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The allure of the mysterious Northeast Passage has captivated adventurers for centuries.
Its Russian-controlled waters are steeped in history and mystery, while abundant wildlife is found along its remote shores. Only a handful of passenger vessels have ever completed a transit of this waterway, but recent changes in the summer sea ice conditions mean that it is now possible for a brief time each summer. In 2017, we fulfilled our long held ambition of completing a successful Northeast Passage double transit. We are excited to once again be running this geographical odyssey from Anadyr to Murmansk in 2020. Join us as we trace the route of legendary Polar explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiold, navigate narrow fiords, search for unique wildlife, glimpse into the past and experience the warmth of Arctic hospitality in local villages.
Having been sought for centuries by European explorers who hypothesised upon its presence and economic benefits, The Great Northern Expedition of 1733-43, sponsored by Peter the Great, made many significant discoveries, but also revealed the route was not an economic trading proposition. It wasn't until 1878-1880 that Swedish explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiold completed the first ever transit proving that the route was navigable, albeit with some difficulty. In 1914-15 Boris Vil'kitskiy, with icebreakers Taymyr and Vaygach, made the second transit of the Northern Sea Route as part of a major push by the Imperial Russian Navy to render it navigable for strategic purposes. In 1932 the Northern Sea Route Administration was established by the Soviet Union.
The vast shallow waters north of Russia, protected by the expansive sea ice that covers the region for most of the year, are a refuge for many Arctic species; Polar Bears roam throughout but there are especially large concentrations on the reserves of Wrangel Island and Franz Josef Land. During our voyage we travel through the ranges of the Pacific, Laptev and Atlantic Walrus and there is the opportunity to encounter these iconic tooth walkers in large haulouts. The triumvirate of Arctic gulls - Ivory, Sabine's and the elusive Ross's Gulls all breed on the shores of the Northeast Passage and there are good opportunities to see all three. While Bowhead, Beluga and Narwhal Whales all call these waters home and our naturalists will be keeping a close watch.
IMPORTANT VOYAGE INFORMATION:
Charter Flight: To make travel to Anadyr, Russia a little we recommend partaking in the Nome, Alaska --> Anadyr, Russia charter flight. Additional cost US$1,300pp
Visa: As you'll be travelling in Russia a Russian Tourist Visa is required.
Approval: These expeditions are subject to approval from various Russian Federal and Regional Authorities and may have to change depending on these approvals. Permits have been lodged for all the sites mentioned, however depending on approvals, these may have to be amended or substituted.
Day 1 - Anadyr; Embarkation Day
Join the Akademik Shokalskiy in the Port of Anadyr this afternoon and depart. After sailing there will be introductions to ship and crew.
Please note; Our cabin prices are inclusive of the USD$500 per person landing fee required for this expedition.
IMPORTANT: If you are departing from Nome, Alaska please check exact departure dates and times with us prior to booking your flights into Nome, Alaska.
Day 2 - At Sea
Crossing the Gulf of Anadyr there will be opportunities for pelagic birding, marine mammal watching and lectures.
Day 3 - Whale Bone Alley and Gil’mimyl Hot Springs
We visit Whale Bone Alley on Yttygran Island, one of the most significant and intriguing archaeological sites in the Arctic. This afternoon we plan a landing at the Gil’mimyl Hot Springs.
Day 4 - Cape Dezhnev and Uelen Village
Early this morning we will be at Cape Dezhnev, the eastern extremity of the Eurasian continent. This afternoon we visit the nearby village of Uelen. Here we enjoy the hospitality of the local people who are predominantly Chukchi and enjoy a cultural performance and visit the bone-carving studio.
Day 5 - Kolyuchin Island
Early this morning we will pass close by the place where the Swedish explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiold wintered over in 1878. Later this morning we plan to land on Kolyuchin Island, where there is an abandoned Polar research and weather station. There are some terrific bird cliffs where it is possible to get some great photos of puffins, guillemots and gulls.
Day 6/8 - Wrangel Island
Wrangel Island is one of those islands that you have to visit to appreciate. It is a Federal Nature Reserve of international significance and importance and also a World Heritage Site. A lot of its significance lies in the fact that it is a major Polar Bear denning area. It is also the last landfall for migratory species flying north. Each summer thousands of birds migrate here to breed, including Snow Geese, Snowy Owls, skuas, Arctic Terns, Ross’s, Sabine’s and Ivory Gulls.
Day 9 - East Siberian Sea
This sea occupies the area between the Novosibirskie Islands and Wrangel Island. Three of Siberia’s major rivers flow into it – the Indigirka, Alazaya and the Kolyma. It was in this sea that the Soviet vessel Chelyuskin with 111 people on board became trapped in ice and sank in 1934.
Day 10 - Ayon Island and Village
This island and village is home to a small group of Chukchi Reindeer herders. We enjoy their hospitality and learn about reindeer herding.
Day 11 - Medvezhyi Islands
There are no permanent settlements on these little known and seldom visited islands. They are covered in tundra and known to have a good population of Polar Bears.
Day 12 - East Siberian Sea
It was in this sea that the Jeannette, captained by George Washington De Long, became stuck fast in ice, drifted and was crushed and sunk in 1881. Wreckage from the Jeanette was found in Greenland in 1884 giving Nansen the idea for the now famous 1893-96 Fram Expedition.
