Russian Far East Explorer

Land on the terraced, uplifted coastline of Soldatskaya Bay, and search out endangered seabirds like the long-billed murrelet. At Tymlat village, Koryak reindeer herders and marine mammal hunters provide a warm greeting with an interactive cultural performance. Time permitting, you may get a glimpse of life in one of Kamchatka’s more remote coastal villages.

Land on the terraced, uplifted coastline of Soldatskaya Bay, and search out endangered seabirds like the long-billed murrelet. At Tymlat village, Koryak reindeer herders and marine mammal hunters provide a warm greeting with an interactive cultural performance. Time permitting, you may get a glimpse of life in one of Kamchatka’s more remote coastal villages.

In pictures

A Zodiac cruise along the Govena Peninsula reveals the broad fjord of Lavrova Bay, and the narrower Yuzhnaya Glubokaya where bears often visit the abandoned herring factory. Orcas and Bryde’s whales frequent surrounding waters and an afternoon walk reveals succulent roseroot, magenta-coloured pixie eyes, and cheery purple-blue of Jacob’s ladder and chance sightings of Arctic hare. Continue past waterfalls to a glacial moraine and a spectacular vista of the rugged Pylginsky Range.

Wake to spectacular mountains rising high above Natalia Bay. Zodiac cruise beneath Bogoslov Island’s cliffs, where puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots and cormorants breed and climbing bears raid their nests, while walrus haul out nearby. Hike to hidden alpine lakes and gaze upon the dramatic glacier-carved valleys of Peter and Glybokaya bays. Golden rhododendron and dwarf azaleas carpet the tundra and if you listen carefully, you might hear the song of bluethroat.

Wake to spectacular mountains rising high above Natalia Bay. Zodiac cruise beneath Bogoslov Island’s cliffs, where puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots and cormorants breed and climbing bears raid their nests, while walrus haul out nearby. Hike to hidden alpine lakes and gaze upon the dramatic glacier-carved valleys of Peter and Glybokaya bays. Golden rhododendron and dwarf azaleas carpet the tundra and if you listen carefully, you might hear the song of bluethroat.

In pictures

Encounter a walrus haulout in Anastasia Bay, also a great spot for birdlife, including bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat. Dezhneva Bay offers a coastal lagoon that’s heaven for birders. Keep your binoculars ready to spot white-fronted bean geese and nesting whooper swans. Other wildlife that you may encounter here include grey whales, walrus, reindeer, and brown bears.

Explore Gabriela Bay’s wide river mouth and lagoon, classic stone tundra country dotted with cheery pale-blue blossoms of forget-me-not. You may encounter local Chukchi fisherman still living a traditional lifestyle, and inspect an abandoned polar weather station. Listen for the alarm whistle of ground squirrels, watch for brown bears, and offshore, beluga whales.

Weather permitting, it may be possible to visit Arakamchechen Island, home to guillemots, tufted puffins and crested auklets, where walrus haul out and grey whales stir the waters. Or perhaps land on Yttygran Island, home to the ancient Chukchi whaling camp where the remains of bowhead and grey whales stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre, earning the name Whale Bone Alley.

Weather permitting, it may be possible to visit Arakamchechen Island, home to guillemots, tufted puffins and crested auklets, where walrus haul out and grey whales stir the waters. Or perhaps land on Yttygran Island, home to the ancient Chukchi whaling camp where the remains of bowhead and grey whales stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre, earning the name Whale Bone Alley.

In pictures

Provideniya, ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, is Chukotka’s administrative centre. Here you will visit the excellent museum and enjoy a traditional Yupik dance performance before departing Russia.

Pass through the Bering Strait, which separates Russia and North America by just 100kms. You may be lucky enough to spot beluga and grey whales in this narrow stretch of water. Land at King Island and explore the eerie, ancient village Ukivok, now abandoned after a tragic run of events. Murres and kittiwakes frequent the surrounding sea cliffs. Tonight’s farewell dinner provides a chance to reminisce on all the sights and experiences of the past 2 weeks.

Pass through the Bering Strait, which separates Russia and North America by just 100kms. You may be lucky enough to spot beluga and grey whales in this narrow stretch of water. Land at King Island and explore the eerie, ancient village Ukivok, now abandoned after a tragic run of events. Murres and kittiwakes frequent the surrounding sea cliffs. Tonight’s farewell dinner provides a chance to reminisce on all the sights and experiences of the past 2 weeks.

In pictures

Disembark in Nome and board a charter flight to Alaska’s capital city, Anchorage. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this frontier city, surrounded by mountains and the calm water of Cook Inlet.

Your adventure comes to an end as you check out this morning and begin your journey home from Alaska.