The remote reaches of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula have fired the imagination of explorers for centuries. Join us on this remarkable expedition along Kamchatka’s volcanic coast to the walrus haul-outs of Chukotka. The wildlife is some of the richest in the world and the scenery of snow-capped volcanoes, dense forest and tundra is spectacular.
After the success in June 2007 PolarQuest proudly present yet another unique expedition to Kamchatka and Chukotka, a journey through a land that until now has been virtually inaccessible to visitors. We cruise on board the Clipper Adventurer along the Kamchatka Peninsula toward Chukotka, the north-eastern outpost of Siberia and one of the world’s last untamed wildernesses. This is a land of extremes with snow-capped volcanoes, geothermal regions, vast forests, tundra, taiga, uninhabited islands and open seas.
The areas we visit are some of the least populated regions of the world. There are few roads, very little development and only the occasional settlement. The area is home to an incredible range of wildlife. Some 15 000 brown bears roam the area. Here you also find reindeer, polar foxes and more than 200 species of birds, among them the world’s largest sea eagle, the Stellar’s sea eagle and the colourful tufted puffin. Marine mammals include walruses and the rare northern fur seal. The waters off Kamchatka are teeming with life and on our latest expedition we saw no less than seven species of whales including blue whale, sperm whale and large pods of grey whales and Orcas.
Archaeological evidence shows the settlement of the region began as early as 15,000 years ago. One of the highlights is encountering the region’s ancient cultures and fascinating people, such as the Koryak and Chukchi, whose lives are rarely touched by outsiders.
Day 1: Anchorage, Alaska
Independent arrival in Achorage, Alaska and enjoy a day at leisure. Meet for a briefing before dinner. Overnight at a centrally located 4-star hotel.
Day 2-3: Anchorage - Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka
During the flight to Petropavlovsk we may have spectacular views of Kamchatka’s active volcanoes. On our way to Russia we cross the International Date Line, losing a day. After exploring Petropavlovsk we board our expedition ship Clipper Adventurer and set sail northward along the magnificent Kamchatka Peninsula.
Day 4: Zhupanova River or Valley of Geysers
We will spend the morning in the Zhupanova River region. Our inflatable boats negotiate the meandering river where there are superb opportunities for birding and nature walks. We may see up to 40 species of birds, including such special Siberian species as the yellow billed loon, greenshank and the impressive Stellar’s sea eagle. Alternatively, take the optional helicopter excursion (weather permitting and to additional cost) to the amazing geothermal area Valley of Geysers. We fly over a dramatic, volcanic landscape and land amid some 20 geysers, irregularly exploding, throwing large masses of steaming water into the air.
Day 5 - 6: The Commander & Ariy Kamen Islands
The Commander Islands are named after explorer Commander Vitus Bering, commissioned by Peter the Great to explore this remote area in the 1700’s. A simple tombstone marks his grave. At the museum in the village of Nikolskoye we get an introduction to the culture of the local people. On nearby Ariy Kamen islands, the mossy-green landscape provides habitat for a vast number of birds, including horned and tufted puffins, crested and parakeet auklets, red-legged kittiwakes and red-faced cormorants. We may also spot harbour seals, Stellar’s sea lions and northern fur seals. In the waters off the islands you often see humpback and bowhead whales.
Day 7: Karaginsky Island
We anchor off Karaginsky Island and visit a small native village nestled at the foot of snow covered mountains. The native population here is Koryak and we learn more about everyday life in this isolated outpost. The birdlife here is prolific and we may see Asian specialties as oriental cuckoos, yellow-breasted and Siberian rubythroats. During a hike across the flowering tundra we hope to meet migrant reindeer herders.
Day 8: Yuzhnaya Glybokaya Bay and Lavrova Bay
Not many expedition ships sail these waters and we explore areas where few people have set foot. With our Zodiacs we nudge our way into Yuzhnaya Glybokaya Bay and Lavrova Bay. The landscape here is dominated by cone-shaped volcanoes, rugged mountains, meltwater rivers and waterfalls. On the tundra we discover new Arctic plants and soaring over the mountains we see the Stellar’s Sea Eagle. During past expeditions we have seen polar foxes and brown bears here.
Day 9-10: Northern Kamchatka and Koryakia
Following in the wake of Bering we sail along Kamchatkas northern coast to Koryakia. We call in the small coves of St. Peter and St. Paul, named after the explorer’s two ships. In the summer months Koryak reindeer herders often come down to the coast offering us a rare opportunity to see this indigenous lifestyle. During tundra walks we watch for foxes and bears. Walrus are often seen along the coastline here.
Day 11-12: Anadyr, Chukotka
During two days we explore Anadyr Bay, where the mighty Anadyr River flows into the Bering Sea. The natives of Chukotka are Chukchi, which in the native tounge means "reindeer people". We make landfalls by meadows carpeted by Siberian poppies and birders embark on a hopeful search for the rare spoon-billed sandpiper. During a visit to the small and friendly city of Anadyr, we look at whale bone carvings and traditional walrus-skin boats.
Day 13: Itygran & Arakamchechen Archipelago, Chukotka
Whale Bone Alley on Ittygran Island is an astonishing ancient memorial site discovered by scientists as late as 1976. Here, immense jawbones and ribs of bowhead whales have been raised by unknown hands and displayed in stunning arch formations. Walruses frequent the area and we may visit a large haul-out area on neighbouring Arakamchechen Island.
Day 14: The Arctic Circle, Cape Dezhnev and Lorino
Today we experience something unique. In the Bering Strait we cross the Arctic Circle at 66° 33’N, right on the International Date Line (pending ice conditions). Here, we straddle two time zones, two continents and two major oceans. Our ship navigates among ice floes as we watch for walrus and the elusive polar bear. We return south keeping an eye out for gray and humpback whales, often spotted here. We sail past Cape Dezhnev, the easternmost point of the Asian continent. In the village of Lorino we are warmly greeted by the Chukchi inhabitants. We learn about their marine subsistence, hunting and reindeer herding which provides a livelihood.
Day 15: Providenya – At Sea
This morning we stop in Provideniya to complete formalities for clearing out of Russia. We have a brief tour of the city before setting sail toward Alaska.
Day 15: Nome – Anchorage, Alaska
We cross the International Date Line during the night and arrive in Nome the same day we left Russia. Disembark after breakfast for a brief tour of Nome with its rough-and-rowdy history of the exciting Gold Rush years of 1899 –1900. We fly back to Anchorage and connect with independent homeward flights.
Please note! The itinerary is only an outline of what we hope to achieve. The exact route depends on weather, wind and permissions from local authorities.
Photo: Michio Hoshino/ Minden Pictures, Klus Nigge/Getty Images, Tom Vezo/Picture Pl, Bryan & Cherry Alexander, Louise Crossley, Peter Oxford/Nature Pl & Staffan Widstrand
