North Pole Expedition

"Moscow - 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 in Russia, we head north 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. We continue through dense, multipack 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.
On the way back we also visit, time permitting Novaya Zemlya Island
This is the expedition of a lifetime.

The Itinerary

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

Day 1. Moscow
We arrive to the international airport in Moscow. Comfortable buses will take you to 4-5 star hotel located in the center of the city where you will be able to rest after the flight.

Day 2. Moscow - Murmansk
After excursion, departing from Moscow's airport, our expedition arrives in Murmansk. From the "Murmashi" airport we take comfortable buses and are transferred aboard the icebreaker "Yamal." We sail late in the evening.


Day 3. Barents Sea
The voyage to the North Pole has been organized to offer passengers a thorough insight into the polar world, and fascinating glimpses of the Arctic. Today we head towards the Franz Josef Land archipelago. En route we have time to rest and explore the "Yamal." In the company of the captain, you will be introduced to the ship and the sophisticated technical equipment in the engine room, as well as to the basic principles of ice navigation and the navigator's job. You will also learn about helicopter operations, and how to use safety equipment and lifeboats.

Days 4-5. Franz Josef Land Archipelago
We cross 80° north latitude and penetrate the remote world of ancient pack ice, towering volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers. Discovered only in 1873 by an Austrian expedition aboard the "Tegetthoff", most of the archipelago remains largely unexplored. Our onboard helicopters will afford astonishing views of the area's magnificent landscape. We plan to call at Calm Bay to view Rubini Rock and its numerous nesting seabird colonies, closely approaching the sheer basalt cliff if conditions permit. Close by is a deserted research station and, offshore, enormous fragments of calving glaciers are sometimes seen. We also expect to spot polar bears and walruses, and it is quite surprising that the polar bears often ignore the ship, and even curiously approach it, thus enabling us to take wonderful photos. We also plan to visit Cape Norway where Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen wintered in 1896-1897.
During the second half of the 19th Century a number of daring expeditions tried to make their way through the ice to the top of the Earth, and many attempts exacted a heavy toll in human life. The two Norwegians survived by hunting walrus and seals for their sustenance. Considered lost, the remains of their hut - one of the symbols and landmarks in the history of Arctic exploration - was discovered by a joint Soviet-Norwegian expedition in 1990.

Days 6-7. Towards the Pole
Ever farther behind we leave Franz Josef Land - the last solid land and remains of civilization in this area of the Arctic. Heading due north, the "Yamal" forces its way through thick, multiyear pack, riding up on top of several meters of ice that breaks under the ship's tremendous mass.

Our expedition divides into several groups to board the helicopters and watch the operation of our vessel from above. On the bridge we can observe the work of experienced hydrologists who update maps of ice conditions from satellite data, and are constantly looking for stretches of open water and cracks in the ice. These conditions significantly improve our progress. Finding a solid piece of ice, the ship may stop for us to take a walk on the ice. During these days scientists, travelers, and explorers who have dedicated their lives to this austere world deliver a series of interesting lectures.

Day 8. North Pole
Today the expedition expects to reach the geographic North Pole. This time of year the weather is usually mild, with air temperatures of 0 - 1° C (32 - 34° F). As our vessel steadily approaches 90° N, we meet on the bridge of the "Yamal" to celebrate our achievement. Upon reaching our goal, we disembark onto the ice. Here, at the top of the world, we enjoy the silver and azure landscape and pause to reflect on the early explorers' heroic efforts and sacrifices to reach this point. The crew of the ship prepares for a celebration, including a picnic on the ice, and the most daring can take a plunge into the Arctic Ocean. Special communication facilities permit contact with civilization to share our achievement with friends. The celebration is in progress...

Days 9-11. Novaya Zemlya
Our icebreaker moves on, smashing through high ice hummocks and pack ice. Our precise southern heading depends on local conditions. We make ice reconnaissance flights and flightseeing excursions. We may see solid white Ivory gulls, and realize that soon we may view a dark strip of land on the horizon ... On our way back, if the weather and ice conditions permit, we intend to visit some extra places on Franz Josef Land or Novaya Zemlya.

Days 12-14. Barents Sea. On the way to Murmansk
On the way to Murmansk we recall the exciting experience of our wonderful voyage, full of discoveries and adventures. We belong to a select group of people who have conquered this icy realm, the Arctic. We return home with heightened ecological awareness and renewed commitment to one of the last wild places on earth, our minds stocked with valuable experience and knowledge. The same day we fly to Moscow and comfortable buses will take us to 4-5* hotel in the center of the city.

Day 15. Moscow
Today after breakfast at our hotel the buses will take us to the international airport for the flight home.
Note: This itinerary is a guide only; our exact program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to experience wildlife. Our goal is to reach the North Pole. All landings on Franz Josef Land are subject to time as well as final governmental permission, not available at the time of publication. Due to heavy ice conditions, we may rely on our helicopters for excursions and therefore Zodiac landing craft may not be used.

General Information

Rated: Easy

Aboard Yamal
July 31 – August 14, 2006 - 15 days
August 12 – August 26, 2006 - 15 days
August 24 – September 7, 2006 - 15 days
Deck	Cabin Type	15 days
0/1/2	Twin with private bathroom	$ 16909
		€ 14035
		£ 9469
2/3	Superior with private bathroom	$ 19759
		€ 16400
		£ 11065
1/2/3	Suite with private bathroom	$ 22324
		€ 18529
		£ 12501
(*) The fist cruise has also a German Speaking guide

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
* Flight Moscow/Mourmansk/Moscow
* 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
* 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


Not included:
Airfare from/to Moscow, 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 20% of the expedition rate is required to confirm a reservation with final payment due 60 days prior to departure.
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received more than 60 days days prior to departure are fully refunded less teh deposit of 20%. Please note that within the 60 day limit all monies are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 60 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.

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