Drift into the Arctic Circle and explore a variety of villages and islands at the top of the world. Rarely do travelers have a chance to glimpse life in such raw and remote environs. Explore the rare, Neolithic labyrinths of Zayatsky island. Learn the maritime history of Murmasnk, a seafaring city halfway between Moscow and the North Pole. This is a unique glimpse at a seldom-seen part of the world.
Highlights
Search the seas for beluga whales and narwhals
Tour the Solovetskiy Monastery – a UNESCO world heritage site
Go ashore for nature walks across the Arctic tundra and taiga
Photograph landscapes in the light of the Midnight Sun
Cruise the bird cliffs of Gjesværstappan by Zodiac
Observe reindeer and Arctic fox
See a multitude of seabirds such as skuas, auks, kittiwakes and guillemots
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Embark Silver Explorer for your exciting – “White Sea Expedition”. Tonight you are invited to attend a special Sail-away cocktail party and to meet the Expedition Team who will be your companions for this special adventure.
This morning you will go out in your Zodiacs to cruise the Gjesværstappan Islands. The islands contain several seabird colonies and have therefore been designated a nature reserve in 1983. The land area of the reserve is less than 2 square kilometres, but the reserve also includes almost 6 square kilometres of the sea surrounding the islands. The largest colonies of cliff-breeding seabirds are mainly located on Storstappen, the biggest of the islands. While you are circumnavigating Storstappen, be on the lookout for puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, Razorbills, fulmars, cormorants, Arctic Skuas, and with luck, majestic White-tailed Eagles, keep an eye out for seals. During the afternoon you will be passing nearby North Cape and the lecture team will prepare you for the varied points of your White Sea expedition. In the evening the Captain would like to invite you to his Welcome cocktail party.
Founded only in 1916, Murmansk is the world’s largest city north of the Arctic Circle. Once cleared into Russia, you will go on a city tour including the major cargo port and its impressive fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, the Orthodox Church, Savior-on-Waters, a lighthouse with panoramic views of the city, and the Murmansk Museum. The city has many monuments that attest to its short, but intense history, its maritime heritage, and its military importance during World War II.
As your journey continues further east you will cruise along the northern coast of the remote Kola Peninsula, a wilderness of vast tundra, mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and some of the oldest forests in Europe on its southern side. You will take advantage of the long hours of daylight to explore the islands and their birdlife by Zodiac. Your on-board naturalists may also lead a hike ashore pointing out the plants and wildlife unique to this remote area.
Your journey continues southward along the Kanin Peninsula’s coast. Founded in the 1930’s by fishing families, the abundance of fish brought more and more fishermen to Shoina village and a collective farm was organized, leading to 1,500 people living there in the 1950’s. Because of the extensive trawling the sea floor was destroyed, leading to sand dunes spreading across the landscape. Half the village is now buried under sand and only 300 souls still remain in Shoina. You will have a look at the village and sand dunes, but another reason for us to go here is the Shoyninsky State Nature Reserve just to the north. Both there and in the nearby Shoyna marsh the Lesser White-fronted Goose, as well as Brent and Barnacle Geese have important flyways into Russia’s extreme Arctic.
Day 6: Pyalitsa Village and Chapoma Village, Russia
The two subsistence fishing villages you visit today are located on the southern side of the Kola Peninsula and are quite small. Pyalitsa, said to have been founded in the 16th century, would once have been a locally important settlement to trade commodities from further inland, but today has only 14 inhabitants. Chapoma Village, just slightly further west has 81 inhabitants. Tidal and weather conditions permitting you might get the experience of Atlantic salmon spawning in the nearby river, while the expedition staff will offer a variety of exploratory hikes.
Day 7: Bolshoi Solovetskiy and Zayatskiy Islands, Russia
In the western White Sea, the six islands of this remote, rarely visited archipelago have been inhabited since the 5th century BC and important traces of human presence have been found here from as far back as the 5th millennium BC. An expansive monastery was founded here in the 15th century and was later transformed into one of Stalin’s infamous Soviet gulags – a political prison camp. A vast medieval fortress, the monastery is remarkably well preserved and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will explore its network of covered passages and tunnels that connect the many churches and chapels, botanical gardens, and common buildings, which include watchtowers, residential chambers and a number of workrooms. During the afternoon you will go ashore on Zayatskiy Island where prehistoric labyrinths and burial mounds are believed to be the remains of temporary Neolithic settlements.
