Voyage to the North Pole
An Expedition of a Lifetime aboard the icebreaker 50 years of Victory
- 28 June 2020
The quest for the North Pole began with the Greeks who speculated about constant midnight northern sun in summer and perpetual darkness in winter. The Vikings made inroads northward as did Europeans in the Age of Exploration, but the real interest in Arctic exploration did not bloom until the 19th century when it reached fever pitch and ever since, to reach the North Pole has been the pinnacle of Arctic expedition endeavours.
Few people can say they have stood at the one earthly spot where every direction is south. Join us aboard the most powerful icebreaker ship ever built on an amazing voyage to 90°N. We are working with our associates at Quark Expeditions for this true expedition aboard the 50 Years of Victory, a nuclear-powered vessel with special capabilities, allowing us to explore where very few will ever go in their lifetime.
Crushing through the ice, the journey can take as long as a week, which only helps to heighten the level of excitement. The sound of mammoth slabs of ice colliding with the hull is unforgettable. Zodiac excursions will take you up-close to wildlife and the onboard helicopter will allow some spectacular aerial-sightseeing. On reaching the North Pole, we will celebrate with champagne on the ice and if conditions permit you will have the opportunity to soar above the Earth on an optional hot air balloon ride. On our return journey south, we will visit Franz Josef Land, an archipelago of 191 islands, unpopulated except for one small Russian military base. Here the foreboding landscapes of the islands are dotted with relics from famous explorers of the past. Home to walrus, polar bear, seal, Arctic fox, beluga whale and numerous species of Arctic birds, this is an archipelago visited by few people.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips
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Our View
“This is an opportunity to visit a part of the world usually only open to explorers and researchers. It’s a difficult place to access and we require the use of the most powerful icebreaker in the world to reach our goal. The world we visit is one of stillness with just wildlife, birds or possibly polar bears for company as we power our way nort h. Once we arrive at the North Pole we can have a sense of pride that we are one of the few people ever to make this spot, and can even celebrate with a swim! ”
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Helicopter Team
Landing a helicopter on the helipad of a ship or on a glacier takes great skill and are only two of the jobs that the helicopter crew must perform. For these reasons, only the best and most professional of helicopter crews enter service on a North Pole expedition. Many of their names are legends in the industry. Their expertise is put at your service affording you the opportunity to experience a maximum of thrills while ensuring you the safest of flights. There is no better way to explore the far north than by combining a world-class icebreaker and a helicopter.
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Expedition Highlights
• Travel aboard the most powerful icebreaker in the world and one of the only ships that can undertake this journey
• Toast with champagne on the ice at the North Pole
• Breathtaking wildlife opportunites in Franz Josef Land where we hope to see walrus, polar bear and millions of birds
• Travelling in the Midnight Sun
• Included helicopter excursions to see the ship breaking through the ice
50 Years of Victory
The 50 Years of Victory was built in 2007 and is the largest and most modern nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world. She is a new generation ship, an upgrade of the Arktika-class. Accommodating a maximum of 128 guests and carrying the highest ice class possible (LL1), she is one of the only ships that can undertake a voyage to the North Pole. With 74,000 horsepower generated by two nuclear reactors, the vessel can crush ice up to two and a half metres thick and is the world’s largest and most sophisticated nuclear-powered icebreaker. The 50 Years of Victory is the property of the Russian Federation and has received maritime registration under the name 50 LET POBEDY.
Itinerary
Day 1 - London to Helsinki, Finland.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2 - Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for your specially chartered flight to Murmansk. On arrival we transfer to our ship and embark on our expedition to the North Pole. Take some time to get acquainted with 50 Years of Victory, the world’s largest and most powerful icebreaker.
Days 3 to 6 - Northbound in the Arctic Ocean.
We have three days heading north through the mighty ice fields of the Arctic Ocean. Our time on board will be spent watching the ’50 Years of Victory’ crush through the Arctic ice pack, a sight you will never forget and one made even more memorable by taking a helicopter flight for a thrilling aerial view of the vessel and expansive Arctic Ocean. There will be a programme of lectures and discussions by the onboard expedition team while we also keep lookout for the bird life. There are also the vessel’s amenities to make use of such as the plunge pool and basketball court.
