морская экспедиция круиз остров Врангеля Чукотка Русский Север

Wrangel Island — the legendary "maternity ward" of polar bears and one of the most remote places on the planet. While the journey here was once fraught with hardship, we now open its doors in the most comfortable format.

This is a unique expedition where we will explore the protected shores of Chukotka and spend two full days on Wrangel Island itself. We will encounter the Arctic's sovereigns — polar bears, walruses, whales, and musk oxen — and immerse ourselves in the culture of the Chukchi and Eskimo peoples.

After each day of discovery, we will return to our five-star expedition vessel to unwind in the sauna, relax by the fireplace, and enjoy breathtaking views from the balcony of our cabin. Our journey will be accompanied by regional experts who will unveil all the secrets of this formidable land.

Discover the Arctic, where pristine wilderness meets impeccable comfort!
Author of photos - Sergey Dolya
SСHEDULE & COST:
Dates:
  • 11.07 - 23.07.2026
  • 23.07 - 04.08.2026

Duration: 13 days/ 12 nights

The cost of the cabin depends on the deck where the cabin is located.
Description of the cabins you can find below in the end of this page.

Cost per person (double accommodation)*:

  • Cabin with window, 20 sq. m 22,435 USD for bookings made before 15 December 2025, then 24,000 USD
  • Cabin with balcony, 25 sq. m from 26,700 USD for bookings made before 15 December 2025, then from 28,570 USD
  • Suite 40 sq. m 39,520 USD for bookings made before 15 December 2025, then 42,285 USD
  • Premium Suite 47 sq. m 44,855 USD

Club discounts are applied, and early booking discount of 10% is valid until 11 January 2026

*Prices may change. Check with the manager for availability of cabins

Approximate cost of the flight Moscow - Anadyr - Moscow: 40,000 rubles.


TRAVEL PROGRAM: cruise to Wrangel island Chukotka

Day 1. ANADYR. EMBARKATION

Welcome to Anadyr – the harsh capital of Chukotka at the edge of the world, where the liner awaits in the waters of the majestic Anadyr Bay. On the day of departure, we will be transferred to the port for boarding, instantly immersing ourselves in the atmosphere of the journey: after settling into our cabins, we will raise a glass at the welcome cocktail and meet the team that will unveil the Arctic for us.
And be on the alert – the first encounter with wildlife could happen as early as today! The Anadyr Bay is a kingdom of snow-white beluga whales, those ghostly Arctic whales that often approach the very side of the ship.
And then, the SH Minerva will weigh anchor and head north. The sea passage will begin – a time to acquaint ourselves with this floating palace. Enjoy dinner in a restaurant with panoramic views of the endless ocean, clear your mind in the sauna perched over the waves, and savor the taste of freedom at the open-air grill bar as the world outside slowly drifts by. Our Arctic adventure has begun.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Dinner


Day 2. MEECHKIN SPIT AND THE VILLAGE OF EGVEKINOT

The morning will reveal one of the most astonishing phenomena of the Arctic – Meechkin Spit. This incredible thread-island, stretching for 60 kilometers with a width of just 100 meters, is a zoological wonder of the world. Prepare to witness a grand spectacle: from the expedition boats, you will approach a bustling walrus rookery, where thousands of these giants bask in the sun. Flocks of rare birds, including the endangered spoon-billed sandpiper, will circle overhead, and at the water's edge, you might spot brown bears on their hunting swims from the mainland.
That same day, a sharp change of scenery awaits you – a visit to the legendary village of Egvekinot, the "Chukotkan Switzerland." Nestled in the embrace of high, snow-capped mountains, it sits cozily in a windless valley where the sun is a frequent guest, even during severe frosts. We will immerse ourselves in the history of the conquest of the North at one of the country's best local history museums.
And the culmination of the day, there will be an ancient ritual at the monumental "Arctic Circle" arch. Here, at the edge of the earth, we will undergo a solemn polar initiation and receive a coveted certificate – not just a document, but tangible proof of a journey into a world where the boundaries of the possible are erased.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 3. ITYGRAN ISLAND, WHALE BONE ALLEY. SENYAVINSKY HOT SPRINGS

