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Top of the World – North Pole Cruise

A travel experience with endless bragging rights.
The North Pole is the world’s northernmost point and a prize still zealously pursued by adventurers and explorers today.
Get on board for the ultimate North Pole adventure. Nothing compares to experiencing the untamed grandeur of the Arctic quite like seeing its majestic landscapes unfold from the deck of a state-of-the-art nuclear icebreaker. Imagine endless expanses of ice under the polar midnight sun. Pristine waters teeming with marine life. Prowling polar bears in the tundra. This is Mother Nature at her breathtaking best. From Murmansk, Russia, you’ll embark the icebreaker 50 Years of Victory for a roundtrip voyage to the earth’s geographic North Pole. Our mighty vessel will plough its way through the frozen Arctic Ocean on a cruise that literally circumnavigates the globe in a matter of days. In addition to the exhilaration of cruising to the very apex of the earth, passengers will have the extraordinary privilege to land, via helicopter, on the scarcely visited Russian Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land, a remote wilderness home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.

NORTH POLE CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • After 7 days of cruising from Murmansk, we’ll arrive at the geographic North Pole, the place where all meridians meet and the only direction is south. To celebrate our successful mission to the top of the world, we’ll ceremoniously drop anchor and disembark on a sturdy stretch of ice for the ‘International Round Dance’ – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to literally walk around the world!
  • Franz Josef Land: Weather permitting, we’ll spend two days exploring this uninhabited archipelago, one most pristine Arctic habitats on earth. Made up  of192 islands, glaciers cover 85% of the land, carving out a spectacular terrain of steep valleys, caves and pinnacles
  • Helicopter flights: As part of this very special expedition, all guests will have the opportunity to take scenic helicopter rides for an incredible bird’s eye view of the icescape and amazing photo opportunities capturing the ship smashing its way through the ice pack
  • Arctic wildlife: Animal life thrives in the pristine environs of the North Pole. Expect sightings of polar bears and walruses, thronging colonies of seabirds and harp and bearded seals resting atop icebergs. Throughout our cruise, we’ll be looking out for humpback, minke and beluga whales, and with luck, orcas, narwhales and bowhead whales.

This two-week expedition departs from the port of Murmansk, the largest city above the Arctic Circle. We’ll forge our way north through the Barents Sea, and as we make our way across the ice cap, you’ll witness firsthand the ship’s awesome power as massive ice blocks give way under the enormous bulk of the spoon-shaped bow. The sensation of being on deck at this time is surreal and unforgettable.

The anticipation heightens as the mighty ship takes us smashing through the frozen Arctic Ocean towards our goal – the most northerly point on the planet. The literal Top of the World. Travelling aboard with us will be the ship’s helicopter, ready to take passengers for awe-inspiring joy flights, aerial photo shoots and shore excursions to the otherworldly islands of Franz Josef Land.

Despite their desolate appearance, the heavily glaciated islands of Franz Josef Land provide sanctuary for an amazing abundance of wildlife. Iconic High Arctic species like the polar bear and walrus thrive here, and the cliffsides and screen provide a nesting habitat for countless seabirds including the rare ivory gull.

This fantastic voyage is made possible by the 50 Years of Victory, one of the largest, most sophisticated and most powerful nuclear icebreakers in the world. Twenty years in the making, the Victory is a vessel unlike any other, with the ability to forge a passage into places no other ship can.

13 days
from
$
29,995
USD
Make an enquiry Detailed Itinerary

Arrival

Departure

Accomodation

Trip style

Murmansk, Russia

Murmansk, Russia

i/b "50 Years of Victory"

Expedition Cruise

Duration

Action rating

Group size

Type of tour

13 days / 12 nights

     

N/A

Guaranteed Departures

Itinerary View map

Day 1:Murmansk, Russia

Welcome to the city of Murmansk on Russia’s Kola Peninsula, the starting point of our adventure.

Day 2:Embarkation in Murmansk

Today we provide a group transfer to the port where we welcome you aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy. Explore the ship and get orientated as we slip our moorings and sail north out of Kola Bay.

Day 3-6:The voyage north

We cruise northward through the Barents Sea there is always the possibility of seeing whales. As we make our way across the ice cap, you witness firsthand the ship’s awesome power as massive ice blocks give way under the enormous bulk of the spoon-shaped bow. The sensation of being on deck at this time is surreal and unforgettable.

Day 7:North Pole

Welcome to the geographic North Pole! After carefully navigating to 90 degrees North, we ceremoniously drop the anchor on a sturdy stretch of ice and disembark onto the frozen sea.

Now is the time to experiencing the long-anticipated thrill of standing at the top of the world. Join hands with your fellow passengers and literally walk around the world during our special International Round Dance.

Day 8-10:Franz Joseph Land

Explore the part of the Russian Arctic National Park. Polar bears and other quintessential High Arctic wildlife—such as walruses and some rare whale species - can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of migratory seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies, and ivory gulls.

Day 11-12:The voyage south

After our amazing time in Franz Josef Land we cross back south through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows.

Day 13:Murmansk

Our once-in-a-lifetime journey comes to an end. After breakfast we say farewell in Murmansk. We provide you with a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Inclusions

Accommodation

1 night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Murmansk

Ice Breaker "50 Years of Victory" accommodation

Meals

Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners

Transportation

Group airport transfers

Guides

Program of lectures and informal discussions by experienced Expedition Team and guest lecturers

Professional Expedition Leadership

Activities and sights

All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by helicopter and zodiacs

Shore landings included in daily program

Other

Branded parka and rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

Personalized medical insurance covering the risks of evacuation and repatriation. See more in the detailed itinerary

Russian visa support document
*Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for comprehensive visa service here.

Not included

Flights, visa and visa fees, travel insurance, tips

Dates & Prices

DatesAvailabilityPriceSingle sup. 
7 Jul - 19 Jul 2019
Guaranteed Departures		 Available US $29,995 contact us Reserve
18 Jul - 30 Jul 2019
Guaranteed Departures		 Available US $29,995 contact us Reserve
29 Jul - 10 Aug 2019
Guaranteed Departures		 Limited spaces US $29,995 contact us Reserve
13 days
Murmansk, Russia
from
$
29,995
USD
Make an enquiry Detailed Itinerary
13 days
from
$
29,995
USD
Make an enquiry Detailed Itinerary

If you have any urgent questions or enquiries, please give us a call +61 2 9388 9816