This trip has been completed. View photos of the trip.

June 12-26, 2007 with Carolyn Dillian, an archeologist currently lecturing in the Princeton Writing Program. Infrequently offered by any vessel, this special journey should appeal to wildlife lovers, world history buffs, and Arctic enthusiasts alike.

Remote and stunningly beautiful with its vast forests, unspoiled tundra, wave-carved sea stacks, the Bering Sea area is one that, in our times, few expeditionary voyagers have visited. Join Princeton, June 12-26, 2007, aboard the Clipper Odyssey to travel along the coasts of Russia s magnificent Kamchatka Peninsula, the fabled Commander Islands, and the Chukotskiy Peninsula, where only the narrow Bering Strait separates the continents of Asia and North America.

Begin the voyage in Kamchatka, part of the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire," where glacier-covered volcanoes soar above the landscape. Geothermal activity, bubbling hot springs, and steaming sand beaches make the scenery ethereal and captivating. From the ship's deck and ashore, watch for whales, seals, and birds, which abound in this remote area. Possible sightings include pods of orca, gregarious walrus lazing on beaches, enormous Steller's sea eagles circling overhead, colorful tufted puffins perching on cliffs, and the many other seabirds that call this region home. Ashore, stroll or hike through forests and across tundra, which in this early summer season will be a vivid palette of wildflowers. Watch for far-north animals such as mountain goats, Arctic foxes, and especially the Kamchatka brown bears that roam these shores.

During the time of our visit, reindeer herders bring their animals to the coast, giving us an opportunity to meet people who rarely encounter Westerners. Visits to small villages introduce us to indigenous peoples, such as the Koryaks of Ossora and the Chukchis of Lorino. The friendly inhabitants may greet us with traditional dances, canoe races, sled-dog demonstrations, or guided walks through villages where livelihood is based on fishing and reindeer herding. Our voyage concludes in Nome, with its exotic, century-old history of the Gold Rush.

About the Study Leader
Carolyn Dillian, Post-Doctoral Lecturer, Princeton Writing Program, will be serving as the study leader for this program.

Dr. Dillian is an archaeologist with expertise in prehistoric North America and a research focus on long-distance trade and exchange. She has directed archaeological projects throughout North America, and has also worked in Africa. Her past fieldwork explored the selective use of a quarry in northeastern California as a raw material source for ceremonial objects in prehistory. More recently, she is using geochemical techniques to trace cross-continental long distance transport of rare stone artifacts from mid-Atlantic archaeological contexts. This recent research explores the role of the exotic in Native American trade and exchange and examines down-the-line systems as mechanisms for long-distance movement of stone materials. Prior to coming to Princeton, Dr. Dillian taught in the Anthropology Department at Rutgers University. She received her B.A. and M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania, and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

To make reservations, fill out the form in the brochure or contact Princeton Journeys at (609) 258-8686 or journeys@princeton.edu.

View photos of the trip.