This photographic extravaganza visits remote Wrangel Island on the roof of the world, with renowned zoologist and author Mark Carwardine, plus other wildlife experts, to enjoy a multitude of encounters with polar bears and other iconic Arctic birds and wildlife.
The 14-night expedition cruise crosses the Arctic Circle to reach isolated and pristine Wrangel Island and the wild coastline of northeast Siberia. This journey is only made possible by the retreat of the pack ice in summer and the thawing in regional politics in recent years. Sailing through the Bering Strait that separates Russia from the USA, we continue west along the Chukotka coast, to one of the world's last great undiscovered wildernesses.
Zodiac outings and multiple landings provide memorable opportunities to see these magnificent creatures, plus wolverine, Arctic fox, reindeer and musk ox. The birds include snow goose, snowy owl and king eider, plus gulls such as glaucous, ivory, Ross's and Sabine's, while vast seabird colonies on nearby Herald Island and elsewhere hold everything from tufted puffin to black guillemot. The sea boasts the largest population of Pacific walrus, and grey whales migrate from their breeding lagoons off Baja California, on the Mexican coast, to feed here. Killer whales, belugas, humpback, fin and bowhead whales and various beaked whales are all present too.
The soils of the ancient steppe nurture over 400 plant species, many of which are endemic, while the presence of mammoth tusks and skulls, and the sheer variety of terrains and geological formations within such a small area all attest to Wrangel's rich natural history and unique evolutionary status. The island's human history is just as fascinating and its rich past will entertain us as we explore the northern coast of Chukotka, with guided walks, Zodiac trips and lectures to help us understand and appreciate the High Arctic landscape.
Read Director Chris Breen's account of his phenomenal trip to Wrangel Island.
The full itinerary detail is available on our website.
This is a group trip with fixed departure dates. Please refer to our website for further information.
This trip has no fixed departures but restrictions may apply - check operator website
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