Explore the remote regions of north Spitsbergen, the heart of polar bear country. Sail close to glaciers, walk on desolate Arctic islands and take Zodiacs beneath cliffs which are home to myriad birdlife. The further north that we sail, the more ice we will meet, and this ice will gradually build up into large ice floes with seals resting on them. This is polar bear country, where the bears hunt for food; you’ll hopefully see the 'King of the Arctic' in his natural habitat.
M/V Ortelius is a former Russian scientific vessel, built in Poland. Named after the cartographer who published the first modern world atlas, Ortelius is a good expedition vessel for exploring the more remote polar regions because of its high ice-class rating (meaning it can navigate difficult conditions). It also has a large amount of deck space from which passengers can observe the passing wilderness and a good number of on-board experts and Zodiacs to maximise wildlife-viewing.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Longyearbyen
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the surrounding area of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plants have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden, where in the mouth of the fjord we may see our first Minke Whales.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2:
Sail to Raudfjord
We sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seals. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar bears are often seen here.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
Tundra and birdlife, Monaco glacier and wildlife
Depending on the weather we may now sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many Common Eiders and Pink-footed Geese nest here, and the rarer King Eider may also be seen. We hope to sail into Liefdefjorden, crui¬sing near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes. As well, Polar Bears have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Hinlopen strait and its varied wildlife
Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seals, Ringed Seals, Polar Bears, and Ivory Gulls. At the entrance there is the possibility to see Blue Whales. We’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, we’ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to Reindeer, Pink-footed Geese, breeding Ivory Gulls, and Walruses.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Nordaustlandet, 540 miles below the North Pole
In the morning we hope to land at Laagoya, a haul-out place for Walrusses. Later we will reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bears inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gulls. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice, before turning west again.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
Norwegian shoreline and whaling history
Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack-ice, keeping watch for Polar Bears and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead). About 100 n.miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where Fin Whales forage in summer in the upwellings along the the Spitsbergen banks. West of the mouth of the Kongsfjord we have also good chances to see Humpback Whales.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Spitsbergen wilderness
We land at the northern tip of Prins Karls Forland near Fuglehuken, where Barentsz probably set foot on Spitsbergen for the first time. Seabirds nest on the cliffs, and along the coast we see Harbour Seals, the only population found in Spitsbergen. Here we also will observe the remains of the Polar Bear hunting era, with demolished set guns and bear traps. At the opposite site of Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for Walruses. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Foxes search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At nighttime we arrive in Longyearbyen.
Overnight Cruise Boat (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:
Longyearbyen
We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for the flights south to Oslo and onward home.
Included meals: Breakfast
