"Wrangel: Cradle of the Polar Bears No. 4" — Cruise No. 15
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Visit the Edge of the World, bathe in thermal springs, and see polar bears and musk oxen with your own eyes.
Visit the Edge of the World, bathe in thermal springs, and see polar bears and musk oxen with your own eyes.
- start/end date04.09.2026
16.09.2026 - Duration13 days
12 nights - Days of the weekFriday/
Wednesday - Route length1800
nautical miles
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trekking -
whales/orcas -
"Zodiac" cruises -
hot springs -
wildlife -
Culture of the Peoples of the Russian North
We are in the tour operator registry RTO 022273
MEMBER OF THE RUSSIAN UNION OF TRAVEL INDUSTRY
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13-
day expedition cruise around Chukotka: from Anadyr to Wrangel Island and back.
Our main goal is to see a polar bear up close, one of the most amazing inhabitants of the Far North.
Additionally, we will land on the easternmost edge of Eurasia — Cape Dezhnev, visit an ancient Eskimo sanctuary, bathe in thermal baths in the middle of the tundra, explore islands and bays by Zodiac boats, come face to face with whales, and approach the International Date Line. This is one of our longest cruises of the season.
Additionally, we will land on the easternmost edge of Eurasia — Cape Dezhnev, visit an ancient Eskimo sanctuary, bathe in thermal baths in the middle of the tundra, explore islands and bays by Zodiac boats, come face to face with whales, and approach the International Date Line. This is one of our longest cruises of the season.
highlights of the route
Port of Anadyr
Port of Anadyr is a federally significant seaport located in the northern part of the Bering Sea, on the northwestern coast of Anadyr Bay. It is the largest seaport in Chukotka.
Photo: AlGaman, Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo: AlGaman, Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
highlights of the route
Transfiguration Bay
Transfiguration Bay of the Sea of Japan is located in the southeast of Lazovsky District, east of Cape Ostrovnoy Bay, bounded to the northwest by Cape Matveeva and to the southeast by Cape Ovsyankina. On the landward side stretches the vast Lazovsky Nature Reserve for many kilometers. On the shore of the bay lies the large fishing village of Preobrazhenie. The village is named after the Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, as it was founded on that very day.
Photo: Vera. vvo, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Photo: Vera. vvo, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
highlights of the route
Wrangel Island
Wrangel Island is a Russian island in the Arctic Ocean, located between the East Siberian Sea and the Chukchi Sea. It is named after the 19th-century Russian explorer and statesman Ferdinand Petrovich Wrangel.
The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve was established to preserve and study the typical and unique ecosystems of Arctic island territory. During the last glacial periods, the island’s soil cover and fauna remained untouched by ice, preserving a landscape and biodiversity largely unchanged since the Pleistocene era hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Wrangel Island is also famously known as a maternity denning site for polar bears. Each year, hundreds of female bears come here to give birth in dens, emerging with their cubs in March or April and remaining on the island until the young are ready to face the harsh Arctic environment.
"Wrangel Island" is the northernmost nature reserve in Russia, located within the Iultinsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The reserve includes two islands in the Chukchi Sea: Wrangel and Herald.
The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve was established to preserve and study the typical and unique ecosystems of Arctic island territory. During the last glacial periods, the island’s soil cover and fauna remained untouched by ice, preserving a landscape and biodiversity largely unchanged since the Pleistocene era hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Wrangel Island is also famously known as a maternity denning site for polar bears. Each year, hundreds of female bears come here to give birth in dens, emerging with their cubs in March or April and remaining on the island until the young are ready to face the harsh Arctic environment.
"Wrangel Island" is the northernmost nature reserve in Russia, located within the Iultinsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The reserve includes two islands in the Chukchi Sea: Wrangel and Herald.
highlights of the route
Herald Island
Herald Island is a remote landmass in the Chukchi Sea, located about 70 kilometers east of Wrangel Island. It is a granite-gneiss outcrop covering an area of 11.3 square kilometers. The island reaches a maximum elevation of 364 meters above sea level. Together with Wrangel Island, it forms part of the Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve, one of Russia’s most important Arctic protected areas. Administratively, the island belongs to the Iultinsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
The climate is harsh and Arctic: for most of the year, cold, dry air masses from the Arctic dominate the region. In summer, warmer, more humid air from the Pacific can reach the area, while occasionally, hot and dry air arrives from Siberia. The polar day lasts from mid-May to late July, while the polar night sets in from mid-November to late January.