Today, we will discover a heritage frozen in time on Itygran Island. Here awaits an encounter with one of the most mysterious monuments of the Arctic – Whale Bone Alley. This ancient Eskimo sanctuary, created from the bones of bowhead whales in pre-Petrine times, stretches along the shore as a silent testament to a long-bygone era. Touch the bones of these giants, embedded in the earth over five centuries ago, and feel the breath of legends at this site of cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia.
In the afternoon, the journey continues at the monument to the whaling flotilla "Aleut" at the mouth of the Klyuchevaya River – a tribute to a more modern, yet no less harsh, history of mastering these waters. Afterwards, we will find healing and complete relaxation in the billowing steam of the Senyavinsky Hot Springs. We will immerse ourselves in the natural pools of the area's largest thermal complex, where over 150 springs gush from the ground with water heated to +80°C and saturated with healing minerals. The contrast of the icy air and the scalding moisture awakens a primal sense of unity with nature.
The final chord of the day will be a visit to the village of Yanrakynnot, nestled on the hills by the Senyavina Strait. On its outskirts, you will be met by the mind-boggling Whale Cemetery – a collection of giant bones and skulls that serves as a monumental reminder of centuries-old traditions and the deep connection of Chukchi hunters with the mighty power of the ocean.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 4. SENYAVIN STRAIT, PENKEGNEY BAY — IN SEARCH OF WHALES

Senyavin Strait is one of the best places in the Far East for whale watching. Here, in the crystal-clear waters of Penkegney Bay, a breathtaking spectacle awaits: entire pods of humpback and gray whales regularly come to feed. These marine giants show complete fearlessness, approaching the boats so closely that you can see every scar on their mighty skin. Forget everything you've seen before: imagine two giant tails soaring simultaneously from the turquoise depths, glistening in the sun, only to crash back into the water with a thunderous roar just meters away from you—this is the dance of titans, forever etched in memory.
But the whales are only part of this abundance of life. The shores of the strait echo with the roar of massive walrus rookeries, and the cliffs are painted in vibrant colors by countless colonies of tufted puffins and horned puffins, creating a continuous avian cacophony. And as a silent contrast—the abandoned reindeer herders' camp at the Pestsovaya River, where time stands still among the deserted *vezhi* (traditional dwellings). These dilapidated frames are silent witnesses to a life that once thrived in the embrace of this harsh, yet beautiful land.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 5. CAPE DEZHNEV AND THE VILLAGE OF UELEN

Today, we will reach the point where Eurasia ends and the great unknown begins. We will find ourselves at Cape Dezhnev – the easternmost tip of Russian lands and the entire continent. Here, by the stern lighthouse-monument to the legendary explorer, you will be met by a wind blowing straight from the Bering Strait. On a clear day, your gaze can travel 86 kilometers and see the ghostly outlines of Alaska – the shore of another part of the world, North America.
Next, your path leads to Uelen – a legendary village frozen on the very edge of the earth. This is not just the easternmost settlement in Eurasia; it is the living heart of Chukchi culture. We will look into the oldest bone-carving workshop, where masterpieces are born from walrus tusks under the hands of artisans. In the local museum, we will touch ancient artifacts and trace the entire history of this unique art, from archaeological finds to elegant contemporary works.
And the culmination of the day will be an encounter with the soul of this people. At the Uelen House of Culture, centuries-old traditions will come to life for you: local residents will perform Chukchi dances and sing songs in which you can hear the voices of the wind, the sea, and the boundless tundra.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 6. KOLYUCHIN ISLAND

Our next day begins with a landing on the mysterious Kolyuchin Island – a giant stone floe lost in the ocean. Its Eskimo name perfectly describes these almost perfectly round contours rising from the icy waters. Once, a polar weather station thrived here, but today it is a kingdom of silence and oblivion: only ghostly structures remain from the human presence, slowly yielding to the onslaught of the elements.
But this oblivion is deceptive. Prepare for a squall of sounds and colors at one of the most impressive bird cliffs in the Arctic! The island's rocks literally "teem" with life: they are covered in a continuous carpet of nesting guillemots, comical puffins, and circling gulls. Their cacophony creates a deafening symphony of wild nature.
The true masters of this icy stage are the polar bears. It is here, on Kolyuchin, that you have a unique chance to witness a surreal spectacle: the majestic predators, like ghosts of the past, roam leisurely among the ruins of the abandoned station. They peer into empty windows and settle down to rest in the houses where people once lived – a mesmerizing sight, a true allegory of nature's eternal triumph over the world of humans.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Days 7 - 8. WRANGELL ISLAND

The next two days will bring our journey to its climax – we will enter the holy of holies of the Arctic, the legendary Wrangel Island. This is an entire planetary nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the Earth's history is frozen in its primordial grandeur.
Weather permitting, our vessel will sail around the entire island, and each landing will be a new chapter in a book of discoveries: on shore, we will encounter regal polar bears, herds of snorting walruses, majestic musk oxen whose appearance has remained unchanged since the time of mammoths, and the rarest Arctic birds. And in the turquoise coastal waters, true leviathans will be waiting – belugas, gray, and bowhead whales.
But the main wonder of Wrangel Island is hidden beneath our feet: during the short summer, the tundra here explodes in a firework of colors. This is a botanical phenomenon – approximately 400 species of plants, making it the most floristically rich Arctic island on the planet. It is also the last refuge for unique life forms: about 40 species of local animals, birds, and insects are endemic, preserving their secrets in complete isolation from the rest of the world. This is not just a nature reserve; it is a living archive of evolution.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 9. HERALD ISLAND

