HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience
a true expedition as we explore rarely visited Severnaya Zemlya
- Encounter
iconic arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and seabirds
- Explore
glaciated Novaya Zemlya, where the earliest Arctic explorers
overwintered
- Visit
significant sites at Franz Josef Land and learn about the
region’s storied history
- Discover
rarely visited islands of the icy Kara Sea
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Triple | Lower Deck Twin | Main Deck Twin Porthole | Main Deck Twin Window | Superior | Deluxe | Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package
Cost: USD 1,995 per person
- One
night’s pre- and post-expedition hotel accommodation in
Helsinki
- Round-trip
flights from Helsinki to Murmansk
- Transfers
to and from the ship in Murmansk
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Triple | (Mid-range)
Superior | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package
Cost: USD 1,995 per person
- One
night’s pre- and post-expedition hotel accommodation in
Helsinki
- Round-trip
flights from Helsinki to Murmansk
- Transfers
to and from the ship in Murmansk
ITINERARY
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
3-4: 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
5-7: 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 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 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
8-13: Exploring the Kara Sea and Severnaya Zemlya
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
15-18: Exploring Franz Josef Land
This
remote group of approximately 200 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
probable.
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. As
this station is now seasonally used by the national park rangers, 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 remains of a
historic base. The scenery here is spectacular, and we may be fortunate
to view polar bears and Atlantic walrus.
Days
19-20: 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 and 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.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership
throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including
shore landings and other activities
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- All
shore landings per the daily program
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
(Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as
possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare
kosher meals.)
- Select
beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around
the clock
- Formal
and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as
scheduled
- A
photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A
pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac
cruising excursions
- An
official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair
dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency
Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD
$500,000 per person
- Russian
invitation letter for visa application provided after final payment
Not
Included
- Mandatory
Transfer Package
- International
airfare
- Arrival
and departure transfers in Helsinki
- Passport
and visa expenses
- Government
arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals
ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage,
cancellation, interruption and medical travel
insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage
fees on international flights
- Mandatory
waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry,
bar and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone
and Internet charges
- Voluntary
gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional
overnight accommodation
