|
| |
|
YAMAL
The Russian
Icebreaker for 2008
Please contact us for arrangements. |
|
Dates for 2008 |
|
 |
|
|
|
July
22–August 05, 2008. |
Fully Booked |
|
|
| August 03-August 17 |
Couple
spaces left |
|
Yamal
breaking ice
Yamal
*Posted July 09, 2008 |
Description:
The North Pole is the point from which
all the meridians begin. All directions
here are southward, and only one coordinate makes sense:
latitude 90N,
with no (or any!) longitude. The days and nights change each
other just
twice a year and are 6 month long …
The North Pole has been conquered, but it is still by no means
an easy place
to get to. The Arctic ice is a challenge even for the most
powerful nuclear ships.
A North Pole Voyage aboard the nuclear powered icebreaker takes
place in the
region with one of the most severe and unfriendly climates on
Earth. This voyage
is a real expedition - although without all hardships and
severities of the first
exploration expeditions to this part of the world. The
icebreaker "Yamal", being
your comfortable hotel at the same time, sometimes must use
nearly all her
enormous power onto fields of hard pack ice to cut her way
through. During
favorable Arctic weather we land onto the islands of the Franz
Josef Land
archipelago (discovered in 1873, but still little explored).
These landings give
a clear idea how different the images of the Arctic deserts may
turn out to be…
Even now every Icebreaker Expedition to the North Pole is a
historical event.
Ever since the North Pole has been conquered, only a very
limited number of
people have had a chance to step onto the Top of the World…
|
|
Keep in touch. Join
our Newsgroup
Prices for
2008:
| Standard
Cabin |
$21,900 |
| Mini-Suite |
$24,900 |
| Suite |
$28,900 |
Rates per person in
US Dollars, based on double occupancy.
The
rate of single occupancy is 1.7 times the
shared rate.
|
The
North Pole is the point from which all the
meridians begin. All directions here are
southward, and only one coordinate makes
sense: latitude 90N, with no (or any!)
longitude. The days and nights change each
other just twice a year and are 6 month
long.
The North Pole has been
conquered, but it is still by no means an easy
place to get to. The Arctic ice is a challenge
even for the most tremendous power, which was
curbed in XX century - the nuclear power. A
North Pole Voyage
aboard the nuclear powered
icebreaker takes place in the region with one
of the most severe and unfriendly climates
on
Earth. This voyage is a real expedition -
although without all hardships and severities
of the first exploration
expeditions to this
part of the world. The icebreaker "Yamal",
being your comfortable hotel at the same time,
has
sometimes to impose nearly all her
enormous power onto fields of hard pack ice to
cut her way through. During
favorable Arctic
weather we land onto the islands of the Franz
Josef Land archipelago (discovered in 1873,
but
still little
explored). These landings
give a clear idea how different the images of
the Arctic deserts may turn out
to be…
Even
now every Icebreaker Expedition to the North
Pole is a historical event. Ever since the
North Pole has been
conquered, only a very
limited number of people has got a chance to
step onto the Top of the World…
Day-By-Day Itinerary.
The passengers 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.
|
Day 1 |
We arrive at the international airport
in Moscow. Comfortable buses take us
to 5 star hotel, centrally located in
the Moscow City. |
|
 |
|
Day 2 |
Moscow-Murmansk. After a short Moscow
city tour, the buses take us to the
airport for our 2-hour flight to
Murmansk. Upon arrival we are
transferred to the icebreaker "Yamal".
We sail late in the evening. |
|
|
|
|
Day 3 |
Today we are headed towards the Franz
Josef Land archipelago. We are
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 also learn
about helicopter operations, and we
are instructed how to use safety
equipment and lifeboats. Lifeboat
Drill is to follow. |
|
|
|
|
Day 4-5 |
We cross 80° North latitude and
penetrate the frozen world of the
age-long pack ice, towering volcanic
mountains, icebergs and glaciers.
Discovered only in 1873 by Austrian
expedition aboard the "Tegetthoff",
most of the archipelago remains
largely unexplored. Our onboard
helicopters 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. There is a deserted research
station close by, while enormous
fragments of calving glaciers are
sometimes seen offshore. We also
expect to spot polar bears and
walruses. Surprisingly, the polar
bears often ignore the ship, and even
curiously approach it, thus enabling
us to take wonderful photos. We might
visit Cape Norway where Norwegian
explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar
Johansen wintered in 1896-1897.
|
|
|
|
|
Day 6-7 |
Towards the Pole. Heading 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. Once a solid piece of ice is
found, the ship stops and we take a
walk on the ice. During these days
scientists, travelers, and explorers
who have dedicated their lives to this
austere world deliver series of
interesting lectures. |
|
|
|
|
Day 8 |
North Pole. Today in the evening 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 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 |
Course due South. Our icebreaker moves
on, smashing through high ice hummocks
and pack ice. We make ice
reconnaissance flights and flight
seeing excursions. 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 |
Barents Sea. On the way to Murmansk we
recall the exciting experience of our
wonderful voyage, full of discoveries
and adventures. We belong to a
selected group of people who have
conquered the North Pole. The same day
we fly to Moscow and comfortable buses
take us to 5 star hotel in the center
of the city. |
|
|
|
|
Day 15 |
Moscow. Today after breakfast at our
hotel the buses take us to the
international airport for the flight
home. |
|
| |
Please
note: read this itinerary as a guide only; our
exact route and program vary
according to
weather and ice conditions and the wildlife we
encounter. |
Expedition rates include:
 |
* Two nights at the 5* hotel in Moscow
* Airfares Moscow-Murmansk-Moscow
* Transfers between the airport, ship and airport
* Baggage transfer between the airport and the ship;
* Voyage aboard the vessel "Yamal" as indicated in the itinerary
* All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by
"Zodiacs" and
helicopters (as included in planned group excursions)
* Program of lectures by noted naturalists and the service of an
experienced
guide
* Four meals a day
* Pre-departure materials
* All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the
program
* Special expedition parka. |
Not included:
|
* Passport and visa expenses (if required)
* Government arrival and departure taxes (if required)
* Meals ashore and supplement for single hotel accommodation (if
required)
* Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly
recommended)
* Excess baggage charges; telecommunication services; laundry, bar
and beverage charges
* Standard tips at the end of the voyage for stewards and other
service
personal aboard (at your discretion).
|
|
|
