Voyage to the North Pole Auction
Polar Voyages

Selling price was £11,455 per person excl flights
Bid now from £4,549 per person incl flights!

Auction closes Friday 25 May at 4pm

Discover the World is delighted to offer a last minute opportunity, to experience one of the least explored and most spectacular areas on the planet during a truly unforgettable voyage.

Selling price was £11,455 excl flights
Bid now from £4,549 incl flights!
Auction closes Friday 25 May at 4pm
We have a twin cabin available on a spectacular voyage to the North Pole, aboard the icebreaker Yamal, flight departing from Heathrow on Saturday 21 July 2007 (returning on Saturday 4 August 2007). A pre- and post-voyage night in Helsinki is included in the itinerary, together with flights from London Heathrow via Helsinki (Finland) to Murmansk (Russia).

This incredible expedition, based on a twin cabin with private facilities (for two persons) normally costs £11,455 per person excluding flights from UK to Helsinki (and return). However, we invite you to submit a bid for the cabin (for two persons) by emailing:

auction@discover-the-world.co.uk

The highest bid received by 4 pm on Friday, 25 May 2007 will be accepted. Please ensure a daytime telephone number and the names of both passengers (as per passports) are included in your email. A reserve price of £4549 per person (based on two sharing) has been set but this INCLUDES international economy class flights. Upgrade to business class available (price on application). This offer is subject to availability. NB: Russian visas will be required by UK residents and are the responsibility of the passengers travelling. Discover the World booking conditions apply. Travel insurance is mandatory.

-- THE VOYAGE --

Few places have stirred the hearts and minds of explorers more than the North Pole. At the turn of the last century, voyages of discovery and adventure by sled, balloon, airship and ship set off for the top of the world - and failed. It was not until 1926 that the pole was seen for the first time and not until 1948 that anyone actually stood there.

But that is precisely what we hope to do on this historic voyage - our aim is to stand at 90° North. Our itinerary begins with the flight from London to Helsinki (stay overnight), then a flight from Helsinki to Murmansk. We sail on one of the world's most powerful icebreakers, the Yamal. Heading north from Murmansk, we cross the Barents Sea and break into the dense Arctic pack ice. Very few vessels have the power to negotiate such challenging ice conditions, yet we push northwards at speeds of up to 12 knots. Our journey takes us 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. We will be able to enjoy the immense polar landscapes from the Bridge or deck of the ship and from our expertly-piloted helicopter. And along the way, in this stunning setting of ice and snow, we expect to encounter a variety of Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and ivory gulls.

From the Geographic North Pole - we will be among very few people ever to have been there - we head south to the wild and wonderful world of dense pack ice, towering volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers of Franz Josef Land. Then it is back across the Barents Sea to Murmansk, where our amazing journey aboard the Yamal comes to an end. This itinerary is subject to weather and ice conditions. After disembarking the icebreaker we fly from Murmansk to Helsinki, where we will enjoy a final night in Finland's capital before the flight home to London.

-- EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS --

Reach the North Pole The ultimate goal for generations of explorers - and stand on the top of the world Experience our world-class icebreaker One of the most powerful in the world - as it cuts through vast ice floes, pressure ridges and hummocks up to five metres thick Polar Landscapes Witness the frozen sea and immense polar landscapes from the ship and from an expertly-piloted helicopter Travel in comfort Travel in comfort and safety on a ship with excellent accommodation and superb cuisine Encounter polar bears Encounter polar bears, walrus, ivory gulls and other rare and fascinating Arctic wildlife in a spectacular setting of snow and ice Franz Josef Land Visit the relatively unexplored Franz Josef Land Learn more! Learn more about the Arctic with the help of an outstanding expedition team of naturalists, historians and other experts

-- THE VESSEL --

The vessel accommodates passengers in 50 first-class outside cabins and suites, all with private facilities and large windows, as well as a desk, television and other comforts.

Public areas include a large dining room (accommodating all passengers in one sitting), library, lounge, theatre-style auditorium, volleyball court and gymnasium, heated indoor swimming pool and sauna.

Views are excellent from the Navigation Bridge (where we are almost always welcome) and there are large open decks on several levels. The Yamal also has a good polar library and a small infirmary.