FRANZ JOSEF LAND 

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Greg Mortimer

The Greg Mortimer is a new purpose built, polar expedition vessel taking 120 guests. This vessel has been designed in close consultation with Antarctic expedition specialists and is the first expedition cruise ship designed with the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull. This cutting edge nautical technology allows for gentle travel and motion at sea, improved comfort and safety on-board, reduced vibrations, lower fuel consumption and emissions and ‘virtual anchoring’ which means the ship can float anchor-less while launching the Zodiacs without disturbing delicate sea floor areas. There are four sea-level launching platforms for fast and efficient access to and from Zodiacs.

Day 1 Kirkenes, Norway

Day 2 Murmansk, Russia

After sailing overnight into Russia, stop in Murmansk, to undergo formalities to enter Russia. During clearance procedures, you may go on a city tour of Murmansk visiting the monument to the soldier of WW2 and also the first nuclear icebreaker Lenin.

Days 3-4 At Sea

Over the next two days at sea, enjoy informative and entertaining lectures from the expert expedition team including naturalists, historians and geologists. If there is time and the weather allows the ship may cruise along the coast of Novaya Zemlya for the first glimpse of the tundra of the high Arctic. Depending on conditions the expedition team may try a landing in the tundra or a zodiac cruise in front of your first glacier.

Days 5-11 Franz Josef Land

From mysterious Bell lsland to majestic Champ Island, explore the central-most of the 191 islands in the archipelago. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings including the elusive bowhead whale and the Arctic’s top predator, the polar bear. The ship will head west to Prince George Land and Alexandra Land where you will make landings along the way. Cliffs around the islands host massive nesting colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies and kittiwakes. 85% of the archipelago is dominated by gigantic tidewater glaciers and towering icebergs.

Franz Josef Land is a stark yet beautiful world of glaciers, mosses and lichens. Approximately five million sea birds nest on the archipelago every year, with the thick-billed guillemot accounting for approximately 20%. Other seabirds such as fulmar, kittiwake, Brünnich’s guillemot, black guillemot and little auk are common throughout the archipelago. On the flat tundra, nest other species such as: common eider, purple sandpiper, Arctic skua, glaucous gull, ivory gull, Arctic tern and snow bunting. Franz Josef Land is home to two Arctic giants – the Polar bear and the walrus. There is also a population of Arctic fox, which typically have their territories near seabird habitats. The waters of Franz Josef Land are visited by whales, including humpback, bowhead, narwhal, and white beluga whale. Walrus, ringed seals, bearded seals and an amazing species of mammals, choose Franz Josef Land and the water areas around it as their home. While there are many exciting places we can choose to visit over the following week, weather, wind, and sea-ice conditions will determine your itinerary in Franz Josef Land.

Days 12-13 At Sea

After final landings in Franz Josef land, you clear Russian customs and enjoy the educational program on the return crossing of Barents Sea to Svalbard.

Day 14 Murmansk, Russia

The ship will travel through Murmansk for clearance procedures before continuing back to Kirkenes, Norway.

Day 15 Kirkenes, Norway

Arrive in Kirkenes in the morning, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers. A transfer to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.