Wrangel Island & Chukotka Cruise
Why Join This Cruise:
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A unique opportunity, in true expeditionary spirit, to explore a remote, little known corner of the world offering dramatic scenery and fabulous wildlife, including walrus, whales and polar bears
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Includes extended time exploring Wrangel Island, a wild and beautiful land known for its high concentration of Polar Bear den sites, with good chances to see mothers and cubs
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Travel aboard a small (max. 50) ice-strengthened ship ensuring a very personalised experience and ease of logistics on landings, accompanied by a highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic expeditionary staff
Trip Overview
As part of this unique expeditionary voyage's second season, depart from Nome (Alaska) across the Bering Strait to Chukotka, a remote corner of northeastern Russia few people have had the privilege to experience. Ideal conditions for exploring are provided by the 24 hours of daylight and the retreat of the pack ice at this time. You'll see an abundance of wildlife, including walrus and seal, rich birdlife and a variety of whales, all taking advantage of the exceptionally abundant resources this area provides. On shore you will have the chance to meet some of the indigenous Chukchi Eskimo people who call this harsh region home. The culmination of this exciting voyage is an exploration of Wrangel Island, an isolated outpost now recognised by biologists as 'Polar Bear Maternity Ward' on account of the number of cubs born here.
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Voyage Outline
Day 1: Depart the UK and fly to Seattle.
Day 2: Fly to Anchorage. Meet up with the rest of those travellers joining the voyage.
Day 3: Fly from Anchorage to Nome where you embark your expeditionary ship and set sail.
Day 4: We cross the Bering Sea heading for Providenya. There will be to prepare you for the expedition ahead.
Day 5: We visit Laveniya, an historic bay and a rare opportunity to meet the local Chukcki people. The surrounding waters are home to Grey Whales and walrus.
Day 6: We land at Cape Dezhnev on the extreme north eastern edge of Eurasia on the border of two oceans the Pacific and the Arctic.
Day 7: This morning we land on the small island of Kolyuchin, a recognized walrus haul out area as well as an important seabird nesting island.
Days 8 to 11: Weather and ice conditions permitting we will spend days exploring remote and seldom visited Wrangel Island.
Day 12: Weather and ice conditions permitting we will spend days exploring remote and seldom visited Wrangel Island.
Day 13: Today explore the Kolyuchinskaya and Belyaka Inlets.
Day 14: Visit to an astonishing ancient ceremonial site nicknamed 'Whale Bone Alley'. Much mystery remains about this unique site.
Day 15: Visit Provideniya where you clear customs on your homeward journey back to Nome.
Day 16: Arrive back in Nome where you disembark and fly back to Seattle.
Day 17: Day to explore Seattle. Evening departure on the overnight flight back to London..