Wrangel Island: Polar Bears and Walrus Shores

A 13-day expedition through Chukotka and the high Arctic

About

BBT conceived this Arctic journey around two distinctive marine worlds: polar bears moving along Wrangel Island’s shore and Pacific walruses gathered at coastal haul-outs. A planned privately chartered polar-class vessel becomes home for twelve nights while the route approaches Wrangel via the ancient Whale Bone Alley, Cape Dezhnev and Kolyuchin Island. Two days are allocated to the Wrangel coast, followed by further encounters with walruses, gray whales and the living culture of Chukotka’s maritime communities. Naturalists, expedition boats and a consistent shipboard base make this remote route workable for a large private group.

Parameters

Season: 6–18 August 2027 · proposed dates
Duration: 13 days / 12 ship nights (air travel separately)
Format: Planned private charter · 120 guests · Vessel and aircraft to be confirmed
Route: Anadyr → Yttygran → Cape Dezhnev → Kolyuchin → Wrangel → Herald → Chukotka coast → Anadyr
Airports: Anadyr (Ugolny) / Anadyr (Ugolny) · China flight routing separately arranged
Rhythm: Two planned Wrangel days; shipboard life between wildlife and culture outings
Physical activity: Low to moderate · Expedition boats, uneven shores and extended open-deck time
Best suited to: Groups interested in polar wildlife, Arctic geography and maritime Chukotka culture
Est. price per person: $103,900

Day 01: Across the Anadyr Estuary
The sea expedition begins with the transfer from Ugolny Airport to the privately arranged vessel.
Experience
Arrival in Anadyr via an individually arranged flight programme; private boat crossing of the Anadyr estuary and embarkation.
Arrangements
Reserved road transport, onboard cabin assignment, safety briefing and welcome dinner.
Motorboat crossing the calm water of the Anadyr estuary
Day 02: Learning to Read the Arctic
An unhurried first sea day teaches guests how the naturalists search for animals in Arctic conditions.
Experience
Whale blows, walrus groups and polar bear silhouettes from the viewing decks; introduction to binoculars, photography and route monitoring.
Arrangements
Open bridge observation when permitted; library, lounge and sauna between watches.
Travellers with binoculars and a spotting scope on the deck of a ship
Day 03: Whale Bone Alley
Ancient maritime history sets the context before wildlife observation in the Senyavin Strait.
Experience
Landing at Whale Bone Alley on Yttygran Island with cultural interpretation; small-boat observations along the strait’s bird and marine-mammal coast.
Arrangements
Return to the polar expedition vessel for dinner and overnight.
Whale jawbones standing upright on the tundra of Whale Bone Alley
Day 04: Cape Dezhnev and Coastal Crafts
The route reaches the eastern edge of mainland Eurasia and introduces local coastal craft traditions.
Experience
Cape Dezhnev viewpoint or coastal passage according to sea conditions; planned meeting with Chukotka carvers and their work with walrus ivory.
Arrangements
Landing selected by the expedition leader; ship sails north in the evening.
Chukotka carver shaping a walrus figure as travellers watch
Day 05: Kolyuchin: Walruses and Seabirds
One of the route’s main marine habitats brings walrus haul-outs and dense bird colonies into view.
Experience
Expedition boats around Kolyuchin Island, including seabird cliffs, walrus groups and the former polar station.
Arrangements
Guided photography and interpretation from naturalists; no approach that disturbs the animals.
Pacific walruses resting on a beach below a mountain slope
Day 06: Wrangel Island: First Watch
The first of two planned days is devoted to searching the Wrangel shore for polar bears.
Experience
Naturalists scan from deck and expedition boats, following permitted coastal observation routes; discussion of animal age and behaviour after the outing.
Arrangements
The vessel remains the warm base between observation sessions.
Polar bear on a pebble spit seen from the deck of a ship
Day 07: Wrangel Island: Life of a Predator
A second Wrangel day gives time to focus on behaviour rather than a single possible sighting.
Experience
Further bear observation from ship and boats; possible short authorised tundra walk with inspectors where access and safety permit.
Arrangements
Alternative for non-walkers: observation from the vessel, lectures and rest.
Polar bear and two cubs walking along the tundra shore of Wrangel Island
Day 08: Herald Island and Its Shores
Steep island cliffs introduce another walrus setting and seabird habitat.
Experience
Observation from the ship and expedition boats around Herald Island; marine naturalists compare its haul-outs with Kolyuchin.
Arrangements
Afternoon time for deck observation or a naturalist talk.
Walruses on the rocks below the cliffs of Herald Island
Day 09: Gray Whales of Kolyuchin Bay
Shallow feeding waters bring the itinerary back to whales and coastal ecosystems.
Experience
Look for gray whales and walruses in the Kolyuchin Bay area; optional small-boat coastal route or short tundra walk where feasible.
Arrangements
On-board meals and time on viewing decks.
Gray whale surfacing in Kolyuchin Bay
Day 10: People of the Bering Strait
A private community visit explains how the sea remains part of daily life in Chukotka.
Experience
Planned conversation with maritime hunters, carvers and musicians; traditional harpoon demonstration, craft workshop and visit to a yaranga.
Arrangements
Local refreshments; individually prepared bone snow-goggles as planned gifts, with jaw harp and yarar music.
Chukchi host playing a jaw harp for travellers inside a yaranga
Day 11: Hot Springs in the Far North
The route through the Senyavin area offers time for recovery after the exposed Arctic coast.
Experience
Small-boat coastline exploration and a planned thermal-spring visit; cold-water dip by choice where conditions and safety permit.
Arrangements
Towels and hot drinks prepared; guests can stay aboard and use the sauna instead.
Traveller wrapped in a towel by a steaming hot spring in the tundra
Day 12: A Personal Record of the Arctic
The last full sea day brings the observations together into a record of the journey.
Experience
Naturalists and photographer review locations, animal encounters and selected images; a digital expedition diary is planned after return.
Arrangements
Free time on board and farewell dinner with the captain and expedition team.
Travellers looking through expedition photographs in a ship lounge
Day 13: Return to Anadyr
Disembarkation and an estuary crossing connect the ship to onward travel.
Experience
Arrival in Anadyr; private boat and road transfer to Ugolny Airport.
Arrangements
Any additional Anadyr overnight or Moscow transit arrangements depend on confirmed flights and are separate from the 12 ship nights.
Travellers on a boat crossing the Anadyr estuary