Day 1: Anadyr

Explore Anadyr, the administrative centre of the Chukotka region, before getting to know your fellow voyagers and crew on board the Spirit of Enderby.

Day 2: Anadyrskiy Bay

Weighing anchor early, you are invited to join the expedition staff and crew on the bridge for introductory briefings as we sail towards the Bering Strait, through the Anadyr Estuary famed for its Beluga Whales.

Day 3: Yttygran, Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands

Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley, where we make a landing. Constructed from immense whale jawbones and skulls to form arches, the site is of international archaeological importance. On the lookout for Grey Whales, we also cruise by Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands where seabirds nest and Walrus can be found.

Day 4: Cape Dezhnev / Uelen Village

The north-eastern most point of the Eurasian continent, it is sometimes possible to see the coast of America from this remote and lonely outpost. It’s a steep scramble up the rocky beach to an abandoned Soviet border guard base and a monument to Semyon Dezhnev, the brave 17^th century seafarer who lends the cape his name. We are welcomed by Chukchi villagers whose traditional lifestyle remains  largely unchanged by the passing centuries and are treated to a precious collection of sculptures, bone-carvings and artwork. Field study hut, Wrangel Island Photo credit: Rodney Russ

Day 5: Kolyuchin Island

Inhabited today only by Walrus and seabirds this was once a Polar Bear research station. Near the derelict buildings are some of the most spectacular bird cliffs in the Arctic where puffins, guillemots and gulls can be observed and photographed up close.

Days 6 to 10: Wrangel and Herald Islands

Our itinerary will vary depending on ice and weather conditions but with a multitude of migrating birds to spot and the commanding presence of Polar Bears and their cubs to hold our attention, our days here will be busy. This is the essence of Expedition Cruising and there are many landings we can make to search out wildlife like Snowy Owls and Snow Geese, Ivory Gulls, the powerful Musk Ox and herds of Reindeer. Diverse Arctic landscapes from sweeping tundra of wildflowers in summer riot to sea cliffs housing rookeries of noisy seabirds underline this area as a Nature Reserve of international significance. We also have a chance to visit Dragi Harbour where the survives of the Karluk which was crushed by ice in 1914 scrambled ashore and lived until they were rescued.

Day 11: North Siberian Coast

Bounded by narrow sand ridges with numerous lagoons and inlets, this area offers plenty of places to land and explore a coastline that very few humans have seen and survived to tell the tale. Looking for Walrus we will come across Chukchi villages whose residents scratch out a living in an unforgiving climate, hunting seals and whales just as their ancestors did.

Day 12: Kolyuchin Inlet

So huge that it is visible from satellite photos, this inlet contains vast numbers of waterfowl and migratory waders. We visit the spit of land near the inlet’s mouth and find a wild, desolate landscape that is strangely beautiful; its dunes and tidal areas are home to the mighty Emperor Goose and extremely rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Grey Whales frequent the area and we may be fortunate to spot them feeding only a stone’s throw from shore.

Day 13: Bering Strait and Chukotka Coast

Early morning we will pass the Diomede Islands, sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Isle because they straddle the International Date  Line. Here Russia and America are separated by only 2.3 nautical miles of ocean. We will remain in Russian territory as we cruise south past the islands. Later this afternoon we make an expedition landing on the Chukotka coast our last chance to enjoy the wildlife and tundra landscape.

Day 14: At Sea

We sail across Anadyrskiy Bay, before reminiscing with your fellow voyagers and staff over a dinner and expedition recap.

Day 15: Anadyr

Our adventure ends after breakfast with disembarkation back at the port where you will enjoy a complimentary transfer to the airport or to town centre.