Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Experiences you'll have
Untouched by glaciers during the last ice age, this island is a treasure trove of Arctic biodiversity and is perhaps best known for the multitude of polar bears that breed here. On this journey you will see polar bears and gray whales, wolverines and musk oxen. Experienced guides will tell you about the history of the discovery of Wrangel island, the participants of the Karluk expeditions, the heroine of the island Ada Blackjack, as well as about militarization and recognition of the island as a natural reserve with unique evolutionary status within the Arctic.
Our expert expedition team will take you on guided walks, Zodiac cruises and provide lectures to help you better understand and appreciate this unique High Arctic landscape
Highlights of the expedition:
The cost depends on a type of selected cabin. See details in the "Accommodation" section.
A flexible booking policy is available for cruises in 2022. Until March 31, 2021 you can book a cruise with a reduced deposit of 1000 USD per person.
First-hand experience: Yulia Grigorieva, the executive director of RussiaDiscovery, has recently participated in this expedition. Find out, what is waiting for you on the cruise to the very edge of Russia, in our blog →
Photo by Sergey Dolya
Itinerary
The journey begins in Anadyr, and you should travel to on your own. We are ready to help with the purchase of tickets, if necessary, leave a comment in the application.
Here is the general plan of the expedition, the route may vary depending on the weather and ice conditions.
Day 1 Anadyr
All expedition members will arrive in Anadyr; depending on your time of arrival you may have the opportunity to explore Anadyr, before getting to know your fellow voyagers and expedition team on board the Spirit of Enderby. We will depart when everybody is on board.
Day 2 Anadyrskiy Bay
At sea today, there will be some briefings and lectures. It is also a chance for some ‘birding’ cetacean watching and settling into ship life. Late this afternoon we plan to Zodiac cruise some spectacular bird cliffs in Preobrazheniya Bay.
Day 3 Yttygran, Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands
Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley. Whalebones stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre. Gray Whales are frequently seen around the island. We will also cruise by Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands where seabirds nest and walrus can be found.
Day 4 Cape Dezhnev and Uelen Village
Sea conditions permitting, we will land at Cape Dezhnev early this morning. The north-eastern most point of the Eurasian continent, it is sometimes possible to see the coast of America from this remote and lonely outpost.
A few nautical miles to the west of Cape Dezhnev we visit Uelen Village the most north-eastern village in Russia. The population is predominantly Chukchi and the village is one of the largest centres for traditional Chukchi and Inuit art in the world. We will be entertained by villagers and visit the bone-carving workshop during our visit.
Day 5 Kolyuchin Island
This small island was once an important Russian Polar Research Station and one of a number dotted across the Arctic. Near the derelict buildings are some of the most spectacular bird cliffs in the Arctic where puffins, guillemots and gulls can be observed and photographed up close.
Day 6 to 10 Wrangel and Herald Islands
Ice and weather conditions permitting, we will spend the next few days on Wrangel Island and we will also attempt to include a visit to nearby Herald Island. There are many landings that we can make to search out wildlife, wild flowers and Arctic landscapes. Polar Bears will be high on our list of animals to see and with a little patience we should be rewarded with a number of encounters.
We also have a chance to visit Dragi Harbour where the survivors of the Karluk which was crushed by ice in 1914 scrambled ashore and lived until they were rescued.
Wrangel Island is a Russian Federal Nature Reserve of international significance and importance particularly as it is a major Polar Bear denning area. Also each summer thousands of birds migrate here to breed, including Snow Geese, Snowy Owls, skuas, Arctic Terns, Ross’s, Sabine and Ivory Gulls.
Day 11 North Siberian Coast
Bounded by narrow sand ridges with numerous lagoons and inlets, this area offers plenty of places to land and explore this extensive coastline. We will be on the lookout for whales, walrus and other wildlife. We will see Chukchi villages whose residents survive in an unforgiving climate, hunting seals and whales just as their ancestors did.
Day 12 Kolyuchin Inlet
So huge that it is visible from satellite photos, this inlet contains vast numbers of waterfowl and migratory waders. We concentrate our visit on the Belaka Spit near the mouth of the inlet. It is a wild, desolate landscape that is strangely beautiful. We search the dunes and tidal areas for birdlife including Emperor Geese and Spoon-billed Sandpipers. Gray Whales frequent the area and are sometimes spotted feeding only metres offshore.
Day 13 Diomede Islands and Chukotka Coast
Early in the morning we will pass the Diomede Islands, sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Isle because they straddle the International Date Line. We will remain in Russian territory as we cruise south past the islands. Later this afternoon we make an expedition landing on the Chukotka coast, our last chance to enjoy the wildlife and tundra landscape.
