Northeast Passage

During this 25-day icebreaker expedition from Anadyr, on Russia's Asian shore to Murmansk, near the Finnish border, we intend to explore the Chukotka Peninsula, Wrangel Island, the New Siberian Islands, Severnaya Zemlya and Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. These remote islands are accessible for only a few short weeks annually.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Anchorage, USA
Your spend the first night of this 7,000 km (4,000 mile) expedition in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. The largest city is home to 42% of the population of the entire state!

Day 2 — Embarkation Day
We transfer you as part of a group from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Anadyr, Russia. En route you will cross the International Dateline, losing a day. You meet the Expedition Team, a well-informed group of specialists who deliver our shipboard education program, an engaging series of illustrated presentations on all things Arctic - political, biological and geological.

Day 3-5 — Chukotka Peninsula
To reach the Northeast Passage, we sail northward through the Bering Strait, past Cape Dezhnev, the eastern most point of Asia. Two of the anticipated shore landings are a visit to the small village of Uelen, and an exploration of the uninhabited island of Kolyuchin, where puffins and other seabirds nest. Onboard helicopters and Zodiacs makes these remote and possibly ice-bound places accessible.

Day 6-7 — Wrangel Island
The Delong Strait crossing may provide opportunities to witness Kapitan Khlebnikov breaking ice, from the air and the bow. Landings are planned on Wrangel Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated for its diverse flora, and its importance as a habitat for migratory birds. Musk oxen thrive there.

Day 8-14 — New Siberian Islands
We make our way through the pack ice of the East Siberia Sea to the New Siberian Islands, where, if conditions permit, we'll hike the tundra, explore the old hunting camps and see the northernmost point of the European continent. A wildlife watch will be mounted, as this is the habitat of the rarely seen Leptev walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).

Day 15-19 — Severnaya and Novaya Zemlya
Landings on the least accessible group of islands in the Arctic, Severnaya Zemlya, are intended. Our wildlife watch continues for Ross' and Sabine Gulls, as well as beluga whales in the Kara Sea. The archipelago of Novaya Zemlya thwarted attempts to complete a transit of the Northeast Passage until the development of engine driven surface vessels. We plan landings and aerial flight-seeing.

Day 20-21 — Franz Josef Land
Well above the Arctic Circle lie the most northerly islands in Eurasia, Franz Josef Land. They are the habitat of polar bear and Atlantic walrus. We plan to visit Cape Flora, where remains of three historic expeditions are found. If conditions permit, Zodiacs will cruise the base of towering cliffs where seabirds nest. We expect to use the helicopters for aerial flight-seeing and transfers to otherwise inaccessible landing sites.

Day 22-25 — Barents Sea
We sail the Barents Sea to Murmansk, the home port of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet. We'll fly you from Murmansk to Helsinki, where you'll spend the night, before flying home.

What's Included:

• Flight from Anchorage, Alaska to Anadyr, Russia, and from Murmansk, Russia to Helsinki, Finland
• One night hotel accommodation prior to embarkation, with buffet breakfast
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
• All shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the voyage
• All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program
• All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program
• Group transfer between hotel and airport in Alaska and between the Anadyr airport and the ship
• Group transfer from the ship to the airport in Murmansk
• Loan of a pair of rubber boots for the duration of the voyage.
• Complimentary parka
• Photographic Journal on DVD

What's Not Included:

• Fuel Surcharge
• Transportation to/from embarkation/disembarkation and home
  

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