Wrangel Island
Explore Wrangel and Herald Islands, renown as the polar bear maternity ward of the Arctic.
Welcome to the “polar bear maternity ward” of the Arctic. An extraordinary expedition cruise to the polar bear habitat of Wrangel Island and the home of the indigenous Chukchi people.
This is an adventure-filled trip to a little-visited corner of the Russian Arctic world. Focusing on exploring dramatic landscapes and uncovering spectacular wildlife, passengers will have the chance to land on remote islands in the company of expert guides for an intimate insight into the region’s ecology.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Wildlife of the Arctic
Encounter beluga, walrus, reindeer and musk ox during landings and zodiac cruises.
Meet the Chukchi
Surviving in this unforgiving landscape using ancestral methods.
Expedition Ship
Travel aboard a nimble 50 passenger ice-strengthened converted Russian research vessel.
Why Steppes?
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Day 1
Anadyr
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Day 2
Anadyryski Bay
Zodiac cruise some spectacular bird cliffs in Preobrazheniya Bay
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Day 3
Yttygran, Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands
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Day 4
Cape Dezhnev and Uelen Village
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Day 5
Kolyuchin Island
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Days 6-10
Wrangel & Herald Islands
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Day 11
North Siberian Coast
Explore this remote coastline
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Day 12
Kolyuchin Inet
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Day 13
Bering Strait and Chukotka Coast
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Day 14
At Sea
Sailing south keeping an eye out for whales
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Day 15
Anadyr
Disembark in Anadyr
Day 1
Anadyr
Embark in Anadyr, keep an eye out for beluga that are frequently spotted in the bay.
Day 2
Anadyryski Bay
Day 3
Yttygran, Nuneangan and Arakamchechen Islands
Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley.
Day 4
Cape Dezhnev and Uelen Village
Land at Cape Dezhnev, the north-eastern most point of the Eurasian continent. Later visit Uelen Village home to the Chukchi who survive in this unforgiving climate, hunting just as their ancestors did.
Day 5
Kolyuchin Island
Once the home of a Russian Polar Research Station now often frequents by bears along with some of the most spectacular bird cliffs in the Arctic, where puffins, guillemots and gulls can be observed.
Days 6-10
Wrangel & Herald Islands
Wrangel Island is a Russian Federal Nature Reserve of international significance and importance particularly as it is a major Polar Bear denning area. It is also home to reindeer, Musk Ox and thousands of birds migrate here to breed, including Snow Geese, Snowy Owls, skuas, Arctic Terns, Ross’s, Sabine and Ivory Gulls.
Day 11
North Siberian Coast
Day 12
Kolyuchin Inet
Visit the Belaka Spit near the mouth of the inlet, search the dunes and tidal areas for birdlife including emperor geese and spoon-billed sandpipers. Grey whales frequent the area and are sometimes spotted feeding only metres offshore.
Day 13
Bering Strait and Chukotka Coast
Sail by 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.
Day 14
At Sea
Day 15
Anadyr
Polar bear maternity ward
Wrangel Island is renowned for having one of the highest concentrations of polar bear dens in the world, hopefully giving passengers the unique opportunity to observe a high number of mothers and cubs. It is also home to musk ox, reindeer, lemmings, snowy owls and snow geese.
Meet Chukchi Villagers
Visit the village of Uelen, which is renowned for its indigenous artwork and lies a few kilometres to the west of the cape. Meet Chukchi villagers, whose traditional lifestyle remains largely unchanged by the passing centuries, and admire their sculptures, bone-carvings and artwork. Later, head south towards the northern Siberian coast, bounded by narrow sand ridges with numerous lagoons and inlets. Here, search for walruses and stumble across forgotten Chukchi villages, whose residents scratch out a living in an unforgiving climate by hunting seals and whales, just as their ancestors did.
Extraordinary Experiences
The very nature of joining a small expedition cruise means you can access remote corners of the planet – unique destinations that cannot be visited by any other means. Until recent years, the Bering Straits were not even possible to navigate. Since the thawing of relations between the USA and Russia, and the retraction of the summer pack ice of the Chukchi Sea, it is now possible to travel behind the Ice Curtain to one of the last great undiscovered wilderness areas in the world.
Why Cruise?
The cruise operator supports several worldwide conservation programmes by way of funds, advocacy and logistical support. They are advisors to the Russian government to negotiate and develop sustainable and best practice tourism policies and for their nature reserves. They work closely with National Parks and Federal Reserves, including Beringia National Park and the Wrangel Island Reserve to minimise impact whilst ensuring a high-level experience for passengers.
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the ship and the cabin type that your opt for. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Low Season
From £7,995 Per person
High Season
From £24,149 Per person
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
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