It is
perhaps the most amazing location on our entire planet. There are no
four corners of the World there: the South is all around you and any
wind is southern. Over this “Top of the World” stars never rise or set
together with the Earth’s rotation. The Polar Star, the beacon of all
travelers in the Northern Hemisphere, is invariably in its zenith.
Proposed day by day itinerary
The tourists should keep in
mind that this is a unique expedition to a remote and very little
explored part of the globe. Our sample itineraries should therefore be
read as a guide only, depending heavily on weather and ice conditions,
as well as on other circumstances. Our aspiration is to reach the “Top
of the World”, visiting historic sites and learning wildlife on the way
to the North Pole.
On
the way to the Pole we shall come across walruses’, seals and birds’
rookeries. Polar bears might get curious enough to approach the
icebreaker to examine it from a very close distance. Sometimes they
rise onto their rear paws, coming very close to boards of the ship,
when she is standing… It is Zoo vice versa – when animals are studying
humans…
Remote and difficult to reach, the
North Pole has lured generations of explorers on voyages full of
adventure and discoveries. It is only at the end of the second
millennium that nuclear power has enabled man to reach the top of the
world without the dangers faced by earlier voyagers, yet with all the
spirit of adventure inherent in their quest.
Contact Us
Expedition Leader
Victor Boyarsky, 52 years old, is well-known Russian
Polar adventurer and explorer. From 1973 to 1987 he worked as
polar scientist for Arctic and Antarctic research Institute in
Saint Petersburg. During that time he took part in 5 Antarctic
Expeditions and more then 6 expeditions in the Arctic.
Victor’s Achievements
He is PhD in Physics and Mathematics and author of two books about
Transgreenland and Transantarctica expedition. At the giving
moment he is working on this third book.
1988. He became a member of International Expedition, which
crossed the Greenland from South to North on ski and dog sleds.
In 1989-90 he was a member of International Transantarctica Expedition
- the first in the history crossing the seventh continent by the
longest way. During 7 months lasting journey the expedition went
on ski and dogs more then 6,500 km from east to west coast via
South Pole.
1995. He was co-leader of the International Transarctica
expedition, started from the Siberian coast and finished on Ward
Hunt island in Canadian Arctic.
1997-2002. He led 14 expeditions on ski to the North Pole and has
worked 5 seasons as a guide-lecturer and expedition leader on
board of nuclear icebreakers cruising to the North Pole.
Currently. He is a Director of the Russian State museum of Arctic
and Antarctic in Saint Petersburg, head of the Polar commission
of the Russian Geographical society. Victor Boyarsky is a member
of the National Geographic Society of USA.
Together with his wife and son he is living in Saint Petersburg.
`
Map of trip
( Murmansk – North Pole – Murmansk)
DAY 1
We arrive to the international airport in Moscow.
Comfortable busses take us to 4-5 centrally located hotel of Moscow
City.
DAY 2
After short excursion around the City of Moscow, having departed from
Moscow's airport, our expedition arrives in Murmansk.
From the " Murmashi" airport we take comfortable buses and are
transferred aboard the icebreaker "Yamal." We sail in the evening.
DAY 3
Today we head towards the Franz Josef Land
archipelago.
In the company of the Captain, we will be introduced to the ship and
the sophisticated technical equipment in the engine room, as well as to
the basic principles of ice navigation and the navigator's job. We will
also learn about helicopter operations, and instructed how to use
safety equipment and lifeboats. Lifeboat Drill is to follow.
DAY 4-5
We
cross 80° north latitude and penetrate the remote world of ancient
pack ice, towering volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers.
Discovered only in 1873 by an Austrian expedition aboard the
"Tegetthoff", most of the archipelago remains largely unexplored. Our
onboard helicopters will afford astonishing views of the area's
magnificent landscape.
We plan to call at Calm Bay to view Rubini
Rock and its numerous nesting seabird colonies, closely approaching the
sheer basalt cliff if conditions permit. Close by is a deserted
research station and, offshore, enormous fragments of calving glaciers
are sometimes seen. We also expect to spot polar bears and walruses,
and it is quite surprising that the polar bears often ignore the ship,
and even curiously approach it, thus enabling us to take wonderful
photos. We also plan to visit Cape Norway where Norwegian explorers
Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen wintered in 1896-1897.