Herald Island was discovered in 1849 by British naval officer Henry Kellett during a search for the lost Franklin Expedition. It was named after his ship, the brig HMS Herald.
The climate is harsh and Arctic: for most of the year, cold, dry air masses from the Arctic dominate the region. In summer, warmer, more humid air from the Pacific can reach the area, while occasionally, hot and dry air arrives from Siberia. The polar day lasts from mid-May to late July, while the polar night sets in from mid-November to late January.
Herald Island was discovered in 1849 by British naval officer Henry Kellett during a search for the lost Franklin Expedition. It was named after his ship, the brig HMS Herald.
highlights of the route
Бухта Гильмимыл
Gilmymyl Bay is home to a hot thermal spring that is famous throughout Chukotka.
Photo: Vera.vvo, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Photo: Vera.vvo, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
highlights of the route
Cape Dezhnev is the easternmost point of the Eurasian continent. This is where the first rays of the sun touch the land — the very first on Earth.
Cape Dezhnev is the easternmost point of the Chukchi Peninsula, making it the easternmost mainland point of Russia and the entire Eurasian continent.
It is a flat-topped, isolated mountain massif rising up to 740 meters and descending steeply into the sea.
Cape Dezhnev was first reached in the autumn of 1648 by a Russian expedition led by Semyon Dezhnev. In doing so, he became the first in history to navigate the Bering Strait (in effect discovering it) and round the Chukchi Peninsula. This achievement solved a major geographic mystery, providing proof that America is a separate continent and that it is possible to sail from Europe to China via the northern seas around Siberia.
Photo: Public domain
It is a flat-topped, isolated mountain massif rising up to 740 meters and descending steeply into the sea.
Cape Dezhnev was first reached in the autumn of 1648 by a Russian expedition led by Semyon Dezhnev. In doing so, he became the first in history to navigate the Bering Strait (in effect discovering it) and round the Chukchi Peninsula. This achievement solved a major geographic mystery, providing proof that America is a separate continent and that it is possible to sail from Europe to China via the northern seas around Siberia.
Photo: Public domain
highlights of the route
Kolyuchin Bay: 2,800 meters to the Arctic Ocean
A large bay in the Chukchi Sea, located on the northern coast of the Chukotka Peninsula. Its original name was Kolyuchinskaya Guba.
In 1793, the bay was named Count Bezborodko Bay in honor of Russian statesman Alexander Bezborodko. However, local residents did not adopt the name, and it was later renamed Kolyuchinskaya Bay after the nearby Kolyuchin Island.
The bay stretches for 100 kilometers, with depths ranging from 7 to 14 meters. Kolyuchinskaya Bay is covered with ice for most of the year. Its mouth lies only 2.8 km from the Arctic Ocean, separated by the Serykh Gusey Islands and the Belyaka Spit. The width of the bay increases to 37 kilometers as it extends southward into the mainland.
In 1793, the bay was named Count Bezborodko Bay in honor of Russian statesman Alexander Bezborodko. However, local residents did not adopt the name, and it was later renamed Kolyuchinskaya Bay after the nearby Kolyuchin Island.
The bay stretches for 100 kilometers, with depths ranging from 7 to 14 meters. Kolyuchinskaya Bay is covered with ice for most of the year. Its mouth lies only 2.8 km from the Arctic Ocean, separated by the Serykh Gusey Islands and the Belyaka Spit. The width of the bay increases to 37 kilometers as it extends southward into the mainland.
highlights of the route
Kolyuchin Island: The Wild East Unleashed
Kolyuchin Island is located in the Chukchi Sea, in the northern part of the Iultinsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, near the Indigenous village of Nutepelmen. The shortest distance to the mainland across the Sergievsky Strait is 11.3 km. The island is a rocky remnant of a mountain massif, with a maximum elevation of 188 meters above sea level.
Its Russian name comes from a distorted Chukchi word Kuvlyuchin, meaning "round." In the Chaplino Eskimo language, the island is known as Kulusik, or "separate ice floe." When British explorer James Cook visited the region, he marked it on his maps as Burney’s Island.
