Orion unveils 2011 expedition calendar
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With 24 diverse itineraries spanning the ‘land of ice and fire’ to the land of ‘fragrant nails’, visits to historic polar huts and encounters with orang-utans, Orion’s expeditions provide an even greater range of adventures for adventurers in 2011.
Founded in 2005, the highly awarded Australian-based Orion Expedition Cruises is the leading operator of 5 star expedition cruising in the Australasian region, operating the 106 passenger expedition vessel Orion in the Kimberley region, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Antarctica.
Following the company credo “a path less travelled”, the addition of the 100 passenger Orion II to the fleet in 2011 doubles capacity and allows expeditions to a wider range of rarely visited destinations; all enjoyed in a casual ambience, with 5 star facilities and attentive service onboard either Orion or Orion II.
Orion II’s inaugural voyages in 2011 include the Russian Far East, also known as the ‘land of ice and fire’; a circumnavigation of Borneo, the home to the orang-utan; fascinating Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia (including a visit to Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument), and the tranquil Inland Sea of Japan.
Orion’s itineraries feature 13 voyages exploring Australia’s Kimberley coast, the rarely visited indigenous art centres of Arnhem Land, and a voyage to the Spice Islands, known by the Chinese (referring to the abundance of cloves) as the ‘land of fragrant nails’. Voyages to New Zealand and the Sub Antarctic islands will include the rarely visited Antipodes islands, while Orion’s Papua New Guinea itineraries feature an exciting new voyage across northern Papua to West Papua and Maluku.
At year’s end there are celebratory Centennial voyages to the historic Antarctic explorer’s bases of Mawson, Scott and Shackleton.
Designed for travellers who seek intellectual and physical stimulation, while enjoying the company of like-minded adventurous spirits, Orion’s ecologically sensitive expeditions provide authentic experiences in remote and seldom visited destinations, allowing time to relax and absorb the surroundings and cultures.
Discover worlds unknown to mainstream tourism. Explore hidden rivers, coves and fjords, photograph crocodiles, brown bears, Komodo dragons, penguins and humpback whales, visit ancient temples, stand inside Mawson’s hut, dive on World War II wrecks, snorkel untouched coral reefs, learn about ancient and mysterious cultures and visit traditional tribal villages.
Onboard, biologists, ornithologists, marine biologists and historians – members of the dedicated Expedition Team – and specialist guest lecturers reveal secrets of destinations visited, sharing their knowledge and insight to enhance the travel experience and satisfy the curious.
Details of all 2011 voyages, itineraries and destinations are available at www.orionexpeditions.com
2011 voyages feature:
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