Russian Tours: Cheap The North Pole Expedition

Icebreaker "50 years of Victory".
Expedition Dates: Jul 19-Aug 01, 2012.

Russian Arctic The Franz Josef Land Archipelago consists of about 190 islands most of which are reminiscent of moon craters thus accounting for its more common name the "Moon Archipelago". It is home to polar bears, walruses and many species of arctic birds. It is the location of Champ Island with its mysterious round boulders found nowhere else on earth. Visit to this part of Russian Arctic is a unique and, possibly, never-to-be-had-again opportunity to explore this vast landscape and photograph its natural beauty.

Helsinki is unique among Northern European cities. Helsinki's identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made the country's capital city world famous. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly together with high-tech achievements, while old traditions mix with the latest contemporary trends.

Murmansk was the last town founded in the Russian Empire. "Murman" is a traditional Pomor name for the Barents Sea and derives from the Old Russian word for Norwegians, "Murmane", cognate to the English "Normans". The city, first known as Romanov-on-the-Murman, was founded on October 4, 1916 and named after the royal Russian dynasty of Romanovs. The city, the only ice-free port in the Russian Arctic, was built as a terminus for the railway line to Kola designed to open the North Atlantic supply route to Russia in support of the Eastern Front during the First World War. The city was renamed Murmansk after the February Revolution in 1917. During the Cold War it was a center of Soviet submarine activity and, since the breakup of the Soviet Union, remains the headquarters of the Russian Northern Fleet.
Nature Conservation. Nowadays the Arctic is one of the last ecologically intact wilderness sanctuaries on our planet. The Arctic's ecological balance, however, is extremely precarious. Under the region's extreme climatic conditions, animal and plant life exists on the verge of their tolerances. Therefore our expeditions are arranged in a way that minimizes disturbance to wildlife and the fragile natural environment of the Arctic. All our expeditions comply with all International ecological requirements and requirements for conservation of natural resources.

Our Expertise. The North Pole Expedition is presented to you in partnership with Expedition Cruises, the market leader in Arctic-bound adventure tourism. Expedition Cruises has been leading expeditions into the Russian Arctic on its chartered icebreakers and expedition cruise ships since 2001. Its expert guides have led expedition cruises to such faraway places as the archipelagos of Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya as well as to the islands of Vaigach, Oranskiye and Vise. The company is operating the only expedition cruises to Franz Josef Land archipelago.

Icebreaker "50 years of Victory"

Description

The "50 Years of Victory" is the largest and most modern nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world. For those with an appreciation of such vessels, the "Victory" is a new generation ship, an upgrade of the Arktika-class. Among its state-of-the-art features are a spoon-shaped bow designed for greater icebreaking ability, an automated, digitized control system, the most up-to-date nuclear safeguards and protection systems. As a working icebreaker, the "Victory" is vastly more suitable to life onboard than was its predecessor the "Yamal". Though its cabins and suites are as comfortable and spacious as were those on the "Yamal", the "Victory" offers its passenger much more room for socializing and get-togethers. Qualified chefs prepare a variety of international cuisine and experienced waitresses attend your needs. The bar has a large supply of alcoholic and soft beverages.
NB. The "50 Years of Victory" is the property of the Russian Federation and has received maritime registration under the name "50 LET POBEDY".

Item Name

The North Pole Expedition

Specifications

Specification
The price includes:
-Accommodation in a 4-5* hotel in Helsinki with breakfast	2 nights
Airfares	Helsinki-Murmansk-Helsinki
Group transfers when embarking\disembarking	your charter flight Helsinki - Murmansk - Helsinki
Voyage aboard the Ship	as described in the itinerary
All shore excursions and activities	throughout the Voyage by helicopter (as detailed in the planned group excursions)
Program of lectures and informal discussions	by experienced Expedition Team and guest lecturers
Meals	4 per day ( including fresh bakery items every afternoon), and tea / coffee station and drinking water dispenser around the clock)
Waterproof boots	for the duration of the cruise
In-cabin:	bathrobe and hairdryer
Informative pre-departure materials and expedition log	with picture album on DVD
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges	throughout the program
Special expedition parka
Personalized medical insurance covering the risks of evacuation and repatriation (in addition to ot	Coverage: 50,000-00 EUR
Letter of Invitation	in order to obtain a Russian Visa
The price does not include:
Travel expenses	to/from Helsinki
Transfers to and from your 4-5* hotel in Helsinki	before and after the expedition
Passport and Visa expenses
State arrival and departure taxes	(if levied)
Meals ashore and Supplements	in respect of single hotel accommodation (if required)
Luggage and Cancellation insurance	(Strongly recommended)
Excess Luggage Charges	on international and local flights
Telecommunication services; laundry, bar and beverage charges	aboard the vessel
Tips for stewards and other service personal aboard	(at your discretion)
Brand	Russia Tour Travel