Set on the border between Soviet Russia and the USA, the north Siberian coast is known as the “Ice Curtain.”  This wild land is the setting for our expedition cruise aboard the 50-guest Spirit of Enderby as we discover a world of spouting whales, huge bird colonies, walrus haul-outs, and native villages. We navigate from Russia through the Bering Strait to Wrangel Island, a treasure trove of Arctic biodiversity and well known for its polar bear population. We hope to catch many glimpses of this magnificent animal as well as walrus, reindeer, snow geese, and migratory bird species that nest here in the brief Arctic summer. The islands’ human histories are fascinating as well, and our expert expedition team presents informative lectures and lends insight to the stupendous landscapes we explore and the fantastic wildlife encounters we enjoy.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Anadyr / Anadyrskiy Bay

Arriving in Anadyr, Russia, we embark on the Spirit of Enderby and sail across Anadyrskiy Bay toward the Bering Strait.

Days 3-5
Yttygran, Nuneangan, and Arakamchechen Islands / Cape Dezhnev / Uelen Village / Kolyuchin Island

As we explore these islands we visit the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley, search for gray whales by Zodiac, see nesting seabirds, and may view a prominent walrus haul-out. Landing at Cape Dezhnev, we visit Uelen Village, one of the largest centers for traditional Chukchi and Inuit art in the world. Kolyuchin Island, once an important Russian Polar Research Station, is home to some of the most amazing bird cliffs in the Arctic—puffins, guillemots, gulls, and cormorants can be observed and photographed from just yards away.

Days 6-10
Wrangel and Herald Islands

Wrangel Island is a major polar bear denning area, has an introduced population of musk oxen and reindeer, and is also the last landfall for migratory species flying north. Each summer thousands of birds migrate here to breed, including snow geese, snowy owls, skuas, Arctic terns, and Ross’s, Sabine’s, and ivory gulls. We make many landings to search for wildlife, wildflowers, and Arctic landscapes, and also visit nearby Herald Island. While on Wrangel we can take a 3-day overland expedition (optional, at extra cost) through the heart of this incredible landscape in the company of rangers from the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve. Walrus haul-outs, archaeological sites, and walks on the tundra are among the offered activities.

Days 11-12
North Siberian Coast / Kolyuchin Inlet

As we travel along the north Siberian coast, we visit Chukchi villages whose residents still make their living hunting walrus, seals, and whales. On the enormous Kolyuchin Inlet, we search the dunes and tidal areas for birdlife including emperor geese and spoon-billed sandpipers. Gray whales frequent the area and are sometimes spotted feeding only yards offshore.

Days 13-15
Bering Strait and Chukotka Coast / Anadyr

Returning through the Bering Strait, we pass the Diomede Island, where Russia and America are separated by only 2.3 nautical miles of ocean, and make an expedition landing on the Chukotka coast—our last chance to enjoy the wildlife and tundra landscape. After a day at sea, we disembark at Anadyr and depart.

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