Its waters boast the northern hemisphere’slargest concentration of humpback whales, as wellas orca, seals, Steller sea lions, salmon andporpoise. This is still an important travel corridorfor the native islanders who will share with youtheir stories and culture.

» when « 21 May – 7 June 2015 (2014 departurealready full)

» price from « £5,790 per person in twin privatecabin UK to UK

spotlight on

Beringian Arctic Games –special expedition In July 2014 people from the seven Arctic nationswill come together to compete in the first everBeringian Arctic Games. Set in the picturesquevillage of Novoye Chaplino on the shores ofBukhta Tkachen, the skin boat races and othercompetitions will demonstrate the ability to adapt and survive in this severe environment.

This expedition will also be an opportunity toexplore a significant archaeological site calledWhale Bone Alley and Providenyia, a formerimportant Soviet military town. We will also visitEgvekinot, a town built by Gulag prisoners in thelate 1940s to service an important tin mine, andspend a morning with a family of Chukchi reindeerherders learning about their unique lifestyle.

» ship « Spirit of Enderby» when « 15 – 26 July 2014» price from « £6,840 per person twin cabin

(shared facilities) including flights

CANADIAN ARCTIC AND ALASKA

RUSSIAN ARCTIC

Photo: Mike Macri

Photo: K Ovsyanikova

Travel with confidenceAll the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this newsletterare financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authorityunder the ATOL scheme. Our ATOL number is 9270. When youpay you will be supplied with an ATOL certificate. Please askfor it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights,hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see ourwebsite for our booking conditions or for more informationabout financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to:www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

In some cases, clients will wish to book their own internationalflights, in which case they are financially protected by theTotal Payment Protection Policy (topp) scheme. Incompliance with the UK Package Travel, Package Holidaysand Package Tours Regulations 1992 an insurance policy hasbeen arranged with Travel & General Insurance ServicesLimited (tagis), to protect customers’ prepayments in theunlikely event of our financial failure and paid in respect of:

• non-flight inclusive packages commencing and returning tothe UK

• the ground handling aspects of packages where thecustomer is responsible for arranging travel to thedestination offered in this newsletter (subject to the termsof the insurance policy), for:• a refund of such prepayments if customers have not yet

travelled, or• making arrangements to enable the holiday to continue

if customers have already travelled, or The topp policy is provided by tagis, registered number02527363, and underwritten by the International InsuranceCompany of Hannover Limited(Inter Hannover), registerednumber 01453123. Tagis and InterHannover are authorised andregulated by the Financial ConductAuthority. A copy of the topppolicy is available on request. Inthe unlikely event of financialfailure please contact the claimshelpline on 0870 0137 965.

» where « Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula» when « 26 February – 12 March 2014» price from « £8,875 per person UK to UK.

Snorkel supplement of £650 per person» offer « We can currently offer a £735 per

person discount

» Fiona’s tip « There’ll also be two voyages inFebruary 2015 offering polar snorkelling –Across the Antarctic Circle and Weddell Seaand Antarctic Peninsula. Ask for details.

}We did lots of family history things which made us feel we were not just tourists but were also tracing our routes. We seemed to be the only European tourists in many places and that made me feel we were well and truly off the main tourist beat.~ Catherine Baines, India, February 2013

}Thanks for doing another excellent job in arranging such a hugely enjoyable and successful trip. It’s certainly further increased our appetite for adventurous exotic travel outside the major tourist destinations and we look forward to planning our next trip with you.~ Andrew Mounstephenand Suzanne Waterer, Myanmar, September 2013

}Fiona helped us prepare the itinerary and organised the entire trip through Rajasthan. Her in depth knowledge of the country and the impeccable organisation

at the other end helped ensure that we had great and memorable trip.Her selection of Palace Hotels and the guides and company representatives thatmet us at every destination, as well as our ever-present air-conditioned car with

driver, made it not only very comfortable, but also enabled us to see all thesights we wanted to see and gave us complete freedom in whatever else we

chose to do on any given day. This was definitely a 5 star experience! ~Henk and Gay van Baaren, India, November 2013

}Very well planned and organised trip – well looked after in Delhi and Leh, excellent drivers and guides, trekking was a big challenge and it went extremely well.~Katherine Sellon and party, Ladakh, August 2013

See our websites for more client comments on trips that interest you – we’re always adding new feedback.

Design: String concept and design 01323 647078

your feedback

A different angle on ANTARCTICA

Time for Patagonia tooAn air cruise to Antarctica will save you four dayscrossing the Drake Passage (which can be rough) so you’ll have time for an exciting tour of Patagoniainstead. Call us for details of Antarctica XXI –we have a full presentation we can send which really gives you a feel for the journey.

» when « Numerous departures from December2014 – January 2015

» price from « £8,590 per person for 11 days

Polar snorkelling from small ship Polar Pioneer will give you a whole newperspective on penguins entering and exiting below the ice, sculpted icebergs belowthe waterline and marine life in all its diversity. This new option is led by expertpolar diving guides using state of the art equipment and suits.You’ll be given all the training necessary to experience Antarctica from this truly unique angle.

} Everything went like clockwork from the moment we contacted you. We were delighted with our welcome, food, warmth. Your pre-tripinformation, yourrepresentatives. In fact just everything. We wouldcertainly recommend Arcturus as a firm to deal with for a memorable holiday in every respect.~

Evina Montgomery, Explore Dividalen,dog sledding in Norway, March 2013

} Just a brief note to say thank you for your efforts.The travel arrangements went very smoothly.My cabin was midships on the lowest deck, and wasexactly where I would have chosen for myself.The first two days were the roughest weather I haveever encountered, with winds 45-50 knots. Therewere only about twenty other passengers in thedining room with me (out of 106), during that time!Very congenial company on board. Plenty of activity,usually two shore trips per day, with choices ofcharging and grades between, right down to a gentle saunter.~

John Hoskins, North-East Greenland voyage,September 2013

}I felt I received a personal and accessibleservice from Fiona from my initial enquiry to near the time of my departure. The holiday itself lived up to all my expectations.~ Jennifer Dalmaine,Scotland to Spitsbergen Arctic voyage, June 2013

Some comments from our Arcturus clients…

Photo: Karen Hinchliffe