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This unique journey not only includes the isolated Wrangel and Herald Islands but also a significant section of the wild North Eastern Siberian coastline. It is a journey made possible only in recent years by the thawing in the politics of the region and the retreat of the summer pack ice in the Chukchi Sea. Right on the border between Soviet Russia and the USA, the area was known as the Ice Curtain and today remains one of the last undiscovered wonders of the world.

We sail through the Bering Strait west along the north Siberian coastline before crossing the De Long Strait to Wrangel Island and there spend four to five days under the guidance of local Rangers on the Nature Reserve. Untouched by glaciers during the last ice age, this is a treasure trove of Arctic biodiversity and is perhaps best known for the multitude of Polar Bears that breed on the island. We hope to catch many glimpses of this beautiful animal as well as walrus, reindeer, Snow Geese and other migratory species that nest here annually.

Of equal importance is the ‘mammoth steppe’ vegetation complex, a rich and diverse relic from the Pleistocene epoch, nurturing over 400 plant species. The islands’ human histories are not without interest either and our expert expedition team will take time to give lectures and background to the landscape we move through and the encounters we enjoy.

We will undertake numerous landings during our voyage. We will look for whales, visit huge bird colonies, walrus haul-outs and native villages and will take every opportunity to discover the region’s rich biodiversity.

Itinerary

All expedition members will arrive in Anadyr; depending on your time of arrival you may have the opportunity to explore Anadyr, the administrative centre of the Chukotka region, before getting to know your fellow voyagers and crew on board the Professor Khromov.

We will depart Anadyr Harbour early morning and you are invited to join the captain, officers and the expedition staff on the bridge. The Anadyr estuary is renowned for its Beluga Whales.

Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley. Whalebones stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre. Grey whales are frequently seen around the island, we will also cruise by Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands where seabirds nest and walrus can be found.

Sea conditions permitting, we will land at Cape Dezhnev early this morning. The north-eastern most point of the Eurasian continent, it is sometimes possible to see the coast of America from this remote and lonely outpost. A few nautical miles to the west of Cape Dezhnev we visit Uelen Village; the most north-eastern village in Russia. We will be entertained by villagers and visit the bone-carving workshop during our visit.

This small island was once an important Russian Polar Research Station and one of a number dotted across the Arctic. Near the derelict buildings are some of the most spectacular bird cliffs in the Arctic where puffins, guillemots and gulls can be observed and photographed up close. On our zodiac cruise we will be on the look out for potential polar bears and walrus.

Ice and weather conditions permitting, we will spend the next few days on Wrangel Island and we will also include a visit to nearby Herald Island. There are many landings that we can make to search out wildlife, wild flowers and Arctic landscapes. Polar Bears will be high on our list of animals to see and with a little patience we should be rewarded with a number of encounters. Musk Oxen and reindeer were introduced to the island in 1975 and 1948 respectively, though reindeer numbers are low. We also have a chance to visit Dragi Harbour where the survivors of the Karluk which was crushed by ice in 1914 scrambled ashore and lived until they were rescued.

Bounded by narrow sand ridges with numerous lagoons and inlets, this area offers plenty of places to land and explore a coastline that very few humans have seen and survived to tell the tale. Looking for Walrus we will come across Chukchi villages whose residents scratch out a living in an unforgiving climate, hunting seals and whales just as their ancestors did.

So huge that it is visible from satellite photos, this inlet contains vast numbers of waterfowl and migratory waders. We concentrate our visit on the spit near the mouth of the inlet. It is a wild, desolate landscape that is strangely beautiful. Grey Whales frequent the area and are sometimes spotted feeding only metres offshore.

Early morning we will pass the Diomede Islands, sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Isle because they straddle the International Date Line. Here Russia and America are separated by only 2.3 nautical miles of ocean. We will remain in Russian territory as we cruise south past the islands. Later this afternoon we make an expedition landing on the Chukotka coast our last chance to enjoy the wildlife and tundra landscape.

Join the staff for an expedition recap and a disembarkation briefing, and then simply relax as we sail across Anadyrskiy Bay towards Anadyr.

After breakfast it will be time to say our farewells. There will be a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a hotel of your choice.

Notes