North Pole Expedition

"Helsinki - Murmansk - Barent Sea - North Pole - Franz Joseph Land"

Some places on our planet are so out of reach that their very isolation hast stirred generationns of explorers into voyages of adventure and discovery. One such place is the North Pole. Join us on a historic voyage to 90 North.
Sailing from Murmansk (Russia), we head north through dense, multi pack ice to the North Pole, a worthy goal for our amazing ship. Only very few vessels have the power to negotiate the challenging ice of the Arctic Bassin. navigating the polar pack at speeds up to 12 knots, we are enthralled by an ever-changing panorama of wind-polished ice, naroow channels of dark green water and aquamarine pools.
From the North Pole, we head southward to Franz Joseph Land, a marvellous place of glaciers, volcanic mountains and wildlife. Here we hope to encounter walruses and polar bears on the ice
This is the expedition of a lifetime.

The Itinerary

The itinerary displayed below leaves from Moscow. We also operate North Pole cruise leaving from Moscow, Russia

DAY 1: 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 Plaza Hotel, 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.

DAY 3: Barents Sea
Today is our first full day at sea and there is 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 is 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.

DAYS 4-7: To The Pole
Heading further north, we continue through the polar pack, a kaleidoscope of vast ice floes, pools of open water and channels. We marvel as the Yamal surges forward through meters-thick ice, leaving great blocks of blue ice in its wake. Our resident lecturers continue a series of outstanding slide-illustrated presentations and help you keep watch for polar bears, seals and Arctic birds.
Dividing into teams, we board the helicopter for unique aerial views of our extraordinary ship at work and a landing on the ice. Along the way, we also pause and put down the gangway for an invigorating walk-about on the Arctic pack.
The ship's open-bridge policy enables us to watch navigation and icebreaking operations around the clock. Our experienced officers guide the Yamal through the polar ice sailing at up to 12 knots through ice thick enough to stop any conventional icebreaker. Ice reconnaissance flights, together with ice charts submitted to us via satellite and our onboard ice experts, will help us to find open water leads, or cracks, in the polar ice cap. Traveling through these leads greatly facilitates our voyage.

DAY 8: The North Pole
Depending on ice conditions, we hope to arrive at the Geographic North Pole today. We gather on the Bridge of the Yamal as we confidently approach 90° north, one of few expeditions to reach the North Pole itself. Here, at the top of the world, we wander onto the ice to explore the white and blue landscape and contemplate the heroic struggles of early explorers to reach this spot. Staff and crew make preparations to celebrate including a barbecue on the ice and - for those who dare - a very brief plunge into the Arctic Ocean!

DAYS 9-11: Southward
Heading to the south, the Yamal navigates the tall hummocks and pressure ridges that characterise multi-year ice. The exact route will depend on local conditions. As always, our helicopter pilots stand ready for reconnaissance flights and excursions. We are invited in small groups to the ship's control center and engine room.
The show of power and ever-changing icescapes easily keeps our attention - an absorbing jumble of wind-polished ice and pools of aquamarine water. As we progress south we are rejoined by the splendid Ivory Gull and our chances of encountering polar bears increase. These 'Lords of the Arctic' have been seen as far as 88° north. Continuing our lecture series we gain more insight into this magnificent region.

DAYS 12-13: Franz Josef Land, Russia
We enter a remote world of dense pack ice, towering volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers. Not discovered until 1873 by the Austrian Tegetthoff expedition, much of the vast archipelago is still relatively unexplored. During these days we keep watch for polar bears and walruses on the ice, enjoy spectacular views from the air and, subject to permissions, land with our helicopter at historic sites of early exploration.
Aboard the helicopter we thrill at stunning aerial views of glaciers, icebergs and steep volcanic plateaus. Our ever-watchful officers and staff keep a lookout for polar bears which roam the pack ice in search of prey. Amazingly, these wanderers often ignore the approach of our ship - a great opportunity for photography.

DAY 14: Barent Sea
On our way back to Spitsbergen we review with the lecturers our unique journey of exploration and adventure.

DAY 15: Murmansk, Russia
The last day of the trip and time to say farewell to the Yamal and its crew. We disembark in 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 Plaza Hotel.

DAY 16: Helsinki, Finland
After breakfast this morning at our hotel, we continue home independently.

General Information

Rated: Easy

Aboard Yamal
July 1 - July 16, 2006 - 16 days
July 14 - July 29 - 16 days
Deck	Cabin Type	16 days
0/1/2	Twin with private bathroom	$ 18995
		€ 15765
		£ 10637
2/3	Mini Suite with private bathroom	$ 21995
		€ 18255
		£ 12317
1/2/3	Suite with private bathroom	$ 24995
		€ 20745
		£ 13997

Rates are per person
Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the per person share price.

Included:
* Voyage aboard expedition vessels as indicated in the itinerary
* Flights Helsinki/Murmansk/Helsinki
* Pre-cruise hotel accommodations on a share basis with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary
* All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship
* All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac and Helicopter
* Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by an experienced expedition staff
* Comprehensive pre-departure materials and Arctic handbook
* Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship for those traveling on the group flights
* All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
* Detailed post-expedition log

Not included:
Airfare from/to Helsinki, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement for single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunications charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Special booking & cancellation conditions (subjected to change - please inquire upon booking)
A deposit of USD 1800 / GBP 1160 / EUR 1620 is required to confirm a reservation with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $750 per person. Please note that within the 90 day limit all monies are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 90 day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. For these reasons you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance.

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants.

Arctic Selections