TM
2017
NORTH POLE
BE ONE OF A SELECT GROUP TO STAND AT
14 Days – Departing 20 July 2017
The Ultimate Arctic Adventure
NORTH POLE
THE TOP OF THE WORLD IN 2017 AMAZING!!
- STEP ABOARD ONE OF THE WORLDS ONLY NUCLEAR
POWERED ICEBREAKERS
- CRACK THROUGH DENSE MULTI-YEAR ICE
- CHAMPAGNE TOAST AT THE NORTH POLE (90° NORTH)
- BALLOON AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD (optional)
- AERIAL SIGHTSEEING BY HELICOPTER
- FRANZ JOSEF ISLAND WILDLIFE & WILDFLOWERS
Travel Masters Clients 2014 at The North Pole
‘THE WORLD’S
MOST EXCLUSIVE
ARCTIC EXPEDITION’
Walk. Fly. Balloon. Celebrate at the top of the world. This is the stuff polar
dreams are made of. Located at 90° North, in the middle of the frozen
Arctic Ocean, where only ‘50 Years of Victory’ can take a select few
passengers each year – the North Pole.
Your icebreaker ship, 50 Years of
Victory, will take you to a part of the
world more commonly associated
with fairy tales and folklore – the
North Pole!
Crushing through multi-year pack ice, the
journey can take as long as a week, which
only helps to heighten the level of excitement.
Celebrate with champagne upon your arrival
and soar high above the entire Earth on a
hot air balloon ride. Join this amazing
voyage to 90°N aboard 50 Years of Victory.
To reach the North Pole is the pinnacle of
Arctic expedition endeavors. Few people
can say they stood at the one earthly spot
where every direction is south. The added
excitement of helicopter excursions and a
hot air balloon flight above the North Pole
make this adventure a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Crushing through the ice,
admiring soaring seabirds and visiting Franz
Josef Land, your voyage will be one that
you will never forget.
What to expect on an expedition?
Being able to say you’re on a trip to the North
Pole is something very few people can lay claim
to! As with any expedition, your voyage will be
more unpredictable than a common cruise, so
board the ship with sense of adventure.
Embracing the unexpected is part of the
legacy – and excitement – of expedition
travel. Sailing through icy waters en-route to the
North Pole, you’ll quickly learn to appreciate the
vastness of the Arctic. Something new and
unexpected can happen on this voyage, so
while you cannot be guaranteed that your
suggested itinerary will be followed every
day, nature will almost certainly treat you to a
number of special surprises, or perhaps even
some expedition ‘firsts’.
Before you are able to reach the North Pole
and take a symbolic walk around the world,
you’ll be invited to participate in a few Arctic
expedition rites of passage, including Neptune’s
Ceremony. You may also seize the opportunity
to take a polar plunge at the North Pole or
test your strength by trying to pull the ship
through the Arctic ice! Remember that your
planned excursions are highly dependent on
weather, especially sea and ice conditions.
Every day is treated as a new opportunity for
discovery and with many landing sites available,
your expedition to 90˚ North will be unlike any
travel experience you’ve had before.
Be one of only a select group
to stand at the top of the
world in 2017!
EXPEDITION IN BRIEF
• Stand at the top of the world at 90° north
• Experience the largest, most powerful nuclear icebreaker in
the world, 50 years of victory
• Enjoy helicopter sightseeing above the Arctic Ocean
• Possibly view polar bears, walrus and other arctic wildlife
• Take advantage of optional tethered flight by hot air balloom
(weather permitting)
• Cruise in a zodiac
• Visit Franz Josef Land historical sites, wildlife and wildflowers
ITINERARY
Day 1: 20 July 2017 - Helsinki, Finland
Your adventure begins with a one-night stay in Helsinki, Finland's
capital.
Day 2: 21 July 2017 - Embarkation Day in
Murmansk
From Helsinki, a special charter flight will take you to Murmansk,
Russia, where you'll embark on your voyage to the North
Pole and get acquainted with ‘50 Years of Victory’, the world's
largest and most powerful icebreaker.
Day 3-7: 22-23-24-25-26 July 2017 - Northbound in
the Arctic Ocean
Watching the Victory crush through the Arctic ice pack is a
sight you'll never forget, made even more memorable by taking
a helicopter flight for a thrilling aerial view of the Victory and
expansive Arctic Ocean. You can expect the days, and hours,
to present variable sailing conditions this far north. The crossing
from Murmansk to the North Pole can take anywhere from
5 to 8 days. This means you’ll have plenty of time to get to
know your shipmates, admire the totally unique landscape,
stare out at the horizon, enjoy some drinks at the bar or go
for a swim in the ship’s lap pool.
