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Quest for the North
Imagine standing at the top of the Earth, glass of champagne in hand - and everywhere you look is south. That is the essence of this extraordinary North Pole expedition aboard the 50 Years of Victory, the most powerful nuclear icebreaker in the world. Crush through multiyear ice on the Arctic Ocean, sightsee by helicopter on the lookout for walruses, seals, whales, polar bears. Last frontier achieved!
HIGHLIGHTS
Stand at the top of the world at 90 Degrees North
Experience the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreaker
Helicopter sightseeing over the Arctic Ocean
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE HELSINKI
Arrive into Helsinki where you will spend the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Kamp, Helsinki
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: HELSINKI / MURMANSK / EMBARKATION
From Helsinki, you will join your fellow passengers on the charter flight to Murmansk, Russia, where you will embark on your voyage to the North Pole.
Overnight: 50 Years of Victory
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3 to DAY 6: NORTHBOUND IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN
Being on board the 50 Years of Victory and feeling the icebreaker as it crushes through the arctic pack ice is an experience you will never forget. Just as memorable is boarding the ship's helicopter for a thrilling aerial view over the the ship and the expansive Arctic Ocean. You can expect variable sailing conditions this far north. The crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take us anywhere from four to six days depending on the ice conditions. This means you have plenty of time to get to know your shipmates and be treated to lectures and discussions by the expedition team while looking out for birdlife. There are also many wonderful amenities on board, such as the ship's lap pool or basketball court.
Overnight: 50 Years of Victory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: 90 DEGREES NORTH - THE NORTH POLE
Tears of jubilation, warm hugs and the human spirit prevails as the anticipation reaches a climax as you arrive at the North Pole! Many travelers find themselves overcome with emotion, while others are in a festive and celebratory mood. Take photos, call your family, wave a flag. Later, everyone will celebrate with a champagne toast and a barbecue on the ice or perhaps take a plunge into the icy cold waters. To top it off, a hotair balloon launch to commemorate this milestone moment. Cheers to Mankind and human exploration!
Overnight: 50 Years of Victory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: SOUTHBOUND IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN
On our return voyage, you can sit back and relax. As you head further south you may get lucky and spot polar bears hunting for seals.
Overnight: 50 Years of Victory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9 & DAY 10: FRANZ JOSEF LAND & THE ARCTIC OCEAN
This group of 191 islands form the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here, you will explore Cape Flora and discover historic remains from three ill-fated arctic expeditions. When conditions permit, zodiacs will be launched and cruise beneath towering cliffs to explore remote seabird colonies. The 50 Years of Victory helicopter will provide aerial sightseeing and zodiacs will transfer you to seldom-visited landing sites.
Overnight: 50 Years of Victory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 11 & DAY 12: SOUTHBOUND AT SEA
Enjoy your time on deck or reminisce with your shipmates and new friends as you cross the Arctic Ocean back to Murmansk.
Overnight: 50 Years of Victory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 13: DISEMBARKATION MURMANSK / HELSINKI
Returning to Russia's most northerly city, it will be time to bid farewell to your ship, 50 Years of Victory. You will be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Helsinki where on arrival, your journey ends where you may continue your adventures in Finland and beyond.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Hotel Kamp, Helsinki
Hotel Kamp, the first luxury hotel in Finland, is worth travelling to Helsinki all on its own. Since 1887, the Hotel Kamp has been the hotel of choice for the most prominent figures in Finnish culture, science and economy. After receiving numerous awards during recent years, it has undeniably taken its place among the finest hotels in the world.
50 Years of Victory
20 years in the making, 50 Years of Victory is the first Arktika-class icebreaker to have a spoon-shaped bow, capable of breaking through ice up to 2.5m thick! This is the world's largest, most powerful nuclear icebreaker. Complete with a helicopter for shore excursions, Victory is a ship unlike any other, with the ability to go where other ships cannot.