From 1943 to 1992, Kolyuchin was home to a Soviet polar research station. In 2022, photographer Dmitry Kokh captured a haunting scene with a drone: more than 20 polar bears roaming the ruins of the long-abandoned station. A photo of one of the bears peering through a window frame won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 award in the "Urban Wildlife" category.
Photo: Dmitry Kokh, Dmitry Kokh / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Its Russian name comes from a distorted Chukchi word Kuvlyuchin, meaning "round." In the Chaplino Eskimo language, the island is known as Kulusik, or "separate ice floe." When British explorer James Cook visited the region, he marked it on his maps as Burney’s Island.
From 1943 to 1992, Kolyuchin was home to a Soviet polar research station. In 2022, photographer Dmitry Kokh captured a haunting scene with a drone: more than 20 polar bears roaming the ruins of the long-abandoned station. A photo of one of the bears peering through a window frame won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 award in the "Urban Wildlife" category.
Photo: Dmitry Kokh, Dmitry Kokh / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
highlights of the route
Uelen Village. In Uelen, everything is quite literally the easternmost in Russia — from residential houses to the school and local shop.
Uelen is a rural locality in the Chukotsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. It is the easternmost inhabited settlement in both Russia and the entire continent of Eurasia. The village occupies a narrow strip of land just 300 meters wide — with a lagoon on one side and the Chukchi Sea on the other. Houses are built on stilts, a necessity in permafrost regions. During storms, waves sometimes reach and flood the stairways of the buildings. From time to time, walrus and whale carcasses wash ashore, attracting bears with their scent.
The village is home to about 600 residents, mostly Chukchi and Eskimos. The main occupations are fishing and marine mammal hunting.
According to archaeological excavations, the area of modern-day Uelen was originally settled by Eskimos. However, by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, they were gradually displaced by the Chukchi. Uelen first appeared on European maps in 1792 during the Billings-Sarychev expedition.
The village is home to about 600 residents, mostly Chukchi and Eskimos. The main occupations are fishing and marine mammal hunting.
According to archaeological excavations, the area of modern-day Uelen was originally settled by Eskimos. However, by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, they were gradually displaced by the Chukchi. Uelen first appeared on European maps in 1792 during the Billings-Sarychev expedition.
highlights of the route
Bering Strait: 49 km Between the USA and Russia
The Bering Strait is a narrow, intercontinental and interoceanic waterway connecting the Arctic Ocean with the Pacific and separating Asia (at its easternmost continental point—Cape Dezhnev in Russia’s Chukotka) from North America (at its westernmost continental point—Cape Prince of Wales in Alaska, USA).
In anthropology, the Bering Strait as it existed over 10,000 years ago is considered part of the now-submerged Bering Land Bridge, which early humans—Paleo-Indians—used to migrate into the Americas, becoming the ancestors of Indigenous peoples. Recent studies suggest that the first migrants arrived in the Americas from Siberia in a single wave no earlier than 23,000 years ago, during the Last Glacial Maximum.
The strait is named after Russian explorer Vitus Bering, who sailed through it in 1728. However, 80 years before Bering’s voyage, in 1648, the Russian expedition led by Semyon Dezhnev crossed from Chukotka to Alaska, also visiting the Ratmanov and Kruzenshtern Islands located in the middle of the strait.
Crossing the strait is strictly prohibited, as it forms part of the international border between Russia and the United States.
Photo: NASA, Public Domain
In anthropology, the Bering Strait as it existed over 10,000 years ago is considered part of the now-submerged Bering Land Bridge, which early humans—Paleo-Indians—used to migrate into the Americas, becoming the ancestors of Indigenous peoples. Recent studies suggest that the first migrants arrived in the Americas from Siberia in a single wave no earlier than 23,000 years ago, during the Last Glacial Maximum.
The strait is named after Russian explorer Vitus Bering, who sailed through it in 1728. However, 80 years before Bering’s voyage, in 1648, the Russian expedition led by Semyon Dezhnev crossed from Chukotka to Alaska, also visiting the Ratmanov and Kruzenshtern Islands located in the middle of the strait.
Crossing the strait is strictly prohibited, as it forms part of the international border between Russia and the United States.
