The Russian Arctic is still relatively unknown with western tourists but for those who take the plunge there is the last great undeveloped wilderness waiting for them. This cruise leaves Nome in Alaska and heads into the Russian far north calling in on Kamchatka, Chukotka and Wrangel Island.
We’ll get to see the vast summer migrations that come to the area to take advantage of the short but warm summer months and we’ll meet the Siberian Eskimo who manage to eke out a living in one of the harshest environments on Earth that people live in.
Wrangel Island cruise in Russian Arctic.
One of the highlights of this cruise is a 4 day stop over on Wrangel Island – a polar biologists paradise and a national protected nature reserve. The Island nature value is so important that it and the sea that surround it has Russia’s highest nature conservation protection. Seals, walrus and lemmings can all be seen here during the summer months. The Island though is most famous for it’s polar bears – it has the highest density of polar bear dens in the world and is a major breeding ground for the species.
The variety of plant life on Wrangel Island led to it being declared a World Heritage Site in 2004 as the 417 species of plants is more than any other tundra region.
Russian Arctic Cruise Itinerary;
Day 0:
Charter flights from Nome, Alaska to Anadyr.
Day 1:
Short time to explore Anadyr and then board the cruise ship and meet your expedition team and fellow travellers. Our ship is a small and well equipped expedition ship that accommodates just 48 passengers allowing for a real team spirit and expedition feeling on this cruise.
Day 2:
Join the captain and crew in the bridge as we leave the harbour and head out on our tour of the Russian Arctic and through the Bering Straits. As soon as we leave the harbour stay on deck with your binoculars and cameras as there’s chances of seeing whales and other wildlife.
Day 3:
A shore excursion on Yttygran Island where we get to visit Whalebone Alley which dates back to the 14th Century. This is a major historical site and contains the many signs of primitive whaling including whales bones and meat storage pits.
Day 4:
Depending on weather an sea conditions we take another stop on our Arctic cruise at Cape Dezneva where the local village had a reputation for ivory carving.
Day 5:
Today our cruise takes us to Kolychin Island with it’s vast walrus beaches.
Day 6-10:
We spend 4 days at Wrangel Island – an amazing Arctic wildlife reserve and World Heritage Site.
Day 11:
A shore excursion to Cape Vanakarem where we can go exploring the local wildlife that calls this island home or we can visit one of the Chukchi eskimo villages.
Day 12:
We spend the day in the Kolyuchin Inlet. This wild and remote tidal region is a haven for migratory sea birds and we may even spot the occasional grey whale which frequent this bay for feeding.
Day 13:
Our Arctic cruise calls in on another important island for sea birds – Bg Diomede Island. this island used to be populated by Eskimos but is now a deserted island in the middle of the Bering Strait and has been taken over by nature. The local inhabitants were removed from the island just after WW2 as the so called Ice Curtain between Russia and the Us become established.
Day 14:
A full day at sea to relax as we head back to our home port. There’s still plenty of marine wildlife to spot on our cruise back across the Bering Strait.
Day 15: Anadyr Harbour disembarkation and it is time to say our farewells as we head in different directions.
Prices from: £4,279 – £6,922 (16 days) 14 nights on board ship, 1 nights accommodation (twin share basis) the night before embarkation inc. dinner and breakfast the following morning. A return group transfer from the hotel to the ship at start and end of voyage (flight costs additional) all meals on board, an experienced expedition leader and knowledgeable natural history guides, lecture programme, excursions by zodiac, port taxes.
Availability: 2012: 25 Jul, 8 Aug.
Get more details or make a booking for this Russian Arctic cruise holiday.
