Venture where only the most intrepid explorers have gone before, on a thrilling voyage to the Russian High Arctic and the Kara Sea, where isolated isles and ice-fringed waters harbor dazzling wildlife and intriguing histories. Experience exploration in its purest form aboard the Polar Class 5 National Geographic Endurance, charting a course from the fjord-laced coast of northern Norway to the historic port of Murmansk, Russia, to remote Arctic archipelagos including Franz Josef Land. Seek out thriving wildlife—including polar bears, whales, walruses, and seabird colonies—and experience a pristine wilderness reached by few visitors.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A Russian Tourist Visa is required for this voyage.

Highlights

• Sail aboard our new, state-of-the-art polar ship to the northern reaches of the planet, and ply the icy waters of the Kara Sea, only navigable for a few months of the year.
• Set foot on the world’s northernmost archipelago, Franz Josef Land, following in the path of a 2013 expedition by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas team.
• Explore along the sandy shores of Ostrov Isachenko, part of Russia’s Great Arctic State Nature Reserve, and watch for polar bears from the ship’s deck.
• Learn about indigenous culture in Murmansk, Russia, and take a guided tour of the world’s first nuclear-powered icebreaker.