Kamchatka & Chukotka
- 17 Days
- Departure/Arrival:
- Tokyo, Japan - Anchorage, United States
- Voyage code:
- KAM005S
- Ship:
- Sylvia Earle
- Price:
GBP £13,595.00
from GBP £10,876.00/pp Save 20%*
See 'Cabins & Prices' tab for discounted rates. Price inclusive of charter flight/s
Enter a world of mystery and wonder, where 29 of more than 300 volcanoes are active, creating a dynamic landscape of immense beauty. Soak in coastal hot springs serenaded by thundering waterfalls. Zodiac cruise along black-sand beaches, where Kamchatka brown bears and cubs forage, and share swift rivers with Steller’s sea eagles diving on salmon. Visit the Commander Islands (‘South Georgia of the North Pacific’) where seabirds populate a breathtaking maze of arches and sea stacks. Red-legged kittiwakes, red-faced cormorants, parakeet and whiskered auklets and perhaps even laysan albatross are on show. Visit the grave of explorer Vitus Bering near waters bustling with sea lions, fur seals and busy sea otters, while orca and humpback whales patrol the bays. In Chukotka enjoy tundra wildflowers, cliff-climbing bears and a warm welcome by reindeer herders and more.
All cabin prices are inclusive of charter flights.
Highlights
- Encounter Kamchatka’s abundant brown bears and their snuffling cubs feasting on spawning salmon against a backdrop of World Heritage-listed volcanoes
- Enjoy meeting Koryaks of Tymlat village to nomadic Chukchi reindeer herders of the north as they welcome you with song, dance and stories of their life
- Zodiac cruise up swift-flowing rivers in search of nesting Steller’s sea eagles, beneath cliffs aflutter with thousands of puffins, guillemots, auklets and kittiwakes, or amidst sea lions, orca, humpback whales and sea otters
- Delight in walks through stone birch forests and grassy meadows to wildflower and berry-laden tundra
Gallery
In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1 Tokyo
Upon check-in at Hotel Nikko Narita Airport, reception staff will provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number to allow us to deliver your luggage to your cabin ahead. At our voyage briefing, enjoy a welcome drink and meet fellow expeditioners, before spending the night in preparation for your charter flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy.
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Narita Airport
Day 2 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
Board our charter flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy to embark the Sylvia Earle. After boarding, there is time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings. This evening meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 Morzhovaya Bay, Zhupanova River
Wake to the wild beauty of Kamchatka’s east coast. Remnant snow fields dot surrounding mountains as we watch for harbour seals in Morzhovaya Bay. We Zodiac cruise the salmon-rich Zhupanova River, dodging rippling shallows to look for brown bears and magnificent Steller’s sea eagles.
Day 4 Kronotskiy Biosphere Reserve, Kamenistaya Bay
Kronotskiy Biosphere Reserve offers stunning (active) volcanoes and Eurasia’s greatest concentration of brown bears, Steller sea lions, fur seals and a range of whales. Keep your binocular focussed for geese, loons and perhaps the spoon-billed sandpiper. Soak in soothing hot springs of Kamenistaya Bay and trek lowlands covered in cottongrass, aspens and birch. As we turn towards the Commander Islands, our team of experts share enthusiastic, informative talks on the adventures that await us.
Days 5-7 Commander Islands
Spectacular bird cliffs, arches and stacks signal our arrival to the Commander Islands. Pay tribute to explorer Vitus Bering at his grave and memorial. On both land and sea, the wildlife abundance is staggering. At Peregegrebnaya Bay we visit red-legged and black-legged kittiwake rookeries; spot albatross and whales at Cape Monati, and at Ariy Kamen be surrounded by thousands of guillemots. Tufted Puffin Rock speaks for itself. At Nikolskoye village, the Aleut community entertains us with lively performances and a fascinating museum.
Day 8 Soldatskaya Bay, Tymlat Village
We land on the terraced, uplifted coastline of Soldatskaya Bay, and search out endangered seabirds like the long-billed murrelet. At Tymlat village, Koryak reindeer herders and marine mammal hunters warmly greet us with an amazing cultural performance of dance and game that ultimately includes those of us who wish to take part. Time permitting, we get a glimpse of life in one of Kamchatka’s more remote coastal villages.
