Ship: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Itinerary: Northeast Passage: Siberia & the Russia Arctic
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Polar Bear with cubPhoto by: Alexander Kutskiy
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Anchorage, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Days 2-3 : | Embarkation Day |
| Days 4-6 : | Bering Strait |
| Days 7-8 : | Wrangel Island |
| Days 9-15 : | New Siberian Islands |
| Days 16-20 : | Severnaya Zemlya and Novaya Zemlya |
| Days 21-24 : | Franz Josef Land |
| Days 25-26 : | At Sea |
| Day 27 : | Murmansk, Russia |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||
| Triple | Twin | Suite | Corner Suite | ||
| 27 | Jul 10, 2011 | $27,390 | $36,690 | $41,590 | $46,990 |
| Additional $1690 per person for Charter Flights | |||||
| Destinations : Alaska, Arctic, North America, Russia Activities : Cultural Activities, Expedition Cruising, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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-Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Single supplement of 1.7 times the twin rate for travelers who want to guarantee single room.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person is required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
* Please note that when you cross the International Date Line, you will lose a day en route to Anadyr. A group charter flight must be booked with your expedition.
Russia’s Northeast Passage was closed to foreign travelers for more than half a century. Total darkness six months of the year coupled with extreme ice and weather conditions continue to make the Northeast Passage relatively inaccessible to travelers. But not to the Kapitan Khlebnikov!
Since the 16th century, explorers have attempted to transit the Northeast Passage, which follows the Arctic coast of Russia from the Barents Sea to the Bering Strait. This sought-after northern trading route shortens the sea voyage to Asia by almost 7,400 km (4,200 miles) and 13 days.
Only 112 out of 6.75 billion people on the planet will be able to say that they were on Kapitan Khlebnikov's last transit as an expedition vessel of the Arctic's Northeast Passage. In 2008, on this route, travelers encountered thick pack ice, unusual geological formations and the fascinating cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic! We expect no less, this one last time.
Day 1 : Anchorage, Alaska
You spend the first night of this 7,000 km (4,000 mile) expedition in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, this Alaskan town situated just south of the Arctic Circle. Daylight will linger into the wee hours, so plan to participate in the city's night life.
Days 2-3 : Embarkation Day
We fly you from Anchorage to Anadyr, Russia, losing a day en route as you cross the International Dateline. You meet the Expedition Team, a well-informed group of specialists that delivers our shipboard education program, an engaging series of illustrated presentations on all things Arctic – political, biological and geological.
Days 4-6 : Bering Strait
The transit of the Northeast Passage begins at the eastern edge of the Asian continent. As you sail north through the Beraing Strait, you will pass Cape Dezhnev, the most easterly point of land in Asia.
Days 7-8 : Wrangel Island
Crossing the Delong Strait, you will witness from the air and deck Kapitan Khlebnikov crushing ice up to a meter thick. Landings are planned on Wrangel Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated for its diverse flora and habitat for migratory birds. Musk oxen thrive there. Mammoth remains found on the island suggest the giant creatures grazed the island tundra as recently as 10,000 years ago. In 2008, the island was surrounded by fast ice. If the same conditions are met in 2011, excitement will ramp up, because transfers to the island will be possible only by helicopter, providing stunning aerial photographic opportunities.
Days 9-15 : New Siberian Islands
Make your way through the pack ice of the East Siberia Sea to the New Siberian Islands, where, if conditions permit, hike the tundra, explore old hunting camps and see the northernmost point of the European continent. A wildlife watch will be mounted, as this is the habitat of the rarely seen Laptev walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens. During the 2008 expedition, polar bears were sighted in the archipelago.
Days 16-20 : Severnaya Zemlya and Novaya Zemlya
Landings on the least accessible group of islands in the Arctic, Severnaya Zemlya, are intended during this portion of the voyage. Our wildlife watch continues for Ross’ and Sabine Gulls, as well as beluga whales in the Kara Sea. The archipelago of Novaya Zemlya thwarted attempts to complete a transit of the Northeast Passage until the development of engine driven surface vessels. We plan landings and aerial flight-seeing.
In 2008, a visit was made to reindeer herders. There are two indigenous peoples in the Russian Arctic that herd reindeer - the Chuckchi and the Tundra Nenets. The Chuckchi people live on the Chukotka Peninsula. The Tundra Nenets live in the region that stretches from the Tamyr Peninsual to the White Sea, which lies to the east of Severnaya Zemlya. The visit was one of the highlights of the expedition. In 2011, we will attempt another visit to a camp of these nomadic peoples, who move from place to place following their herds.
Days 21-24 : Franz Josef Land
Well above the Arctic Circle lie the most northerly islands in Eurasia Franz Josef Land. They are the habitat of polar bear, and Atlantic walrus. We plan to visit Cape Flora, where remains from three historic expeditions are found. If conditions permit, Zodiacs will cruise the base of towering cliffs where seabirds nest. We expect to use the helicopters for aerial flight-seeing and transfers to otherwise inaccessible landing sites.
Days 25-26 : At Sea
We sail the Barents Sea to Murmansk. On deck you can identify the seabirds that accompany the ship as it steams westward.
Day 27 : Murmansk, Russia
Guests will disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Helsinki, Finland, where they spend the night before boarding independent flights home.
Ship Description: Kapitan Khlebnikov
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Kapitan Khlebnikov breaking ice
The KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV was built in Finland in 1981 and is a powerful polar class icebreaker, which has sailed to extremely remote corners of the globe with adventurous travelers since 1992. No other expedition vessel has navigated more polar waters. It was the first ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers in 1996-97.
The ship's interior provides passenger facilities necessary for excellent comfort, with accommodations in 54 first class outside cabin and suites. The vessel carries a maximum of 112 passengers.
All cabins are outside, with windows that can be opened for fresh or cooler air. In addition, passengers may control the flow of air into the cabin by adjusting the vent. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower, toilet and wash-basin. Cabin floors are carpeted. The cabins have ample cupboard and drawer space, and a large desk. The second bed in each cabin is a convertible sofa bed, which is made up each night by the stewardess and converted back into a sofa during the day. Triple cabins have two lower berths and one upper berth. Each cabin is equipped with an 'in-cabin' music system. All cabins have robes for use while on board, which will be collected on the last day of the voyage. These are available for purchase if passengers wish to take one home.
There is ample storage space under the beds to store most luggage. If not, passengers should alert the cabin stewardess who can store it for the duration of the voyage. Hair dryers, quality soap and shower gel are available in each cabin.
Triple135 sq. ft. Cabins include twin bunk beds and a convertible sofa, writing desk, chair, bookshelves, storage box, telephone, and porthole or window |
Twin135 sq. ft. Cabins include one twin bed and a convertible sofa, writing desk, chair, bookshelves, 2 wardrobes, storage box, telephone, and porthole or window |
Suite193 sq. ft. Cabin includes separate living area, TV/VCR, refrigerator, convertible sofa, double bed 2 desks, 2 chairs, bookshelves, storage box, telephone, 2 wardrobes, and picture window |
Corner Suite285 sq. ft. Cabin includes separate living area, TV/VCR, refrigerator, convertible sofa, double bed 2 desks, 2 chairs, bookshelves, storage box, telephone, 2 wardrobes, and picture window |