Day 8 : 27 July 2017 - 90° North
All the anticipation of the prior days reaches a climax as you
reach the North Pole! Many travelers find themselves overcome
with emotion, while others are in a festive and celebratory mood.
Take photos, wave a flag, enjoy your moment! Add an exclamation
to your success by rising high in a hot air balloon to commemorate
this great moment. Later, everyone enjoys a champagne toast
and a BBQ on the ice.
Day 9: 28 July 2017 - Southbound in the
Arctic Ocean
Day 13: 1 August 2017 - Disembarkation in
Murmansk
Now you can sit back and relax, everything from here
on out is a bonus! Expect more great memories, as
you head further south, you may get lucky and spot
Polar Bears hunting for seals.
Returning to Russia's most northerly city, it will be time
to bid farewell to your ship, ‘50 years of Victory’. You’ll
be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to
Helsinki, Finland, to enjoy one final night with your
newfound friends.
Day 10-11: 29-30 July 2017 - Franz Josef
Land and the Arctic Ocean
This group of 191 islands forms the most northerly
archipelago in Eurasia, and lies entirely within the
Arctic Circle. Here you'll explore Cape Flora, and
discover historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic
expeditions. When conditions permit, Zodiac trips
beneath towering cliffs will explore remote seabird
rookeries. Onboard helicopters again provide
aerial sightseeing, and transfer you to otherwise
inaccessible landing sites. This part of the Arctic
Ocean is so remote that Franz Josef Land was
discovered after Antarctica. Walrus and Polar
Bear are numerous on these islands, which you’ll
explore on Zodiac excursions and helicopter
sightseeing rides.
Day 12: 31 July 2017 - Southbound at Sea
Day 14: 2 August 2017 - Helsinki, Finland
After breakfast, your official journey comes to an end.
Perhaps spend some extra time exploring Helsinki,
Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) and St. Petersburg, before
your return journey home. We will be very happy to help
organise your extensions wherever you way want to
visit.
Important Reminder
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy –and
excitement – of expedition travel. When travelling in
extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must
allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide the route
and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of
what you’ll experience on this cruise – please be aware
that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
Crossing the Arctic Ocean back to Murmansk.
- LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE VERY IMPORTANT TO BOOK EARLY
‘50 Years of Victory’ - The Most Powerful Icebreaker in the World
The only way to get to the North Pole in safety, comfort and style is aboard a specially equipped ship
- and have we got a ship for you! ‘50 Years of Victory’ is the largest nuclear-powered icebreaker ever
launched, capable of crushing through the toughest pack ice the Arctic Ocean can dish up.
Carrying the highest ice class rating possible, Victory can crush ice up to 3 meters thick, and is the
world’s largest and most sophisticated nuclear-powered icebreaker.
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Comfortable, friendly atmosphere with just 128 guests.
Icebreaking capabilities right to the top of the world where regular ships cannot go
74,000 hp generated by 2 nuclear reactors get you where few have ever been
4 fully enclosed lifeboats ensure your safety in all conditions
Onboard helicopters allow spectacular aerial-sightseeing – All included in the price
Fleet of Zodiacs bring you up-close and personal with Arctic wildlife, icebergs and more
Every cabin has ocean views and private facilities, for your comfort and enjoyment
Onboard gym, two saunas, small swimming pool, and library allow you to relax between shore visits.
Cabins and Amenities
All cabins have ocean views
All cabins have private facilities
One dining room with unreserved seating
Aft Saloon for presentations and socializing
Victory Bar with ocean views, open afternoon to late evening
Library with polar books
Gym, two saunas and small swimming pool
Clinic with licensed doctor
One passenger elevator
14 Days - Unique Experience
Cabin Type
Twin Standard fr
US $26,945 pp
Mini Suite US $30,545 pp
Suite US $37,745 pp
Victory Suite US $40,445 pp
Arktika Suite US $41,345 pp
*Inclusive of return charter flights between Helsinki to Murmansk
Includes All Drinks,
Helicopter Sightseeing & Lecture
Program
Book Early To Secure Your Place
*Prices Shown Above Also
Include The Charter Flights.
Share with stranger available for Single/Solo travellers, if required
Prices are per person, twin share including: All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program. On embarkation day,
a group transfer from the host hotel to the airport and from the airport to the ship. Mandatory Charter flight from Helsinki to Murmansk and return.
1 night pre- and 1 night post-expedition hotel accommodation in Helsinki, shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. All breakfasts, lunches,
dinners, and snacks on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the
ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.) All shore landings per the daily program. Leadership throughout the voyage by an experienced Expedition
Leader, including shore landings and other activities. All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program. Formal and informal presentations by our
Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled. Documenting the voyage. A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings. An
official Quark Expeditions parka to keep. Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock. A complimentary selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages.
THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Located on the very top of the world and circling the North Pole, lies
the Arctic Ocean surrounded by land. The Arctic is generally defined
as the region above the Arctic Circle (66 degrees, 32 minutes North
latitude). This imaginary line circles the globe at the latitude above
which the sun does not set on the summer solstice, resulting in 24
hours of daylight nor rises on the winter solstice producing 24 hours of
night. Due to both its special location and unique climate, the Arctic
Ocean and those lands surrounding it are like no other area on earth.
The Arctic Circle can also be defined (by many scientists) as the area
north of the arctic tree line where the landscape is frozen and vegetation is
sparse and the landscape dotted only with shrubs and lichens. Other
researchers define the Arctic by temperature - those areas where the
average daily summer temperature does not rise above 10 degrees
Celsius.
By any definition, the Arctic Circle, its unique and awe inspiring scenery
ensures our North Pole adventure will ensure an unforgettable travel
journey as we venture into the heart of this Arctic wilderness.
MURMANSK
THE NORTH POLE
Situated in the extreme north-west of Russia, midway between
Moscow and the North Pole, Murmansk is the largest city in the world
north of the Arctic Circle. It sits on Kola Bay, an inlet of the Barents
Sea, close to the borders with Norway and Finland. An ice-free port
year-round, kept that way by the warm ocean currents of the Gulf
Stream and the North Atlantic Drift, Murmansk is well inside the Arctic
Circle, with 24 hours of daylight in June and July.
Murmansk was the last city founded in the Russian Empire, when during
World War 1 (1915) a railway to an ice-free arctic port was required
through which military supplies could be transported and shipped.
During the Russian Civil War 1918-1920, the town was occupied by
western powers, previously allies of the White Russian Romanov
Dynasty during WW1.
During World War ll, Murmansk was Russia’s (and the Soviet
Union’s) link to the western world. Large quantities of weapons and
military supplies passed through, using arctic convoys. German
forces launched an offensive against the city from Finnish territory in
1941 resulting in extensive destruction, only rivalled by that of
Leningrad and Stalingrad.
The North Pole is one of those totally unique spots on the globe,
inaccessible to all but a fortunate few. How lucky are we!! Of
course, the nature of our experiences will be weather dependent, but
regardless these experiences will be totally unique.
The North Pole is also known as the Geographic or Terrestrial
North Pole (not the Magnetic North Pole which is a different thing),
and is where the earth's axis of rotation meets its surface - the
northernmost point in earth. The Pole is positioned in the
middle of the Arctic Ocean in waters over 4 kilometres deep that
During the Cold War, Murmansk was a centre of Soviet submarine and
ice-breaker activity and still today the nearby naval base of Severomorsk
remains the headquarters of the Russian Northern Fleet - including
nuclear submarines and much of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. The city
itself is the home port of the world’s only nuclear ice-breakers and the
greatest concentration of military and naval forces.
are almost permanently covered with constantly shifting sea ice
The city (population 308,000) is different from many other Russian
cities in that there are three levels: the port, the city centre, and the
surrounding hills. The city is dominated by an enormous 35m high
concrete statue of Aloysha, an unknown Russian WWll soldier who
vigilantly stands guard over the port.
30% of the world's untapped oil reserves are under the Arctic
It is proposed that Murmansk be the Russian terminus of the
Arctic Sea Bridge, a sea route linking Russia to the Canadian port of
Churchill. When developed, this Bridge and the North West Passage
will serve as a major trade routes between Europe and Asia across
the Arctic.
about 3 metres thick. The nearest land is approx 700 kilometres
away. Some experts predict that the North Pole may become
seasonally ice-free due to Arctic ice shrinkage before the end of
this century.
Ocean. In 2007, Russia used a mini submarine to plant the
country's flag on the floor of the Arctic Ocean in an attempt to
claim the region and its natural resources, a move that was
rejected by the United Nations.
One animal we won't see at the North Pole is the penguin. They
live at the South Pole. Several species of flying penguin-like birds
called auks, guillemots and puffins can sometimes be seen inside
the Arctic Circle.
FRANZ JOSEPH LAND
Located in the Barents Sea some 900 kilometres from the North Pole
and 750 kilometres from the closest point of Russia, Franz Joseph Land
is Russia's northernmost territory. This remote and uninhabited
archipelago is comprised of 6 main islands and over 180 smaller
islands and in 2012 became part of the Russian Arctic National Park.
Over 85% of the islands are glaciated and of volcanic composition.
