Expedition to the Land of Polar Bears

You will land on the shores of Yttygran Island and discover the heritage of ancient Eskimo culture. A walk will take you to Whale Bone Alley — a sacred site made of bowhead whale bones set upright in the ground. According to researchers, it was created before the 16th century. Today, the Alley is recognized as a cultural heritage site of the peoples of Russia.

Later, you  will board Zodiacs for an expedition to Senyavin Strait. It's one of the best places in the Russian Far East for whale watching. This is where humpback and gray whales often come to feed. These majestic marine giants are unafraid of humans and sometimes approach boats quite closely. Imagine it — towering fins breaking the surface, and two enormous tails rising in perfect unison just a few meters away.

Along the strait’s shores, you can spot walrus haul-outs, and the nearby cliffs are alive with noisy colonies of puffins and horned puffins. Not far from the mouth of the Pestsovaya River, there is an abandoned reindeer herders’ camp — a quiet reminder of the life that once thrived in these remote and rugged lands.

Today you will stand at the very edge of Russia — the easternmost point of Eurasia.

You will walk up to the lighthouse-monument dedicated to the explorer Semyon Dezhnev. In clear weather, you can see the coast of Alaska from here — just 86 kilometers away.

Your next stop is Uelen, the easternmost settlement in Eurasia and one of Chukotka’s main centers of bone carving art. You will visit the region’s oldest workshop, meet local artists, and sample northern delicacies such as caviar, fish, walrus, and whale meat.

You will land on the tiny Kolyuchin Island, which covers just 8 km². Its name comes from the Eskimo language and translates as “large ice floe” or “circle” — the island’s rounded shape really does resemble a giant piece of drifting ice.

Until 1992, a weather station operated here, and today only its abandoned buildings remain.

Kolyuchin is home to one of the Arctic’s most spectacular bird cliffs: guillemots, puffins, and gulls nest in the coastal rocks. Along the shore, you may also spot polar bears.

For the next days, you will explore Wrangel Island, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Russia’s most remarkable nature reserves.

If weather permits, the ship will circumnavigate the island, with several landings in different locations. You will see polar bears, walruses, musk oxen, and rare Arctic birds. In the surrounding waters, you may encounter belugas, gray whales, and even bowhead whales.

The tundra here is strikingly colorful: more than 400 plant species grow on Wrangel Island. Around 40 species of animals, birds, and insects are found nowhere else in the world.

You will also approach remote Herald Island, located 40 kilometers from Wrangel. Because of its rocky shores, landings are impossible — so you will explore by Zodiac instead. You will cruise past dramatic bird cliffs and, with some luck, take unforgettable photos of polar bears.

Today you will head for the coast of the Chukchi Sea and take a Zodiac cruise along the rugged cliffs of Kolyuchin Bay. Here you may spot whales, walruses at their haul-outs, and countless Arctic birds nesting on the rocks.

Nestled on the shores of the Bering Strait, the village of Lavrentiya is home to the Indigenous peoples of the North who continue to preserve their traditional way of life. It is the cultural heart of the region, hosting the famous “Beringia” regatta — a festival of traditional skin kayaks that brings together participants from across Russia.

You will enjoy a leisurely walk through the village, exploring its monuments and experiencing authentic northern life. A visit to the local museum will introduce you to unique artifacts that tell the story of Chukotka’s peoples — their traditions, beliefs, and deep spiritual connection to the land.

Visitors are welcomed warmly here. You will be treated to traditional dances and local delicacies, accompanied by herbal tea brewed over an open fire. You will also have the chance to purchase authentic handmade Chukchi souvenirs crafted by local artisans.

Today you can choose between two activities.

The first option is a six-hour trek from Penkigney Bay to Gilmymyl Bay through Beringia National Park. Along the route, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes — winding fjords, rolling hills, and tundra blooming with Arctic flowers.

At the end of the hike, you will relax in the Senyavin Hot Springs, the largest geothermal area in the Providensky District. More than 150 springs emerge from the ground here, with water temperatures reaching up to 80 °C, rich in minerals and radon.

If you prefer a more relaxed day, you can stay on board and travel the same route by sea. You will enjoy a whale-watching Zodiac safari, followed by a rejuvenating dip in the hot springs.

Today, the ship will approach the shores of Meechkyn Spit — a narrow yet remarkably long barrier island. It stretches for about 60 kilometers, with an average width of just 100 meters. The spit is designated as a zoological natural monument: walruses and seals inhabit its shores, colonies of rare birds nest here, and whales can often be seen in the surrounding waters.

Expedition boats will take you to a vast walrus haul-out, where you will have a chance to observe these giants from a close but safe distance. The island is also home to one of the world’s rarest bird species — the spoon-billed sandpiper. And with a bit of luck, you might spot brown bears on the beach — they sometimes swim over from the mainland.

Early in the morning your ship will return to the port of Anadyr. After saying farewell to the crew, you will disembark, where a transfer will be waiting to take you either to your hotel or to the airport, depending on your flight schedule.

Back home, a special surprise will be waiting for you — a film with highlights and memories of your journey along Chukotka’s wild and remote shores.