Icebreaker Adventure Cruise
to the North Pole
Few places have stirred the hearts
and minds of explorers more than the North Pole. At the turn
of the last century, voyages of discovery and adventures led
by sled, balloon, airship and ship set off for the top of
the world - and failed.
On this historic voyage our aim
is to stand at 90° North. It is the opportunity of a lifetime
- so join us on an extraordinary voyage to the North Pole.
We sail on one of the world's most powerful icebreakers,
the Yamal. Heading north from Murmansk, we cross the Barents
Sea and break into the dense Arctic pack ice.
Very few vessels have the power to negotiate such challlenging
ice conditions, yet we push northwards at speeds of up to
12 knots.
Our journey takes us through an ever - changing panorama
of wind-polished ice up to five metres thick, narrow channels
of dark green water and aquamarine pools scattered across
the frozen sea. We will be able to enjoy the immense polar
landscapes from the Bridge or deck of the ship and from our
expertly-piloted helicopter. And along the way, in this stunning
setting of ice and snow, we expect to encounter a variety
of Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and ivory gulls.
From the Geographic North Pole - we will be among very few
people to have ver been there - we head south to the wild
and wonderful world of dence ice pack, towering volcanic mountains,
icebergs and glaciers of Franz Josef Land. Then it is back
across the Barents Sea to Murmansk, where our amazing journey
comes to an end.
Expedition Highlights
- Reach the North Pole
- the ultimate goal for generations of explorers -
and stand on top of the world
- Experience our world-class
icebreaker - one of the most powerful in the world
- as it cuts through vast ice floes, pressure ridges
and hummocks up to five metres thick
- Witness the frozen
sea and immense polar landscapes from the ship and
from an expertly-piloted helicopter
- Travel in comfort
and safety on a ship with excellent accomodation and
superb cuisine
- Encounter polar bears,
walrus, ivory gulls and other rare and fascinating
Arctic wildlife in a spectacular setting of snow and
ice.
- Visit the relatively
unexplored Franz Josef Land
- Learn more about
the Arctic with the help of an oustanding expedition
team of naturalists, historians and other experts
|
| Departure
dates for 2006 |
| July
01 & July 14 departures from and return to
Helsinki, Finland. |
|
North
Pole Adventure Cruise
US$ price per person |
Cabin
Type & Dates |
July
01-16 and
July 14-29 2006 |
|
Twin Cabin
|
18995 |
|
Twin Cabin
(single occupancy)
|
32295 |
|
Mini Suite
|
21995 |
| Suite
|
24995 |
|
| Prices
are per person based on two people travelling together
and sharing a twin cabin or room. We
also offer a Request Share facility which matches
travellers to share cabins. |
|
| The
cruise price includes |
| • |
Voyage
aboard the Yamal as indicated in the itinerary |
| • |
Flights as indicated
in the itinerary, Helsinki/Murmansk/Helsinki |
| • |
Hotel
accommodation in a shared twin room for two nights
with breakfast |
| • |
All shore excursions
and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac and/or
helicopter (as included in group excursions with
no specific amount of helicopter time guaranteed)
|
| • |
Program of lectures
by noted naturalists and leadership provided by
experienced expedition staff |
| • |
All meals aboard
ship |
| • |
Comprehensive pre-departure
materials and Arctic handbook |
| • |
Transfers and baggage
handling between the hotels, airports and ship for
those traveling on the group flights |
| • |
Special expedition
parka |
| • |
Detailed post-expedition
log |
| • |
All miscellaneous
service taxes and port charges throughout the program |
Not included: Airfares to and from Helsinki;
passport and visa expenses; government arrival and
departure taxes; meals ashore and supplement for
single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation
and personal insurance; excess baggage charges and
all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage and telecommunication charges; and
the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage
for the stewards and others who have served you
on board (guidelines will be provided).
