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Kamchatka Peninsula & Beyond: Jewel
of the Russian Far East
(Kamchatka,
Commanders & Chukotka)
14 Day Itinerary
Ship: Spirit
of Enderby (Professor Khromov)
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.
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| Map
courtesy of Heritage Expeditions |
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| Itinerary |
| PLEASE
NOTE
Some
cruises operate in reverse order. All itineraries are for
guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local weather
conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities
to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Day
1
Afternoon embarkation of Spirit of Enderby berthed in Petropavlovsk.
Day 2
A morning visit in the meandering Zhuponavo River region with
a chance of Stellar’s sea eagle as we explore by zodiac
and walks.
Day 3 and 4
Two days to explore the wildlife and history of Commander
Islands, named after famed explorer Commander Vitus Bering.
Our visit will include Nikolskoye village and wildlife explorations
as these islands are home to huge numbers of horned and tufted
puffins, crested and parakeet auklets, kittiwakes and cormorants
along with marine mammals.
Day 5
At Ukinskaya Bay we will explore the extensive beach and swamps,
navigating in our naiads.
Day 6
In the Gulf of Mazmykh Vestey we anchor to visit ashore at
a village and in the afternoon cross to Karaginsky District
to visit the villge of Tymlat. The tundra plain beyond the
village is excellent habitat for wildlife.
Day 7
Our first opportunity to experience walruses will be at Verkhoturova.
And in the afternoon Lavrova Bay is a great place to experience
the arctic vegetation and wildlife.
Day 8
We follow Bering’s through the small coves such as St
Peter and St Paul which are haul outs for walruses and meet
with the Korakskiy people.
Day 9
The strong tides at Cape Gavriila bring an abundance of food
for the numerous seabirds which thrive in this area, sure
to be good for wildlife observations. As we cross Anadyrskiy
Bay we move into the Chukotka region.
Day 10
Discovered in 1976 we plan to visit “Whale Bone Alley”,
thought to have been a ceremonial site with immense jawbones
and ribs placed in arches.
Day 11
Provideniya is a small industrial and administrative centre
which is ice-free from May to October. Our visit here will
be an opportunity to meet and share with local people.
Day 12
We zodiac cruise at Cape Achen for the bird cliffs and wildlife
observations before moving to explore Kina Spit and Ruddera
Bay.
Day 13
An expedition stop at Engaugin Bay in the Gulf of Kresta for
wildlife observations before our final visit on Meechkin Spit,
a narrow sandy spit extending for 40 miles.
Day 14
Arrive at Anadyr for disembarkation.
Please note all itineraries are subject to final approval
by the relevant Russian authorities.
Please also note that 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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