Wilderness Travel
    REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794
  • Destinations
    • All destinations

        Our Trips

        With over 200 journeys worldwide, our award-winning trips offer an incredible range of experiences for every interest and ability. Our journeys feature amazing Trip Leaders and fascinating itineraries that give you an utterly unique experience. Wilderness Travel has been consistently voted as one of the World's Top 5 Operators by Travel & Leisure readers.
    • Africa

        Africa

        Algeria Benin Botswana East Africa Egypt Ethiopia
        Ghana Kenya Kilimanjaro Madagascar Morocco Namibia
        Serengeti South Africa Southern Africa Tanzania Togo
        Tunisia Uganda West Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
    • Asia

        Asia

        Armenia Azerbaijan Bhutan Borneo Cambodia Central Asia China Georgia
        Himalayas India Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Ladakh Laos
        Malaysia Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Raja Ampat Russia Singapore
        Southeast Asia Sri Lanka Tajikistan Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Vietnam
    • Europe

        Europe

        Albania Alps Armenia Austria Azores Balkans Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina British Isles Bulgaria Corsica Croatia Cyprus
        Czech Republic Denmark Dolomites England Faroe Islands Finland France Georgia Germany Great Britain Greece Greenland Hungary
        Iceland Ireland Italy Lapland Liechtenstein Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Portugal Pyrenees Romania
        Russia Sardinia Scotland Sicily Slovakia Slovenia Spain Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Wales
    • Galapagos

        Galapagos

        Ecuador
    • Latin America

        Latin America

        Amazon Andes Argentina Baja Belize
        Bolivia Brazil Central America Chile Colombia
        Costa Rica Ecuador Falkland Islands Galapagos Islands Guatemala
        Mexico Panama Pantanal Patagonia Peru
    • Middle East

        Middle East

        Egypt Israel Jordan Oman Turkey
    • North America

        North America

        Alaska Arizona Baja Canada
        Greenland Hawaii Mexico Montana
        Oregon Pacific Northwest Southwest USA
        Utah Washington Wyoming Yellowstone
    • Pacific

        Pacific

        Australia Bali Borneo Fiji French Polynesia Galapagos Islands Ha'apai Islands
        Indonesia Japan Komodo Malaysia Marquesas Islands Melanesia New Zealand
        Palau Papua New Guinea Raja Ampat Society Islands Solomon Islands South Pacific
        Southeast Asia Tahiti Tasmania Tonga Tuamotu Archipelago Vanuatu
    • Polar Regions

        Polar Regions

        Alaska Antarctica Arctic Canada Falkland Islands Finland Greenland Iceland Norway Russia Spitsbergen Svalbard
  • Ways to Go

      Inspirations

      Where Can I Travel Now New Cruises for 2021 Top Ten Places in 2021 New Trips Special Offers Best Sellers Photo Blog Wish List Request a Catalog Sign-up for Enewsletter

      Trip Types

      Small Group Adventures Private Journeys Cruise Collection Journeys by Rail WT Expeditions Special Events Family Trips Repertory Trips

      Activities

      Culinary Cultural Adventures Eclipse Hiking / Trekking Journeying by Rail River Cruising Safaris Sea Kayaking Small Boat & Yacht Cruising Small Ship Cruising Snorkeling Walking Wildlife & Natural History
  • About WT

      About Us

      Welcome How We Travel Our Trip Leaders Making a Difference Awards WT in the News Careers Resources
  • Specials
Menu
  • Call 1-800-368-2794
  • Email Us
  • Find a Trip
  • Our Trips
  • Catalog Request
  • Enewsletter Sign-up
  • Special Offers
  • About WT
  • Resources
  • Photo Blog

Receive Our Enewsletter

Sign me up to receive your Enewsletter, announcing new adventures and special offers.

At Wilderness Travel we never rent or sell our mailing list. See our Privacy Policy for further details.

