NORTH POLE EXPEDITION
12 - 24 July 2026

Today we meet in Murmansk, Russia—the starting point of our Arctic journey. Guests arrive throughout the day: some in the morning, others in the evening, and some a couple of days early. This day is unstructured: our driver will meet you at the airport and take you to one of the city’s top hotels for an overnight stay before we board the icebreaker.

The rest of the day is yours. Murmansk is the largest city in the world north of the Arctic Circle, and there’s plenty to explore: walk the waterfront, visit the “Alyosha” monument, enjoy seafood with views of Kola Bay, or wander the city center to get a feel for the north.

By evening, we regroup at the hotel. Tomorrow morning we board the legendary nuclear icebreaker "50 Let Pobedy" (50 Years of Victory) and set off for the North Pole.

In the morning, join a short briefing with the Expedition Leader. You’ll hear how boarding the nuclear icebreaker "50 Let Pobedy" works and get an overview of the voyage. We’ll collect your luggage ahead of time, so your bags will be waiting in your cabin when you arrive.

Next, we’ll transfer to the port and escort you on board. We’ll show you key areas, answer first questions, and help you settle in.

At sail-away, step out on the open decks to wave goodbye to shore—the next stop is the North Pole. It’s a great time for first photos and to ease into life at sea.

In the evening, we’ll hand out expedition parkas—warm outerwear designed for these conditions, yours to keep after the trip. Then we’ll meet for dinner and end the day at the Victory Bar.

Schedules may shift slightly due to port formalities or weather. We’ll keep you informed and handle the logistics; your job is to enjoy the start of the journey.

We spend these days crossing the pack ice on our way to the North Pole. The schedule is full. Each day features several talks by our experts—historians, biologists, and climate scientists—covering early Arctic exploration, polar bears and other wildlife, sea ice, and weather.

We often host special guests who lead evening programs and share their own stories. It’s a chance not only to listen, but also to chat with them in person.

During this stretch, we’ll take small groups on guided tours of the engine room. You’ll see how the icebreaker’s “heart” works and can ask questions directly to the engineers.

In your free time, stop by the expedition artist’s studio or visit the Bridge, which is always open to guests. If you want to be active, join the fitness sessions—workouts, stretching, volleyball—and take a dip in the pool.

Many guests bring books or movies, assuming there will be downtime. Most end up laughing about it later: there’s simply too much to do.

The exact arrival day depends on the ice—usually Day 6, 7, or 8. When the GPS reads 90°00′00″ N, we’ll mark the moment with a blast of the ship’s horn and a champagne toast on the bow of "50 Let Pobedy".

Next, we’ll secure the icebreaker to a stable floe and prepare a safe landing site right at the Pole. Our team will set up a sauna, a bar, and photo spots. Then we’ll invite you down onto the ice to walk around, take pictures with the ship in the background, and feel what it’s like to stand at the top of the world.

You’ll have several hours on the polar ice. We’ll lead a guided walk away from the ship, and those who want can take the Polar Plunge or warm up in the northernmost sauna on Earth.

We’ll also serve a festive lunch on the ice: a pop-up barbecue with kebabs and long tables. A true “restaurant” at 90°N.

As we head back toward Murmansk, there’s still plenty to discover. While the icebreaker threads through the pack ice, we’ll keep the lecture program and evening events going, wrap up engine-room tours, and visit the Bridge to see the captain and officers at work. Weather permitting, we’ll also take helicopter flights around the ship—an unforgettable view of 50 Years of Victory breaking through ice up to three meters thick.

Next, we reach one of the Arctic’s most remote corners: the Franz Josef Land archipelago. We plan to land at Tikhaya Bay, site of the first Soviet polar station (1929). The Russian Arctic National Park has carefully restored the buildings; walking among them feels like stepping back in time.

We’ll also approach Rubini Rock, a sheer cliff crowded with nesting guillemots and kittiwakes. If conditions allow, the ship can edge close enough that the birds wheel directly overhead.

If the ice and weather cooperate, we may attempt a landing on Champ Island, famous for its giant stone spheres—round boulders that still puzzle scientists. Along the way, our historians will bring to life dramatic chapters of Arctic exploration: Sedov’s sledge journeys, Albanov and Konrad’s survival, and Nansen’s winter after his attempt to reach the Pole.

Each day in Franz Josef Land adds new sights and stories—you’ll see why these islands are called the heart of the Russian Arctic.

The return leg is far from quiet. The lecture program continues, and our special guests host closing sessions—evening talks, conversations, and light games that often become standout moments of the voyage.

A professional photographer and videographer are with us throughout, capturing highlights with guests front and center. On the final evening, we screen a film about the expedition so everyone can see themselves on screen and relive the best moments together. It typically ends with smiles and applause.

As we near the end, the captain hosts a farewell cocktail. Guests usually dress up a bit; the captain appears in formal uniform, introduces the officers, and takes questions. It’s an ideal time for photos and a last chance to feel the spirit of the team.

These aren’t just transit days—they’re time to reflect, compare impressions, and appreciate what this journey has meant.

We return to Murmansk, where the journey began. After breakfast, we’ll manage disembarkation from "50 Let Pobedy" and arrange transfers to the airport. We’ll say our goodbyes—but the memories of this expedition will stay with you for a long time.

This is a remote, hard-to-reach region. All activities are subject to ice and weather and take place at the discretion of the Captain and Expedition Leader. The actual route, timing, and program may differ from the plan; landings and excursions may be changed or canceled for safety. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.