Day 9 Govena Peninsula, Lavrova Bay, Yuzhnaya Glubokaya
A Zodiac cruise along Govena Peninsula reveals the broad fjord of Lavrova Bay and the narrower Yuzhnaya Glubokaya where bears often visit the abandoned herring factory. Orcas and Bryde’s whales frequent surrounding waters and an afternoon walk reveals succulent roseroot, magenta-coloured pixie eyes, and cheery purple-blue of Jacob’s ladder and chance sightings of Arctic hare. Continue past waterfalls to a glacial moraine and a spectacular vista of the rugged Pylginsky Range.
Day 10 Natalia Bay, Bogaslov Island, Glybokaya Bay
Wake to spectacular mountains rising above Natalia Bay. Zodiac cruise beneath Bogoslov Island’s cliffs where puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots and cormorants breed and climbing bears raid their nests, while walrus haul out nearby. Hike to hidden alpine lakes and gaze upon the dramatic glacier-carved valleys of Peter and Glybokaya bays. Golden rhododendron and dwarf azaleas carpet the tundra and if you listen carefully, you might hear the song of bluethroat.
Day 11 Anastasia Bay, Dezhneva Bay
Encounter a walrus haulout in Anastasia Bay, also a great spot for birdlife, including bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat. Dezhneva Bay offers a coastal lagoon that’s heaven for birders. Keep your binoculars ready to spot white-fronted bean geese and nesting whooper swans. Other wildlife that you may encounter here include gray whales, walrus, reindeer, and brown bears.
Day 12 Gabriela Bay
Explore Gabriel Bay’s wide river mouth and lagoon, classic stone tundra country dotted with cheery pale-blue blossoms of forget-me-not. We may encounter local Chukchi fisherman still living a traditional lifestyle, and inspect an abandoned polar weather station. Listen for the alarm whistle of ground squirrels, watch for brown bears, and offshore, beluga whales.
Day 13 Expedition Day
Weather dictates our plans today. We may visit Arakamchechen Island, home to guillemots, tufted puffins and crested auklets, where walrus haul out and gray whales stir the waters. Yttygran Island is home to the ancient Chukchi whaling camp where the remains of bowhead and gray whales stretch along the beach for nearly half a kilometre, earning the name Whale Bone Alley.
Day 14 Providenyia
Provideniya, ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, is Chukotka’s administrative centre where we visit an excellent museum, enjoy a traditional Yupik dance performance and say goodbye to Russia.
Day 15 Bering Sea, King Island
As we pass through Bering Strait, separating Russia and North America by only 100km, we hope to see beluga and grey whales. Conditions permitting, we land at King Island and explore the eerie, ancient village Ukivok, now abandoned after a tragic run of events. Murres and kittiwakes frequent the surrounding sea cliffs. As we depart, we celebrate the voyage end with a farewell dinner.
Day 16 Nome & Anchorage
Disembark in Nome, farewell your expedition team and crew, and transfer to the airport and board our charter flight to Anchorage, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Hilton Anchorage (or similar)
Day 17 Depart Anchorage
Enjoy free time until check-out before continuing your journey.
Important note: In the spirit of travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea and other conditions beyond our control.
Inclusions
- One night’s hotel accommodation at Hotel Nikko Narita Airport including breakfast on day 1
- Charter flights: Tokyo-Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy // Nome-Anchorage
- Transfer from pier to airport in Nome on day 16
- Transfer from airport to hotel in Anchorage on day 16
- One night’s hotel accommodation at Hilton Anchorage Hotel including breakfast on day 16
- Transfer from hotel to airport on day 17
- Onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
- A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
- Gratuities for ship crew
Exclusions
International or domestic flights. Flight between Oslo and Longyearbyen is not included in the voyage price
- Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Passport, visa, and vaccination charges
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
- Optional activity surcharges
- All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Included Activities
Bird watching
Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
Photography
Polar plunge
Trips ashore
Walking
Whale and mammal spotting
Zodiac cruises
Add-on Activities
One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Antarctica, the Arctic or any of our global voyages. The experience of …
Sea Kayaking
One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Antarctica, the Arctic or any of our global voyages.
The experience of sea kayaking in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica or the European Arctic is guaranteed to stir your soul. Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, skim past penguin rookeries or under soaring bird cliffs, or drift quietly as you watch wildlife unobtrusively, absorbing the majestic scenery.
Led by experienced guides, paddling in small groups allows us the opportunity to paddle between ice floes, brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes as well as allowing easy and intimate access to beautiful coastlines.
What’s Involved?
