Russian Arctic Cruise
Hanging off the east coast of Russia like an appendix, the 600 mile Kamchatka peninsula is a land of stunning bays and snow-capped volcanoes and is one of Russia’s most fascinating and least visited areas. Few people know much about Kamchatka and even fewer people have ever had the opportunity to visit. With the politics now relaxed having been closed off during Soviet times, it is possible to access this untamed wilderness onboard a small ship.
One of the world’s most geologically active areas, the Kamchatka landscape is dominated by a smoking spine of over 120 volcanoes responsible for forming the region. Against this dramatic backdrop, Kamchatka’s mixed habitats support a great richness and diversity of wildlife. Huge bird colonies dot the cliffs, extensive seal rookeries are scattered along the coast, while bears can be spotted foraging along the shore. Steller Sea lions, Sea otters, Northern Fur Seals, Big Horn sheep, Orca, Grey and Blue Whales have all also been seen on recent expeditions. It’s also an incredibly rich area for birds with over 200 species of bird identified. This whole area acting as a natural corridor for migratory species moving north in the spring.
Little known and even less visited, this wild corner offers great potential for expeditionary cruises in its true sense. Cruises in Kamchatka only take place from June till September but in this time a variety of wildlife can been seen incluing seals, walrus and a wide variety of whales along with the extensive birdlife. However, it’s Wrangel Island, renowned as the world’s largest breeding ground for polar bears, that holds the greatest allure.
Cruises and Voyages in Kamchatka & Chukotka