Overview
Explore the most enigmatic and extreme regions of the Russian High Arctic with this epic High Arctic Odyssey. From the heavily glaciated Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land to the isolated islands of the icy Kara Sea, this exclusive itinerary was designed to spend more time exploring these pristine places, increasing your chances of encountering unique wildlife and visiting some of our favorite far-flung destinations steeped in polar history. If weather and ice conditions allow, we will explore Severnaya Zemlya, the last major territorial discovery on the planet.
Day 1 — Helsinki, Finland
Your arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its
extraordinary architecture and design scene and intriguing mix of
eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many
museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander
the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Day 2 — Embarkation in Murmansk, Russia
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport and board our
private charter flight to Murmansk, Russia. Once aboard, get
acquainted with the ship and crew and settle in for your voyage north.
Days 3 and 4 — At Sea
Today we sail through the Barents Sea, named for the great Dutch
explorer Willem Barents, who led two expeditions to Novaya Zemlya in
the 1590s. Your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures
that await. Learn about the storied history and politics of the
region, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and
the incredible sights you will soon explore. Expedition Staff will
also keep a lookout for the seabirds, such as kittiwakes, skuas and
fulmars, soaring above your ship. Whale and seal sightings may also be
possible in this biologically rich sea.
Days 5 to 7 — Exploring Novaya Zemlya
The largest of the Eurasian arctic archipelagoes, the rarely visited
Novaya Zemlya (“New Land”) is the third-largest wilderness area in
Europe. This seemingly long, thin island actually consists of two main
islands, Severny (northern) and Yuzhny (southern), separated by the
imposing Matochkin Strait. These islands are pure, rugged arctic
beauty at its best—massive extinct volcanoes, jagged ice cliffs and
the most isolated mountain range in the Barents Sea. As we explore
Novaya Zemlya, expect a new adventure every day. Each expedition will
be unique, depending on the weather and ice, but a few landing sites
we strive to visit include Inostrantseva Bay, the Oransky Islands,
Cape Zhelaniya, Cape Spory Navalok and Russkaya Gavan. Boasting one of
the most picturesque glaciers in the entire archipelago, Inostrantseva
Bay provides breathtaking panoramic views of pristine arctic
wilderness. If conditions allow, we may explore ashore, or Zodiac
cruise along the face of the glacier, at a safe distance, possibly
witnessing the wonders of calving ice. Encounters with Brünnich’s
guillemots (thick-billed murres) are likely, owing to a small colony
in the coastal cliffs. To the east side of Severny Island are the
Oransky Islands. Wildlife abounds here, with a variety of animal and
plant life to be discovered, Walrus have been sighted here on many
previous expeditions. Coming across a walrus haul-out is
unforgettable. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create a raucous as
each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline. Encounters with
whales and seabirds are possible, as well as polar bears, a
genetically distinct subpopulation here. A significant site in polar
exploration, Novaya Zemlya also offers a number of opportunities for
you to trace the footsteps of famous explorers and reflect on the
region’s history.
Days 8 to 13 — Exploring the Kara Sea
Say goodbye to Novaya Zemlya as we cruise farther east, exploring the
Kara Sea. The westernmost Asian sea off Siberia, the Kara Sea is known
as the “ice cellar” of the Arctic, as it is often encumbered by
trapped ice floes. Ice conditions will be considered by your skilled
captain during navigation—luckily sea ice happens to be a great
habitat for iconic arctic wildlife. There are several sites and small
archipelagoes along the Siberian coast we hope to explore, tracing the
path of polar explorers searching for the Northeast Passage. Weather
and ice will determine where we explore, but some areas we hope to
visit include Russky Island, Troynoy Island and Cape Chelyuskin. Both
Russky Island and Troynoy Island are part of the Great Arctic State
Nature Reserve, the largest reserve in Eurasia. Russky Island is the
site of a former polar station, established, in part, to monitor
navigation along the Northern Sea Route, the Russian section of the
Northeast Passage. Troynoy Island is the largest of the Izvesti Tsik
Islands, about 90 miles (150 km) off the coast of the Taymyr
Peninsula. The island is uninhabited, except for the researchers at
the weather station. Home to an ivory gull colony, the island is also
frequented by polar bears. At the tip of the Taymyr Peninsula is Cape
Chelyuskin, the northernmost point of the Russian and Eurasian
mainland and the site of another active research station. Here, at
“the edge of the earth,” we hope to explore on foot. Dependent on ice
and weather conditions, an exploration of Severnaya Zemlya embodies
the true spirit of adventure. Dominated by glaciers and polar desert,
the archipelago was not discovered until 1913 and remained virtually
unexplored till 1930–32, the last major undiscovered territory on
earth. Amongst many possible destinations, we hope to visit a number
of glaciers, including the Vavilov Ice Cap and those at Marat Fjord.
If conditions are favorable, we may cruise the Red Army Strait,
flanked by the massive Academy of Sciences Glacier (which also runs
along the eastern shore of Zhuravlev Bay) and the smaller Rusanov
Glacier. As one of very few people to ever explore this remote area in
depth, you’ll want to have your camera ready to capture these amazing
sights.
Day 14 — At Sea
There are several activities to keep you engaged while at sea. Attend
dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team, relax in our polar
library or simply spend some time on deck, admiring the sea and
searching for wildlife.
Days 15 to 18 — Exploring Franz Josef Land
This remote group of 191 islands, many ice covered, forms the most
northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic
Circle. A nature reserve, it is part of the Russian Arctic National
Park. Our exploration of the region is highly determined by weather
and ice conditions, but we hope to explore historical sites, remote
seabird colonies and walrus rookeries such as Cape Flora, Cape Norway,
Bell Island and Tikhaya Bukta. Polar bear encounters are also
possible. On Jackson Island, Cape Norway is where Norwegian explorers
Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen wintered from 1895 to 1896. The
conditions were astonishingly difficult, but they survived until the
summer and continued their journey south. The remains of their stone
hut are still here today, with a memorial marking the event. Exploring
Tikhaya Bukta (Calm Bay), the site of an abandoned weather station on
Hooker Island, is a step back in time. There is plenty to discover as
you wander the ruins, immersed in Russian polar history, and you may
even be able to send a postcard from the post office! Another possible
landing site, if time and weather permit, is Cape Tegetthoff on Hall
Island, where we hope to visit the Barents memorial. The scenery here
is spectacular, and we may be fortunate to view polar bears and
Atlantic walrus.
Days 19 and 20 — At Sea
As your arctic expedition winds down, you have a couple of days to
sail through this wildlife-rich sea, where whales of various species
are often seen. Take in a presentation, reminisce about your journey
with your shipmates, relax in the lounge while swapping stories and
photos or enjoy the solitude of the sea. Expedition staff will be on
hand to answer any questions and spot wildlife.
Day 21 — Disembarkation Murmansk & Fly to Helsinki
Returning to Russia’s most northerly city, you’ll have time to bid
farewell to your Expedition Team and crew before catching our group
charter flight back to Helsinki, where you will have one more night in
this exquisite city.
Day 22 — Helsinki
After breakfast, spend time exploring more of the Finnish capital or
catch your homeward-bound flight.
Important reminder:
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of
expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your
expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to
guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative
outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware
that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.