Please note: additional helicopter
flying time will be charged at an hourly rate to
be announced. |
|
Check availability of this
cruise
 Back
to Arctic Cruises index
|
Check availability
of this cruise
Back
to Arctic Cruises index
Call us to check availability:
UK: 0845 226 2475
Overseas: +44 1756 693609
| |
Helsinki,
Finland
A day of leisure with
time to explore the charming capital of Finland before
meeting fellow travelers at our hotel, the Radisson SAS
Royal, or similar centrally located hotel. |
DAY
2
|
Murmansk,
Russia
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight
to Murmansk. Surrounded by birch and spruce forest, Murmansk
is almost halfway between Moscow and the North Pole. With
a population of about 400,000, it is the largest city
north of the Arctic Circle, and the home port of Russia's
nuclear icebreakers. We transfer to the port to embark
the Yamal. |
Barents
Sea
Today is our first full day at sea and there will
be time to relax and explore our sophisticated icebreaker
- home for most of the next two weeks. Join our naturalists
and other experts in the lecture room for presentations
on the wildlife, geology, history and other aspects of
the Arctic. There will also be briefings on the proper
use of the helicopter and conservation guidelines for
visiting this remote corner of the world. In between,
do not miss the opportunity to watch for abundant Arctic
seabirds and whales as we sail north. |
Heading
North
We enter the polar ice pack and continue north through
a wonderful kaleidoscope of ice, snow and water. It is
impossible not to marvel as the Yamal surges forward through
thick ice, leaving huge blocks in its wake. Our resident
experts continue their outstanding slide-illustrated presentations
on all aspects of the Far North and we keep watch for
a wealth of Arctic wildlife along the way. The ship's
open Bridge policy enables us to watch navigation and
icebreaking operations around the clock. Ice reconnaissance
flights, together with ice charts received via satellite,
help our experienced captain and officers guide the Yamal
steadily northwards. There will even be opportunities
to board the helicopter for fantastic aerial views of
our ship crashing its way towards the pole - and to land
briefly on the ice. We also plan to stop the ship temporarily,
put down the gangway, and invite everyone down for an
invigorating walkabout. |
The
North Pole
Depending on the ice conditions en route, we hope
to arrive at our ultimate destination today. The approach
itself is incredibly exciting and the ship buzzes with
anticipation as we confidently work our way towards our
ultimate goal - 90° North. Then comes the moment we have
all been waiting for - we stand on the top of the world
and wander out onto the ice to explore this other-worldly
white and blue landscape that stretches for hundreds of
kilometres in every direction. It is hard to believe that
this is the place so many explorers have struggled and
risked their lives to reach and there will be time for
quiet contemplation as we consider their heroic efforts.
Like all the best expeditions, we also find time for festivities.
There will be a once-in-a-lifetime barbeque on the ice
and - for those who dare - a very brief plunge into the
Arctic Ocean! |
Heading
South
Mission accomplished, we begin our adventurous journey
south. Our exact route will depend on local conditions
but, as before, the helicopter pilots stand ready for
reconnaissance flights and excursions. This is another
opportunity to enjoy the power of our icebreaker and the
spectacular and ever-changing scenery. We look out for
Arctic wildlife and, in particular, our chances of encountering
polar bears on the return journey are good. Join our naturalists
and other experts in the lecture room for more presentations
on the wildlife, geology, history and other aspects of
this magnificent wilderness - and take the opportunity
to visit the ship's control center and engine room.
|
Franz
Josef Land, Russia
We enter a remote world of dense pack ice, towering
volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers at Franz Josef
Land. The most northerly point in Russia, this archipelago
of 191 islands stretches 375 kilometers (233 miles) from
west to east and 234 kilometers (145 miles) from north
to south. Undiscovered until 1873, it is still relatively
unexplored. It is a naturalist's paradise. Polar bears
and Arctic fox are common and often approach the ship
quite closely - providing wonderful opportunities for
photography. Beluga whales and narwhal live just offshore,
there are good numbers of walrus and seals, and the rocky
cliffs are packed with large colonies of seabirds.
We cruise along the rugged coasts of Franz Josef Land
in Zodiac landing craft, enjoy spectacular views of glaciers,
icebergs and steep volcanic plateaux from the air, and
land at historic sites of early exploration (subject to
permission). We plan to land at historic sites of early
exploration (subject to permission) including Cape Norway
where Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen, together with
Hjalmar Johansen, spent the winter of 1896-97 after a
bold attempt to reach the North Pole. They survived by
hunting polar bears, seals and Arctic fox. |
Barents
Sea
The final leg of our
journey south - across the Barents Sea towards Murmansk.
This is another chance to look for seabirds and whales
and, of course, to join our expedition team in the lecture
theatre as they review our unique journey of exploration
and adventure. |
Murmansk,
Russia
Murmansk and transfer to the airport in time for our
flight back to Helsinki. Our final night is spent at the
centrally located Radisson SAS Royal. |
Helsinki,
Finland
After breakfast this morning at our hotel, we continue
home independently. |
|
