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Jewel of the Russian Far East

This is a truly unique expedition, a journey through a land that until now has been virtually inaccessible to visitors. Along with Kamchatka Peninsula and Commander Islands we will explore the Chukotka coastline of Siberia, one of the world’s last untamed wildernesses. It is a land of extremes. The myriad of environments we will travel through include snow-capped active volcanoes, geothermal regions, vast forests, tundra, uninhabited islands, and wild oceans.
This is one of the least populated regions of the world. There are few roads, very little development and only the occasional settlement. It is home to an incredible range of wildlife, including reindeer, brown bears and at least 200 species of birds, among them the world’s largest sea eagle, the Stellar’s sea eagle. Marine mammals including walruses and the rare northern sea lion inhabit its many islands and extensive coastlines. There are many new discoveries still to be made. The distribution of many birds is unknown, and some species may still be unrecorded. Archaeological evidence shows the settlement of the region began as early as 15,000 years ago. Russian contact with these people began in the 17th century. We will follow in the footsteps of these explorers, and visit many of the same places they discovered. We will also have the opportunity to meet local people and learn of their history.

Jewel of the Russian Far East Itinerary:

Day 1:
You will have arrived in Petropavlovsk. You can take the opportunity to explore the city and perhaps enjoy one of the geothermal pool areas. (We can make pre-cruise accommodation and excursion bookings for you). In the afternoon you will board the Spirit of Enderby at its mooring in one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbours.

Day 2:
We will spend the morning in the Zhupanova River region on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Our naiads can negotiate the shallow meandering river where there are superb opportunities for both birding and nature walks. We are likely to see up to 40 species of birds, including such special Siberian species as the yellow billed loon, yellow-breasted bunting, greenshank, Far-Eastern curlew, and common tern. Beyond the river, in mature birch forest there is a good chance we may see a Steller’s sea eagle.

Day 3 & 4:
The Commander Islands are steeped in history and the only place where Steller’s sea cow was ever recorded. They are named after famed explorer Commander Vitus Bering. A simple tombstone marks his grave. We will visit the small museum in the village of Nikolskoye for an introduction to the culture of the local people. The Commander Islands are home to a huge number of birds, including horned and tufted puffins, crested and parakeet auklets, thick billed murres, red-legged kittiwakes, and redfaced cormorants. We may also spot harbour seals, Steller’s sea lions and northern fur seals.

Day 5:
We plan an expedition landing in Ukinskaya Bay. There will be an opportunity to explore the extensive beach, the grass and scrubland behind the beach, and the large area of swamps. Several rivers and streams flow into the bay. We will navigate these with our naiads, landing often to enjoy the landscape and wildlife.

Day 6:
We anchor in the Gulf of Lazmykh Vestey on the western shoreline of Karaginsky. There is a small native village here nestled under snow covered mountains. In the afternoon we cross to the Karaginsky District on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The small village of Tymlat on the banks of the Tymlat River is another opportunity to meet with the Koryaks people. Beyond the village there is a tundra plain where birders can look for Asian species including oriental cuckoos, yellow breasted and rustic buntings, Arctic and dusky warblers and Siberian ruby throats.

Day 7 & 8:
Goven Peninsula Koryaksky Preserve protects a wide array of habitats from raised beach plains to steep glaciated mountains while the surrounding waters house a rich diversity of marine life including species such as Steller’s Eider and Kittlitz’s Murrelet. Ashore wetland areas provide an internationally important refuge for migrating birds. Our two days in the region give ample opportunity to explore a range of habitats as well as look for elusive Snow Sheep or encounter the Brown Bears which inhabit this wilderness.

Day 9:
Cape Olyutorskiy – Cape Nizkiy. The coastline between these two prominent capes in the Koriyak District is dominated by a number of drowned river valley’s. These navigable sounds gives good access to the interior where reindeer herders sometimes graze their herds in summer. We plan to explore Bukhta Natalii. There will be opportunities to land and enjoy the many wildflowers and wildlife, which may include Bears. Walrus’s are likely to be encountered on the small island at the entrance.

Day 10:
At sea we will follow the coastline north past Cape Gavriila, named after Bering’s ship St Gabriel. Grey whales frequent this area. Because of the strong tides, there is an abundance of food in the water and numerous seabirds feed here. Cape Navarin marks the place where the land bridge to North America began when the sea levels were much lower. We cross Anadyrskiy Bay into the Chukotka region.

Day 11:
In 1976 Russian anthropologists discovered an astonishing ancient memorial site nicknamed ‘whale bone alley’ where whale bones stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre. These ceremonial sites have immense jawbones and ribs of bowhead whales some placed together in a stunning arch formation. Walruses also frequent the area and we maybe lucky enough to see them at a haul out area. There is also a large seabird colony on neighbouring Nuneangan Island.

Day 12:
We visit the small industrial and administrative centre of Provideniya named for Saint Providence. This is an important port, and a major enterprise for the local inhabitants. It is ice-free from May to October each year and handles much of the freight for this region. Our visit will be an opportunity to meet and share with the local people and explore the area.

Day 13:
From Egvekinot, a small port in Kresta Bay, there is a road running inland across the tundra of the inland plains where the reindeer herders graze their herds in the summer months. We plan a day trip by Russian Ural buses into this region so you can explore and appreciate the vastness and beauty of the region, see the many tundra plants and hopefully meet up with a group of nomadic reindeer herders.

Day 14:
This morning we arrive at Anadyr, formerly known as Novo-Mariinskoe. Here the Anadyr River flows to the Bering Sea. The first outside visitor to this place was the Siberian Cossack and seafaring explorer Seme Dezhnev, who visited in 1648. The region is rich natural resources and today it is an administrative and trading centre. We disembark the vessel here, in time for you to explore the town before beginning your homeward journey.

This itinerary is an outline. Circumstances may be encountered during our voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from this itinerary. These circumstances include poor weather conditions and opportunities for making unplanned zodiac excursions. Your Expedition Leader will provide more information at the start of the voyage and keep you fully informed during the voyage.

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