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WHALEWATCHING - INDEX TO LOCATIONS
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Twenty species of whales and porpoises as well as masses of other wildlife.
Regular guaranteed departures with naturalist guides in June, July &
August, also special whale study weeks in July. Direct flights from UK. See
Canada & Newfoundland Dossier.
CANADA
Whales can be seen in many places around the coasts of Canada and Alaska
during the summer months. For example, we can arrange for you to kayak amongst
the orca whales along the west coast or if this is too energetic we have
whalewatching cruises from Prince Rupert to Alaska in August and September
or the cruise along the Ocean Highway to Alaska allows you to see whales
and other wildlife in comfort. In eastern Canada we can arrange self-drive
tours around the Bay of Fundy as well as group tours which include Fundy
isles and the Churchill River for beluga, minke, finback and humpback whale.
Beluga Whales can also be seen in great numbers at Somerset Island in the
High Arctic (Note- no availability remaining at Somerset Island in 1997.).
See Canada & Newfoundland Dossier.
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SOUTH AMERICA
The Galapagos Islands. Famous for all kinds of wildlife including whales.
Regular departures all year. See Ecuador Dossier.
Argentina - Whales can be seen off Peninsula Valdes near Trelew on the southern
tip of South America between July and November (special tours for the main
migration every week in October & November - ask for details). See also
the South America Generally Dossier.
SOUTH AFRICA
The worlds largest concentration of Southern Right Whales gathers along the
south coast of Africa in their Spring (our Autumn) and they can easily be
observed direct from the coast (even from your hotel bedroom if you are lucky).
We arrange seasonal trips or tailormade tours which can also include the
Spring flowering of the desert. Ask for the current details. Also see the
Southern Africa Dossier.
MADAGASCAR
Whales can be seen along the west coast between August & September.
Tailormade tours can be arranged to see whales as well as the unique wildlife
of this little known but vast island. See the Madagascar Dossier.
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AUSTRALASIA
Whales migrate from the Antarctic waters when they get too cold to the south,
east and west coasts of Australia from May to October. We can arrange itineraries
which include the best areas for viewing whales in WA, SA, Victoria and
Queensland, either form the coast or from boats. There are also a couple
of places along the West coast where dolphins come into the shallows to play
with the people on the beach. There is also the unique opportunity
of diving with Whalesharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. See
the Australasia Dossier.
Whalewatching close-up from rubber dinghies, swimming with dolphins and sea
lion colonies along the Kaikora coast of New Zealand's South Island.
AZORES
Sperm whales, pilot and bottlenose whales among others can be seen around
the Azores during the summer and we can arrange for you to join a whale research
vessel for 7 to 11 nights. The programme depends on the research activities
at the time, the location of the whales and dolphins and the weather. Current
details can be obtained on request.
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ICELAND
Minke and sometimes Humpback whales frequent the waters of Northeast Iceland.
Ask for details of short whalewatching trips from June to September.
CARIBBEAN
The prime calving and breeding area for the North Atlantic Humpback whale
is between Grand Turk and the Dominican Republic. A cruise here between January
and march guarantees a great spectacle. Details on application.
BAJA MEXICO
In Magdalena Bay and the Ocean around Baja California you can see Grey,
Bottlenose, Blue and Humpback whales as well as dolphins, turtles and birds
between January and March. Ask for details of naturalist cruises.
HAWAII
Humpback whales gather around the island of Maui in Hawaii in large numbers
between January and March every year. Ask for details of our trips which
include whalewatching from land, sea and air.
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EXAMPLE ITINERARY
WHALEWATCHING IN THE AZORES ON THE RESEARCH SAILING SHIP "COLOMBAN"
'Whale, Walk, Cycle, Sail' departures
A flexible combination of holiday concepts designed with a broad appeal,
that offer you the chance to sample a little of four different activities.
As with all the other departures your food and accommodation are on board
the sailing yacht "Colomban" which is moored in port each night. The flexible
itinerary of these departures, however, allows us to tailor the tours to
fit in with the weather, meaning you can try each of the activities for two
or three days. Of course, if you decide one day of a particular activity
is enough, then you can have more of another.
Whale and Dolphin Watching - It is likely that we will have 4-7 days at sea
during the tour, either whale watching or sailing. On whale watching days
you will have a chance to learn how we track cetaceans and do research. During
these tours there is a chance of encountering cetaceans not generally associated
with the central part of the season, such as Sei and Fin whales, as well
as several species encountered during the central part of summer. These
encounters are important as they strengthen knowledge of modern migration
routes of these whales. They also confirm the Azores as a premier world
destination for whale and dolphin watching.
Sailing - Around 40% of our sea days will be spent sailing and you will be
able to help set sails, steer the ship, learn basic navigation and thrill
at the experience of cruising on board a 68ft sailing schooner around the
beautiful Azores coastline.
Walking and Cycling - The remainder of each holiday will be spent exploring
the islands, either on foot or by mountain bike. We will aim to visit two
or three islands (weather permitting) so you get a chance to sample the different
landscapes found on each. The walking and cycling will be of a very light
grade and no special experience or equipment is required, other than a pair
of stout shoes, lightweight waterproofs and a sense of adventure. We will
be staying off the beaten track for the majority of each day, travelling
through rural areas with enjoyment of the scenery coming before distance
and physical exertion.
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Arc Journeys
Destinations
This is a brief description of the regions we cover, go to the
MAIN INDEX for links to Dossiers on each destination.
South East Asia
Visit ancient temples and traditional villages, relax
in exclusive hideaways, witness colourful festivals, learn about textiles,
local cooking or music and dance, cruise jungle rivers, meet orangutans or
trek the jungles and volcanoes .... We are acknowledged experts on this region;
this is what the Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore Handbook says about
us: "Arc Journeys have excellent cultural and natural tours run by people
who understand and care for the country, its people and environment."
Australasia
Meet the koalas & 'roos, visit the wineries, stroll deserted beaches,
dive The Reef, climb The Rock, experience the open spaces and untouched
wilderness. Escape the crowds. Accommodated self-drive, treks, 4WD tours,
gourmet cycle tours...indulge in the Aussie way.
India and The Himalayas
Walk through small villages among 8000m peaks, receive blessings from a Buddhist
Lama, stay in magnificent palaces, search for rhino and tiger. Himalayan
treks, rail journeys, camel & horse safaris, palace hotels, houseboats
or homestays...
Africa
Meet the curious lemurs, look out for the Big 5, climb Kilimanjaro, visit
villages where time has stood still. Luxury lodges or camping expeditions,
Self-drive or escorted 4WD safaris, horseback safaris, rail journeys, treks,
fly- in tours ......
South America
Discover the mysteries of the Incas, explore colonial towns and Indian markets,
hear the music and festivals, trek the Andes, take great train journeys,
cruise the Amazon and the Galapagos, meet blue footed boobies and giant turtles.
Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
The Arctic
Dog sledding, polar bears, birds & whalewatching, cruise Alaska, Greenland
or rivers, touch an iceberg, see the Northern Lights or midnight sun, experience
the wilderness of the Arctic. Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Email 
David Halford Travel 102 Stanley Rd Cambridge CB5 8LB UK
UK Tel 0207 681 3175 Fax +44 207 6813175
Australia Tel & Fax +61 3 9923 6158
Home page http://www.travelarc.com
Alternative website
http://members.aol.com/ArcJourney/index.htm
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