Icehotel Jukkasjarvi Sweden, icehotel holidays, North Pole Adventure Holidays, Lapland, Northern Lights, Ice Hotel, Sleigh Rides, Ice Driving, Iceland, Snowmobile Holidays, Icehotel Canada, Finnish Lapland, Kakslauttanen. Icehotel Jukkasjarvi Sweden, icehotel holidays, North Pole Adventure Holidays, Lapland, Northern Lights, Ice Hotel, Sleigh Rides, Ice Driving, Iceland, Snowmobile Holidays, Icehotel Canada, Finnish Lapland, Kakslauttanen.

Fantastic adventure holidays from arcticdirect.

Icehotel images courtesy of Håkan Hjort www.niac.photo.se, ICEHOTEL , Hans-Olof Utsi & Peter Grant

Photos Courtesy of PAV Team / Arctic Odyssey Team

Please read our terms and conditions before booking your holiday

Freephone: 0800 458 60 11

Email: info@arcticdirect.co.uk

North Pole: Ice Breaker Tour

Few places have stirred the hearts explorers more than the North Pole. At the turn of the century, voyages of discovery and adventure by sled, balloon, and ship set off for the top of the world - and failed. It was not until 1926 that the pole was seen for the first time and not until 1948 that anyone actually stood there. This is our goal for this historic voyage - to stand at 90º North. It is the opportunity of a lifetime - join us on an extraordinary voyage to the North Pole.

We sail on one of the world's most powerful icebreakers, the Yamal . Heading north from Murmansk, we cross the Barents Sea and break into the dense Arctic pack ice. Very few vessels have the power to negotiate such challenging ice conditions.

Our journey takes us through an ever-changing panorama of wind-polished ice up to five meters thick, narrow channels of dark green water and aquamarine pools scattered across the frozen sea. Enjoy the immense polar landscapes from the Bridge or deck of the ship and from our expertly piloted helicopter. And along the way, in this stunning setting of ice and snow, we expect to encounter a variety of Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and ivory gulls.

From the Geographic North Pole - we will be among very few people ever to have been there - we head south to the wild and wonderful world of dense pack ice, towering volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers of Franz Josef Land. Then it is back across the Barents Sea to Murmansk, where our amazing journey comes to an end.

Expedition Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1 - Helsinki, Finland

Business class Flights from Heathrow or Manchester and transfer to Helsinki for a day of leisure with time to explore the charming capital of Finland before meeting fellow travelers at our hotel - the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel or a similar centrally located hotel.

Day 2 - Murmansk, Russia

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Murmansk, a growing northern city surrounded by birch and spruce forest. With a population of about 400,000, it is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, and the homeport of Russia's nuclear icebreakers. There may be time to explore the town before embarking the Yamal .

Day 3 - Barents Sea

Today is our first full day at sea and there will be plenty of time to relax and explore our sophisticated icebreaker - home for most of the next two weeks. Join our naturalists and other experts in the lecture room for presentations on the wildlife, geology, history and other aspects of the Arctic. There will also be briefings on the proper use of the helicopter and conservation guidelines for visiting this remote corner of the world. In between, do not miss the opportunity to watch for abundant Arctic seabirds and whales as we sail north.

Days 4-7 - Heading north

We enter the polar ice pack and continue northwards through a wonderful kaleidoscope of ice, snow and water. We marvel as the Yamal surges forward through thick ice, leaving huge blocks in its wake. Our resident lecturers continue their outstanding slide-illustrated presentations on all aspects of the Far North. The ship's open bridge policy enables us to watch navigation and icebreaking operations around the clock. Ice reconnaissance flights, together with ice charts received via satellite, help our experienced captain and officers guide the Yamal steadily northwards. There will be opportunities to board the helicopter for fantastic aerial views of our ship crashing its way towards the pole. Along the way, we pause and put down the gangway for an invigorating walkabout.

Day 8 - The North Pole

Depending on the ice conditions en route, we hope to arrive at our ultimate destination today. The approach itself is incredibly exciting and the ship buzzes with anticipation as we confidently work our way towards our ultimate goal - 90º North. Then comes the moment we have all been waiting for - we stand on the top of the world and wander out onto the ice to explore this other-worldly white and blue landscape that stretches for hundreds of kilometers in every direction. It is hard to believe that this is the place so many explorers have struggled and risked their lives to reach and there will be time for quiet contemplation as we consider their heroic efforts. Like all the best expeditions, we also find time for celebration. There will be once-in-a-lifetime festivities on the ice and - for those who dare - a very brief plunge into the Arctic Ocean!

Day 9-11 - Heading south

We begin our adventurous journey south. Our exact route will depend on local conditions but as before, the helicopter pilots stand ready for reconnaissance flights and excursions. This is another opportunity to enjoy the power of our icebreaker and the spectacular and ever-changing scenery. We look out for Arctic wildlife and, in particular, our chances of encountering polar bears on the return journey are good. Join our naturalists and other experts in the lecture room for more presentations on the wildlife, geology, history and other aspects of this magnificent wilderness - and take the opportunity to visit the ship's control center and engine room.

Day 12-13 - Franz Josef Land, Russia

We enter a remote world of dense pack ice, towering volcanic mountains, icebergs and glaciers at Franz Josef Land. The most northerly point in Russia, this archipelago of 191 islands stretches 375 kilometers from west to east and 234 kilometers from north to south.

Undiscovered until 1873, it is still relatively unexplored. It is a naturalist's paradise. Polar bears and Arctic fox are common and often approach the ship quite closely - providing wonderful opportunities for photography. Beluga whales and narwhal live just offshore, there are good numbers of walrus and seals, and the rocky cliffs are packed with large colonies of seabirds.

We cruise along the rugged coasts of Franz Josef Land in Zodiac landing craft and enjoy spectacular aerial views of glaciers, icebergs and steep volcanic plateaus from the air. We also plan to land at historic sites of early exploration (subject to permission). We plan to land at historic sites of early exploration (subject to permission) including Cape Norway where Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen, together with Hjalmar Johansen, spent the winter of 1896-97 after a bold attempt to reach the North Pole. They survived by hunting polar bears, seals and Arctic fox.

Day 14 - Barents Sea

On the final leg of our journey we cross the Barents Sea towards Murmansk. This is another chance to look for seabirds and whales and, of course, to join our expedition team in the lecture theatre as they review our unique journey of exploration and adventure.

Day 15 - Murmansk, Russia / Helsinki, Finland

Today we say farewell to the Yamal and its crew. Upon disembarkation in Murmansk we transfer to the airport in time for our flight back to Helsinki. Our final night is spent at the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel or a similar centrally located hotel.

Day 16 - Helsinki, Finland

After breakfast this morning at our hotel, transfer to the airport for return business class flights to Heathrow or Manchester

£13,495pp based on standard 1 st class cabin and 2 sharing

£14,495 based on 1 st class mini suite and 2 sharing

£16,799 based on 1 st class suite and 2 sharing

£21,495 based on single 1 st class cabin

View Details of our other North Pole Holiday: North Pole Odyssey 2008 >>>