DAY 6-7
Heading
due north, the "Yamal" forces its way through thick, multiyear pack,
riding up on top of several meters of ice that breaks under the ship's
tremendous mass.
Our expedition is divided into several groups to board the helicopters
and watch the operation of our vessel from above. Finding a solid piece
of ice, the ship may stop for us to take a walk on the ice. During
these days scientists, travelers, and explorers who have dedicated
their lives to this austere world deliver a series of interesting
lectures.
DAY 8
Today the
expedition expects to reach the geographic North Pole.
This time of year the weather is usually mild, with air temperatures of
0 - 1° C (32 - 34° F). As our vessel steadily approaches
90° N, we meet on the bridge of the "Yamal" to celebrate our
achievement.
Upon reaching our goal, we disembark onto the ice. The
crew of the ship prepares for a celebration, including a picnic on the
ice, and the most daring can take a plunge into the Arctic Ocean.
Special communication facilities permit contact with civilization to
share our achievement with friends. The celebration is in progress...
DAY 9-11
Our icebreaker moves on, smashing through
high ice hummocks and pack ice.
We make ice reconnaissance flights and flightseeing excursions. We may
see solid white Ivory gulls, and realize that soon we may view a dark
strip of land on the horizon ... On our way back, if the weather and
ice conditions permit, we intend to visit some extra places on Franz
Josef Land or Novaya Zemlya.
DAY 12-14
On the way to
Murmansk we recall the exciting experience of our wonderful voyage,
full of discoveries and adventures. We belong to a select group of
people who have conquered this icy realm, the Arctic. The same day we
fly to Moscow and comfortable buses will take us to 4-5* hotel in the
center of the city.
DAY 15
Today after breakfast at our hotel the buses will
take the willing ones for a short shopping at the Arbat Street.
After this we shall go to the Farewell Party to be held at the
restaurant of Metropol or Savoy Hotel. Having enjoyed the party, we
shall take our buses to the international airport for the flight home.
Please note: read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to weather and ice conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Contact Us
On the third expedition (Murmansk -
North Pole - Murmansk) will
take part as a lecturer the famous German writer Christoph Ransmayr
(the author of the book "Die Schrecken des Eises und Finsternis")
Approximate List of Lectures:
Lectures aboard the icebreaker do not take after High School
classes: all the information is given to an audience in informal
and friendly matter. Beyond any doubt, everyone, having cruised
with us, takes home not only good impressions but new attainments
also…
1. History of Geographical Discovery, referring to old maps.
2. Franz Josef Land. History of discovery. Nature and geology of
Franz Josef Land.
3. Novaya Zemlya. Discovery and research history. Radio-active
wastes around Novaya Zemlya.
4. Oceanography in the Arctic. Development researches of the
Arctic Ocean. Warm current inflow. Movement of Sea water in the
Arctic basin.
5. Glaciation and Ice age in European Arctic. Glacier landscapes
illustrating glacier retreat. Retreting history since 15000 years
ago in Barents Sea. How to study temperature conditions in the Ice
age, and temperature variations.
6. Arctic Flora. History of Life on the Earth, in changing
composition of the Atomosphere. Oxygen and Ozone. Various flower
plants on Franz Josef Land.
7. Arctic Fauna. Distribution of birds and mammals. Whaling
history. Human impacts.
8. Arctic ecosystem and Pollutions. Some examples of Human impact on
the Ecosystem of Barents Sea; Sea birds and Capelin, bisexial
polar bear. Radioactive wastes.
9. Geophysics of the Earth. Earth’s magnetic field and Aurora
Borealis vs. Solar activity. Reversal of the Earth’s magnetic
polarity, magnetic zebras and opening of ocean.
10. Geological development of the Arctic. Wandering of North Pole.
Magnetic zebras on the floors of North Atrantic and Arctic Ocean.
Opening of the European half of the Arctic Ocean and Lomonosov Ridge.
Geological history of Barents Sea and its margins.
11. Across the Antarctica by dog team and ski. It was the first time in
the history of crossing the seventh
continent by the longest way.
During 7 months lasting journey the expedition went on ski and dogs
more then 6,500 km from east to west coast via South Pole.
12. International expedition through the North Pole by dog team.
13. Modern ski adventures on the North Pole.
14. Welcome to the State Museum of Arctic and Antarctic (the lecturer
is Victor Boyarsky – Director of this museum).
Each subject will be delivered with more than 15 pictures and
tables.
