Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Ships
The White Sea can be described as one of the entrance points for the Arctic. It is a sidearm of the North Polar Sea and almost totally land-locked. This isolated location led to the development of a special flora. Numerous lakes, moors, and forests dominate the landscape, which was used by nomadic hunters, herders, trappers and even merchants looking for pelts, salt and other produce. The Pomors were among the first to settle during the 12th century. A few hundred years later the first monks founded a monastery on the Solovetskiy Islands, which later was to become the centre of the Russian Orthodox Church in northern Russia. The monastery is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the Solovetskiy Islands are just below the Arctic Circle they have a surprisingly mild climate.
Please Note: Prices are subject to change, please enquire for the latest prices.
Search the seas for beluga whales and narwhals
Tour the Solovetskiy Monastery a UNESCO world heritage site
Go ashore for nature walks across the Arctic tundra and taiga
Photograph landscapes in the light of the Midnight Sun
Visit historic sites of early settlers
Cruise the bird cliffs of Gjesvrstappan by Zodiac
Observe reindeer and Arctic fox
See a multitude of seabirds such as skuas, auks, kittiwakes and guillemots
Tour the Solovetskiy Monastery a UNESCO world heritage site
Go ashore for nature walks across the Arctic tundra and taiga
Photograph landscapes in the light of the Midnight Sun
Visit historic sites of early settlers
Cruise the bird cliffs of Gjesvrstappan by Zodiac
Observe reindeer and Arctic fox
See a multitude of seabirds such as skuas, auks, kittiwakes and guillemots
There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.
show reverse itinerary
Day 1 Troms, Norway
Embark Silver Explorer for your exciting White Sea Expedition. Tonight we invite you to attend a special Sail-away cocktail party and to meet the Expedition Team who will be your companions for this special adventure.
Day 2 Gjesvrstappan Islands, Norway
This morning we will go out in our Zodiacs to cruise the Gjesvrstappan Islands. The islands contain several seabird colonies and have therefore been designated a nature reserve in 1983. The land area of the reserve is less than 2 square kilometres, but the reserve also includes almost 6 square kilometres of the sea surrounding the islands. The largest colonies of cliff-breeding seabirds are mainly located on Storstappen, the biggest of the islands.
While we will be circumnavigating Storstappen, looking for puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, Razorbills, fulmars, cormorants, Arctic Skuas, and with luck, majestic White-tailed Eagles, keep an eye out for seals.
During the afternoon we will be passing nearby North Cape and our lecture team will prepare you for the varied points of our White Sea expedition.
In the evening the Captain would like to invite you to his Welcome cocktail party.
Days 3 Murmansk, Russia
Founded only in 1916, Murmansk is the worlds largest city north of the Arctic Circle. Once we have cleared into Russia, we will go on a city tour including the major cargo port and its impressive fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, the Orthodox Church, Savior-on-Waters, a lighthouse with panoramic views of the city, and the Murmansk Museum. The city has many monuments that attest to its short, but intense history, its maritime heritage, and its military importance during World War II.
Day 4 Teriberka Bay and Dvorovaya Bay, Russia
As our journey continues further east we will cruise along the northern coast of the remote Kola Peninsula, a wilderness of vast tundra, mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and some of the oldest forests in Europe on its southern side. We will take advantage of the long hours of daylight to explore the coast and the birdlife by Zodiac. Our on-board naturalists may lead an early-morning hike ashore along the sandy beach pointing out the plants and wildlife unique to this remote area.
At Dvorovaya Bay we want to take our Zodiacs past bird cliffs designated a Nature Monument of the Barents Sea. Bird to be seen include kittiwakes, guillemots and shags (for whom this is the only location in Russia).
Day 5 Shoina Village and Kanin Peninsula, Russia
Our journey continues towards the Kanin Peninsulas coast and Silver Explorer will then head for the small village of Shoyna.
Founded in the 1930s by fishing families, the abundance of fish brought more and more fishermen to Shoyna village and a collective farm was organized, leading to 1,500 people living there in the 1950s. Because of the extensive trawling the sea floor was destroyed, leading to sand dunes spreading across the landscape.
Half the village is now buried under sand and only 300 souls still remain in Shoina. We will have a look at the village and sand dunes sometimes referred to as the northernmost desert.
Day 6 Pyalitsa Village and Chapoma Village, Russia
The two subsistence fishing villages we want to visit today are located on the southern side of the Kola Peninsula and are quite small. Pyalitsa, said to have been founded in the 16th century, would once have been a locally important settlement to trade commodities from further inland, but today has only 14 inhabitants. Chapoma Village, just slightly further west has 81 inhabitants and a monument to World War II.
Tidal and weather conditions permitting we might get the experience of Atlantic salmon spawning in the nearby river, while the expedition staff will offer a variety of exploratory hikes. During our walks and hikes we will look for gulls, guillemots, geese, and owls, as well as White-tailed and Golden Eagles.
Day 7 Bolshoi Solovetskiy and Zayatskiy Islands, Russia
In the western White Sea, the six islands of this remote, rarely visited archipelago have been inhabited since the 5th century BC and important traces of human presence have been found here from as far back as the 5th millennium BC. An expansive monastery was founded here in the 15th century and was later transformed into one of Stalins infamous Soviet gulags a political prison camp. A vast medieval fortress, the monastery is remarkably well preserved and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A network of covered passages and tunnels connected the many churches and chapels. There is a botanical garden with more than 100 plant species. Common buildings, which include watchtowers, residential chambers and a number of workrooms, have been maintained or restored.
