The North Pole

You'll board the nuclear-powered icebreaker in Murmansk, Russia. You'll join and leave the expedition in Helsinki, Finland. The return flight from Helsinki to Murmansk is a charter flight that we arrange. Landings are planned in Franz Josef Land and at 90°N, the top of the world. Sightseeing by helicopter provides an aerial view of the icebreaker crushing through the Arctic Ocean pack ice.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Helsinki, Finland
Just six degrees south of the Arctic Circle is a sophisticated city with nightlife, green spaces and a breathtaking harbor - Helsinki, Finland. We encourage you to arrive early to explore the city, before you settle down for the night in the centrally located hotel, which is included in the price of your expedition.

Day 2 — Embarkation Day
We will fly you from Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia, the home port of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet. En route to Murmansk you will cross the Arctic Circle. Yamal, currently the only icebreaker sailing to the North Pole with travelers, is a massive ship. Tugboats and high tide assist the ship to leave dock. A Russian march is played as the ship heads out to sea, fitting pomp for one of the most powerful ships afloat.

Day 3-7 — Northbound on the Arctic Ocean
We'll keep you busy as the ship forges north to the goal of this expedition - the top of the world. Our polar historian will recount tales of the hubris and foolhardiness of those who sought to claim the title "First to Reach the North Pole." Our marine biologist, in an illustrated presentation, will explain the part the Arctic Ocean plays in our ecosystem. The ornithologist will accompany you topside to identify birds on the wing. The Expedition Leader may deploy the onboard helicopters for an aerial view of Yamal breaking ice. Our artist-in-residence will lead interactive workshops that encourage you to create your own polar masterpiece. And if that weren't enough, you can attend the 90N Wildlife Film Festival!

Day 8 — North Pole
The Expedition Leader in consultation with the Captain will consult charts and weather reports, adjusting the daily program to take advantage of local conditions. If they are at their optimum, you should reach the North Pole sometime on the eighth day of the expedition. (The seventh day should you choose the shorter voyage.)

Day 9-10 — Southbound - the Arctic Ocean
In 2008, polar bear sightings always seemed to occur after midnight. No one grumbled as they tumbled from bed to watch the ice bear devour dinner or climb ice pressure ridges. Ivory Gulls, the rarest of Arctic birds, fearlessly danced on the ice within the bear's reach, eager to dine on the scraps. Should a polar bear be sighted on your voyage, you will have a different story to tell. No two polar bear sightings or North Pole voyages are the same.

Day 11-13 — Franz Josef Land
As long as visibility is sufficient the helicopters will transfer you to one of the flat-topped islands that comprise the archipelago. The most northerly islands in Eurasia are located between 80 and 81 degrees North. Birders, pack your binoculars. Franz Josef Land is home to numerous colonies of seabirds.

Day 14-15 — Barents Sea
The return to Helsinki requires a flight from Murmansk and just the right tide conditions for docking the ship. Overnight in Helsinki, before departing for home.

What's Included:

• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
• All shore landings per the daily program.
• All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program.
• 1 night pre- and 1 night post-expedition hotel accommodation, including breakfast.
• On embarkation day, group transfer from the host hotel to the airport and from the airport to the ship.
• On disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport and from the airport to the hotel.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
• Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• A Quark Expeditions parka – yours to keep.
• Coffee, tea ,cocoa available around the clock.
• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• All luggage handling aboard ship.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
  

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All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.