High Arctic Odyssey: Remote Russian Archipelagos

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.

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.

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. The
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.

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 breath-taking 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 sub-population 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
reflecton the region’s history.

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 the 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
favourable, 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.

There are several activities to keep you engaged while at sea. Attend dynamic
presentations by the Expedition Team, relax in our Polar library or simply
spend some time on deck, admiring the sea and searching for wildlife.

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.

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.

Returning to Russia’s most northerly city, you’ll have time to bid
farewell to the Expedition Team and crew before catching our group charter
flight back to Helsinki, where you will have one more night in this exquisite
city.

After breakfast, spend time exploring more of the Finnish capital or catch
your homeward-bound flight.