Your Arctic journey will reach its final, most remote point – Herald Island. This lonely basalt cliff, lost in the ocean 40 kilometers from Wrangel Island, will appear in all its severe grandeur. Its rocky shores, inaccessible to humans, make it a perfect nature sanctuary, reachable only from the sea.
From the expedition Zodiac boats, a world living by its own ancient laws will unfold before us. We will witness the bustling life of walrus rookeries, hear the deafening cacophony of bird colonies soaring against the backdrop of dark, dramatic cliffs. And if Arctic fortune favors us, we may capture the most symbolic image of the entire journey: a majestic polar bear in its native element, set against these basalt walls scarred by centuries of storms.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 10. KOLYCHINSKAYA BAY

Our final destination in the Chukchi Sea will be a Zodiac expedition along the majestic cliffs of Kolyuchinskaya Bay. This is not just a cruise, but a true safari through a realm of ice and stone, where every turn reveals a new scene of harsh Arctic life.
In the mirror-like water, the shadows of leviathan whales may surface unexpectedly, while on the rocky beaches, you will see walrus rookeries filling the bay with their mighty roar. The air here literally hums with the wings of thousands of Arctic birds nesting on the inaccessible cliffs. This is the final, poignant dialogue with the wild nature of the Polar region, one that will remain in your memory forever as a vivid image of the pristine Arctic.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 11. THE VILLAGE OF LAVRENTIYA

Our journey through Chukotka will conclude in its true cultural heart—the village of Lavrentiya, nestled on the shores of the legendary Bering Strait. This is not just a dot on the map, but a living hearth of traditions, where the life of the Indigenous peoples of the North pulses to this day. It is here that the famous "Beringia" regatta begins—a thrilling spectacle where daring participants from across the country compete in fragile yet swift skin-covered kayaks.
During a leisurely walk through the settlement, we will touch upon its rich history at local monuments and feel the rhythm of authentic northern life. In the local museum, akin to a portal to the past, unique artifacts await us, revealing the sacred secrets and spiritual world of the Chukchi and Eskimos people.
Then, the warmest farewell to Chukotka awaits. The local residents will greet you with the hospitality preserved for centuries in these harsh lands: the rhythms of national dances will fill the air, you will be treated to aromatic tea made from local herbs, brewed over an open fire according to ancient custom. And as a memento of this land, we will be able to acquire not just souvenirs, but genuine works of art—authentic items made of leather and fur, crafted by the hands of Chukchi masters.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 12. PREOBRAZHENIYA BAY

On this day, the liner will gently turn its bow and set course for Anadyr, charting a path through the majestic Preobrazheniya Bay. This is the final chance to breathe the pure Arctic air and savor the panoramic views. From the open decks, vistas of dark, sheer cliffs will unfold, cliffs that literally "teem" with life: here, vast, noisy bird colonies clamor. Watch as guillemots and kittiwakes soar on high, and the cliff ledges are painted in vibrant colors by colonies of comical puffins, tufted puffins, and horned puffins—a true spectacle of avian life.
In the evening, a farewell cocktail and a screening of a film featuring the most vivid shots from our expedition await us. This is a wonderful opportunity to relive the most powerful moments, to feel the magic of Chukotka once more.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 13. RETURN TO ANADYR

Early in the morning, your vessel will return to the port of Anadyr. You will bid farewell to the crew and disembark, where a transfer will be waiting to take you either to a hotel or to the airport, depending on your flight departure time.
Upon returning home, a pleasant surprise awaits you—a film with memories of your journey along the wild shores of Chukotka.

Accommodation: Cabin on the SH Minerva
Meals included: Breakfast

*Please do not purchase tickets without coordinating with us first.

**Important Note: This is a journey to a remote and hard-to-reach region. The cruise itinerary may be adjusted based on ice analysis, forecasts, and actual ice conditions, as well as decisions by administrative authorities.

All activities during the cruise are determined by the Expedition Leader and the Captain. The actual progress of the expedition may differ from the published plan. Encounters with the mentioned wildlife species are not guaranteed.
SH Minerva
The SH Minerva was designed for voyages to the most remote corners of our planet, including polar regions.
SH Minerva is the first in a series of three creatively conceived and designed next-generation expedition vessels of enhanced polar class.