 Sign-up for Emails
 Request the Catalog
YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE AWAITS
walrus arctic wrangel island zodiac
wrangel island landscape
wrangel island reindeer
bones wrangel island landscape
wrangel island polar bear
whale wrangel island
musk ox wrangel island
Previous Next

Wrangel Island: Across the Top of the World

Discover the Wild Siberian Coast aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy or Spirit of Enderby

Overview

This expedition cruise along the wild north Siberian coast reveals a world of spouting whales, enormous bird colonies, walrus haul-outs, and native villages. Aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy or Spirit of Enderby, you’ll navigate from Russia through the Bering Strait to Wrangel Island, a treasure trove of Arctic biodiversity and well known for its polar bear population. You may 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 your expert expedition team lends insight to the stupendous landscapes and fantastic wildlife encounters you enjoy.

Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.

Itinerary

NOTE: You can join this expedition either in Anadyr, Russia, or Nome, Alaska. Those starting in Nome will fly by a Heritage Expeditions charter flight to Anadyr and will join the ship and the expedition members who have traveled directly to Anadyr.

Those departing from Nome, Alaska, should arrive in Nome before midday and preferably the previous night. On arrival, you should check in with Bering Air at the Nome Airport who will have details of our charter flight. During this flight you will cross the International Date Line, arriving into Anadyr on Day 1 of the expedition. You will clear Russian Customs and Immigration.

Day 1
Anadyr

All expedition members will arrive in Anadyr. If you are traveling directly to Anadyr and require pre or post cruise accommodation or excursions, please contact us. Depending on your arrival time you may have the opportunity to explore Anadyr, the administrative center of the Chukotka region, before getting to know your fellow voyagers and crew aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov or Spirit of Enderby. All meals included aboard the ship.

Day 2
Anadyrskiy Bay

We depart Anadyr Harbor in the early morning and you are invited to join the Captain, officers, and the expedition staff on the bridge. The Anadyr estuary is renowned for its beluga whales. As we sail across Anadyrskiy Bay toward the Bering Strait, we will enjoy briefings, introductory lectures, and a chance to relax or enjoy some birding with our naturalist guides.

Day 3
Yttygran, Nuneangan, and Arakamchechen Islands

Yttygran Island is home to the monumental ancient aboriginal site known as Whale Bone Alley, where whalebones are scattered along the beach for more than 500 yards. There are many meat pits used for storage and other remains of a busy whaling camp that united several aboriginal villages at a time. In one location, immense bowhead whale jawbones and ribs are placed together in a stunning arch formation. After landing at Whale Bone Alley we will take the Zodiacs on a whale-watching excursion (gray whales are frequently seen around the island). We will also cruise close to neighboring Nuneangan Island (Bird Island), where a large number of seabirds nest. On nearby Arakamchechen Island there is a prominent walrus haul-out; if the animals are present we will land and walk across the tundra to view them from the cliffs.

Day 4
Cape Dezhnev / Uelen Village

Sea conditions permitting, we land at Cape Dezhnev, the northeastern-most point of the Eurasian continent. It is sometimes possible to see the coast of America from this remote and lonely outpost. It is also a historic landmark named after the Siberian Cossack Semyon Dezhnev, who in 1648 became the first European to sail from the Arctic to the Pacific. A steep scramble from the beach brings us to an abandoned border guard base, a monument to Dezhnev, and another to all the sailors who have sailed these seas. Cape Prince of Wales in Alaska lies 55 miles across the Bering Strait. A few nautical miles to the west of Cape Dezhnev we visit Uelen Village, the most northeastern village in Russia. Archaeological work has revealed that walrus, seal, and whale hunters have lived here for over 2,000 years. Today the population is predominantly Chukchi, with some Russians and Inuit. Hunting is still very important but the village is also one of the largest centers for traditional Chukchi and Inuit art in the world. We will be entertained by villagers and visit the bone-carving workshop during our visit. Sculptures from the bone-carving workshop in Uelen can be found in most of the major museums in Russia.

Day 5
Kolyuchin Island

This small island was once an important Russian Polar Research Station and one of a number dotted across the Arctic. With the collapse of the USSR, there was no money to maintain them and they were abandoned; the buildings are derelict but the wildlife the men studied is still here. Near the abandoned station at the northwestern end of the island are some of the most amazing bird cliffs in the Arctic; puffins, guillemots, gulls, and cormorants can be observed and photographed from just yards away. At the southeastern end of the island there is a prominent walrus haul out, if the animals are present it is one of the easiest places to observe them and get some good photographs.