Day 13/14 - Novaya Sibirskiye (New Siberian Islands)
These islands mark the border between the Laptev and East Siberian Seas and consist of three major groups: Southern, Central (Anzhu) and Northern (De Long) Group. The islands are virtually unexplored and are uninhabited apart from the researchers at a couple of weather stations. We will explore the islands with a number of landings in search of Arctic flora and wildlife.
Day 15/16 - Crossing the Laptev Sea
This sea is bounded in the west by the Taymyr and the Severnaya Islands and the Novosibirskie Islands in the east. Look out for the Laptev Sea Walrus known only in this sea.
Day 17/19 - Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago
The Severnaya Zemlya Islands are on the border of the Kara and Laptev Seas and are an extension of the Taimyr Peninsula. The islands were not discovered until 1914-15 by the Russian explorer Vilkitski. They are heavily glaciated with deep fiords and majestic glaciers which make them magnificent for cruising. There is also a great selection and abundance of Arctic wildlife including Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes, Arctic Hares and walruses.
Day 20/21 - Kara Sea
The Kara Sea is one of the coldest seas in Russia. It lies between Novaya Zemlay, Franz Josef and Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago.
Day 22/24 - Franz Josef Land
This is a huge archipelago of 192 islands located only 10 degrees from the North Pole. They were named in 1870 after the Hungarian Emperor when they were discovered by the Austro-Hungarian Payer-Weyprecht Expedition that was searching for the NE Passage. During our time here we plan multiple landings in search of history, wildlife and flora.
Day 25/26 - Barents Sea
This sea is named in honour of Dutch Seafarer and navigator Willem Barents who explored the region on two separate expeditions in 1594 and 1596. We will keep a look out for marine mammals and of course seabirds.
Day 27 - Murmansk
On arrival into port we complete arrival formalities, after breakfast we say our farewells before disembarking and transferring to the airport, or two city hotels.
IMPORTANT:
These expeditions are subject to approval from various Russian Federal and Regional Authorities and may have to change depending on these approvals. Permits have been lodged for all the sites mentioned in the itinerary, depending on approvals these may have to be amended or substituted. We will endeavour to keep participants fully informed of any changes in the itinerary as and when they occur.
Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
One way private charter flights between Nome, Alaska & Anadyr, Russia are an additional US$1,300pp.
Westbound: Nome, Alaska --> Anadyr, Russia
Eastbound: Anadyr, Russia --> Nome, Alaska
The Northern Sea Route, or the Northwest Passage as it is more commonly known, is a strategic maritime route controlled by Russia. With changes in the sea ice over recent years, a handful of vessels have been able to navigate the passage each year. On board our suitably constructed ice-breaker, we will be fortunate to explore this historic and fascinating route. We’ll visit indigenous Serbian communities and be given an insight into their unique way of life, as well, we hope to land at Franz Joseph Land and Wrangel Island.
Wrangel Island is a wildlife hotspot and in particular, contains one of the highest densities of Polar bears in the world. It is a unique little island off the Siberian arctic coastline and will provide us with excellent wildlife opportunities.
To many people, the polar bear is the Arctic. The sight of such an impressive silky white bear wandering the frozen Arctic seas in search of seals symbolizes the cold, isolated nature of the Arctic so well. Polar bears are marine mammals because they spend so much of their lives away from land. In the high Arctic where there is always some sea ice to travel on, polar bears range over ice floes in the pack ice hunting seals all summer. In some areas (e.g. southern Hudson Bay, southern Svalbard) they are simply forced to come ashore. Polar bears rarely venture inland.
The Northern Sea Route, or the Northwest Passage as it is more commonly known, is a strategic maritime route controlled by Russia. With changes in the sea ice over recent years, a handful of vessels have been able to navigate the passage each year. On board our suitably constructed ice-breaker, we will be fortunate to explore this historic and fascinating route. We’ll visit indigenous Serbian communities and be given an insight into their unique way of life, as well, we hope to land at Franz Joseph Land and Wrangel Island.
Wrangel Island is a wildlife hotspot and in particular, contains one of the highest densities of Polar bears in the world. It is a unique little island off the Siberian arctic coastline and will provide us with excellent wildlife opportunities.
Our expedition rates incorporate the required USD$500 landing fee
SPIRIT OF ENDERBY
The Spirit of Enderby is a fully ice-strengthened expedition vessel, built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research and is perfect for Expedition Travel. She carries just 50 passengers and was refurbished in March 2013 to provide comfortable accommodation in twin share cabins approximately half of which have private facilities. All cabins have outside windows or portholes and ample storage space. On board there is a combined bar/library lounge area and a dedicated lecture room. The cuisine is excellent and is prepared by top NZ and Australian chefs. The real focus and emphasis of every expedition is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. Our Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that we visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Captain and crew. The name Spirit of Enderby honours the work and the vision of the Enderby Brothers of London. The Enderby Captains were at the forefront of Antarctic exploration for almost 40 years in the early 1800s. It also celebrates Enderby Island, arguably the greatest Subantarctic Island in the world.
| Luxury star rating: | 3 |
| Guests #: | 48 |
| Crew #: | 30 |
| Ice Class: | 1A |
| Speed: | 12 |
| Refurbished: |
| Year built: | |
| Length: | 72m |
| Width: | 13 |
| Draft: | |
| Tonnage: | 1750 |
| Registry: | Russia |
| Elec Outlets: | 220V / 2 Round Pin |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