Day 7 - North Pole.
All the anticipation of the prior days reaches a climax as the ship manouevres to 90 degrees north and we reach the North Pole. We will disembark and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience of standing at the top of the world. Later, everyone enjoys a champagne toast and a BBQ on the ice whilst the more daring can plunge into the Arctic Ocean.
Day 8 - Arctic Ocean.
We now start our journey back south, as we head to our next landfall we may get lucky and spot polar bears hunting for seals.
Days 9 & 10 - Franz Josef Land.
This group of 191
islands forms the most northerly archipelago in
Eurasia, and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle.
Here we will explore Cape Flora and discover
historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic
expeditions. When conditions permit, Zodiac trips
beneath towering cliffs will explore remote seabird
rookeries. Onboard helicopters again provide
aerial sightseeing and the Zodiacs transfer you
to seldom visited landing sites. This part of the
Arctic Ocean is so remote that Franz Josef Land
was discovered after Antarctica. Walrus and polar
bear are numerous on these islands, which you
will explore on Zodiac excursions and helicopter
sightseeing rides. Possible landing sites and
wildlife sightings are numerous and include:
APOLLONOV ISLAND: This small island has a
ridge that may provide a vantage point for viewing
a walrus rookery, known to haul-out on the island.
Zodiac cruising for watching walrus from a distance
is also a possibility.
BELL ISLAND: In 1881, Benjamin Leigh-Smith’s
expedition built a hut here, but the crew never had
the opportunity to use it, as their ship was wrecked
off the coast. The hut is in supreme condition,and
has a number of interesting inscriptions on its
interior walls. Also found here is an old Russian
isba (a wooden hut), which may even predate the
official 1873 discovery of Franz Josef Land.
CALM BAY, HOOKER ISLAND: Sporadically in
use today, this is the site of the first ever polar
station in the archipelago, built in 1929. Memorials
to Georgiy Sedov’s wintering in 1913-14 are built here and the remains of a glaciologist hut can also
be seen.
CAMBRIDGE STRAIT: This is a well-known area
for spotting polar bears. This is a popular hunting
ground for them as seals also frequent the area.
CAPE FLIGELY, RUDOLF ISLAND: The most
northern point of the archipelago is marked with
a copper plaque and memorial cross. This is also
the most northern part of Europe, reaching further
north than Spitsbergen. The island is almost
entirely ice-covered and temperatures only rise
above freezing for a few short weeks each summer.
CAPE FLORA, NORTHBROOK ISLAND: More
than half a dozen expeditions passed through here
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries - among
them was the ‘1000 Days in the Arctic’ expedition
of Jackson-Harmsworth. Many buildings from the
time are in ruins or have fallen into the sea, but
some remain. Memorials and crosses have been
erected in more recent years in memory of the
survivors and victims of those early expeditions.
CAPE NORWAY, JACKSON ISLAND: Sometimes
unreachable, even to icebreakers, weather
is always a factor at this northern part of the
archipelago. A variety of Arctic flora is found in this
area, making it particularly interesting for botanists.
This is also the location where Fridtjof Nansen and
Frederick Jackson stayed during the 1895-96 winter
and the remains of their stone hut can be visited.
CAPE TEGETTHOF, HALL ISLAND: Impressive
tall cliffs are home to large numbers of seabirds,
while the ruins of the Walter Wellman 1898-
99 expedition are also found. With a diverse
landscape the island is great for exploring on foot, provided that polar bears aren’t in the vicinity.
CHAMP ISLAND: Wildflowers of the tundra are
a common sight, giving a bit of colour to an often
bleak landscape. Of particular interest are the
mysteriously perfectly-rounded rocks scattered
on parts of the island. They are up to two metres
in diameter and have been nicknamed ‘Devil’s
Marbles.’
NEGRI FJORD: This is a scenic and narrow
waterway that lies between MacKlintok Island and
Hall Island towards the southern reaches of Franz
Josef Land.
