Welcome to the Arctic: one of the most remote and fascinating regions of the world, and an area which, so far, had only been accessible to the privileged few. For our purposes, the Arctic will be defined as that area having a polar climate, where the mean temperature of the warmest month does not exceed 10° C/50° F. In a practical sense, this places the southern limit of the Arctic at the place of the 10° C July isotherm rather than at a specific latitude. This viewpoint is especially valid because of its geographic correlation with the tree line. (However, there are places that the two lines diverge by as much as 160 km due to desiccating winds, permafrost and poor soil). 

Names such as Franklin, Amundsen, Peary and Nansen are bywords for the 'golden age' of exploration and, due to the Arctic climate, elements of the past have been preserved. To view these historical sights is a great experience, but any contact with the past requires respect. Here you can learn about the fascinating polar history over the centuries that leads us to a greater understanding of this unique region for the future.

Sail into spectacular fjords surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers illuminated by the 24-hour sun; thrill at the experience of your powerful icebreaker tackling the pressure ridges, hummocks and ice floes of this northern world; land by expertly-piloted helicopter in areas inaccessible by Zodiac; discover historic sites of polar exploration; and call at lands rarely visited before. Polar bears, musk ox, walruses, whales and other marine wildlife, roam the icy seas and landscapes of the North. Only icebreakers like ours can take you to these remote and fascinating Polar Regions. Join us on one of our voyages of exploration and adventure to the Arctic. in 2004 we offer:

The North Pole 2004
The icebreaker, Yamal, is one of the very few of the world's most powerful ships to have made the fantastic journey all the way to 90°N - the North Pole. This voyage to the "Top of the World" is the ultimate journey of adventure and discovery.

Arctic Adventures 2004
Once again we have designed yet another series of fascinating voyages of discovery aboard the polar icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov. Our first voyage of the season, Russia's Far East & Wrangel Island, will give you the chance to be among the few to have visited Wrangel Island, a world famous nature reserve, whilst our Northwest Passage - The Amundsen Route voyage will bring alive the endeavors of those who charted the Arctic. Explore the towering mountains, glaciers and protected fjords of Canada and Greenland's High Arctic or journey to Tanquary Fjord, Ellesmere Island and Greenland where we will visit the stunning glaciers and valleys of this region and call on some of the most remote communities in the world.

Arctic Journeys 2004
The Arctic coastlines offer some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences in the world. Visitors to the region can witness enormous colonies of seabirds thronging the cliffs and shores, and enjoy the thrilling antics of whales and dolphins at sea and seals and Walrus hauled out on the rocks and ice floes. The lucky may even encounter the very symbol of the Arctic - the Polar Bear. Though remote and sparsely populated today, many of the places we explore have been inhabited in the last 5000 years, and thousands of unique prehistoric and historic sites are a testimony to the thriving cultures of the past. Our itineraries include Iceland, Jan Mayen, Bear Island, Spitsbergen and Greenland, Hudson Bay, Labrador and Newfoundland.