JEWELS OF THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC Franz Josef Land & Novaya Zemlya A Contents 1 Overview 2 Itinerary 5 Arrival and Departure Details 7 Your Ship 9 Included Activities 10 Dates & Rates 11 Inclusions & Exclusions 12 Your Expedition Team 13 Extend Your Trip 14 Meals on Board 15 Possible Excursions 18 Packing Checklist Overview Jewels of the Russian Arctic: Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya One of Earth’s least-explored frontiers and the newest destination to our portfolio, EXPEDITION IN BRIEF the sparsely populated Russian High Arctic is a place of isolated, rugged beauty Explore this rarely visited region of that will leave you amazed. Few travelers have ever ventured into this near- the Russian Arctic uninhabited landscape. On Jewels of the Russian Arctic: Franz Josef Land and Novaya Encounter iconic Arctic wildlife, such Zemlya, we follow the footsteps of early northern explorers to two of the most remote as polar bears, walrus and seabirds archipelagos on the planet, enabling guests to experience an in-depth exploration Explore glaciated Novaya Zemlya, where of seldom-visited regions in the stark and spectacular Russian Arctic. the earliest Arctic explorers overwintered From the ancient mountains of Novaya Zemlya to the wildlife sanctuary of Franz Visit significant sites at Franz Josef Land Josef Land, these secluded lands offer a exhilarating mix of unique sights and and learn about the region’s fascinating history adventures. Marvel at ice-capped peaks soaring majestically out of the Arctic sea. Watch in hushed wonder at the unforgettable sight of a polar bear roaming its natural environment. Immerse yourself in a corner of our planet few humans ever to, with the operator that knows polar adventure better than anyone. 1 Itinerary DAY 1 | HELSINKI, FINLAND DAYS 3 AND 4 | AT SEA Your Arctic adventure begins in As we sail through the Barents Sea, Arctic Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary your Expedition Team will prepare you GREENLAND Ocean architecture and intriguing mix of for the adventures that await. Learn NorthPole ° eastern and western influences. If you about the intriguing history and politics Greenland Sea arrive early, explore the many museums, of the region, its fascinating wildlife, Severnaya Franz Josef Zemlya galleries and restaurants, relax at a geology, ecology and climate, and the Svalbard Land incredible sights you will soon explore. Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Barents Sea Design District before retiring at your Staff will keep a lookout for seabirds, Kara such as kittiwakes, skuas and fulmars Novaya Sea included hotel. Zemlya soaring above your ship. Whale and seal Murmansk DAY 2 | EMBARKATION IN sightings may also be possible in this Helsinki A MURMANSK, RUSSIA biologically diverse sea. RCTIC CIRCLE RUSSIA After breakfast, we will transfer to the Scheduled route Flight route airport and board our private charter DAYS 5 TO 7 | EXPLORING Areas where ice may be present flight to Murmansk, Russia. Once NOVAYA ZEMLYA aboard, get acquainted with the ship and The largest of the Eurasian Arctic JEWELS OF THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC archipelagoes, the rarely visited Novaya Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya crew and settle in for your voyage north. Zemlya (“New Land”) is the third- Onboard the Ocean Adventurer Flights to/from Helsinki 2 largest wilderness area in Europe. This Encounters with Brünnich’s guillemots DAYS 8 | AT SEA long, narrow island actually consists of (thick-billed murres) are likely, owing Bid farewell to Novaya Zemlya as we two main islands, Severny (northern) to a small colony in the coastal cliffs. cruise farther north to Franz Josef and Yuzhny (southern), separated by Land. There are several activities to the imposing Matochkin Strait. To the northwest side of Severny Island keep you engaged while at sea. Attend are the Oransky Islands. Wildlife presentations by your Expedition Team, As we explore Novaya Zemlya, expect abounds here, with a variety of animal relax in our polar library or simply spend a new adventure every day. Each and plant life to be discovered, walrus some time on deck, admiring the sea. expedition will be unique, depending have been sighted here on previous on the weather and ice, but a few DAY 9 TO 12 | EXPLORING FRANZ expeditions. Coming across a walrus landing sites we strive to visit include JOSEF LAND haul-out is unforgettable. These giant Inostrantseva Bay, the Oransky Islands, This remote group of approximately 200 pinnipeds of the Arctic create a raucous Cape Zhelaniya, Cape Spory Navalok islands, many covered in ice, forms the as each walrus vies for a choice spot and Russkaya Gavan. most northerly archipelago in Eurasia of coastline. Encounters with whales and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Boasting one of the most picturesque and seabirds are possible, as well as A nature reserve, it is part of the Russian glaciers in the entire archipelago, polar bears, a genetically distinct Arctic National Park. Weather and ice Inostrantseva Bay provides subpopulation here. conditions will shape our exploration, breathtaking panoramic views of but we do hope to explore historical pristine Arctic wilderness. If conditions A significant site in polar exploration, sites, remote seabird colonies and walrus allow, we may explore ashore, or Novaya Zemlya also offers a number haul-out at some notable destinations, Zodiac cruise along the face of the of opportunities for you to trace the such as Cape Flora, Cape Norway, Bell glacier, at a safe distance, possibly routes of famous explorers and reflect Island and Tikhaya Bukta. Polar bear witnessing the wonders of calving ice. on the region’s history. encounters are also possible. 