Day 1: | fly UK to Helsinki, Finland
fly to historic Helsinki*, and transfer by taxi (not included) to a city centre hotel for your overnight stay – rest of the day at leisure. |
Day 2: | fly to Murmansk, Russia and embark
group transfer to the airport for the flight to Murmansk where Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet is based. Board the Yamal and set sail. |
Day 3: | Barents Sea
during the first full day at sea, relax and explore the vessel that will be home for the next two weeks. As the ship crosses the Barents Sea, the onboard specialists begin presentations on Arctic wildlife, geology, history and other topics of interest. Briefings regarding helicopter flights, as well as environmental guidelines for visiting this remote part of the globe will also be given. There will also be many opportunities to view seabirds and whales as the powerful icebreaker heads north. |
Days 4-7: | at sea, north into the pack ice
surrounded by endless polar vistas, the Yamal begins breaking through the pack ice, surging northwards while the experienced Captain and his officers review the latest ice charts transmitted via satellite. The ship’s helicopter comes and goes on reconnaissance flights and it may be possible to join one of the flights for some fantastic aerial views of the ship as she powers her way to the North Pole. Crashing through ice metres thick with a force reminiscent of a 9.0 earthquake, Yamal can reach up to 12 knots in conditions that would defeat most other ships. At some point it is hoped a stop can be made, enabling passengers to step onto the ice for an unforgettable walkabout. Continue to keep watch for a diverse array of Arctic wildlife. |
Day 8: | the North Pole
as the ship nears its ultimate destination enjoy the buzz of expectation as everyone on board anticipates reaching the top of the world. Upon arrival there is plenty of time to wander out onto the ice and survey the expanse of white and blue stretching hundreds of kilometres in all directions. Reflect on the enormity of the moment as you take in the reality of where you are and recall the endeavours of past adventurers who struggled in vain or lost their lives trying to reach this very point. Enjoy a celebration on the ice and literally, walk around the world in under a minute! |
Days 9-10: | at sea, heading south
having achieved the objective of the voyage, there’s nowhere to head but south. The exact route will vary depending on local ice and weather conditions. Helicopter excursions should be possible providing spectacular views over the constantly changing ice and sea. Watch the progress of the icebreaker and keep an eye out for more wildlife. The chances of spotting polar bears in particular are excellent as the ship nears Franz Josef Land. |
Days 11-12: | Franz Josef Land
reach Franz Josef Land, the most northerly point in Russia - this archipelago of 191 islands is a naturalist’s paradise. Polar bears and Arctic fox often come very close to the ship; seals are plentiful, and you can spot beluga and narwhals offshore as well as huge colonies of seabirds on the high, rocky cliffs. Explore the dramatic coast via Zodiac and enjoy spectacular aerial views flying over glaciers and volcanic plateaus in the helicopters. |
Days 13-14: | Barents Sea, Murmansk & Helsinki
** on the final leg of the journey crossing the Barents Sea, look out for seabirds and whales and recap on the highlights of the voyage with the Expedition Team. Disembark in Murmansk and fly back to Helsinki for overnight stay. |
Day 15: | depart Helsinki
** transfer to the airport (not included) for return flight to the UK*. |
Note: | *International flights to/from gateway destinations are quoted separately in order to take advantage of the best possible fares and routings at the time of booking, subsequently an additional night may be required at either end of the holiday and the outline itinerary should be looked upon as a guideline only. Flights from the UK to Helsinki are direct - please contact our team to discuss your flight options and shound you wish to extend your holiday.
** The Yamal’s first two departures in 2007 offer a 15 night itinerary, with a third departure date offering a 14 night itinerary. |