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Across the Top of the World (AW14)
15 days 14 nights
To Wrangel and Herald Islands
FULL BOARD CRUISE ADVENTURE TOUR
Cruise Adventure Tour departs on 25 July and 08 August 2012
from £6,600
Across the Top of the World Cruise Adventure Tour
"Near the top of the world in one of the most remote and inhospitable parts of the planet, lie two wild and undeveloped islands of great significance to the conservation of life on earth." Dave Cline in Wrangel Island, a publication of the Beringia Conservation Project. Anchorage, Alaska 2001.
Travel through the remote Wrangel and Herald Islands as well as a considerable part of the untamed North Eastern Siberian coastline. It is an expedition made achievable only in recent times by the thawing in the politics of the area 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 once known as the Ice Curtain and today remains one of the last untouched and wild wonders of the world.
Sail through the Bering Strait west along the north Siberian coast before crossing the Longa Strait to Wrangel Island and spending four to five days under the leadership of local Rangers on the Nature Reserve. Remaining unscathed by glaciers during the last ice age, this is a true gem of arctic biodiversity and is perhaps best known for the multitude of Polar Bears that breed there.
If you are lucky enough you may catch many glimpses of this handsome animal as well as walrus, reindeer, Snow geese and other migratory species that nest here every year. Of equal significance is the ‘mammoth steppe’ vegetation complex, a rich and diverse remnant from the Pleistocene epoch, nurturing over 400 plant species.
Changing hands from Britain, America, Canada and Russia the islands’ human histories are not without interest either and the expert expedition team will take time to give lectures and background to the landscape we move through and the encounters you are sure to enjoy on this expedition. Take on many landings during your journey, look for whales, visit huge bird colonies, walrus haul-outs and native villages and take every opportunity to discover the region’s rich biodiversity.
NOTE: You can join this expedition either in Anadyr (see ‘Getting to and from the Russian Far East’) or you can join in Nome, Alaska. Those starting in Nome will fly by a Heritage Expeditions charter flight to Anadyr where you will join the ship and the expedition members who have travelled direct to Anadyr.
CRUISE ADVENTURE TOUR INCLUDES:
- All shore excursions as outlined in itinerary
- All accommodation and meals onboard the vessel
- Services of Heritage Expeditions leaders
- Post-expedition Trip Log
- Group charter flight
CRUISE ADVENTURE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Russian Visa
- Local payment ($500)
- Regional flight connections
Contact us for excellent rates and service on the above additions to your cruise adventure tour to Russian Far East!
Images courtesy of Heritage Expeditions