Chukotka, Kamchatka and the Commander Islands

In the morning, the vessel passes along the western shore of Anadyr Bay to Navarin Cape, the windiest place in Russia. Millions of seabirds nest on the cliffs, and you may spot the rare white-tailed eagle. Coastal waters are home to whales, so keep your binoculars ready.

Later, you will reach Meynypilgyno Village (locals call it Maina). Here, the vessel will anchor, and expedition boats will take you to observe walrus rookeries and waterfalls cascading into the sea. Brown bears may also appear nearby.

There is a museum of Chukchi culture in the village. Nearby, a large population of critically endangered spoon-billed sandpipers spends the summer. A special incubator was built close to Maina, where international ornithologists breed chicks to release them into the wild.

The ship will approach Pavel’s Bay, a long curved fjord with green hills, and nearby Peter’s Bay. Expect breathtaking mountain landscapes and tundra filled with berries. Snow sheep and brown bears are often seen here.

Zodiac excursions bring you closer to the Pacific walrus rookery on Bogoslova Island, located between the two bays.

In the afternoon, explore Tintikun Lagoon, separated from the sea by a sand spit and surrounded by cliffs, glaciers, and green slopes. Cruise the lagoon by expedition boat, then land on a central island and bathe in the Goven hot springs.

Sailing south through the vast Bering Sea, your companions will be whales and seabirds. These days are perfect for observing the sea, sharing impressions, and enjoying lectures and informal conversations with the expedition team.

For four days, you will explore the remote Commander Islands, discovered in 1741 by Commander Vitus Bering. You will visit all four islands of the national park, admiring waterfalls, sand dunes, and diverse landscapes.

You will start with Nikolskoye, the only settlement on the islands. The local museum features a skeleton of a Steller’s sea cow, extinct since the 18th century. Explore beaches for semi-precious stones and tundra for Arctic berries.

Commander's Bay holds the graves of Vitus Bering and several expedition members who perished during the harsh winter.

You will see an abundance of marine mammals: Steller sea lions, fur seals, sea otters, and rare Stejneger's seals. The waters off southern Bering Island host sperm whales, fin whales, humpbacks, northern minke whales, and orcas.

Zodiac excursions will take you to the bird colonies of Tufted Puffin Rock and Kamen Ariy islands, home to tufted puffins, horned puffins, and red-faced cormorants. Care is needed not to disturb nesting sites.

Traveling upstream by expedition boats, you will try your luck catching rainbow trout. Other possible catches include pink, coho, chum, and chinook salmon, grayling, and char. Along the way, you may spot Steller’s sea eagles, the largest eagles on Earth, with wingspans reaching up to 2.5 meters. Brown bears feeding on spawning salmon are also a common sight here

In the afternoon, the ship will set a course for Kamchatka. During the 20-hour crossing, the expedition team will share stories about the nature and history of the region.

The ship arrives in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, located on Avacha Bay, the largest natural harbor in the world. On the starboard side, see Kamchatka’s “home” volcanoes: Avachinsky, Koryaksky, and Kozelsky. The Zhupanovskaya Sopka massif, composed of four volcanoes, will also come into view.

From the port, a group transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights.