Since the 16th century, explorers have attampted to transit the Northeast Passage. This fabled trading route, which follows the Arctic coast of Russia from the Barents Sea to the Bering Strait, shortens the sea voyage from Europe to Asia by almost 7,400 km (4,200 miles). The first successful transit came almost 500 years later.

The 26-day Northeast Passage journey on an icebreaker cruise ship sails from Russia's Asian shore Anadyr to near Finnish border Murmansk. This journey is designed to explore the Chukotka Peninsula, Wrangel Island, the New Siberian Islands, Severnaya Zemlya and Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land.

We will make our way through the pack ice of the East Siberia Sea to the New Siberian Islands, where, if conditions permit, we'll hike the tundra, explore the old hunting camps and see the northernmost point of the European continent. A wildlife watch will be mounted, as this is the habitat of the rarely seen Leptev walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).

Landings on the least accessible group of islands in the Arctic, Severnaya Zemlya, are intended. Our wildlife watch continues for Ross' and Sabine Gulls, as well as beluga whales in the Kara Sea. The archipelago of Novaya Zemlya thwarted attempts to complete a transit of the Northeast Passage until the development of engine driven surface vessels. We plan landings and aerial flight-seeing.