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Norway, Murmansk and Franz Josef Land - Sailing North of 80° to the Russian Arctic

Tromsø – Murmansk – Franz Josef Land – Murmansk - Skarsvåg - Tromsø

Remote Franz Josef Land has always been a magnet for hardy adventurers, and now you can setfoot on the ice were Nansen and Johansen spent the winter, watch for polar bears wandering intheir natural environment and feel the cool Arctic air gust down from the North Pole just a fewmiles away.

Travel period29 August 201912 September 2019

Duration15 days

From51374 NOK per person

www.a-expeditions.comEmail: info@a-expeditions.com

Experience wild and rarely-visited historic Franz Josef Land

Great chance of sighting walrus and polar bears

Enjoy a Russian experience in the port of Murmansk

Visit the North Cape

Norway and the Trappers' Port

Norway has an incredibly long coastline, stretching from 58° to 71°N. This rugged shoreline features a diverse landscape, from lushfjords to steep mountains, islands, skerries and Arctic wilderness. We begin our adventure in Tromsø, starting point for so many expeditions and trapper adventures, all detailed at the fascinating Polar Museum. Take time to enjoy the town´s old wooden buildings and modern Arctic Cathedral before embarking on

MS Spitsbergen.

The next morning, we take you ashore on Sørøya, a beautiful island close to Hammerfest. Using our tender boats, we will explore the local landscape.

Into Russia

We call at the exotic Russian harbour of Murmansk. The port here is strategically important for both military and trade vessels anddominates life in the town.

Franz Josef Land - Remote islands, mighty glaciers and pure wilderness

We set sail northwards. For the next two days, the air will become steadily cooler, and we may experience some polar fog as warmwaters and cold air meet before we arrive at Franz Josef Land.

We will spend five days exploring the world´s northernmost archipelago. This is expedition sailing at its most authentic. Our route andlanding sites are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions, and our experienced Captain and Expedition team will takeadvantage of the conditions at hand to seize opportunities that arise.

The islands are composed of basalt rocks cut by dramatic glaciers, majestic mountain formations, deep fjords, buzzing bird cli�s andendless arctic tundra with diverse flora and fauna.

Cape Flora, named for the flowers that bloom here at the foot of a bird cli�, is where Nansen unexpectedly met Jackson, therebyensuring his rescue. At Calm Bay we can marvel at the hardiness of Russian meteorologists who survived five years here without re-supply. Rubini Rock is a magnificent bird cli� we aim to cruise along. At Cape Triest we may go ashore and see the Devil´s Marblesgeological phenomenon.

We sail well above the 80th parallel and place you closer than 600 nautical miles from the Geographical North Pole. Explore rarely-visited historical sites of the Arctic. Among a large variety of plants and wildlife are seals, thousands of seabirds and the Arctic fox. Lookout for walrus hauled out on lonely beaches. The polar bear population in the area is thought to be around 3,000, spread between hereand Svalbard, so we have excellent chance to see these magnificent predators.

Following our days of exploration in Franz Josef Land, we make our way back to Murmansk.

Returning to Norway

The next day, you will find yourself at the northernmost point of the European mainland. The North Cape has been an excitingadventure destination for travelers for centuries. Many travelled great distances over land to take in the view and stand atop the steepcli� 307 metres above the Arctic Ocean marking the end of the continent.

A�er our adventure to the ice, we say farewell in Tromsø, where we started our expedition.

Price includes:

Hurtigruten Expedition with cabin grade of your choice on a full board basisWind and water-resistant jacketLandings with small boats and activities on board and ashoreProfessional English speaking Expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanies landings andactivitiesFree tea and co�ee

Not included:

International flightsTravel insuranceLuggage handlingOptional excursions and gratuities

NOTE: For our sailings with MS Spitsbergen to Russia a VISA per passenger is required.

Booking Email: sales@a-expeditions.com to book your space. www.a-expeditions.com

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