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Novaya Zemlya archipelago

Franz Josef Land & Novaya Zemlya: Epic Arctic Expedition

Example 17 Day Cruise aboard Sea Spirit
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Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this incredible 17-day Arctic expedition through Franz Josef Land & Novaya Zemlya on the m/v Sea Spirit. This journey includes islands rarely visited by other expedition ships. A comprehensive voyage including Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya is an unparalleled Arctic voyage of a lifetime. Please note that the July 30, 2016 departure travels from Longyearbyen to Murmansk, and the August 15, 2016 departure departs from Murmansk and ends in Longyearbyen.
Mysterious natural round stones of Franz Josef LandFranz Josef Land sceneryView of LongyearbyenZodiac boats bring you closer to the majestic Arctic landscapeNovaya Zemlya archipelago
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Longyearbyen

A small town, Longyearbyen is the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago and the starting point of your thrilling Arctic expedition. Here, you can begin your great arctic adventure with a trip to the Polar Museum.

Embark the Sea Spirit in the afternoon and keep an eye for whales as the ship sails out of Isfjorden.

Day 2: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A couple days at sea doesn’t mean idleness and bore. Participate in the expedition team and invited speaker's lectures and presentations, socialize with new friends in the cozy lounge of the ship, or stay on the open decks to watch seabirds and probably whales that escort the ship.

Day 3-12: Franz Josef Land archipelago

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
What was formerly forbidden territory has kept the treasures of Franz Josef Land undiscovered for many years. Even today, traveling to the archipelago requires a special permit. For the next ten days, enjoy the stark beauty of the archipelago wilderness following in the wake of famous Arctic explorers of the Heroic Era.

Visit the most fascinating southern and central islands of Franz Josef Land. Among the places the crews plan to explore there are:

Bell Island is named after the bell-shaped mountain, which dominates the island and is a symbol of the whole archipelago. The name was given by the British Leigh Smith Expedition. Visit the well-preserved house built by the members of the Expedition in 1880.

Near the Bell there is Maybell Island. Here, climb a mountain top to enjoy a breathtaking view to the “Bell” of the nearby island.

Continue discovering the history of Arctic Exploration at Cape Flora, Northbrook Island. Here, Leigh Smith and his crew had to spend 10 months after their steam yacht Eira had been crushed by ice and sunk near the coast. For 3 years – from 1894 to 1897 – the base of Frederick George Jackson British Expedition was placed at the area. The members of this expedition had made a great contribution to the exploration of the archipelago. Cape Flora is also the place where the memorable encounter of Jackson and Nansen took place. Several monuments and crosses bear witness of these historical events.

Apart from the historic sites Cape Flora is famous for its thick carpets of mosses of deep red, green and yellow. The towering cliffs at the southern part of Cape Flora are home for the huge sea birds colony. Arctic foxes are also frequent guests here.

Next, visit an abandoned polar station at Tikhaya Bay on Hooker Island. The station was in function from 1929 to 1959. It was the first soviet research base and the northernmost one in the world. The site is well preserved.

Tikhaya Bay is also famous for its huge cliff Rubini Rock, a shelter for thousands of sea birds.

At Alger Island, plan to visit a wintering place of the American Arctic Expedition. If weather permits, take a zodiac cruise around drifting icebergs. Here, there are good chances to see polar bears.

On this voyage, take the opportunity to visit on of the most beautiful island of the archipelago, Champ. The landscape of Champ is incredible: on the ice-capped cliffs, which are the highest on Franz Josef Land, thousands of birds find their shelter. Red, yellow and green mosses contrast dramatically with white and blue of the nearby glaciers.

At Cape Heller on Wilczek Land watch the remains of the Wellman Expedition’s supply base. As everywhere on Franz Josef Land, you are very likely to witness polar bears and sea mammals during the landing.

Cape Tegetthoff at Hall Island is a favorite site for photographers: huge cliffs resembling a shark’s dorsal fins submerge in the sea. Plan a landing at the cape to watch the remains of the wooden structures built by the American Wellman Expedition of 1898-1899 aimed to reach the North Pole. There is a good chance to meet polar bears in this area.

Day 13-14: Novaya Zemlya

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The opportunity to explore rarely visited Novaya Zemlya is another highlight of this expedition. Spend here two days discovering the most interesting sites of the archipelago:

Inostranzeva Bay is famous for its majestic ice cliffs and glaciers, which radiate in all shades of blue. At the southern shore of the bay lichens, a multitude of flowers and even a tree, the tiny polar willow, grace the ground with patches of color. A small colony of Brünnich’s guillemots inhabit the coastal cliffs together with their inevitable predators, the glaucous gulls.

At Ledyanaya Bay, explore the wintering site of Willem Barents. Willem Barents was a famous Dutch explorer, who wintered and died in this remote place in 1597 AD.

At Oranskiy Islands, expect to visit a large walrus rookery.

Day 15-16: Barents Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
During these two days on the Barents Sea, participate in lectures and presentations, socialize in the cozy lounge of the ship, or stay on the open decks to watch seabirds and probably whales that escort the ship.

Day 17: Disembark in Murmansk, Russia and transfer to Kirkenes, Norway

  • 1 Breakfast
Early in the morning, the Sea Spirit anchors at Russian port of Murmansk. Disembark after breakfast and travel by bus to Kirkenes (Norway) for your homeward bound flight.

Ship/Hotel

Sea Spirit

Travelers board a Zodiac to get a closer look at the terrain and wildlife
Sea Spirit
Outdoor Bistro at the Jacuzzi area of the Sea Spirit

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$9,995
Sea Spirit
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Triple Classic
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds (convert to a King) and a sofa bed, picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities.
Sea Spirit
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Main Deck Suite
Averaging 248 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, minimum two portholes, and en suite facilities.
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Single Suite
Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a king-size bed.
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Classic Suite
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window, two wardrobes, and en suite facilities.
Sea Spirit
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Superior Suite
Averaging 215 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window overlooking outside walkway, and en suite facilities.
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Deluxe Suite
Averaging 258 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, walk-in closet or wardrobe, and en suite facilities.
Sea Spirit
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Premium Suite
Averaging 323 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, lounge area, and en suite facilities.
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Owner's Suite
Averaging 463 sq ft. King size bed and sofa bed, separate living room with game and meeting area, private deck, and en suite facilities with jetted bathtub.

Notes

Solo Travelers:
All rates posted are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: 1.7 for Main Deck and Classic, Superior Suite; twice the posted price for Deluxe, Premium and Owner's Suite.
Included
  • 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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