Lying at 81 degrees north, the archipelago experiences 141 days
annually of the midnight sun.
and the only way to reach the islands is by icebreaker with visitors
usually landed by helicopter.
Pack ice occurs throughout the year around the entire island group
and icebergs are common. The straits and sea between the islands
are effected by both cold and warm ocean currents, and below the
shelf of the Barents Sea are as deep as 300 metres.
With fog and rain common, especially in the summer season, along
with a severely harsh climate overall, little or no human population can
be supported. Researchers and military personnel have occasionally
lived there in outposts from 1926 when Russia annexed the islands.
Only a mere 5% of the islands sustain vegetation in mid-summer, and
during our visit we can expect a lot of glaciation.
Wildlife such as polar bears, walrus, seals, arctic foxes, whales and
over 40 species of birds make Franz Joseph Land their home.
Vegetation consists primarily of lichens, mosses, and about three
dozen species of arctic flowering plants with the most common being
arctic poppy and saxifrage which grow profusely, especially in summer.
The polar cod is the most common of the 30 species of fish in the
waters which provides a welcome food source for the wildlife that live
both on land and within the cold waters surrounding the islands.
With an average summer temperature around 2 degrees and winter
blanketing the islands entirely in ice, the islands’ glaciers average 180
metres in depth. Due to these extremes, tourism is severely limited
With its remoteness and unique climatic conditions, Franz Joseph
Land will be a highlight of our North Pole adventure.
50 YEARS OF VICTORY - DECK PLAN
CABIN INFORMATION
Standard Twin Cabin
1 lower berth, 1 sofa bed, private
facilities with shower, window that
opens, TV and DVD player.
Mini Suite
Sitting area with sofa bed, bed separated
from the sitting area, private facilities,
with shower, window that opens, TV
and DVD player.
Suite
Bedroom and sitting area, sofa bed
in sitting room, private facilities with
bathtub or shower, refrigerator, window
that opens, TV and DVD player, coffee
maker, safe.
Victory Suite
Large bedroom and sitting room, sofa
bed in sitting room, private facilities
with bathtub, refrigerator, window that
opens, TV and DVD player, coffee
maker, safe.
Arktika Suite
Very spacious bedroom and sitting
room, sofa bed in sitting room, private
facilities with bathtub, refrigerator,
window that opens, TV and DVD
player, coffee maker, safe, daily
selection of fresh fruit, drinks, and
snacks, unique cabin amenities.
GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION
DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT
A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 30% per person is
required to secure your place.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
In the event that you are a sole traveller and would prefer to share, we
will do our best to arrange a twin share.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Meals other than specified, visa fees, insurance, items of a personal
nature such as drinks, laundry and phone calls.
INSURANCE
It is a condition of joining this tour that you take out comprehensive
travel insurance. Our agency will provide details of travel insurance
providers and assist you with your holiday insurance. Do not travel
without insurance.
CURRENT PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS
You must be in possession of a CURRENT passport. Your passport should
be valid until at least a further 6 months. At the time of final payment we
will advise you of the exact visa requirements and associated costs. A visa is
necessary for Russia.
PLEASE NOTE – DEGREE OF FITNESS
The itinerary is carefully planned and well-paced to maximise the
passenger experience, while at the same time ensuring a level of
comfort is maintained at all times. Given the nature of the journey and
cultural experiences etc, any person/s of a reasonable general fitness
level will have no problems in gaining total satisfaction from the trip.
Should any person however, be likely to find it necessary to require
wheelchair assistance, it is unfortunately considered that
participation on this tour would not be appropriate.
HOLIDAY VARIATIONS
The holiday cost is subject to surcharges should they occur as a result
of increased costs due to changes in the itinerary, government action,
currency exchange rates, fuel costs, overflying costs, airport charges
and increases in scheduled airfares. The tour itinerary is based on schedules current at the time of preparation. Hotel names are subject to change.
Where these changes occur it may be necessary to amend the tour to
accommodate revised days of operation. The company will endeavour
to include all of the sightseeing and other features included, subject to
the constraints of the revised scheduling. You will be advised as these
events occur any time prior to ticketing. The transportation companies
or firms shall be exempt from all liabilities in respect of any detention,
delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury and by whom so ever caused and
whatever kind occurring of or to the passenger at any time. All ticket
coupons and orders are furnished and issued subject in all respects to
those terms and conditions under which the means of transportation or
other services provided are offered or supplied by the owners, operators, public carriers, management agents or agent.
FINALLY…..
We hope this information will assist you plan for your holiday. Do not
hesitate to telephone or call in, so that we can be of further
assistance. We want to make this a very happy and memorable
tour for you.