Day 14 At sea
While the boat crosses the Anadyr Bay, you will have free time to relax in the library or bar. In the evening you will be invited to a farewell dinner.
Day 15 Anadyr
After breakfast it will be time to say our farewells. There will be a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a central downtown hotel.
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
Depending on the cruise start date, you will travel with a small expedition ice-class vessel "Spirit of Enderby" (for cruises on July 19 — August 2, August 2-16, 2021, and all cruises in 2022) or "Akademik Shokalskiy" (for cruise on August 2-16, 2021).
Such vessels are specially equipped for expedition travel in areas where navigation of larger ships is not possible.Onboard there is a bar, a restaurant, a cozy library lounge area with a large collection of thematic literature and a dedicated lecture room. A spacious bridge is always open for passengers. You can also view sea animals from open decks. All cabins have ocean views.
The cost of the cruise depends on the date of the trip and a type of cabin:
The price is per person. Payment is made in rubles at the exchange rate of the Central Bank +2%.
Types of cabins:
Double cabin: There are two lower sleeping berths in the cabin, an illuminator, a desk, a wardrobe and a nightstand, a wash-basin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other cabins.
Superior cabin: there are two sleeping berths — one lower and one upper one, a window, a desk, a wardrobe and nightstands. A bathroom: shower, toilet, a wash-basin.
Superior Plus cabin: there are two lower sleeping berths in the cabin, a window, a desk, a wardrobe and nightstands. A bathroom: shower, toilet, a wash-basin.
Mini Suite: there are a bedroom with a bouble bed and a lounge with a sofa, a TV, a wardrobe and drawers. It also has a private bathroom with a shower, a toilet, a washbasin. There is a window in the cabin.
Heritage Suite: there are a bedroom with a double bed and a large lounge area with a sofa, a TV, a mini-fridge, a wardrobe and drawers. A private bathroom includes a shower, a toilet, a washbasin. Large forward and side facing windows allow great panoramic view.
Common questions
The crew of the ship is Russian-speaking, there are both Russian and English speaking guides.
The cost of the tour includes a full board: breakfast — buffet, lunch — main course, salad and dessert, dinner — main course, vegetables and dessert. An alcoholic menu is available for lunch and dinner.
Cooks can prepare meals according to your diet if you inform them in advance.
Personal equipment required
When choosing clothes and shoes, consider the features of the cruise. The temperature on the Northern route points can drop to 0°C.
Clothing: warm pants, waterproof pants, thermal underwear, sweater, turtleneck, wool cap, covering ears, balaclava/scarf, warm socks, waterproof windproof jacket with hood. At the last retirement party you can bring dressy clothes (heels not advised).
Shoes: boots with a grooved sole will allow you to stand most steadily; rubber boots are necessary, but they can be given on the first day of the cruise for free. If you plan to take your own boots, they should be up to mid-calf or higher with a thick ribbed non-slip sole. In some landings will have to step into the water to a depth of 25 cm. Also it can be quite slippery on the ice and on the shore. Make sure the boots sit comfortably on a woolen sock, it is important to bring warm insoles. In addition, you need sandals, sneakers or any other comfortable shoes for the ship and slippers for the shower.
Other: a small backpack for landings (preferably waterproof), warm and waterproof gloves, sunglasses, cream, chapstick, binoculars, earplugs.
Documents: passport, boarding pass on board (issued or sent by mail), plane ticket, copy of insurance.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
on board ship accommodation
meals (full-board)
pre/post cruise transfers
all expedition shore excursions
lectures, presentations and services of expedition leader and guides
information materials sent to the participants before start of the expedition
private charter flight from Nome to Anadyr and back (+2 000 USD per person)
visa
health insurance with an emergency evacuation coverage (required)
all items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities
overland program at the Vrangel island (+1450 USD pp), optional
local payment (+500 USD pp)
hotel accommodation, meals and additional excursions before and after the cruise
tips
on board ship accommodation
meals (full-board)
pre/post cruise transfers
all expedition shore excursions
lectures, presentations and services of expedition leader and guides
information materials sent to the participants before start of the expedition
private charter flight from Nome to Anadyr and back (+2 000 USD per person)
visa
health insurance with an emergency evacuation coverage (required)
all items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities
overland program at the Vrangel island (+1450 USD pp), optional
local payment (+500 USD pp)
hotel accommodation, meals and additional excursions before and after the cruise
tips
Expedition to Wrangel Island
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