We will explore the monastery and see remains of the infamous gulag. The adventurous might want to climb Sekirnaya Hill to see the unique Church of Ascension a church and lighthouse at the same time.
During the afternoon we will go ashore on Zayatskiy Island where prehistoric labyrinths and burial mounds are believed to be the remains of temporary Neolithic settlements.
Day 8 Arkhangelsk, Russia
This morning, as we make our approach, head out on deck to watch for the Beluga whales commonly found in the waters of the White Sea, especially during the summer season. At Russias far northwest corner, Arkhangelsk is situated on the coast of the storied White Sea. Due to its geographic isolation, this region has long held a mysterious fascination for outsiders. Arkhangelsk was first established as a shipbuilding centre and became well known to the West for its occupation by White Russians during the Russian Civil War and for its role as a base for the North Sea Fleet. Arkhangelsk has also achieved fame as the gateway to the Arctic for the number of notable expeditions that began here.
Today we will join our on-board historians for a guided tour of the old quarter where we will learn of the Pomors and of ancient Russian culture as we explore centuries-old wooden buildings, the Orthodox Church and the excellent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Day 9 Morzhovets Island, Russia
Today we will cross the Arctic Circle again on our journey north. Morzhovets Island is the last piece of land before entering the Barents Sea. Almost half of the islands 110 km2 consists of lakes, while the rest of this flat island is tundra. Morzhovets 12 inhabitants live in Severny Gorodok, the only settlement on the island, to man the meteorological station and a lighthouse. We will go ashore, looking for wildlife on the tundra and lakes.
Day 10 Cruising the Barents Sea, Russia
Our journey continues in a westerly direction as we cruise along the Kola Peninsulas coast towards the Norwegian-Russian border. Peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library, enjoy a fine cigar and cognac at the Connoisseurs Corner or watch a movie in your suite. All accommodations feature an interactive television system that allows you to watch your choice of complimentary films or documentaries and even broadcasts from The Theater in the comfort and privacy of your suite or stateroom.
During the late evening we will have our outward clearance in Murmansk and will continue towards Norway.
Days 11 Kirkenes
As we cruise through the Barents Sea, a series of lectures will emphasise the special history and natural history of Russias and Norways Far North.
Once we arrive in Kirkenes the end of the famous Hurtigruten-Coastal/Postal service- one option will be to drive southward into the Pasvik Valley sitting between Russia and Finland. There we can go for nature walks to observe the valleys unique birds and plants. The Pasvik Valley is one of the last wilderness areas in Europe and has Norways highest concentration of brown bears. The tour also includes a visit to Hyde 96, a former military observation tower dating from the Cold War affording good views of the Pasvik Valley.
Another option might be heading west along Munkefjord to visit Neiden, a small village near the Finnish/Norwegian border, and see Neiden church, St. Georges Chapel, and the Neiden Waterfall -and even briefly cross into Finland at Naatamo.
Day 12 Skarsvag (Nordkapp), Mageroya, Norway
Today Silver Explorer will round the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe.
At 71 10 21 northern latitude, a sheer cliff raises 307 metres above the Arctic Ocean. Adventurous guests can join members of the Expedition Team for a challenging hike to Nordkapp, retracing the traditional route to the cape up a winding path in Hornvika.
For those who prefer to arrive in comfort, Silver Explorer will anchor off the shore of Skarsvag, the most northerly fishing village in the world, and, weather conditions permitting, head ashore by Zodiac. We will travel by coach to the North Cape where we will admire the glorious scenery, stop in at the visitors centre and, of course, document our presence at the famed globe monument with many photographs. The panorama is unforgettable.
On our return journey to the ship we will watch for reindeer grazing on the surrounding hillsides.
Day 13 Troms, Norway
We will arrive at Troms in the early morning. Following breakfast on board, disembark Silver Explorer.
Please Note:
Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions.
Silver Explorer
Silver Explorer's all-inclusive dining, service and shore excursions means that this is luxury expedition cruising at its very best. Award-winning itineraries make this ship the perfect combina…
Silver Explorer
| Length: | 108 metres |
|---|
Silver Explorer's all-inclusive dining, service and shore excursions means that this is luxury expedition cruising at its very best. Award-winning itineraries make this ship the perfect combination of adventure and comfort.
The purpose-built Silver Explorer expedition ship (formerly the Prince Albert II) has been designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including both of earth’s polar regions. A strengthened hull with a Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger vessels enables Silver Explorer to safely push through ice floes with ease.
A fleet of Zodiac boats allows guests to visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations and an expert Expedition Team provides insight and understanding to each unforgettable Silver Explorer cruise adventure.
Silver Eplorer features 2 x restaurants, a fitness suite, 2 x loungers, a beauty spa and a library.
Suites include:
- Butler service
- Refrigerator and bar setup stocked with your preferences
- Luxury bath amenities
- Pillow menu
- Personalised stationery
- Umbrella
- Direct dial telephone(s)
- 220-volt outlets
- Unlimited Standard Wifi
- Flat-screen television(s) with Interactive Media Library
- French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
- Twin beds or queen-sized bed
- Marbled bathroom with shower
- Fitted wardrobe with personal safe
- Sitting area with writing desk
- Hair dryer
- Plush bathrobe
- Champagne on arrival
