Nowhere in the Arctic is the heroism and drama of early polar exploration more plainly evident than in Franz Josef Land. This 192-island archipelago is notoriously inaccessible, but a small cruise ship with a fleet of Zodiacs enables you to discover the islands’ hidden treasures, such as historical remains of legendary expeditions, dramatic mountains and surreal geology.
For the few visitors who make the journey to these enigmatic islands of the Russian High Arctic, the sense of remoteness in place and time is an undeniable attraction. Even more compelling is the abundance of wildlife: this polar wilderness is home to polar bears, walrus, seabird colonies and the elusive bow-head whale.