Russia (The Far East) - Kamchatka & Chukotka - Bering Sea Explorer (12 days)

Bering Sea Explorer reveals a wildlife wilderness. Chukotka's deep bays and mountainous coast blaze with autumn colour. We encounter Chukchi fishermen, brown bears, walrus and whales. Commander Islands captivate us with Aleut cultural performances, sea lions, fur seals, otters, extensive bird cliffs and explorer Vitus Bering's grave. Kamchatka's 120 or so volcanoes rise above abandoned villages and bird-filled forests. Koryak culture and geological wonders are set amidst a stunning landscape

Day 1
Fly to Anadyr, and receive a warm welcome at the airport before being transferred for an afternoon boarding of Akademik Shokalskiy. Set sail across the Gulf of Anadyr and into the Bering Sea.
Day 2
Explore Gabriela Bay's wide river mouth and lagoon. We may meet local Chukchi fisherman and inspect an abandoned polar weather station. Watch for brown bears, wolves, and Beluga whales.
Day 3
Lush valleys and jagged mountains characterise the Koryakskiy Reserve. Dezhneva Bay offers a coastal lagoon for birders and, possibly, grey whales. In Anastasiya Bay are walrus haulouts and birdlife, including the bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat.
Day 4
Wake to spectacular mountains rising above Nataliya Bay. Zodiac cruise beneath Bogoslov Island's sea cliffs, where puffins, kittiwakes, murres and cormorants breed. Walk the grand valleys of St Peter Bay, or Glybokaya Bay.
Day 5
A Zodiac cruise takes us into stunning Lavrova fjord whose abandoned herring factory attracts bears. Orcas and Bryde's whales frequent these waters. Afternoon hike through Uznaya Glubokaya Bay's iris fields past waterfalls to a spectacular vantage on glacial moraine.
Day 6
Small, narrow Verkhoturova Island harbours cormorants, gulls, kittiwakes and auklets. A heartfelt Koryak greeting awaits at Tymlat Village, along with a feast of senses, as these wonderful, hardy folk display their unique culture through dance, games and deliciously fresh food.
Day 7
We ramble across the fantastic, terraced, recently uplifted coastline of Soldatskaya Bay. Thick vegetation draws a variety of wildlife, including long-billed murrelets and salmon-fishing bears.
Days 8-9
Spectacular sea cliffs, arches and stacks signal our arrival in the Commander Islands. We pay tribute to explorer Vitus Bering and visit his grave and memorial. Highlights include: Peregrebnaya Bay, summer nesting site for red-legged and black-legged kittiwakes; Cape Monati, to spot albatross and whales; northern fur seals and Steller sea lions; cruising around volcanic Ariy Kamen, surrounded by thousands of kittiwakes, puffins and murres. At Nikolskoe village, Russia's remaining Aleut community entertain us with lively performances.
Day 10
Kronotskiy Biosphere Reserve protects stunning volcanoes, dwarf pine thickets, hundreds of brown bears, a Steller sea lion rookery, salmon-rich rivers, eagles, gyrefalcons and wolverines. Enjoy soaking in the soothing hot springs of Kamenistaya Bay.
Day 11
Careful Zodiac navigation takes us past salmon fishing camps into the powerful Zhupanova River, as far upstream as we can go. Look for brown bears and Steller's sea eagles as distant mountains beckon.
Day 12
Early morning, we cruise into Avacha Bay to dock in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. Farewell fellow adventurers as you transfer to the airport, or stay on board for a sensational Kuril Islands' voyage!

Operated by Aurora Expeditions

Departures: September 2011