Circumnavigate with Zegrahm!

Zegrahm Expeditions Embarks on Five Hallmark Circumnavigations in 2011

SEATTLE, WA, OCTOBER 20, 2010—In addition to their expert leaders and unique expeditionary style of travel, Zegrahm Expeditions has perhaps become best known for their circumnavigations of some of the world’s most interesting, and, often times, obscure, archipelagos. In fact, the 20-year-old company was the first to circumnavigate Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic and New Guinea in the western South Pacific. Zegrahm believes linking together all the fascinating locales within a single destination by small-ship offers travellers an in-depth and uncompromised view of the local culture, history and natural environment. Plus, many of the areas that Zegrahm visits have little to no infrastructure in place, so travelling by small ship is the only way to go.

And, 2011 is no exception. Zegrahm’s travel year commences with the first of the following five highly-anticipated circumnavigations, two of which are brand-new itineraries for Zegrahm:

· Circumnavigation of Sumatra: Zegrahm celebrates the start of the New Year with an inaugural 18-day sojourn around Western Indonesia’s equator-straddling island of Sumatra. Travellers will be amazed by orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park (above), spectacular Krakatoa Island and stone-jumping super-humans on Nias Island, plus the region’s incredible array of wildlife, unspoiled wilderness and more than a dozen ethnic groups.

· Circumnavigation of Sicily: Zegrahm’s first-ever April expedition circling the Mediterranean’s largest island combines visits to amazing archaeological wonders — from the Roman theatres and villas of Taormina and Lipari to the ornate Norman-Arab castles and cathedrals in Cefalu, Palermo and Monreale — with a tasty immersion into the region’s famed viticulture and cuisine.

· Circumnavigation of Iceland: This 14-day expedition reveals the element-sculpted landscapes and volcanic wizardry that have made the Land of Fire and Ice famous. Travellers search for breeding whooper swans; ride snowmobiles across Europe's largest glacier; walk among ruins that recall the heyday of Viking exploration; and explore the fabled Golden Circle — Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Center.

· Circumnavigation of Ireland: The Emerald Isle truly sparkles on this fascinating August voyage that brings history to life as Zegrahm explores the Neolithic burial site of Newgrange; the Viking legacy of Waterford; and the 18th-century English architecture in Dublin, Cork and Killarney. No less spectacular are the rolling green glens of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula's dramatic cliffs and Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway.

· Circumnavigation of the Black Sea: Eurasia’s most intriguing destinations are revealed —Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria — on a 15-day expedition where beautiful landscapes are enhanced only by the stunning architecture and archaeological sites that travellers experience on one of two September departures. This itinerary is a long-time favourite among Zegrahm travellers.

To learn more about each of these itineraries, plus read accounts of past circumnavigation expeditions, visit http://www.zeco.com/. To book in the UK, be sure to contact specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Circumnavigate Sumatra

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Zegrahm Expeditions will extend its tradition of offering exclusive journeys and unique “circumnavigation” voyages in 2011 when it operates a 'Circumnavigation of Sumatra' in January aboard the Clipper Odyssey.

Sumatra, located in Western Indonesia, is the 6th largest island in the world, and contains a rich diversity of natural and cultural highlights – ideal for Zegrahm’s small-ship, expedition cruising concept.

The maneuverability, comfort, and Zodiac capability of the 110-passenger Odyssey, makes the ship well-suited for a robust exploration of Sumatra. The 18-day itinerary departs January 3, 2011; sailing in a counter-clockwise direction around the island and making numerous landings for visits to remote villages, historic sites, and national parks. The voyage begins and ends in Singapore – an interesting destination itself and convenient for international flights.

This is a first-ever itinerary for Zegrahm, which has been operating innovative, small-ship voyages – and unique land safaris and land tours via sister company Eco-Expeditions – for over 20 years. Circumnavigation voyages, which provide adventurers in-depth exploration, and the sense of achievement of going "full-circle,” have been a hallmark of Zegrahm.

With Sumatra, Zegrahm presents a destination of beautiful tropical rainforests, towering mountains and volcanoes, and a vast array of ethnic peoples – boasting 52 different languages. A wealth of national parks are home to over 200 mammal species, including nine that are endemic to the main island and 14 that are endemic to the Mentawai Islands.

A special highlight of this voyage is the opportunity to view orphaned Sumatran orangutans at Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Station. Birders search for some of the 580 species recorded on the island, such as the blue-masked leafbird, Sumatran drongo and spot-necked bulbul.

In the highlands, the cultures of indigenous peoples have endured for generations. The Batak have a special dress code, religious beliefs and customs, and their dwellings are elaborately decorated. On Nias Island, travellers will witness the traditional practice of stone-jumping, where young boys prove their manhood by jumping over six-foot-high stone megaliths. Participants will also meet the Minangkabau, a matrilineal society that uniquely combines Islamic beliefs with their traditional animist philosophy.

For reservations or more information, please contact Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions on www.zeco.com in the USA and via www.cruiseline.co.uk in the UK.

You can also find out more in person about their voyages at the CRUISE SHOW, which will be held in Birmingham on October 16-17 and in London next March (26-27).

Global Adventure, All the Stars of The Zodiac

By guest blogger Steve Newman

One of the fastest growing areas of cruising is the eco-adventure sector, with some companies offering you the chance to be literally the first human to land on particular places for possibly hundreds of years.

So, if you like adventure, untouched wilderness, expertly operated tours, and lecturers and leaders rich in field experience, then do have a look at Zegrahm. From small-ship expedition cruises through the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica to tropical adventures in the South Pacific, this company offers what comes close to the ultimate expedition travel experience.

You’ll need to be reasonably fit but age is no barrier. Their policy is that if they see something of interest, they will actually stop the ship and give you the chance to hop into the zodiacs and go and see it up close.

Onboard amenities include spacious lounges, fine dining and ocean-view cabins, ranging from 16- to 110-passenger capacities. The other good thing about these trips is you can eat as much as you like in the five-star vessels as you know you’re going to burn it off anyway!

The company has a great mix of natural history and cultural destinations for 2011. Their ships will be covering destinations around the Pacific and exploring new ports in the Arabian, Mediterranean, and North Seas.

They are are also introducing several new expeditions, including circumnavigations of islands such as Sicily’s archaeological wonders and famed cuisine, and Sumatra’s abundant wildlife and diverse landscape.

Zegrahm’s expeditions to Antarctica offer the opportunity of treading where no one may have been before as they ride Zodiacs through waters populated by whales and seals to land amid the cacophony of penguins or albatross colonies, or negotiating pack ice and tabular icebergs aboard an icebreaker.

With this company you can find yourself in Zodiacs in the islands of the South Pacific or the North Atlantic (above).

Expeditions range from two to three weeks in length, ensuring an in-depth look at the regions. Keeping the number of travellers on each expedition small also allows members personal contact with the leaders and naturalist experts.

Zegrahm will also be exhibiting at the Cruise Show at London's Olympia in April, so you can find out more about them in person.

In the meantime, for more info go to http://www.zeco.com/