Days 6-10
Wrangel and Herald Islands

Ice and weather conditions permitting, we spend the next few days on Wrangel Island, with a visit to nearby Herald Island. The earliest human occupation on Wrangel Island dates back to 3200 BC and it has been established they were seasonal hunters from Siberia. The island’s presence was speculated about and marked on maps by early Russian explorers but it wasn’t until 1849 that it was “rediscovered” by the British. A Canadian expedition attempted to establish a settlement and claim the Island for Canada, but they were evicted by the Russians who claimed the island. Today it is a Russian Federal Nature Reserve of international significance and importance. A lot of its significance lies in the fact that it is a major polar bear denning area. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as a polar bear maternity ward because of the large numbers of pups born here. It 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. There are many landings that we can make to search out wildlife, wildflowers, and Arctic landscapes. Polar bears will be high on our list of animals to see and with a little patience we should be rewarded with a number of encounters. Musk oxen and reindeer were introduced to the island in 1975 and 1948 respectively, though reindeer numbers are low. We also have a chance to visit Dragi Harbor where the survivors of the Karluk, crushed by ice in 1914, scrambled ashore and lived until they were rescued. Ice conditions permitting, we will explore Herald Island to the east of Wrangel Island.

Day 11
North Siberian Coast

Although this area is well mapped and charted, there have been very few expedition cruises and consequently there is a lot of scope for expedition landings. There are several choices, including a purported large walrus haul out at Cape Vankarem. The area around the Cape is bounded by narrow sand ridges with numerous coastal lagoons and inlets; nearby there is a small Chukchi village whose residents still make their living hunting walrus, seals, and whales. A smaller Chukchi village, Nutepelmen, is situated on a spit at the entrance to Pyngopikhin Lagoon, farther west of Cape Vankarem.

Day 12
Kolyuchin Inlet

So huge that it is visible from satellite photos, the Kolyuchin Inlet contains vast numbers of waterfowl and migratory waders. We concentrate our visit on the spit near the mouth of the inlet, a wild, desolate and strangely beautiful landscape. 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 just yards offshore.

Day 13
Bering Strait and Chukotka Coast

In the early morning we pass the Diomede Islands, sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Isle because they straddle the International Date Line. Here Russia and America are separated by only 2.3 nautical miles of ocean. We remain in Russian territory as we cruise south past the islands. When the USA purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, the new boundary was drawn between Big (Russian) and Little (USA) Diomede Islands. This makes Big Diomede Island Russia’s easternmost possession. The island was originally inhabited by Yupik Eskimos, but after World War II the native population was relocated to the mainland. Today there are no permanent residents but the Russians maintain a border guard station here. It is an important island for birdlife with good numbers of blacklegged kittiwakes, common and Brunnich’s guillemot, and horned and tufted puffin. Later this afternoon we make an expedition landing on the Chukotka coast—our last chance to enjoy the wildlife and tundra landscape.

Day 14
At Sea

We join the staff for an expedition recap and a disembarkation briefing, then simply relax as we sail across Anadyrskiy Bay toward Anadyr.

Day 15
Anadyr

We disembark after breakfast. There will be a complimentary transfer to the airport or to a hotel of your choice. Those returning to Nome will join a charter flight that will depart Anadyr around midday and, because of the dateline, arrive back in Nome on the evening of the previous day. However, we strongly advise that you do not book any onward travel from Nome until the following day to allow for possible delays in the charter flight. Those returning to Moscow can either be transferred to the airport or hotel in Anadyr, depending on their flight times.

