This 19-day expedition will follow Nordenskiöld's route visiting the many islands and locations he discovered and described during his remarkable journey including the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, New Siberian Islands, Novaya Zemlya (New Land), Cape Chelyuskin and Nordenskiöld Archipelago, plus additional sites like the De Long Islands. While the brief Arctic breeding season will be over, much of the region's abundant wildlife will still be present. We are sure to enjoy encounters with Polar Bears and there is also an opportunity to observe three species of walrus, whales and Arctic Gulls.
Highlights
See spectacular glaciers, jagged peaks and rich in wildlife and history
Visit Isachenko Island, the largest in the Kirov Island group
Discover the spectacular Russky Island
Explore Bear Islands to admire a sizeable population of Polar Bears
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Murmansk is home to the Russia’s icebreaker fleet and featured as a strategically important port throughout the history of Russia. Join Akademik Shokalskiy this afternoon and prepare for our departure from the Port of Murmansk. After we sail there will be introductions to ship, staff and crew plus compulsory safety briefings.
The Barents Sea was named in honour of Dutch seafarer and navigator, Willem Barents, who explored this region on expeditions in 1594 and 1596. During our two days at sea we will start our lecture series and as we move northwards there should be opportunities for spotting Humpback Whales, Harp Seals and possibly other species that feed in these waters.
We plan to spend the following days exploring the remote, mountainous archipelago of Novaya Zemlya (or New Land). Bounded by spectacular glaciers, jagged peaks and rich in wildlife and history, these rarely visited isles consist of two large islands separated by the narrow Matochkin Strait and a myriad of smaller islands. Discover a northern Arctic desert landscape on Severny Island and new landscapes along the coastline as we look to explore different landing sites which may include Cape Spory, the Oransky Islands, Navalok, Cape Zhelaniya, Russkaya Gavan and Inostrantseva Bay where breath-catching panoramic views of pristine Arctic wilderness can be enjoyed. Rightly regarded for its unrestrained high Arctic beauty and as a wildlife haven, during our explorations here we will look to make several landings, Zodiac cruise imposing cliffs, glaciers and shores looking for Harp, Ringed and Bearded Seals, Polar Bears, reindeer, Arctic Fox, walrus haulouts, whales and a number of bird species including Peregrine Falcon, Tundra Redpoll, Snowy Owl, Guillemots and Puffins.
Sailing east we reach Isachenko Island, the largest in the Kirov Island group in the Kara Sea. There is much to explore on this remote, tundra-covered island where we will be looking to land, ice and weather conditions permitting. Home to deserted research station Polyarnaya Stantsiya, the sandy shores and coastal lagoons of Isachenko Island, part of Russia’s Great Arctic State Nature Reserve, abound with wildlife in the thriving intertidal zone and are often frequented by Polar Bears. This afternoon we make our way to the Nordenskiöld Archipelago.
Our days in the Nordenskiöld Archipelago celebrate the true expedition nature of our voyage as we explore this little-known and rarely-visited cluster of around 90 islands in the eastern region of the Kara Sea. Surrounded by ice for most the year, these remote and windswept outposts including Russky Island, the largest and location of a former Polar research station which closed in 1999, were named by Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen on his 1893-1896 Fram Expedition. In 1900 the majority of the islands were charted and named by Captain Fyodor Andreyevich Matisen during the Russian polar expedition, who named the archipelago in honour of Nordenskiöld.
The Severnaya Zemlya Islands translated into English mean ‘Northern Land’. They are on the border of the Kara and Laptev Seas and are an extension of the Taymyr Peninsula. These islands were not discovered until 1914-15 when Russian explorer Vil’kitskiy finally charted the island. This was the last significant archipelago in the world to be discovered. The three largest islands are heavily glaciated with deep fiords and majestic tidewater glaciers that are regularly calving icebergs, providing a magnificent environment for cruising. This is one of the last strongholds for Ivory Gulls and we look for an opportunity to visit a colony.