Featuring an Ice-Strengthened PC5 hull and oversized stabilizers for smooth sailing, the ship is capable of expeditions to the world’s most inaccessible and breathtaking regions. SH Minerva offers its guests five-star accommodations, surrounded by elegant and refined interiors in a "Scandinavian Chic" style.
Available in all cabins:
  • Interactive TV
  • Mini bar
  • Safe
  • Air conditioning system
  • Pillow Menu
  • Hair dryer Babyliss
  • Bathrobes and slippers
  • Coffee machine
  • Service 24/7
  • 24-hour self-service laundry on deck
  • Cabin with window
    Area 19 sq.m. Maximum capacity 2 people
    5 cabins with a window are additionally equipped with a sofa and have a max. capacity 4 people.

  • Cabin with balcony
    Area 28 sq.m., including a panoramic balcony of 6 sq.m. Maximum capacity 2 people
  • Suite
    The area is 44 sq.m., including a panoramic balcony of 12 sq.m. Maximum capacity 4 people.
    Up to 5 people are allowed upon request.
    The suite can be combined with a cabin with a balcony, while the total area of the two combined cabins will be 72 m2.
    The bedroom is fitted with a Superking bed.
Cost includes:
• Transfers on the first and last day of the program
• Accommodation aboard the vessel in a cabin of the selected category
• Full board (three meals per day) on the vessel
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages available 24 hours a day
• 24-hour cabin service
• Lectures from the expedition team
• All shore landings and excursions according to the program
• Service charges, port fees, and gratuities
• Branded expedition jacket, water bottle, and backpack as gifts
• Basic Wi-Fi package
• Mini-bar in the cabin
• Commemorative photos and videos from the invited photographers and videographers
• Rental of rubber boots


Cost excludes (to be paid additionally):

  • Flight to and from Anadyr
  • Mandatory medical insurance covering emergency evacuation from remote and inaccessible areas
  • Hotel accommodation and excursion programs before and/or after the cruise
  • Personal onboard expenses (telephone calls, premium Wi-Fi package, etc.)
  • Premium alcoholic beverages at the bar, not included in the package


To take with:

Packing Recommendations
When selecting clothing and footwear, please account for the specific conditions of the Arctic region. Temperatures at the northernmost points of the route can drop below freezing. Shore landings may sometimes be replaced with coastal Zodiac cruises.
To ensure you can fully immerse yourself in the stark beauty of the northern wilderness, please be aware that coastal areas can be very windy, which significantly increases the wind chill. During Zodiac excursions, some spray is inevitable even in mild swell, so your clothing must be waterproof and windproof. As the body loses most of its heat through the head, hands, and feet, we advise paying special attention to insulating these areas. We also recommend bringing a portable sit mat.
Furthermore, protecting your equipment is crucial; we suggest bringing a waterproof case for photography in rain and drizzle.

Recommended Personal Gear:
  • Clothing and footwear for the cities where the cruise begins and ends.
  • Waterproof trousers for landings (mandatory!).
  • Wool sweater or fleece jacket.
  • Vest or hoodie.
  • Thermal base layer (2 sets).
  • Turtleneck and shirt.
  • Several T-shirts.
  • Jeans or other comfortable trousers.
  • Athletic wear for onboard fitness activities.
  • Swimwear for the onboard SPA and pool.
  • Mittens, gloves, and glove liners (2 pairs).
  • Warm, windproof hat.
  • Warm neck gaiter or scarf.
  • Balaclava.
  • Warm socks (several pairs).
  • Portable foam sit mat (optional).
  • Trainers or comfortable boots suitable for wearing onboard.
  • Sunglasses with UV protection, and sun protection for skin and lips.
  • Camera, extra memory cards, flash drives, spare batteries, and lenses.
  • Waterproof case for your equipment.
  • Laptop or tablet for notes and uploading photos.
  • Chargers for your devices, adapters, power bank.
  • Waterproof backpack for landings.
  • Waterproof dry bag for cameras and other electronics.
  • An adequate supply of any doctor-prescribed medication, plus extra for several additional days.
  • Travel documents.

Equipment Provided for Shore Excursions and Zodiac Landings:
  • A branded, warm, waterproof, and windproof Swan Hellenic Expeditions parka (which you may keep as a souvenir).
  • A reusable water bottle.
  • A life vest.
  • Waterproof Muck Boot rubber boots.
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
  • UNIQUENESS
    We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears.
  • ADVENTURISM
    Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again.
  • SAFETY
    In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features.
  • EXPERIENCE
    We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbs are tested by Mzungu himself and guided by seasoned team-leaders, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort.
  • REASONABLE PRICE
    All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.

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