3 On Jackson Island, Cape Norway is DAYS 13 & 14 | AT SEA As your Arctic expedition winds down where Norwegian explorers Fridtjof IMPORTANT REMINDER you have a couple of days to sail through Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen wintered Embracing the unexpected is part from 1895 to 1896. The conditions were this wildlife-rich sea, where whales of of the legacy—and excitement—of astonishingly difficult, but they survived various species are often seen. Take in expedition travel. When traveling until the summer and continued their a presentation, reminisce about your in extremely remote regions, your journey south. The remains of their small incredible journey with your shipmates, Expedition Team must consider the relax in the lounge while swapping hut are still here today, along with a sea, ice and weather to guide the route stories and photos or enjoy the solitude and itinerary details. This itinerary is memorial marking the event. of the sea. Expedition staff will be on a tentative outline of what you may Exploring Tikhaya Bukta (Calm Bay), the hand to answer any remaining questions experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be site of an abandoned weather station on and spot wildlife. guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife Hooker Island, will feel like stepping back DAY 15 | DISEMBARKATION encounters as described are expected, in time. There is plenty to discover as you MURMANSK & FLY TO HELSINKI but not guaranteed. Your Expedition wander the ruins, immersed in Russian Returning to Russia’s most northerly Team will use their considerable polar history, and you may even be able to city, you’ll have time to bid farewell to experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence send a postcard from the post office! your Expedition Team and crew before of any particular species of bird or catching our group charter flight back to The Stolichky and Appolonov Islands marine wildlife is not guaranteed. Helsinki, where you will have one more offer plentiful walrus encounters, as the night in this exquisite city. lumbering giants can be found hauled out here. If ice and weather are in our favor, DAY 16 | HELSINKI we’ll explore the area by Zodiac, at a safe After breakfast, spend time exploring distance, to view these pinnipeds of the more of the Finnish capital or catch your Arctic in their natural habitat. homeward-bound flight. 4 Arrival & Departure Details As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested in your arrival and departure details. Since international air transportation is not included in the cost of your expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Looking to extend your adventure beyond your polar expedition? On page 13, learn how to add on a pre- or post-expedition stop—or both!—in Helsinki or a nearby region of your choice. Arrival Day and Embarkation ARRIVING IN HELSINKI You may arrive in Helsinki at any time during Day 1 of the itinerary. Your included accommodation will be at the airport hotel, so arrival transfers are not necessary. On arrival at the hotel, you will receive a welcome letter outlining the departure information for the following day’s flight. An agent representing Quark Expeditions® PLEASE NOTE will be available in the lobby of the hotel that evening to answer any questions about There is a strict luggage limit of 44 lbs the charter flight(s) scheduled for the following morning. (20 kg) checked luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between MURMANSK AND EMBARKATION Helsinki and Murmansk. Should you Your flight to the Arctic is expected to depart from Helsinki to Murmansk on Day 2 have additional luggage, it can be stored of the itinerary. The scheduled flight time will be communicated in your welcome at the hotel in Helsinki. There is NO letter, and you will be transferred from your hotel to check in at the airport. Upon option to pay for additional luggage. arrival in Murmansk, you will be transferred to the port and onto the ship. 5 Final Day and Included Departure Accommodations IMPORTANT REMINDER DISEMBARKATION IN MURMANSK Your included accommodation begins on Your ship is scheduled to arrive back at Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific Russian visas are required for tourists from most countries.