Itinerary

 Days 1-2 Travel over 400 years in one day

    Your voyage starts with an overnight stay in the historic city of Helsinki, Finland founded in 1550. We’ve included a charter flight from Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia, where you board the ship on Day 2.
   
Day 3 Magnificent and awe-inspiring. And that’s just the ship.

    Sailing north on board the mighty Yamal, you’ll be able to relax and get to know this legendary icebreaker. It’s as sophisticated as it is powerful – 75,000 horsepower drive the very latest in ice breaking technology, and what a sight it is. As you cross the Barents Sea, you’ll be engaged on board with presentations on everything Arctic, from wildlife to history to geology. And of course, you’ll have many opportunities to view the native seabirds and whales as we head north.
   
Days 4-7 Crossing the Great White Expanse

    Watching Yamal break through the formidable pack ice is a sight you’ll never forget. Crashing through ice meters thick with a force reminiscent of a 9.0 earthquake, Yamal can reach up to 12 knots in conditions that would defeat most other ships. It’s awe-inspiring. As you travel, take one of the included flights on our helicopters for a fascinating aerial view of your progress.
   
Day 8 The North Pole. You have arrived.

    This is it. For the rest of your life, you’ll remember this moment as clearly as you’re standing here today. You’ve joined a rare and select group; those that can truly say they’ve stood at the top of the world. Reflect on the many adventurers that came before you, giving their lives for the moment you are now experiencing. You’ll have time for a hike around the expansive ice; you can literally walk around the world in under a minute.
   
Days 9-10 Now it’s just you and the polar bears

    As Yamal takes us back south, stand on the deck and survey the expanse of brilliant blue and white ice that stretches hundreds of kilometers in all directions. ;Keep an eye out for rare Arctic wildlife, particularly near Franz Josef Land, where polar bear sightings are possible.
   
Days 11-12 A virtually unexplored archipelago

    Franz Josef Land is one of the most recently discovered archipelagos in the world. It was only in the late 1800’s that this remote and stunning world of jagged mountains and massive icebergs was found, and even today it remains mostly unexplored. There are 191 islands here, and they are a naturalist’s paradise. Polar bears, arctic fox, seals and belugas inhabit the region. Walrus and vast colonies of seabirds abound.

    We’ll attempt to explore this fascinating coast in our Zodiacs, and enjoy the spectacular glaciers and volcanic plateaus from our helicopters. But remember, this is a remote region. All landings are subject to the cooperation of government and weather.
   
Days 13-16 The journey ends, but the stories have just begun

    You’ll cross the Barents Sea, to Murmansk, where you’ll board the included charter flight to Helsinki. At last you can cross the North Pole off your “things to do in my lifetime” list. You’ll be glad you did. Your memories will last a lifetime. And your stories will leave your children and grandchildren speechless.

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