Russia's White Sea
The Ultimate Diving Adventure 10 days London - London
The inland White Sea in northern Russia, is part of the Arctic Ocean basin, and is rich in marine and bird life. It is also the only European destination, and one of the best places in the world, where you can experience ice diving in the marine environment.
The uninhabited islands abound with bird colonies, seals and, in the sea, whales. Underwater there is a peculiar mixture of temperate and arctic species, with visibility of 30 to 40 metres, the landscape is magnificent with rock walls plunging into the depths, swaying kelp and ice masses towering on the surface. Cod, Wolf-fish, Sea perch and Butter fish may be encountered, along with soft corals, sponges, bright sea anemones, sea stars and huge basket stars, plus plankton forms such as Sea Angel Mollusk or big flickering comb jellies which are unique to this area. During winter the temperature may fall to -40 degrees celsius and the ice may be 1.5 metres thick. The annual ice diving programme runs from February to April, with the added bonus of the colourful Aurora Borealis between autumn and April.
- Day 1. Fly from London to Moscow
- Spend the evening in Moscow with the option to overnight.
- Day 2. Moscow to Chupa by train
- Board at midnight, for the 28-hour railway journey to the Polar station of Chupa. Travelling in a comfortable wagonlit, this is a fantastic 1,673 kilometre journey of changing scenery. Alternatively, the journey can be undertaken by plane, followed by a five hour road transfer.
- Day 3. Arrive in Chupa [FB]
- Alight very early in the morning, then a two hour transfer to the Polar Circle Lodge. After a briefing you will be ready to commence diving.
- Days 3 to 7. Ice diving [FB]
- 6 days at the lodge with either five days with two dives per day, for qualified ice divers, or an opportunity to take the two day Ice Diving speciality course.
- Day 8. Rest day with the opportunity to visit a Russian village
- Snorkel with Beluga whales or add another days diving.
- Day 9. Chupa back to Moscow
- Boarding the train at 01.00am
- Day 10. Homeward
- Arriving Moscow early morning, with a flight to London in the early evening. A Moscow city tour or additional night's stays can be added.
- The Polar Circle Lodge
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Offers fully-heated, traditional Russian wooden houses with a comfortable saloon equipped with TV, VCR, CD and DVD players. Rooms are: Economy, sharing a toilet and sink with one other room and Comfort rooms, with toilet, sink and shower. There is also a Russian steam bath with shower facilities, offering a welcome end to a day spent beneath the ice. Communication is by satellite phone and a suitably experienced medical attendant, oxygen and a very good first-aid kit are available. Dinner is traditional Russian dishes, served with vodka or beer. (Should you prefer other drinks, you will need to bring them from Moscow.)
Diving is the main attraction. but terrestrial scenery and wildlife are compelling and other memorable activities, such as visiting Russian villages, skiing, bird and seal watching, are available. Instruction can be arranged in basic Arctic survival and there are also lectures by marine biologists.
- PADI Specialist Ice Diver Certification Course:
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Consisting of four dives over two days; instruction in basic Arctic survival, how to read the ice and establish a safe diving environment, how to deal with frostbite and the potential hazards of hypothermia.
The course will also provide detailed instruction in:
- Identifying and understanding the difference between diving under sea ice and lake (altitude) ice.
- How to tender a line.
- Securing ice screws/anchors, as well as placing shore protection to tender a line.
- Safety procedures and ice diving protocols.
All participants are required to have an Advanced Open Water or equivalent rating, and be proficient in dry-suit use with a minimum of twenty logged dry suit dives.
- Cost per person: From £1,275
- What is included: Flights, transfers, railway journey to Chupa & meals as indicated Please enquire about excursions, Moscow hotel and tour price. Alternative route via Finland can be arranged
- Accommodation: Lodge - 6 days
- Departure details: Fridays from February to April
- Diving package: 5 days Ice diving with tanks & weights. Ice diving speciality add £125
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