RUBINI ROCK, HOOKER ISLAND: Considered
by many to be home to the most impressive bird
cliffs anywhere in Franz Josef Land. The cliffs are
home to a bounty of seabirds and because of deep
waters, ships are able to get up close to the edge
of the cliffs for great views. Most of the shores are
dominated by glacier fronts, while a large part of
the island is ice-covered.
Days 11 & 12 - Barents Sea.
Enjoy a few moments on deck, use the facilities on board, ask any outstanding queries to our expedition team and reminisce with your shipmates and new friends as you cross back to Murmansk.
Day 13 - Murmansk, Russia to Helsinki, Finland.
Returning to Russia’s most northerly city, it is time to bid farewell to your ship, 50 years of Victory. You will be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Helsinki, Finland to enjoy an overnight stay.
Day 14 - Helsinki to London.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to London.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When travelling in extreme remote regions, your expedition team must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you will experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specifi itinerary can be guaranteed.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy28 June to 11 July 2020 | ||
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Category | Price | |
Standard Twin | £23495 | |
Mini Suite | £27495 | |
Suite | £32495 | |
Victory Suite | £34495 | |
Arktika Suite | £35495 | |
Standard Twin for sole use | £38995 |
Tour Reference Code: SC50120619
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel between London and Helsinki, charter flight between Helsinki and Murmansk, two nights hotel accommodation in Helsinki on a bed and breakfast basis, 11 nights aboard the 50 Years of Victory on a full board basis, all drinks on board the ship including house wine and beer during dinner, expedition team, shore landings, Zodiac excursions, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes, photo journal, loan of waterproof boots on board, expedition parka, Helicopter sightseeing flight mentioned in programme (subject to weather conditions).
Not Included: Travel insurance, gratuities, Russian visa, premium label drinks, optional hot air balloon trip.
NB. Itinerary subject to change based on weather conditions.
Important Visa Information: A visa is required for Russia and Noble Caledonia will provide all supporting documentation needed although the process to apply for the visa cannot be started until three months before departure and in some instances can take up to six weeks. To obtain a Russian visa it will be necessary for passengers to attend application centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
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All Decks
50 Years of Victory
The 50 Years of Victory was built in 2007 and is the largest and most modern nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world. She is a new generation ship, an upgrade of the Arktika-class. Accommodating a maximum of 128 guests and carrying the highest ice class possible (LL1), she is one of the only ships that can undertake a voyage to the North Pole. With 74,000 horsepower generated by two nuclear reactors, the vessel can crush ice up to two and a half metres thick and is the world’s largest and most sophisticated nuclear-powered icebreaker. The 50 Years of Victory is the property of the Russian Federation and has received maritime registration under the name 50 LET POBEDY.
Our View
“This is an opportunity to visit a part of the world usually only open to explorers and researchers. It’s a difficult place to access and we require the use of the most powerful icebreaker in the world to reach our goal. The world we visit is one of stillness with just wildlife, birds or possibly polar bears for company as we power our way nort h. Once we arrive at the North Pole we can have a sense of pride that we are one of the few people ever to make this spot, and can even celebrate with a swim! ”

Helicopter Team
Landing a helicopter on the helipad of a ship or on a glacier takes great skill and are only two of the jobs that the helicopter crew must perform. For these reasons, only the best and most professional of helicopter crews enter service on a North Pole expedition. Many of their names are legends in the industry. Their expertise is put at your service affording you the opportunity to experience a maximum of thrills while ensuring you the safest of flights. There is no better way to explore the far north than by combining a world-class icebreaker and a helicopter.

Expedition Highlights
• Travel aboard the most powerful icebreaker in the world and one of the only ships that can undertake this journey
• Toast with champagne on the ice at the North Pole
• Breathtaking wildlife opportunites in Franz Josef Land where we hope to see walrus, polar bear and millions of birds
• Travelling in the Midnight Sun
• Included helicopter excursions to see the ship breaking through the ice

Also of Interest
Epic Iceland
An exploration of Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scottish Isles aboard the MS Serenissima
Serenissima
Serenissima
Itinerary at a glance
- Reykjavik / Latrabjarg / Vigur Island / Grimsey Island / Siglufjordur/ Akureyri / Husavik /Seydisfjordur / Faros Islands / Shetland Islands/Orkney Islands
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000