Photo: NASA, Public Domain
Onboard activities include lectures, wildlife film screenings, and master classes on preparing seafood delicacies.
Why choose this cruise:
- You’ll experience the spirit of a true maritime expedition.
- You’ll visit the Bering Strait and the Chukchi Sea.
- You’ll see the Alley and the Whale Cemetery.
- You’ll reach the easternmost points of Eurasia and Russia.
- You’ll visit the northernmost nature reserve in Russia.
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You’ll see polar bears and muskoxen with your own eyes.
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You’ll "hunt" whales (photo-hunting) from motorboats and approach bird colonies.
- You’ll relax in thermal springs at the edge of the world.
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You’ll get acquainted with the daily life and traditions of the Chukchi and Eskimos.
- You’ll approach the International Date Line.
Cabins and rates
Cancellation and payment policies
- 120 days or more before departure:Refund of the cost minus a service fee of 70,000 rubles per person
- 119 to 61 days before departure:50% of the total cruise cost is retained
- Less than 60 days before departure:100% of the total cruise cost is retained
Cases of cancellation due to force majeure circumstances (e.g., health conditions) are considered individually. Special offer for clients with a "Top Discoverer" loyalty card. To receive special conditions, please log in to the booking panel.
WEBSITE PAYMENT TERMS:
WEBSITE PAYMENT TERMS:
- Payment of an advance payment in the amount of 70% of the total sum specified in the booking confirmation (not subject to VAT) within 5 days from the moment of booking/receiving the invoice.
- Payment of the second part of the payment in the amount of 30% no later than 120 days before the start of the tour, according to the amount specified in the booking confirmation (not subject to VAT).
- When booking a tour less than 120 days before its start, full payment of the amount specified in the booking confirmation is made within 5 days from the moment of booking/receiving the invoice (not subject to VAT).
- Late payment of the advance payment balance later than 120 days before the start of the tour is subject to penalties in the amount of 1% (one percent) of the total tour cost for 1 (one) day of delay.
- Payment by invoice: send a request for an invoice to cruises@panarcticstar.ru
- 70% prepayment within 5 calendar days after receiving the invoice, then 30% 120 days before the cruise start date.
Expedition cruise program
Right after heading out into the open sea — a welcome lunch. Don’t forget to look out the portholes or over the side of the ship: already in the Anadyr Estuary, we have a 100% chance of seeing the mysterious milky-marbled belugas.
The Anadyr Bay is so vast that not every sea can compare to it. We will call this day the "Day of Knowledge." You’ll listen to fascinating lectures by research scientists and watch both documentary and feature films in the lecture hall. Later, you’ll meet the captain and hear stories about the ship’s history and its long voyages across the world’s oceans.
In the morning, we will land on Itygran Island, home to the Whale Bone Alley — an ancient Eskimo sanctuary made of bowhead whale skulls and jawbones, resembling a modern conceptual art installation. Created no later than the 16th century, it was discovered only about fifty years ago.
Afterward, we will sail to the village of Yanrakynnot, near which lies the Whale Graveyard — a striking and ambiguous "monument" to the whaling trade. The sight of hundreds of massive bones, some as tall as a person, is both chilling and mesmerizing.
Afterward, we will sail to the village of Yanrakynnot, near which lies the Whale Graveyard — a striking and ambiguous "monument" to the whaling trade. The sight of hundreds of massive bones, some as tall as a person, is both chilling and mesmerizing.
The distance from here to Cape Prince of Wales — the westernmost point of America — is 86 km. On a clear day, from the obelisk dedicated to the Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnev (whose expedition reached this edge of the land in 1648), you can see the shores of the neighboring continent. Let’s hope we’ll be lucky too! After marking this iconic place, we will arrive at the village of Uelen, the easternmost settlement in Eurasia. About 700 people live here, mostly Chukchi and Eskimos. In Uelen, we will visit a workshop specializing in walrus ivory carving for over 90 years, and try local delicacies: caviar, northern fish, whale, and walrus meat.
Once there was a polar research station here, but it has long since turned into a ghost town. However, the uninhabited island has been taken over by walruses and — in countless numbers — seabirds. Standing at the edge of the high, steep cliff, hearing their relentless noise, and gazing out at the endless sea is a pleasure available only to true travelers.
