British explorer John Franklin was the first man to
prove that a shipping route did exist through the North American Arctic,
therefore connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean. His subsequent
attempt to make the journey failed, his ship became stuck in ice near
to King William Island and the entire crew perished. Legendary explorer
Roald Amundsen successfully completed the journey in 1906. Today it is
possible to re-create this historic voyage. Your expedition vessel sails
through the often dense pack ice, where Polar Bears, Musk-Ox and narwhals
may be seen. Visit remote Inuit communities, old whaling stations and
the site where Franklin disappeared.
Vessels
Kapitan Khlebnikov
The Icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov was built in Finland in 1981; it is a robust
and powerful vessel. Accommodating a maximum of 112 passengers, all cabins have
private facilities and outside views. The Khlebnikov operates a number of cruises,
starting at Russia’s Far East the vessel sails through the Bering Straits
and follows the Northwest Passage through to the high Arctic.
If you like to be surrounded by wildlife in amazing scenery then
head to the unspoilt wilderness of the Arctic. Polar Bears and
walruses idle their days away on the blue ice, puffins and terns
fill the skies, whales and narwhals swim along the currents below.
