Chukotka: the part of Arctic Russia that meets the United States

Any preconceptions that you have about Russia in general, you should probably cast entirely aside before you consider one of our Arctic cruises to the Russian Far East. This part of Russia is very different to the more well-known European part, being wild and sparsely-populated. A visit to Chukotka, in Russia’s northeastern tip, can be particularly eye-opening for its close proximity to the United States.

A land full of mountains and mystery

Travel to Chukotka on one of the Arctic cruises to the Russian Far East available from WILDFOOT, and you will get opportunities to see beautiful tundra and interact with indigenous Chukchi people… but not too many of them. This is not least because, although the area covers nearly 285,000 square miles, it has only about 50,000 inhabitants. However, the great remoteness and low population density of Chukotka gives it an enchanting sense of mystery.

A fascinatingly unique culture

As the area is easy to overlook, there can be a lot for you to discover during a trip to Chukotka. On the way there, you can get a better insight into the local culture by reading the classic writings of Yuri Rytkheu, who hugely influenced Chukchi literature. Then, once you get there, you can see amazing wildlife from rare birds like the spoon-billed sandpiper to whales and walruses. Brown bears abound and on Wrangel Island polar bears too.

Is that America you can see?

One of the most extraordinary moments you could experience in Chukotka is, on a clear day, seeing across the Bering Sea that separates Russia from the US state of Alaska. The divide of the Bering Strait here has an intriguing history; during the Cold War, it marked the only border between the Soviet Union and the USA, leading it to be dubbed the ‘Ice Curtain’. In 1987, American swimmer Lynne Cox did her bit to ease tensions by swimming over the  chilly border.

There is a lot more that you can see…

Chukotka is also a great place to start exploring the Russian Far East more generally. The adjacent province of Kamchatka, like Chukotka, is quiet, unspoilt and beautiful… and you can see it all for yourself after booking one of our Arctic cruises to the Russian Far East. Enquire now about our Arctic cruises to the Russian Far East here at WILDFOOT, to begin what could be quite simply one of the most incredible adventures of your life.

The Best GPS Kit for Extreme Condition Expeditions

We all know that technology has become so incredible that the phone in your pocket is basically a super-computer you can carry around with you. Make a call, browse the internet, watch movies, play games, and, of course, use it as a GPS if you’re lost on the streets of a town you’ve never visited before.

But there’s one thing you can’t do. You can’t very well pop out your smartphone to calculate your location when you’re in the middle of, say, the rain-forest, at the peak of Everest, or wandering the snowy banks of the Arctic. Not because those areas haven’t been mapped – thanks to those geniuses at NASA and beyond, pretty much the whole world is under satellite surveillance – but because of the extremely hostile environment.

If you’re going off-road, you’ll need a GPS device capable of handling intense weather and unforgiving landscapes. Here’s our top picks for the best GPS for extreme conditions.

More about Arctic Biodiversity

If I asked you to name one of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems, chances are you’d say the Amazonian rainforest, or a coral reef. But above the Arctic Circle, an impossible amount of wildlife exists in harmony with the bitter cold temperature in a fragile ecosystem that is completely dependent on the changing of the seasons.

Arctic Microbiology
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The Arctic is a place that captures the imagination of many fortunate travellers year in year out. People choose to go to the Arctic for the breathtaking natural beauty, stunning natural wildlife and the splendid isolation the region can offer.  However, there are a group of people who go to the Arctic for an entirely different reason, the study of microorganisms.

When is the best time to cruise the Arctic?
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When you picture the Arctic, chances are you imagine a cold, empty ice-covered wasteland stretching as far as the eye can see. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. For many holidaymakers, the Arctic is the final frontier, boasting everything from dramatic landscapes, incredible wildlife, and the natural wonder of the Aurora Borealis- the famous northern lights.

Curious Polar Bear, Whales & Harp Seals

Heading ashore in a zodiac

Yesterday evening we ended with a landing and walk in a really visited location Beach called Faksevagen in the bay of Llomfjoreen. 100’s of year ago there was a glacier in this valley but now only remnants are left as evidence. Whether it’s the currents of the gulf steam or from Siberia there’s an overwhelming mass of plastic waste which is washed up of the shores of this archipelago. Lengths of fishing nets seem to be the worse culprit and it’s the end to many a marine animal when it accidentally get tangled up and experiences an agonizing and slow death. But also amongst the litter are bottles, commercial fishing floats, ships ropes, fishing lines, timber of various sizes, crates, polathyne bags. Most expedition vessels have a policy of collecting as much as possible and between a hundred passengers in only 20 minutes we filled two large half ton sand bags – just scraping the surface I’m afraid as we left tons more which we could not manage in the time we were there. The Norwegian government do clear patches but it’s a never ending task with new debris on each tide. We witnessed two lots of dear antlers fast in a fishing net tangled ball where three animals in each had been caught up and died together unable to release themselves.

a curious polar bear

We headed north of Svalbard last night towards the ice edge and only 500 miles from the North Pole. Within a short period we spotted several bears, most minding their own business but one female who was extremely inquisitive she came for some distance sometimes at a canter with great interest. She reached us eventually by which time the captain nudged us next to the ice. This bear showed absolute signs she wanted to investigate holding her nose up as if smelling the remnants of breakfast we had just finished a few minutes before. It was an amazing sight and she performed as if on Que, rolling over, jumping across ice, swimming, sliding and a finally of a roll and stretch on the ice. Absolutely wonderful and the best sighting we could have expected. I was a little worried in the last day or so that our sighting options had been scuppered by weather but this made it all worthwhile. The expedition team team say we have one of the best sightings of the season and although curious bears are out there it’s still quite rare to find one so dead set on visiting the vessel.

As mentioned previously we have greatly benefited and our expedition enhanced by the presence of a historian on board called Paul Harris. Paul is very well published with over 40 books but has great knowledge of Arctic history to present day. For some time the first human to reason the North Pole was a disputed piece of history with at least two separate expeditions fabricating their success when in later years it was proven they had both lied to seek publicity and fortune and were so disgraced. Did you know the first Human to reach the North Pole wasn’t until the 1960’s when an obscure and little known English man called Wally Herbert made an attempt and reached the pole but it was unfortunately for Wally unfortunate that mans first landing on the mood completely over shadowed his brave and courageous achievement and Wally never attained the lime light, recognition and fame he truly deserved.

Frank Todd who as I mentioned previously is a well known Polar expedition leader with over 40 years experience and over four wildlife books published knew Wally very well and shared many an expedition cabin with him Over the years.

Check out our trips an expedition cruises to the arctic here

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