Two new trips to the Russian Arctic from specialist cruise operator, Swoop-Arctic, are helping to open up this rugged, isolated region to travellers wishing to experience its pristine landscapes and teeming wildlife in comfort.
Both the 22-day Russian High Arctic Island Explorer and the 26-day Russia’s Northern Shores expedition feature Novaya Zemlya, the rarely-visited and largest Eurasian Arctic archipelago, with its massive extinct volcanoes, jagged ice cliffs and imposing glaciers.
Due to extreme weather conditions, the window for travel is restricted to July, August and September, so very few people get the chance to experience the rocky coastlines, epic bird cliffs, remote islands and flourishing wildlife in the region, and booking in advance is essential.
Ships travelling to the Russian Arctic and Russian Far East are built to withstand the thick ice floes they will encounter. While previously this has been at the expense of comfort on board, now a new breed of vessel combining strength with luxury is helping to expand the cruise options available and opening up the area to a different sector of the travel market.
Alex Mudd, Commercial Director at Swoop-Arctic, comments: “Previously, the Russian Arctic as a destination has been overshadowed by Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic. However, the current growth in expedition options, with new ships combining comfort and small numbers, is resulting in it becoming more accessible. We anticipate that these astounding expeditions will be of particular interest to pioneering travellers looking for something new and unique to explore.”
Russia’s Northern Shores (Nome to Tromso) – On board the all-suite Silver Explorer, passengers travel in the footsteps of historic explorers, Nansen and Amundsen, on board the most luxurious vessel to navigate Russian Arctic waters, complete with butler service, free-flowing champagne and outstanding cuisine, courtesy of Relais & Chateaux.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound during this expedition, with the chance to see a plethora of birdlife on Kolyuchin Island – pelagic cormorants, thick-billed murres, kittiwakes, horned and tufted puffins to name a few; walrus, musk ox and polar bears may be sighted on Wrangel Island, while grey, bowhead and beluga whales swim in the surrounding waters.
With 25 planned landings – weather and conditions permitting – passengers can expect to visit former Soviet military ports, meteorological stations, welcoming indigenous Chukchi and Inuit communities, pristine tundra landscapes, stunning fjords and glacial archipelagos, conservation areas and wildlife hotspots.
swoop-arctic.com/cruises/russia/northern-shores.
Russian High Arctic Island Explorer (Helsinki to Helsinki) – The four-star Sea Adventurer is a spacious high ice class (1A) ship offering comfortable accommodation for up to 134 passengers. Its superior stability and vast outside decks for wildlife viewing make it ideal for travel in to the Russian High Arctic.
A highlight of this expedition cruise, which begins and ends in Helsinki and includes return private charter flights to Murmansk, is Novaya Zemlya or New Land, the third largest wilderness area in Europe.
Comprising two main islands separated by the Matochkin Strait, it offers pure, Arctic beauty at its very best. The archipelago is set between the Kara Sea and the Barents Sea and was once an important military site during the Cold War years, as well as a historic hunting ground, dating back to the 11th century.
Today, fascinating flora and fauna, including rich bird life, lemmings, ptarmigan, Arctic foxes, seals, walrus, and polar bears may all be spotted here.
swoop-arctic.com/cruises/russia/high-arctic-explorer
Swoop Arctic’s cruises include full-board accommodation during the voyage, all on shore and zodiac excursions, educational lectures by expert polar guides and a complimentary parka.
For further information on expedition cruising in the Russian Arctic visit: swoop-arctic.com/cruises/russia