We enter the Laptev Sea through the Vil’kitskiy Strait which separates Severnaya Zemlya from the mainland of Russia and also marks the northern-most point of the Eurasian continent. This is a significant milestone on our journey; traditionally the last area where the ice clears and the biological divide between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean wildlife. This sea is bounded by the Taymyr Peninsula and Severnaya Zemlya in the west and the Novosibirskie Islands in the east. It is named in honour of cousins who were both Arctic explorers. The Lena and the Yana are two of the larger rivers that drain into this sea. Along the western shore of the Laptev Sea we will take the opportunity to explore the Taymyr Peninsula and the infamous Cape Chelyuskin at its tip. Cape Chelyuskin is of particular interest on our voyage as the crew of the Vega left message of their voyage thus far under a stone memorial here. Laptev Sea Walrus are only found in this area and we will be on the lookout for haulouts where we can spend time photographing this unique and isolated population of walrus.
Day 14-15: Noviye Sebirskiye (New Siberian Islands)
These islands, which consist of three major groups – Southern, Central (Anzhu) and Northern (De Long), mark the border between the Laptev and East Siberian Seas. It is from this vicinity that the famed polar explorer and researcher Fridtjof Nansen froze the Fram into the sea ice in his attempt to reach the geographic North Pole by means of the natural ice drift of the Arctic Ocean. The New Siberian Islands are renowned for the preservation of the remains of mammoth, rhinoceros and other Pleistocene inhabitants of the far north; it is not uncommon to encounter their fossil remains while we explore the islands. We have allowed two days for exploring this remarkable yet seldom visited archipelago, conditions permitting we hope to have the opportunity to visit all three island groups, each with their own unique geology and landscapes. On the southern shores of Great Lyakhovskiy Island there is an active meteorological station which is permanently manned by a small contingent.
Part of the New Siberian Islands, this small uninhabited archipelago consisting of Bennett, Henrietta, Jeannette, Zhokhov, and Vilkitsky Islands. These were once hills on the Great Arctic Plain. Still partially covered by glaciers, they were among the last discovered islands in the East Siberian Sea and named after the ill-fated American expedition led by George Washington De Long on the USS Jeannette. The expedition become trapped in thick ice near Herald Island in September 1879, drifting hundreds of miles before being crushed by sea ice near Jeanette Island in June 1881. The men made their way from the sinking ship in open boats to the Kolmya River delta, where many of them, including De Long, perished.
This sea is defined by the Novosibirskie Islands in the west and Wrangel Island to the east. Along its southern shores are three of Siberia’s major rivers, the Indigirka, Alazaya and the Kolyma. The average depth is only 54 metres making it ideal habitat for walrus and Bowhead Whales.
Today we will explore the little known and seldom visited Medvezhyi Islands (Bear Islands), an archipelago of five granitic islands. As the name suggests, the islands have a sizeable population of Polar Bears which often den on these shores over winter. A landing on the island of Chetyrekhstolbovoy offers the opportunity to hike to the unusual rock ‘pillows’ which the island is named after, the largest of these resembling Moai from a distance. The abandoned weather station here is a fascinating example of the effects of permafrost melting as it slowly slumps into the sea while the very land upon which it was built disintegrates. On Pushkareva Island investigate the old lighthouse or enjoy the Arctic flowers that cover the expansive tundra during the brief summer.
Day 19: Pevek | Disemabrk
1 Breakfast
After a final breakfast on board it will be time to disembark and say our farewells. There will be a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a central downtown hotel. One of Russia’s most remote, and northernmost towns, Pevek and its deep water port are undergoing a boom and tipped to become a key economic and infrastructure hub for the far eastern Chukotka region. Important Notes: This expedition is subject to approval from various Russian Federal and Regional Authorities and may have to change depending on these approvals. Permits have been lodged for all the sites mentioned in the itinerary, depending on approvals these may have to be amended or substituted. We will endeavour to keep participants fully informed of any changes in the itinerary as and when they occur.
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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Main Deck
Two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
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Superior
One bunk (one upper and one lower berth), writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
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Superior Plus
Two lower berths, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
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Mini Suite
Separate bedroom with a double bed and a sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Mini Suites have windows.
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Heritage Suite
Large lounge area, separate bedroom with double bed and a sofa in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Large forward and side facing windows allow great views.
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Main Deck Triple
One bunk (one upper abd ibe lower berth) and one additional lower berth, writing desk, wardrobe and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
Notes
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days 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
4 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
