![]() ![]() Cape Flora features some of the most beautiful tundra in Franz Josef Land, but landings on the rocky beach, which is prone to swell from the Barents Sea can often, be tricky. Located in an unglaciated area in the Southwest of Northbrook Island, Cape Flora is one of the most famous historical sites in Franz Josef Land because it is one of the most accessible locations in the archipelago. On Mabel island offers an opportunity to get close to a little auk colony as the birds nest between the rocks on the slope above the beach where the Zodiacs land. The remains of an empty cabin built in 1880 by British explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith can be found on Bell Island. Some of the places where visitors may explore include: This means that the cruises that visit now may still land at completely new landing sites that have no record of being explored in the past. During the summer period when the expeditions run, the temperature averages a mild couple of degrees above 0C.Įven with the increased interest in the polar regions (40,000+ visitors to Antarctica each year), Franz Josef Land has remained largely unexplored with roughly only 1000 visitors every year. At times the temperature reaches lower than -40C and in winter total darkness engulfs the island for several months. Even in the middle of Summer Sea ice can make exploring parts of Franz Josef Land impossible, and in winter the archipelago is totally surrounded by ice. ![]() Despite the truly harsh climate the nature of Franz Josef Land is unique in its own way. During an expedition cruise to Franz Josef Land the vessel will sail along the many islands and go ashore when weather and sea conditions are favorable. The most common is the 3-week North Pole cruise itinerary offered by the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy stopping here en-route. Typically, these Arctic cruises are operated with departures from Murmansk. Memorials, monuments, crosses and the remains of dwellings are testimony to incredible historical events.Ĭruise travel to Franz Josef Land is very limited as the archipelago has no infrastructure to support it and these islands can only be reached by an icebreaker ship and therefore a very unique destination few people will ever visit. The journals of explorers such as Julius von Payer, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Frederick George Jackson, and Fridtjof Nansen come alive at Cape Norway, Cape Flora, Eira Harbour, and Cape Tegetthoff. The opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at well-preserved historical sites is also offered here. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of seabirds. Polar bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. It is a nature sanctuary home to polar bears and other quintessential High Arctic wildlife-such as walruses, seabird colonies, and some rare whale species like the elusive bow-head whale. Even more compelling is the abundance of flora and fauna: this polar wilderness is part of the Russian Arctic National Park since 2012. For the few visitors who make the voyage to these enigmatic islands, the sense of seclusion in place and time is an unquestionable attraction. It is the biggest frozen area of land in the Russian Arctic with immense tidewater glaciers and glittering icebergs provide a stunning backdrop. Franz Josef Land is dominated by glaciations, which covers 85% of the islands.
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