Tourist season has begun in Russian Arctic and it will go on till the end of summer. Russia has the longest in the world Arctic seashore, and this region demonstrates how different can be extreme north. Wealthy people, mainly not from Russia come every year to see the North in all its variety. They come on boards of icebreakers, prowl the silence of Arctic tundra on snowmobiles and even undertake treks to the North Pole from drifting station of Barneo. Among them are nobles and celebrities, as British prince Harry. Some of them come up against some difficulties, like prince Harry. Anyway, Russian Extreme North is regarded as a tourist attraction mainly by foreigners.

The Russians don't go to admire the polar glory so much. Tour operators now are doing their best to draw attention of the Russian tourists to polar routes. A very important step for popularization and accessibility of polar expeditions for Russians and foreigners, of course, has recently been done. This is organization of cruise to Frantz Joseph land, which has recently become a national park as well (more about park...). The cruise is organized by a Russian tour operator, still only one among approximately four. The ship is called Capitan Dranitsyn.

Archipelago of Frantz Joseph Land is almost desolate if we speak about the people. The nature is virgin and saved in the whole since the Ice Age. Colonies of walruses on the islands are very large. It is better to look at them over a distance, because of smell. Among the species to see there are polar foxes, whales and white whales. Polar bears come very close to the board of vessel. This is exciting, but dangerous as well. The most impressive thing on the islands is birdy spots, the largest in the northern hemisphere.

Arctic tours are not cheap. The prices begin from EU 7,900. The sum includes accommodation in the berth, food, guided debarkations with excursions, lectures given by scientists and participation in master classes, for example in landscape photography. The price of tour does not include the way to Murmansk, port of departure. The new Russian tour is notable for that lectures and tours will be represented in Russian as well.

Russian Arctic offers not only sea cruises and North Pole expeditions to the lands where only the white bears and Russian scientists live. There are also ethnographic tours beyond the Polar circle. Such tours are carried out in Chukotka and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, where different small ingenious peoples of North still live in their traditional way.

For tourists, interested especially in Arctic nature and taking photos, special photo tours exist.

The tour operators note that some tourists return to the Arctic. There is something in the northern lands which is impossible to forget and which makes to come time after time. And that is great, if money and other life circumstances let do this.

P.S. Except money and tickets, the tourists should have insurance.

russia-ic.com
Author: Yulia Buzykina

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