Few places have stirred the hearts and minds of explorers more than the North Pole. For centuries, intrepid adventurers set out by sledge, ship, aircraft and even balloon, but it wasn’t until 1926 that the North Pole was seen for the first time and not until 1948 that anyone could actually claim to be standing there.
Click here to watch slideshow of voyage.
Even today, reaching 90° North is a difficult and challenging journey and only a select few can add their names to the list of those who have achieved such an incredible goal. Travelling aboard the icebreaker Yamal, one of the few ships powerful enough to push through the formidable Arctic pack ice, this extraordinary voyage provides the opportunity of a lifetime.
Everything seems bigger in the Arctic. Massive icebergs are surrounded by a horizon that seems to go on forever. The vacant blue of the open sky looks over a sea of ice. The silence seems overwhelming and the scale is vast and humbling.
Your adventure will begin in Finland’s capital Helsinki, before flying onwards to Murmansk in Russia. Set sail and journey north, crossing the Barents Sea pushing through dense pack ice at speeds of up to 12 knots, utilising the immense strength of one of the world’s most powerful icebreakers. The journey continues through an ever-changing panorama of wind-polished ice up to five metres thick, narrow channels of dark green water and aquamarine pools scattered across the frozen sea. Witness the immense polar landscapes from the bridge or deck of the ship as well as from the expertly piloted helicopter. Along the way, in this stunning setting of ice and snow, it is hoped to encounter a variety of Arctic wildlife including polar bears, walrus and ivory gulls. After reaching the North Pole and standing at the ‘top of the world’ travel south and hopefully go ashore in Franz Josef Land, a remote world of jagged mountains and massive icebergs discovered in 1873 and which today, remains relatively unexplored.
Route of Voyage
Please note all landings in Franz Josef Land are subject to government permission, variable timing restrictions and weather conditions. This is an expedition into a very, little-travelled region and no specific itinerary can be guaranteed in advance - the actual programme and route will depend on local ice and weather conditions, which vary from day to day, season to season. Flexibility is the key to enjoying an expedition voyage to the full therefore please be aware that this itinerary should be used as a guideline only. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Further Information
Please select links from the left-hand panel for further information about the tour itinerary, prices and departure dates. Alternatively please contact our expert team who will be delighted to hear from you.
Phone: 01737 218800
Email: arctic@discovertheworld.co.uk
Special departure to see a Solar Eclipse!
This voyage has a special departure on 19 July 2008 which offers you the chance to witness a solar eclipse. This has a 17-day itinerary, with an extra day onboard.
Click here for details of our North Pole Solar Eclipse voyage