Anadyr - Wrangel Island - Anadyr
(With the Company that pioneered pleasure travel to the North Pole)

Duration:	11 days/10 nights
Dates:	August 11 - August 21, 2008
Cost:	Starting at $4,950 (USD).

ITINERARY Day 1 Our independent arrival at Anadyr airport is followed by a short city tour. We then board the “Marina Tsvetaeva” and set sail in the afternoon. Day 2 Depending on weather conditions we plan a landing either in Egvekinot settlement, Zaliv Kresta Bay or Cape Achen. In Egvekinot Bay, Zaliv Kresta we will see our first bird colonies. In the village we will delve deeper into national culture and history at the local museum. 46 km from Egvekinot settlement there is a unique place where the 180th meridian meets the Northern Polar Circle. At Cape Achen dramatic bird cliffs tower over Achen Lake, the unique place for spawning of several valuable fish species. Day 3 We hope to have a clear morning to land on Yttigran Island where the impressive “Whale Bone Alley” is one of the masterpieces of Arctic culture. The bones of Bowhead Whales are laid out along the beach, the huge jawbones and ribs creating fantastic arches. Arakamchechen Island is another possible place for a landing or zodiac trip to enjoy the mountain landscape and wildlife. The island is remarkable for its numerous walrus breeding sites. If the islands are inaccessible today we’ll try our landing in Janrakynnot famous for its thermal springs. Day 4 We are at Cape Dezhnev, once called “The big Chukchi’s Nose”. The Cape is the easternmost point of Eurasia and has several interesting sites, some of which we plan to visit if weather is on our side: • The Weather station; • The Monument to the Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnev, who discovered that Eurais and America were separate continents and was the first man to sail through the Bering Straits; • The Chukotka Ethnographic Complex. If we have enough time and good weather in the afternoon we’ll visit a small Uelen settlement to discover carvings and other traditional crafts in the local museum. Day 5 If the weather doesn’t interfere with our expedition plans today we’ll visit the stunning Kolyuchin Island, the gloomy, abandoned weather station enlivened by the tireless cries of thousands of nesting Puffins, Murres (Guillemots) and Cormorants. If Kolyuchin is inaccessible, we will attempt our landing in Vankarem, remarkable for walrus breeding sites. Days 6-7 We plan to visit Wrangel Island. The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve has a unique and rich biodiversity which is atypical of the Arctic. The island flora and fauna include about 40 endemic species, some of which are relics of the last Ice Age, when the island amazingly escaped glaciation. Many of the endemics are endangered species. Wrangel is the main breeding place for polar bears in the Russian Arctic, though while we visit it is more likely to meet bears on the ice than on the island. The Wrangel’s fauna species include walrus; lemming found only on the island; Russia’s only breeding population of Snow Geese and Musk-oxen which were brought here in 1974. Our plans for Wrangel Island are highly dependent on the weather. Should it be fine we have a number of sites to visit. Near Krasin Bay we may observe musk oxen, reindeer and take a Paleo-Eskimo site. Predatelskaya Lagoon offers opportunities for birdwatchers and historians alike. Draga Bay, Cape Warring is noted for the prevalance of musk oxen and snow geese. Cape Florance, Sovetskaya and Gusinaya Rivers, Gerald Island and Somnitelnaya Spit – all provide excellent oportunities for zodiac operations and explorations. Expect some of the landings to be active as we embark on nature walks insearch of natural and historical treasures. Day 8 At sea. Day 9 Early in the morning we approach Inchoun settlement. Weather permiting, we’ll land on the shore to observe walrus rookeries and visit the village. Lorino, the settlement we hope to visit in the evening is a very traditional Chukchi village. We will be greeted by typical cultural events on the beach - national dances, a sled dog demonstration and possibly umiak racing. Day 10 At sea. Day 11 In the morning we disembark the vessel in Anadyr and start our journey home. Rates Include: • Group transfers between the airport and the ship; • Luggage transfer between the airport and the ship; • Voyage aboard the vessel "Marina Tsvetaeva" as indicated in the itinerary; • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiacs (as included in planned group excursions); • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and the service of an experienced guide; • Three meals per day; • Pre-departure materials and expedition log; • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Rates Do Not Include: • All airfares; • Passport and visa expenses (if required); • Government arrival and departure taxes (if required); • Meals and hotel accommodation ashore; • Luggage, cancellation (strongly recommended) and personal medical insurance, which is compulsory and a copy of which have to be provided to the Poseidon Arctic Voyages prior to departure; • Excess luggage charges; • Telecommunication services; laundry, bar charges aboard the vessel; • Standard tips at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard (at your discretion); • Any optional excursions. * Rates are based on double occupancy. The rate of single occupancy is 1.7 times the shared rate. M/S Marina Tsvetaeva Length: 89.98 m Beam: 17.20 m Draft: 5.25 m Tonnage: 4575 GRT Cruising Speed: 12 knots Flag: Russian Federation Crew: 40 Passengers: 86 (up to 115) Named after the renowned Russian poetess – Marina Tsvetaeva – she was built in the famous Polish ship-yard Gdynia in 1989 as an ice-strengthened passenger vessel. From the very beginning “Marina Tsvetaeva” has undertaken passenger voyages across the Arctic seas during the summer navigation. Completely refurbished in early 2005 and additionally refurbished in 2007, she is now able to comfortably accommodate up to 115 passengers for expedition cruising to remote areas of our planet. A fleet of zodiacs is available for landings in areas to explore and to marvel at local fauna and rare samples of flora. Passenger cabins are spacious and cozy. Public areas (including the bridge, library, lecture room and bar) are roomy and perfectly fit for a pastime. Sauna with pool is an additional point of relaxation on board. Cabin Description Twin non-Private: Two lower berths, desk, chair, wardrobes and washbasin. Showers and toilets are located on the same deck outside the cabin. Triple accommodation is possible on request. 18 cabins on Deck 4: 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 437, 438, 439, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454. Twin Private: Two lower berths, desk, chair, wardrobes and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Triple accommodation is possible on request. 9 cabins on Deck 4: 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436. Mini Suite: Two lower berths (bed and divan-bed), desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, chair, TV monitor, teakettle. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. 9 cabins on Deck 5: 510, 512, 513, 519, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528. Suite: Two rooms, three lower berths (2 beds and 1 divan-bed), desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, 2 arm-chairs, chair, puff, TV monitor, teakettle. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. 3 cabins on Deck 5: 455, 514, 523. Superior: Two rooms, two lower berths (bed and divan-bed), desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, chair, puff, TV monitor, teakettle. Private bathroom with bath, shower, toilet and washbasin. 1 cabin on Deck 5: 509. Corner Suite: Two rooms, three lower berths (2 beds and 1 divan-bed), desk, wardrobes, refrigerator, 2 arm-chairs, chair, puff, TV monitor, teakettle. Two windows in the bedroom face frontward and onboard. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. 2 cabins on Deck 5: 516, 520. Owner’s Suite: Twice the size of any other cabin. Large lounge with desk and settee. A separate bedroom has a double and a single bed. Three windows in lounge and three windows in bedroom. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and wash-basin. Ample storage. TV monitor, video player, teakettle, refrigerator. Bar counter, 2 sofas, 2 armchairs, chair, puff, country-style interior. 1 cabin on Deck 5: 535.