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Home , Fridtjof Nansen, Kolyma (river), Northern Sea Route, Russky Island (Kara Sea), Severnaya Zemlya, Severny Island

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF NORDENSKIOLD: THROUGH THE NORTHERN ROUTE

It was during the of 1878 - 1880 that Swedish stations constructed to provide ice and explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld would prove, despite insurmountable odds, that it was possible to sail across the top of to the Pacific and, ultimately, ports in Asia during the first transit of the . While hopes it would become a regular trading route were never realised, ice and weather conditions were too unpredictable, the Russians persisted and in 1914 the and Vaygach would complete the second successful transit. In 1932 the Soviet Government established the Northern Sea Route administration to oversee the development of the passage. Bigger and more powerful icebreakers were built and a significant number of polar weather stations constructed to provide ice and weather updates for convoys transiting the route. The vast majority of these stations now lie in ruins, the data they once supplied now effortlessly downloaded directly weather updates for convoys transiting the route. The vast from satellite and automatic … It was during the Vega majority of these stations now lie in ruins, the data they once Expedition of 1878 - 1880 that Swedish explorer Adolf Erik supplied now effortlessly downloaded directly from satellite and Nordenskiöld would prove, despite insurmountable odds, that it automatic weather stations. Recent changes in the was possible to sail across the top of Russia to the Pacific and, summer sea ice means that it is now possible to navigate the ultimately, ports in Asia during the first transit of the Northern Northern Sea Route during a brief window of opportunity without Sea Route. While hopes it would become a regular trading route assistance. These changes open a whole new world were never realised, ice and weather conditions were too of Arctic history and wildlife to discover - one never dreamed of unpredictable, the Russians persisted and in 1914 the for those of us fascinated by these once off-limits, high icebreakers Taymyr and Vaygach would complete the second latitudes. Our expedition will follow Nordenskiöld's route visiting successful transit. In 1932 the Soviet Government established the many and locations he discovered and described the Northern Sea Route administration to oversee the during his remarkable journey including the development of the passage. Bigger and more powerful Archipelago, , (New Land), icebreakers were built and a significant number of polar weather and Nordenskiöld Archipelago, plus additional

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com sites like the . While the brief Arctic breeding different landing sites which may include Cape Spory, the Oransky Islands, Navalok, , Russkaya Gavan and Inostrantseva Bay where will be over, much of the region's abundant wildlife will breath-catching panoramic views of pristine Arctic wilderness can be enjoyed. still be present. We are sure to enjoy encounters with Polar Rightly regarded for its unrestrained high Arctic beauty and as a wildlife haven, Bears and there is also an opportunity to observe three species during our explorations here we will look to make several landings, Zodiac cruise imposing cliffs, and shores looking for Harp, Ringed and of (Pacific, Laptev and Atlantic), whales (Beluga, Bearded Seals, Polar Bears, , Arctic , walrus haulouts, whales and Bowhead and ) and Arctic Gulls (Ivory, Sabine's and a number of bird species including Peregrine Falcon, Redpoll, Snowy Ross'). Our team of on board naturalists will be working with Owl, Guillemots and Puffins. you to ensure the best possible sightings and photographs. Join Day 6: Isachenko us as we retrace history on this unforgettable voyage aboard our Sailing east we reach Isachenko Island, the largest in the Kirov Island group in ice-strengthened Russian research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy. the . There is much to explore on this remote, tundra-covered island No stranger to this region, she has participated in Soviet where we will be looking to land, ice and weather conditions permitting. Home to deserted research station Polyarnaya Stantsiya, the sandy shores and convoys in during the late 1980s and completed a double coastal lagoons of Isachenko Island, part of Russia’s Great Arctic State Nature transit of the Northern Sea Route with us in 2017. Reserve, abound with wildlife in the thriving intertidal zone and are often frequented by Polar Bears. This afternoon we make our way to the Nordenskiöld Archipelago. ITINERARY Days 7 to 8: Nordenskiöld Archipelago Day 1: Our days in the Nordenskiöld Archipelago celebrate the true expedition nature Murmansk is home to the Russia’s icebreaker fleet and featured as a of our voyage as we explore this little-known and rarely-visited cluster of strategically important port throughout the history of Russia. Join Akademik around 90 islands in the eastern region of the Kara Sea. Surrounded by ice for Shokalskiy this afternoon and prepare for our departure from the Port of most the year, these remote and windswept outposts including , Murmansk. After we sail there will be introductions to ship, staff and crew plus the largest and location of a former Polar research station which closed in compulsory safety briefings. 1999, were named by Norwegian polar explorer on his 1893-1896 Expedition. In 1900 the majority of the islands were charted Days 2 to 3: and named by Captain Fyodor Andreyevich Matisen during the Russian polar expedition, who named the archipelago in honour of Nordenskiöld. The Barents Sea was named in honour of Dutch seafarer and navigator, Willem Barents, who explored this region on expeditions in 1594 and 1596. During our two days at sea we will start our lecture series and as we move Days 9 to 11: Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago northwards there should be opportunities for spotting Humpback Whales, Harp The Severnaya Zemlya Islands translated into English mean ‘Northern Land’. Seals and possibly other species that feed in these waters. They are on the border of the Kara and Laptev and are an extension of the . These islands were not discovered until 1914-15 when Days 4 to 5: Novaya Zemlya Russian explorer Vil’kitskiy finally charted the island. This was the last significant archipelago in the world to be discovered. The three largest islands We plan to spend the following days exploring the remote, mountainous are heavily glaciated with deep fiords and majestic tidewater glaciers that are archipelago of Novaya Zemlya (or New Land). Bounded by spectacular regularly calving icebergs, providing a magnificent environment for cruising. glaciers, jagged peaks and rich in wildlife and history, these rarely visited isles This is one of the last strongholds for Ivory Gulls and we look for an consist of two large islands separated by the narrow Matochkin Strait and a opportunity to visit a colony. myriad of smaller islands. Discover a northern Arctic landscape on and new landscapes along the coastline as we look to explore Days 12 to 13: Taymyr Peninsula and