Wrangel Island: Across the Top of the World

Highlights

Highlights

Wrangel Island, one of the last undiscovered wonders of the world
Plentiful wildlife, including polar bears, snow geese, walrus, snowy owls, and more
Chukchi village visits and Whale Bone Alley, conditions permitting
Zodiac excursions, expert guest lecturers

Details

Length: 15 days
Cost From: $9350  
Full pricing
Arrive: Anadyr, Russia
Depart: Anadyr, Russia
Lodging: 14 nights aboard expedition vessel
View Lodging
Meals: All meals included aboard ship
Activity: Small Ship Cruising
Trip Level:

Cultural exploration and walking tours
What the Trip is Like

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!
Cruise collection 2021 brochure

Download Brochure

We’ve searched the world to find the finest small ships with the most intriguing cruising itineraries, from the High Arctic to Patagonia to the great rivers of Europe.

View our online digital brochure on your computer or mobile device, or download as a PDF! Or request a printed copy to be sent by mail, or by calling 800-368-2794.

Trip Cost

Jul 19-Aug 2, 2021, Aug 2-16, 2021
Per person, double occupancy
CategoriesPrice
Main Deck Triple $9350
Main Deck Cabins $10,400
Superior Cabins $11,500
Superior Plus Cabins $12,600
Mini Suites $13,000
Heritage Suites $13,800
Landing Fees: $500 per person
Private Charter Flight (Nome to Anadyr to Nome): $2000
Wrangel Island Overland Traverse extension (Akademik Shokalskiy departures only): $1450
Jul 25-Aug 8, 2022
Per person, double occupancy
CategoriesPrice
Main Deck Triple $9350
Main Deck $10,400
Superior $11,500
Superior Plus $12,600
Mini Suite $13,000
Heritage Suite $13,800
Landing Fees: $500 per person
Private Charter Flight (Nome to Anadyr to Nome): $2000
Wrangel Island Overland Traverse extension (Akademik Shokalskiy departures only): $1450

Extension Costs

Wrangel Island: Overland Traverse: from $1450

Departures

2021
Jul 19-Aug 2, 2021   Akademik Shokalskiy 
Aug 2-16, 2021   Spirit of Enderby 
Aug 2-16, 2021   Akademik Shokalskiy 
2022
Jul 25-Aug 8, 2022   Spirit of Enderby 
Aug 8-22, 2022   Spirit of Enderby 
Aug 22-Sep 5, 2022   Spirit of Enderby 

Trip Cost Includes

  • Accommodations and meals aboard the ship; some cabin categories have shared bathrooms
  • All shore excursions as outlined in the itinerary
  • Services of Expedition Leadership/tour staff
  • Post-trip expedition log

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Airfare to Nome or Anadyr or return; round trip charter flight Nome/Anadyr; alcoholic and other beverages; visas and travel insurance; gratuities to ship staff; passport or visas; travel insurance; all items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes and email service

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: 25% of trip cost
130 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $750 per person
90-179 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
89 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Arrival & Departure Information

You are responsible for your own transportation arriving to Anadyr, Russia, and departing from Anadyr, Russia. If you have any questions, please call our office at 1-800-368-2794.

Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip. Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule.

2021 - 2022 Departures
Arrival & Meeting Place
Anadyr, Russia
Date: Day 1
Suggested arrival time: Afternoon

Suggested Airport for Arrival
Nome, Alaska (OME)

Passengers may arrive at anytime in Anadyr on Day 1 of the trip. If you would like to take advantage of a charter flight from Nome to Anadyr, you will need to arrive in Nome two days prior to Day 1 for overnight (own expense).  Your charter flight to Anadyr will depart from Nome one day prior to Day 1.  The charter flight cost is $2000 per person. Please note that the purchase of charter flights is not mandatory but space is limited and needs to be requested as soon as possible after confirmation of the cruise.

Departure
Anadyr, Russia
Date: Day 15
Disembarkation: After breakfast


Suggested Airport for Departure
Nome, Alaska (OME)

There will be a complimentary transfer to the airport for those returning to Nome on the charter flight.  Because of the International Date Line you will arrive back in Nome on the evening of the previous day.  However, we strongly adivise that you do not book any onward travel from Nome until the following day to allow for possible delays in the charter flight.  Those staying in Anadyr or arranging their own onward flights can either be transferred to the airport or a hotel in Anadyr. 

