Arctic Cruise: Northeast Passage

Itinerary

Day 1: Anchorage, Alaska

You spend the first night of this 7,000 km (4,000 mile) expedition in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

Day 2: Embarkation Day

You fly you from Anchorage to Anadyr, Russia, losing a day en route as you cross the International Dateline. You meet the Expedition Team, a well-informed group of specialists that delivers your shipboard education program, an engaging series of illustrated presentations on all things Arctic – political, biological and geological.

Days 3-5: Chukotka Peninsula

To reach the Northeast Passage, you 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 Zodiacs and helicopters make these remote and possibly ice-bound places accessible.

Days 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. Mammoth remains were found on the island suggesting the elephant-like creatures grazed the tundra as recently as 4,000 years ago.

Days 8-14: New Siberian Islands

You make your way through the pack ice of the East Siberia Sea to the New Siberian Islands, where, if conditions permit, you’ll hike the tundra, explore 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 Laptev walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens.

Days 15-19: Severnaya Zemlya and Novaya Zemlya

Landings on the least accessible group of islands in the Arctic, Severnaya Zemlya, are intended during this portion of the voyage. Your 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. Landings and aerial flight-seeing are planned.

Days 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. You plan to visit Cape Flora, where remains from three historic expeditions are found. If conditions permit, Zodiacs will cruise the base of towering cliffs where seabirds nest. You will likely use the helicopters for aerial flight-seeing and transfers to otherwise inaccessible landing sites.

Days 22-25: Barents Sea

You sail the Barents Sea to Murmansk, the home port of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet. You’ll fly you from Murmansk to Helsinki, where you’ll spend the night, before flying home.