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com We enter the Laptev Sea through the Vil’kitskiy Strait which separates Day 17: Severnaya Zemlya from the mainland of Russia and also marks the northern-most point of the Eurasian continent. This is a significant milestone This sea is defined by the Novosibirskie Islands in the west and on our journey; traditionally the last area where the ice clears and the to the east. Along its southern shores are three of ’s major rivers, the biological divide between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean wildlife. This sea is , Alazaya and the . The average depth is only 54 metres bounded by the Taymyr Peninsula and Severnaya Zemlya in the west and the making it ideal habitat for walrus and Bowhead Whales. Novosibirskie Islands in the east. It is named in honour of cousins who were both Arctic explorers. The and the Yana are two of the larger rivers that Day 18: Medvezhyi Islands drain into this sea. Along the western shore of the Laptev Sea we will take the Today we will explore the little known and seldom visited Medvezhyi Islands opportunity to explore the Taymyr Peninsula and the infamous Cape (Bear Islands), an archipelago of five granitic islands. As the name suggests, Chelyuskin at its tip. Cape Chelyuskin is of particular interest on our voyage as the islands have a sizeable population of Polar Bears which often den on the crew of the Vega left message of their voyage thus far under a stone these shores over winter. A landing on the island of Chetyrekhstolbovoy offers memorial here. Laptev Sea Walrus are only found in this area and we will be the opportunity to hike to the unusual rock ‘pillows’ which the island is named on the lookout for haulouts where we can spend time photographing this after, the largest of these resembling Moai from a distance. The abandoned unique and isolated population of walrus. weather station here is a fascinating example of the effects of melting as it slowly slumps into the sea while the very land upon which it was Days 14 to 15: Noviye Sebirskiye (New Siberian Islands) built disintegrates. On Pushkareva Island investigate the old lighthouse or These islands, which consist of three major groups – Southern, Central (Anzhu) enjoy the Arctic flowers that cover the expansive tundra during the brief and Northern (De Long), mark the border between the Laptev and East summer. Siberian Seas. It is from this vicinity that the famed polar explorer and researcher Fridtjof Nansen froze the Fram into the sea ice in his attempt to Day 19: reach the geographic by means of the natural ice drift of the Arctic After a final breakfast on board it will be time to disembark and say our Ocean. The New Siberian Islands are renowned for the preservation of the farewells. There will be a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a central remains of mammoth, rhinoceros and other Pleistocene inhabitants of the far downtown hotel. One of Russia’s most remote, and northernmost towns, Pevek north; it is not uncommon to encounter their fossil remains while we explore and its deep water port are undergoing a boom and tipped to become a key the islands. We have allowed two days for exploring this remarkable yet economic and infrastructure hub for the far eastern Chukotka region. seldom visited archipelago, conditions permitting we hope to have the Important Notes: This expedition is subject to approval from various Russian opportunity to visit all three island groups, each with their own unique geology Federal and Regional Authorities and may have to change depending on these and landscapes. On the southern shores of Great Lyakhovskiy Island there is approvals. Permits have been lodged for all the sites mentioned in the an active meteorological station which is permanently manned by a small itinerary, depending on approvals these may have to be amended or contingent. substituted. We will endeavour to keep participants fully informed of any changes in the itinerary as and when they occur. Day 16: De Long Islands Part of the New Siberian Islands, this small uninhabited archipelago consisting Please Note: of Bennett, Henrietta, Jeannette, Zhokhov, and Vilkitsky Islands. These were Itineraries are subject to change. once hills on the Great Arctic Plain. Still partially covered by glaciers, they were among the last discovered islands in the East Siberian Sea and named after the ill-fated American expedition led by George Washington De Long on the USS Jeannette. The expedition become trapped in thick ice near Herald Island in September 1879, drifting hundreds of miles before being crushed by sea ice near Jeanette Island in June 1881. The men made their way from the sinking ship in open boats to the Kolmya River delta, where many of them, including De Long, perished.

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: AKADEMIK SHOKALSKIY

YOUR SHIP: Akademik Shokalskiy

VESSEL TYPE: Expedition

LENGTH: 71M

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 50

BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1984

The identical sister ship to Spirit of Enderby, Akademik Shokalskiy is the complete expedition vessel. Built in 1984 for Lecture Room polar and oceanographic research, Akademik Shokalskiy is fully • Fully-stocked Library ice strengthened and famously joined a Russian convoy of the • Clinic/Hospital in the late 1980s, as well as completing the • Ship to Shore Communications via Satellite journey unassisted. This class of vessel is world-renowned for Polar expedition cruising because of its strength, manoeuvrability and small passenger numbers. ONBOARD FACILITIES • 2 Dining Rooms • 24-hour Tea/Coffee Station • Bar • Lounge • Sauna •

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ADDITIONAL CHARGES: Local Payment 500 USD pp

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com