Rather than travelling large distances, our aim is to see as much as possible. We paddle anywhere between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing, sometimes taking a snack and a flask of hot chocolate to enjoy on our excursion.
Each group of 4 to 10 kayakers will have their own intimate exploration of the small hidden bays and coasts that may be inaccessible to the Zodiacs and will also make time for their own shore excursions and wildlife encounters.
When we visit the poles, the elements play an important role. It is important that you have an adventurous attitude and understand that our kayaking time will be affected by the weather that we experience.
Even if your experience is limited, we’d encourage you to call us to discuss your suitability. There is often ample time to gain the required experience before you depart. Kayakers should be aged 14 years or over.
Equipment Included
- Kayak & Paddle
- Neoprene boots
- Safety gear
- A 15-litre dry bag
- Life jackets
- Dry suits
- Pogies (insulated mittens that attach to your paddle)
Our Guides
Our guides have years of kayaking experience in our destinations. The sea kayaking guide will lead the group on each excursion, explaining facts about the wildlife and other highlights we paddle across. You can view our sea kayaking guides’ profiles here or see below.
How to Book
Simply inform our Expedition Experts at time of booking that you would like to include the optional sea kayaking activity for your expedition. Places are limited so we recommend reserving your place early.
View more detailsCabins & Prices
Extension Tours
Other expeditions you may like
Wrangel Island
Set sail from Nome, Alaska, for Russia’s most remote and treasured wildlife sanctuaries, Wrangel Island Nature Reserve. Discover the world’s …
16 Days
From GBP £10,556.00/pp
Kuril Islands
Draped across the north Pacific Ocean from Hokkaido, Japan, to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, the 22 islands and 30 islets of …
15 Days
From GBP £8,556.00/pp
Aleutian Islands
Board your expedition ship in the stunning, remote fishing port of Seward, Alaska, and begin exploring the rugged Alaskan Peninsula …
16 Days
From GBP £9,596.25/pp
Make it a back-to-back & save 5%
Previous voyage
Board your expedition ship in the stunning, remote fishing port of Seward, Alaska, and begin exploring the rugged Alaskan Peninsula coast, where deeply incised fjords give access to glaciers tumbling from icefields high above. Every day promises something to fire your passion especially finishing up on Russia’s spectacular Kamchatka Peninsula.
Kamchatka & Chukotka KAM005S can be combined with Aleutian Islands (16 days) starting 22nd Jun 2022.
Next voyage
Discover a wonderland offering the world’s highest concentration of polar bear dens (home to both parents and cubs), the largest population of Pacific walrus, nesting grounds for 100 migratory bird species including snowy owls, snow geese and long-tailed skuas; and reindeer, musk oxen and arctic fox.
Kamchatka & Chukotka KAM005S can be combined with Wrangel Island WRA001S (16 days) starting 19th Jul 2022.
Previous voyage
Discover a wonderland offering the world’s highest concentration of polar bear dens (home to both parents and cubs), the largest population of Pacific walrus, nesting grounds for 100 migratory bird species including snowy owls, snow geese and long-tailed skuas; and reindeer, musk oxen and arctic fox.
Kamchatka & Chukotka KAM006S can be combined with Wrangel Island WRA002S (16 days) starting 1st Aug 2022.
Next voyage
Draped across the north Pacific Ocean from Hokkaido, Japan, to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, the 22 islands and 30 islets of the Kuril Islands form a necklace of active volcanoes and sea-sculpted coastlines waiting to be explored. Zodiac into flooded calderas, beneath soaring bird cliffs, to landings where brown bears fish for salmon. Every day brings new adventure.
Kamchatka & Chukotka KAM006S can be combined with Kuril Islands (15 days) starting 29th Aug 2022.

Request a customised quote
Want to book flights and accommodation with us or simply want some additional information? Click the button below and fill out the form, our expedition experts are more than happy to help.
*Terms & Conditions apply. Valid on select ship voyages only. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle which must be booked and deposited by March 21st 2021. Promotion is subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with the back to back voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The promotion can be withdrawn at any time and is not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. To confirm your booking, a completed booking form and non-refundable deposit of $2,500 pp in the booking currency is required within 7 days of reserved berth/s. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please see full terms and conditions.
^Terms & Conditions apply. Additional 5% discount valid on both voyages but two voyages must connect back to back in terms of dates to be eligible. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle. Promotions are subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with early bird voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The offer can be withdrawn at any time and are not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. Please see full terms and conditions.