The North Pole

Day 1

Helsinki, Finland

Staying up to the wee hours is easy in Helsinki, as daylight fades to twilight for only a few hours during the summer. You'll spend the night at a centrally located hotel.

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Day 2

Embarkation Day

After the flight from Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia, you will be transferred to the quayside to embark 50 Years of Victory, the world's largest icebreaker.

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Day 3-7

The Arctic Ocean

In 2008, 50 Years of Victory made the fastest ever surface crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole - 4.5 days. Arctic Ocean conditions are always unpredictable, so it could take as many as 8 days to reach our goal. Unpredictable heighten the sense of adventure that underlies all our expeditions.

Watching Victory break through the formidable pack ice is a sight you'll never forget. Crushing through ice meters thick with the ease of a hot knife through butter, Victory can sail in conditions that would defeat most other ships. Be sure to take care one of the included helicopter flights for a fascinating aerial view of the icebreaker's progress.

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Day 8

90 North

Although the moment that we reach the top of the world is shared with others, the experience is as individual as you are. Some travelers mark the occasion holding a special memento carried thousand of miles for that one brief event. Others hold signs created on the spot. Others wave their national flags. How will you celebrate?

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Day 9-10

Southbound

In 2008, polar bear sightings always seemed to occur after midnight. No one grumbled as they tumbled from bed to watch the ice bear devour dinner or climb ice pressure ridges. Ivory Gulls, the rarest of Arctic birds, fearlessly danced on the ice within the bear's reach, eager to dine on the scraps. Should a polar bear be sighted on your voyage, you will have a different story to tell. No two polar bear sightings or North Pole voyages are the same.

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Day 11-13

Franz Josef Land

These massive flat topped islands, with steep cliffs where seabirds nest, are often surrounded by fast ice. A helicopter will transfer you ashore to hike, beachcomb or to just sit quietly watching Snow Buntings feed.

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Day 14-15

Murmansk to Helsinki

The return to Helsinki requires a flight from Murmansk and just the right tide conditions for docking the ship. Overnight in Helsinki, before departing for home.