Itinerary

Voyage to the End of Earth offers a rare chance to visit Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. Access to these Arctic wonderlands has been restricted for decades, due to their military sensitivity. The highly productive Kara Sea attracts diverse marine life, including walrus, whales and seals. Explorers have been drawn to this area for centuries, searching for both the North Pole and a maritime route to the east. Our own explorations take us to historic huts and abandoned research stations.

Day 1
Gateway to the Russian Arctic and home to the Northern Fleet, Murmansk bustles with the energy of a growing port. We arrive to full swing of the Midnight Sun, in the city famed for hosting allied convoys during World War II. This morning you will be met on arrival at Murmansk airport and taken on a city tour, including a visit to Aloysha, the towering Soviet monument to the Arctic defenders, and the delightful Church-of-the-Saviour-on-Waters, and mid-afternoon you will be transferred to Akademik Shokalskiy. After a warm welcome, we set sail bound for Novaya Zemlya and Franz Joseph Land.

Day 2 -4
Sailing north across the ice-speckled Barents Sea, we have a fantastic opportunity to hear the stories of explorers Barents, Nansen, Sedov and many more. Spend time with our enthusiastic crew and staff, watching for Arctic wildlife and distant pack ice. 

Day 5-6
Mountainous and shrouded in mystery, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago remains one of Russia’s most restricted regions. Most lies within a closely guarded military zone, but we head north, some of the first visitors to Putin’s recently extended Arctic National Park. We Zodiac cruise around island bird rookeries, photographing glaucous gulls, Arctic terns, Snowy owls, geese and eider ducks.

Days 7-11
As we push north to the outer limits of the Barents Sea, an archipelago of 191 ice-covered islands rises from the horizon – Franz Josef Land, the planet’s last major landmass to be discovered! Over the next five days we enter a world of exquisite Arctic beauty that few have seen. Uninhabited, bar a few Russian border guards who maintain a presence here, this is the realm of the polar bear, walrus, seals and elusive beluga whales. Summer visitors include kittiwakes, fulmars and gulls. While the archipelago is 85% glaciated, the mostly ice-free shoreline of each island is unique. We may visit explorers’ huts on Bell and Hall islands; Nordbrook Island’s seabird cliffs; walrus haulouts at Stolichky and Appolonov islands; Hooker Island’s abandoned polar research station with its unpredictable polar bear visitors. Marvel at Champ Island’s unique stone spheres up to 3 m in diameter.

Days 12-13
As we sail southwest across the Barents Sea, we have time for lively discussions about all we’ve seen, to enjoy the beauty of high Arctic light, and top up our tally of whales, seals and seabirds.

Day 14
We enter Kola Bay for an early morning arrival in Murmansk - largest city north of the Arctic Circle. After bidding our crew and staff goodbye, you will be taken to your hotel and on a city tour before being transferred to the airport for your early morning flight.

Activities

How to Prepare

To ensure you have an enjoyable and safe expedition we have developed some import pre-departure information to help you prepare for your voyage. We strongly recommend you download the documents below and read carefully. Our reservation staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Before you depart for your expedition we will send you a detailed pack including your itinerary, travel documents and any other essential information relevant to your voyage.

Is your passport valid? 
Your passport will be required to have validity that will extend to six months after the date of your return.

Visa arrangements? 
Your visa arrangements are your responsibility. Foreigners entering Russian Federation require a valid visa. A tourist visa is issued for a period of 30 days. Please refer to appropriate Consulate in a country of your residence for details. Click here to find your closest Russian Consulate. 

Travel insurance? 
All passengers are required to provide travel insurance details including policy number and emergency contact number to Aurora Expeditions prior to departure. We strongly recommend insurance coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation from the vessel.

Emergency contact details? 
So that you can be contacted in the case of an emergency, remember to provide your family or friends with a copy of your travel documents as well as Aurora Expeditions’ and your Ship’s contact numbers.

Remember to pack any valuables or essential items such as medication in your hand luggage to avoid issues in the case of lost baggage.

Russian Coast Landing & Wildlife Viewing Guidelines

Russian Coast Photography Hints

Russian Coast What To Bring Checklist

How to Book

Contact us

If you are interested in an Aurora Expeditions voyage, please contact our sales team to check availability.
Either email an expert here or call our experienced consultants direct on + 61 2 9252 1033 or 1800 637 688 (Freecall within Australia).

Complete a booking form

Once availability is confirmed, please download, print and complete the booking form. Please return it to us, along with your deposit to secure your berth.  Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions of contract before sending us your signed booking form.

Download the booking form here.

Terms & Conditions

Click here to view the terms and conditions.

Preparation for your voyage

On receipt of the booking form, we will contact you to confirm your booking and our reservations staff will send you a comprehensive pre-departure kit. This kit will contain all necessary pre-departure information including visa information, insurance information, a medical and personal details form, comprehensive gear list and information tailored to your voyage.

Aurora Expeditions - Your Personal Travel Agent

Aurora Expeditions is a licensed travel agent. Our experienced reservations consultants all have specialised expertise on the destinations we travel to. Each voyage has a dedicated travel expert solely working on developing dynamic itineraries for our passengers.  Contact our reservations team and allow us to create a personal itinerary to compliment your voyage, including airfares, accommodation, travel insurance and pre and post voyage travel options.

We look forward to assisting you with your journey of a lifetime.

Extend your Holiday

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