• End of an Era - final west to east transit of the NWP by Kapitan Khlebnikov
• Chukotka Peninsula, Russia’s Far East
• Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• Polar bear, walrus, musk oxen
• Aerial sight-seeing

Sail the most legendary route in Arctic lore, the Northwest Passage from Anadyr, Russia to Resolute, Canada. This will be the final west to east transit of the Northwest Passage made by our icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov. The ship retires from service as an expedition vessel in March 2010. The End of an Era has begun.

Ship: Kapitan Khlebnikov
Duration: 17 days
Embarkation: Anadyr, Russia Disembarkation: Resolute, Canada
Staging points: Anchorage, Alaska, USA/Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Please note: Charter flight must be purchased at the same time as the expedition.

More than three centuries before the founding of Anchorage, Martin Frobisher sailed from England on a quest to find the fabled northern route to Asia. Ever since that first expedition, the mystique of the Northwest Passage has drawn adventurers. Our transit begins in Alaska’s largest city at a hotel near the airport.

People boarding our charter flight to Anadyr, Russia, have one thing in common – a compelling desire to become one of an exclusive group that has transited the Northwest Passage. By day’s end you will embark on the dream- fulfilling journey, having lost a day when you crossed the International Date Line.

The transit begins at the eastern edge of the Asian continent. There, you’ll explore remote villages and Ittygran – aka Whalebone Alley. Gigantic bones, weathered by wind and snow, stand erect along the shore, a timeless reminder of 2,000 years of whaling by the indigenous peoples of the region.

As Kapitan Khlebnikov steams eastward across the Beaufort Sea watch for marine mammals in the water and seabirds swirling about the ship. Should the vessel encounter pack ice, the onboard helicopters will take you aloft to watch as the powerful ship crushes through to open water.

At the heart of the Northwest Passage lie the islands of Canada’s Arctic archipelago. Early explorers encountered an uncharted maze of impassable ice-choked straits between the islands. Now, a century after Amundsen’s first successful transit, only a handful of passenger vessels have negotiated the entire route. Our icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov has completed more full transits than any other passenger vessel in this or any other century.

At the eastern end of the gulf is Dolphin and Union Strait, crossed in 1851 by Dr. John Rae, two companions, two sledges and five dogs. At the completion of that expedition, Rae and his companions were only 80 km (50 miles) west of the beset ships of Sir John Franklin. Had Rae known, perhaps Franklin’s expedition would have had an entirely different ending. Our in - depth education program will provide the basis for on - going discussions over dinner or in the bar.

Throughout this fabled transit, you’ll visit many historic sites – often going ashore to explore, either by Zodiac or helicopter. Heading north, along the Boothia Peninsula via Larsen Sound and into Lancaster Sound, we will mount a polar bear watch. Should we sight a polar bear all planned activities will be cancelled. Polar bear sightings take precedence over all.

After two weeks above the Arctic Circle in continual daylight, there is a final night at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa to re -adjust to a world where night and day are distinct.

After breakfast, depart for home.

Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage.

Map of Voyage