The island is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to Russia’s northernmost nature reserve. Polar bears—though they may look cute—are formidable predators. We will observe them from Zodiacs, keeping a safe distance. Another important species to watch are the mighty musk oxen, introduced to the island in the last century. There are also seals, walruses, reindeer, and a great variety of birds. The vegetation in the Arctic is low but diverse and colorful, with over 120 species of moss alone. Since we are above the Arctic Circle, our itinerary and landings will depend on the unpredictable weather. If conditions allow, we will undertake a trek around the island.
If ice conditions permit, we will also visit there. Landing on the rocky shore is very challenging, but Zodiac boats offer excellent opportunities to cruise around the island, capturing picturesque landscapes with polar bears and bustling bird colonies.
Today we will explore Kolyuchinskaya Bay — a huge inlet clearly visible from space. On Zodiac boats, we will approach its rocky shores with bustling bird colonies (one of the most remarkable local residents is the emperor goose) and hope to encounter gray or bowhead whales.
Four kilometers from Ratmanov Island lies Kruzenshtern Island, which is already U.S. territory. It takes about 20 minutes to travel between the two islands, but you’ll have to set your clock forward by 21 hours: not only does the border between countries run here, but also the International Date Line. That’s why Ratmanov and Kruzenshtern are also called the "Yesterday" and "Tomorrow" islands. Very poetic indeed.
We enter Penkegney Bay, part of the Beringia National Park. For those who enjoy long walks, there’s a 14 km trek across the tundra leading to hot springs. For those who prefer a lighter program, there’s a visit to the puffin island of Merkin’kan, whale watching, and a shorter 3 km hike from Gilmymyyl Bay to the hot springs.
Gilmymyyl Bay is also part of the Beringia National Park. A short walk will reward us with a relaxing dip in the natural spa and breathtaking views of the park. After visiting the springs, we’ll return to the ship. Weather permitting, we may enjoy a picnic dinner on shore in one of the park’s scenic pavilions.
Gilmymyyl Bay is also part of the Beringia National Park. A short walk will reward us with a relaxing dip in the natural spa and breathtaking views of the park. After visiting the springs, we’ll return to the ship. Weather permitting, we may enjoy a picnic dinner on shore in one of the park’s scenic pavilions.
New Chaplino is the only Eskimo village on the planet, with a population of about 400 people. Here, we will visit the local school, enjoy a traditional concert in Eskimo attire at the cultural center, and possibly observe the harsh life of the sea hunters—such as the butchering of a whale or walrus.
The program also includes purchasing handmade souvenirs and tasting unusual dishes of Eskimo cuisine. In Tkachen Bay, along whose shores New Chaplino is located, whales often swim close to the coast, so there is a high chance of seeing them right from the shore.
The program also includes purchasing handmade souvenirs and tasting unusual dishes of Eskimo cuisine. In Tkachen Bay, along whose shores New Chaplino is located, whales often swim close to the coast, so there is a high chance of seeing them right from the shore.
And once again, we have a full "Day of Learning," reinforcing the skills and practice gained during the cruise.
Until we meet again aboard the "Akademik Shokalskiy "!
Built in 1982 at a shipyard in Finland, it has been refitted for comfortable accommodation of up to 44 passengers. It features luxury cabins, mini-suites, 2-person cabins with private bathrooms, as well as 2- and 3-person cabins with shared bathrooms.
Gourmet Restaurant — a Delightful Culinary Experience!
Our chef has worked in fine dining restaurants and has repeatedly catered for marine expeditions. He will ensure that the food is as diverse and delightful as the breathtaking views outside your window.
От Чукотки до Камчатки, маршрут 2 — экспедиционный круиз № 10
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Please Note:
Arrival and departure times are local, considering time zone changes. The cruise route, landing locations, and activity schedules may change due to weather or other factors beyond the organizers' control.
Vasta Expeditions Opens Bookings for 2026 Adventures
In 2026, we’ll be landing on uninhabited islands, visiting remote nature reserves, taking boat trips to seal rookeries and towering bird cliffs, and encountering whales and seals in their natural habitat. Most importantly, we’ll be enjoying breathtaking landscapes in the company of curious, passionate travelers. Choose your 2026 adventure!