For those departing Nome, Alaska your adventure begins with a flight across the Bering Sea and International Date Line to the remote port of Anadyr.

All expedition members will arrive in Anadyr; depending on your time of arrival you may have the opportunity to explore Anadyr, before getting to know your fellow voyagers and expedition team on board Kapitan Khlebnikov. Depart when everybody is on board.

At sea today, there will be some briefings and lectures. There is also a chance for some ‘birding’ and cetacean watching and settling into ship life. Later this afternoon, plan to Zodiac cruise some spectacular bird cliffs in Preobrazheniya Bay.

Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley. Whalebones stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometer. Gray Whales are frequently seen around the Island and possible to cruise by Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands where seabirds nest and walrus can be found.

Sea conditions permitting, land at Cape Dezhnev early this morning. The north-eastern most point of the Eurasian continent, it is sometimes possible to see the coast of America from this remote and lonely outpost. A few nautical miles to the west of Cape Dezhnev visit Uelen Village, the most northeastern village in Russia. The population is predominantly Chukchi and the village is one of the largest centers for traditional Chukchi and Inuit art in the world. You’ll be entertained by villagers and visit the bone-carving workshop during your visit.

This small island was once an important Russian Polar Research Station, and one of a number dotted across the Arctic. Near the derelict buildings are some of the most spectacular bird cliffs in the Arctic where puffins, guillemots and gulls can be observed and photographed up close.

The ship is going to spend the next few days on the shore of Wrangel Island and attempt to visit the nearby Herald Island if the weather is in good condition. There are many landings to search out for wildlife, wildflowers and Arctic landscapes. Polar Bears is on the top of the list of animals to see and with a little patience, be rewarded with a number of encounters. Musk Oxen and reindeer were introduced to the island in 1975 and 1948, though reindeer numbers are low. Have a chance to visit Dragi Harbour where the survivors of the Karluk, which was crushed by ice in 1914, scrambled ashore and lived until they were rescued. Wrangel Island is a Russian Federal Nature Reserve of international significance and importance, particularly as it is a major Polar Bear denning area. Also, each summer thousands of birds migrate here to breed including Snow Geese, Snowy Owls, skuas, Arctic Terns, Ross’s, Sabine and Ivory Gulls. 

Bounded by narrow sand ridges with numerous lagoons and inlets, this area offers plenty of places to land and explore this extensive coastline. Lookout for whales, walrus and other wildlife. Visit the Chukchi villages whose residents survive in an unforgiving climate, hunting seals and whales just as their ancestors did.

So huge that it is visible from satellite photos, this inlet contains vast numbers of waterfowl and migratory waders. The visit concentrates on the Belaka Spit near the mouth of the inlet. It is a wild, desolate landscape that is strangely beautiful. Search for the dunes and tidal areas for birdlife including Emperor Geese and Spoon-billed Sandpipers. Gray Whales frequent the area and are sometimes spotted feeding only meters offshore.

Pass by the Diomede Islands, sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Isle because they straddle the International Date Line. Here Russia and America are separated by only 2.3 nautical miles of ocean. Be remain in Russian territory as the ship cruise south past the islands. Later in the afternoon, the expedition lands on the Chukotka coast, the last chance to enjoy the wildlife and tundra landscape.

Relax as the ship sails across Anadyrskiy Bay towards Anadyr.

After breakfast is the time to say the farewells. There is a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a central downtown hotel.