Lodging

Akademik Shokalskiy

Akademik Shokalskiy

A sister ship to the Spirit of Enderby, the 48-passenger Akademik Shokalskiy was originally built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research, and she now serves as a comfortable, fully ice-strengthened expedition vessel. All cabins have ocean-view windows or portholes, ample storage space, a writing desk, wardrobe, and a washbasin. Suites include private, en-suite bathrooms, a sofa, and a lounge area. With a large focus on wildlife viewing, the ship is staffed by top-notch naturalists and guides, and has a fleet of Zodiacs for onshore exploration. There is plenty of outdoor viewing space and two dining areas where fresh meals prepared by excellent chefs from New Zealand and Australia are served. Enjoy lectures in the ship’s theater and relax in the library, lounge, sauna, and bar, all the while gleaning fascinating insights from your knowledgeable expedition team.

View Image Gallery

Spirit of Enderby

Spirit of Enderby

The 50-guest expedition vessel Spirit of Enderby, while offering very basic cabins, some with shared bathrooms, has a warm and intimate atmosphere, a professional staff, and excellent cuisine prepared by New Zealand and Australian chefs. The vessel is fully air conditioned, has a bar, small lecture room, and library. She is fully ice-strengthened and equipped with a fleet of go-anywhere Zodiacs. Designed and built as a research vessel, she still undertakes research expeditions when not focused on passenger cruises. The ship is accompanied by a veteran team of experienced naturalists and guides who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that the ship visits.

View Image Gallery

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:

  • Wrangel Island: Overland Traverse (3 days)

Trip Level

The trip is rated Level 1, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Zodiac landing crafts are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to wildlife sanctuaries and local villages. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. Landing sites vary depending on conditions.

Explain Trip Level

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.

Email Area Manager

References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

Email Area Manager

Trip Extension

If you would like to lengthen and customize your adventure, we offer the following exciting trip extension:

snow owl

Wrangel Island: Overland Traverse

Across the Top of the World

Experience the high Arctic environment of Wrangel Island on this 3-day extension. Travel by a six-wheel Russian tundra vehicle to explore the top of the world.

3 days from: $1450

Trip Level:

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Resources

Travel Insurance
WT Gear Store

What to Know Before You Go

PASSPORT

A valid passport is required for the countries visited on this trip. Be sure to check the expiration date. Your passport must be valid for six months after the conclusion of your trip. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of your passport photo page in case your passport is lost or as an additional piece of identification, as well as two extra passport photos.

VISAS

US citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry into Russia. Please call for details.

MEDICAL

We recommend checking the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov should you have any international health concerns.

INOCULATIONS

No inoculations are currently required for entry into Europe.

Find A Trip
Call Us: 1-800-368-2794
Email Us

Wilderness Travel

Wilderness Travel

Discover
  • Our Trips
  • Where Can I Travel Now
  • New Cruises for 2021
  • Top Ten Places in 2021
  • New Trips
  • Special Offers
  • Wish List
  • Photo Blog
Keep in Touch
  • Contact Us
  • Catalog Request
  • Digital Catalog
  • Enews Sign-up
  •  
  •  
  •  
About WT
  • Welcome
  • How We Travel
  • Our Leaders
  • Making a Difference
  • Awards
  • WT in the News
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Resources
  • Reserving a Trip
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Toucan Club
  • Referrals
  • Post-trip Survey
  • Client Forms & Helpful Links
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Agents
  • Gear Store
  • Gift Certificates
  • Site Map
Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Discover
  • Our Trips
  • Where Can I Travel Now
  • New Cruises for 2021
  • Top Ten Places in 2021
  • New Trips
  • Special Offers
  • Wish List
  • Photo Blog
Keep in Touch
  • Contact Us
  • Catalog Request
  • Digital Catalog
  • Enews Sign-up
  •  
  •  
  •  
About WT
  • Welcome
  • How We Travel
  • Our Leaders
  • Making a Difference
  • Awards
  • WT in the News
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Resources
  • Reserving a Trip
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Toucan Club
  • Referrals
  • Post-trip Survey
  • Client Forms & Helpful Links
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Agents
  • Gear Store
  • Gift Certificates
  • Site Map