This morning, as you make your approach, head out on deck to watch for the Beluga whales commonly found in the waters of the White Sea, especially during the summer season. At Russia’s far northwest corner, Arkhangelsk is situated on the coast of the storied White Sea. Due to its geographic isolation, this region has long held a mysterious fascination for outsiders. Arkhangelsk was first established as a shipbuilding center and became well known to the West for its occupation by “White” Russians during the Russian Civil War and for its role as a base for the North Sea Fleet. Arkhangelsk has also achieved fame as the gateway to the Arctic for the number of notable expeditions that began here. Today, join your on-board historians for a guided tour of the old quarter where you will learn of the Pomors and of ancient Russian culture as you explore centuries-old wooden buildings, the Orthodox Church and the excellent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Today you will cross the Arctic Circle again on your journey north. Morzhovets Island is the last piece of land before entering the Barents Sea. Almost half of the island’s 110 km² consists of lakes, while the rest of this flat island is tundra. Morzhovets 12 inhabitants live in Severny Gorodok, the only settlement on the island, to man the meteorological station and a lighthouse. You will go ashore, looking for wildlife on the tundra and lakes.
Your journey continues in a westerly direction as you cruise along the Kola Peninsula’s coast towards the Norwegian-Russian border. Peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library, enjoy a fine cigar and cognac at the Connoisseur’s Corner or watch a movie in your suite. All accommodations feature an interactive television system that allows you to watch your choice of complimentary films or documentaries and even broadcasts from The Theater in the comfort and privacy of your suite or stateroom. During the late evening you will have your outward clearance in Murmansk and will continue towards Norway.
As you cruise through the Barents Sea, a series of lectures will emphasise the special history and natural history of Russia’s and Norway’s Far North. Once you arrive in Kirkenes –the end of the famous Hurtigruten-Coastal/Postal service- you might drive southward into the Pasvik Valley sitting between Russia and Finland. There you can go for nature walks to observe the valley’s unique birds and plants.
Today Silver Explorer will round the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe. At 71° 10′ 21″ northern latitude, a sheer cliff raises 307 metres above the Arctic Ocean. Adventurous guests can join members of the Expedition Team for a challenging hike to Nordkapp, retracing the traditional route to the cape up a winding path. For those who prefer to arrive in comfort, Silver Explorer will anchor off the shore of Skarsvag, the “most northerly fishing village in the world”, and, weather conditions permitting, head ashore by Zodiac. You will travel by coach to the North Cape where you will admire the glorious scenery, stop in at the visitor’s center and, of course, document our presence at the famed globe monument with many photographs. The panorama is unforgettable. On your return journey to the ship you will watch for reindeer grazing on the surrounding hillsides.
Day 13: Tromsø, Norway
1 Breakfast
You will arrive at Tromsø in the early morning. Following breakfast on board, disembark Silver Explorer.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Adventurer Class
6 cabins on Deck 3, 180 sq. feet, Twin or Queen beds, 2 portholes.
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Explorer Class
4 cabins on Deck 4, Twin or Queen beds, 180 sq. feet with view window.
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View Suite
12 suites on Deck 3, 230 sq. feet with view window, Twin or Queen beds.
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Vista Suite
16 suites on Deck 4, 194 - 230 sq. feet with large window, Twin or Queen beds.
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Veranda Suite
8 suites on Deck 5, 215 sq. feet with French balcony, Twin or Queen beds.
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Medallion Suite
2 suites on Deck 7, 358 sq. feet with private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
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Silver Suite
6 suites on Deck 5, 430 sq. feet with 2 French balconies, Twin or Queen beds.
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Grand Suite
2 suites on Deck 7, 650 sq. feet with large private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
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Owner
2 suites on Deck 7, 540 sq. feet with large private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
Notes
Please note: Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change at any time without notice. All prices are in US dollars, cruise-only per person based on double occupancy.
- The supplement for single occupancy in a Vista, Veranda or Midship Veranda Suite ranges from 25% – 100% above the double occupancy fare, depending upon the sailing and suite selected. Single supplement for a Silver or Medallion Suite (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper), Owner’s, Grand or Royal Suites are 100% above of the double occupancy fare. Suites for single and third guests are capacity controlled.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.