- 50 Years of Victory
- Icebreaker
- 128 Capacity
- 14 Days
- 2013
View Departure>
- 2013
- Jun 19 Wed
- Jun 30 Sun
- Price from
- $23,995
Summary : For centuries, explorers set out for the North Pole by sled, ship, aircraft and even balloon, but it wasn’t until 1948 that a human reached 90º north. Now you can voyage there yourself on aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, powerful enough to push through the formidable Arctic ice pack. Shore landings are planned in Franz Josef Land and at 90N, the top of the world, and sightseeing by helicopter provides an aerial view of the icebreaker crushing through the Arctic Ocean pack ice. Join this once-in-a-lifetime journey and add your name to the handful of adventurers who’ve stood at the top of the world!
Activities : Birding, Culture, Hiking
PRICING
Prices from
$23,995 to $34,995
Itinerary
Day 1
Helsinki, Finland
Just six degrees south of the Arctic Circle is a sophisticated city with nightlife, green spaces and a breathtaking harbor--Helsinki, Finland. You're encouraged to arrive early to explore the city, before you settle down for the night in the centrally-located hotel, which is included in the price of your expedition.
Day 2
Embarkation
As the sailing of the world’s largest nuclear-powered icebreaker depends on the tide, the departure time of the charter flight will be determined by the tide table. This is one of the elements that make every North Pole expedition unique.
A coach transfers travelers from the Murmansk Airport to the high-security quay. You may be asked to present identification before the coach can pass through the security gate. Then to the sound of martial music and with the help of tugboats, Victory will set sail on the high tide for her journey to the North Pole.
Day 3 – 7
The Arctic Ocean
Watching the Victory crush through the Arctic ice pack is a sight you'll never forget, made even more memorable by taking a helicopter flight for a thrilling aerial view of the Victory and expansive Arctic Ocean.
You can expect the days, and hours, to present variable sailing conditions this far north. The crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take anywhere from 5 to 8 days. This means you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your shipmates, stare out at the horizon, enjoy some drinks at the bar or go for a swim in the ship’s lap pool.
Day 8
90° North
Although the moment that you reach the top of the world is shared with others, the experience is as individual as you are. Some travelers mark the occasion holding a special memento carried thousands of miles for that one brief event. Others hold signs created on the spot. Others wave their national flags. How will you celebrate?
Day 9
Southbound
Head southbound toward Franz Josef Land after appropriate celebrations at the North Pole. Watching for polar bear tracks on the ice will become an obsession. And if a bear wanders close to the ship, no matter what time of day or night, an announcement is made so travelers can gather on deck to take once-in-a-lifetime photographs. Ivory Gulls, the rarest of Arctic birds, fearlessly dance on the ice within the bear’s reach, eager to dine on the scraps.
Day 10 – 11
Franz Josef Land and the Arctic Ocean
This group of 191 islands forms the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia, and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here you'll explore Cape Flora, and discover historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. When conditions permit, Zodiac trips beneath towering cliffs will explore remote seabird rookeries. Onboard helicopters again provide aerial sightseeing, and transfer you to otherwise inaccessible landing sites.
This part of the Arctic Ocean is so remote that Franz Josef Land was discovered after Antarctica. It is the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here you'll visit historic places like Cape Flora on Northbrook Island, home to buildings and ruins from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. Walrus and Polar Bear are numerous on these islands, which you’ll explore on Zodiac excursions and helicopter sightseeing rides.
Day 13
Murmansk
Returning to Russia's most northerly city, it will be time to bid farewell to your ship, 50 years of Victory. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Helsinki, Finland to enjoy one final night with your newfound friends.
Day 14
Helsinki, Finland
After breakfast at your centrally-located hotel, you are free to leave for home or extend your stay.
Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.
Hot Air Ballooning Option: $295 per person (6/19/2013, 6/30/2013)
Pre-booked option for up to 50 guests. Hot air ballooning must be booked at time of reservation. Each tethered hot balloon flight will be about 15 minutes in duration. A certificate will be provided as a memento.
Included:
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage (Please inform ExpeditionTrips of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; photographic album on DVD, documenting the voyage; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an expedition parka – yours to keep; coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock; complimentary selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin; comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; all helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program; one night pre- and one night post-expedition hotel accommodation, including breakfast; on embarkation day, group transfer from the host hotel to the airport and from the airport to the ship; on disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport and from the airport to the hotel; emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person*.
Not Included:
Any airfare (economy seats on the charter flights must be purchased in conjunction with the expedition: $1,690 per person); passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; the voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for ship’s crew and Expedition Team members; hot air balloon option (2013: $295 per person); on icebreakers, based on weather and other operational considerations, helicopters may be available for private charter flights. When available, the cost of private charter flights will be at the hourly rate to be announced on board; fuel surcharge may apply.
*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.
