Ortelius Itinerary
A Taste of North Spitsbergen - Compact Arctic Adventure6 days / 5 nights
About Ortelius
- Refurbished research vessel with three-star accommodation
- Awarded the highest ice-class rating, ensuring safety and comfort
- Equipped with a helicopter pad to facilitate flight transfers
- Enjoy hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, camping, and photography
Ortelius is a refurbished research vessel embarking on adventurous expedition cruises in the polar regions. Awarded the highest ice-class rating, and offering some unique features and amenities – including a helicopter pad and sauna – this vessel combines both comfort and capability during even the remote voyages. As a result, guests can expect to enjoy every moment of their trip, whether lounging in the bar with a cocktail, learning about their surroundings in the lecture room, or embarking on exhilarating activities such as mountaineering, skiing, or scuba diving.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 6 days / 5 nights
Number of dives 0
Experience No experience required
Insurance Not Required
Highlights
- Circular route around North Spitsbergen
- Enjoy breathtaking nature, icebergs in all shapes and polar bears
- Meet the "tooth-walking sea horses," also known as Walrus
Day 1: Longyearbyen - the start of your journey
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than 100 plant species have been recorded here. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 2: Kongsfjorden and Krossfjord
Day 2: Kongsfjorden and Krossfjord
Today, we will explore Ny Ålesund, one of the northernmost settlements on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway, the tracks of which can still be seen, Ny Ålesund is now a research center. The community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns. If you’re interested in the history of Arctic exploration, visit the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).
There are also opportunities to visit a museum dedicated to life in Ny Ålesund in the past, and to explore historic buildings. At the post office, you can send a postcard home! In the afternoon, we head north some way into breathtaking Krossfjord. Overnight, the ship will sail along the west coast, heading north.
Day 3: Exploring the north west
Day 3: Exploring the north west
Today, we head for Ytre Norskøya, where you have the chance to hike in the footsteps of whalers from the 17th century, who used the promontory here to spot bowhead whales. Several graves dot the landscape here, while sea cliffs play host to several species of seabird. At Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even be visited by ringed and bearded seals.
The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of seeing polar bears and Arctic foxes on the prowl.
Day 4: Northward - the pack ice awaits!
Day 4: Northward - the pack ice awaits!
We sail due north until we reach the edge of the pack ice the next day. From there, we sail southwest in the outer fringes of the sea ice south to west of Spitsbergen, where we expect to see seals, polar bears, ivory gulls, and whales, including bowhead whales. We will explore the fringes of the sea ice, providing superb photography opportunities and a chance to explore this ethereal landscape.
Day 5: Forlandsundet and Poolepynten
Day 5: Forlandsundet and Poolepynten
In the course of the afternoon, we arrive at the southern end of Prins Karls Forland, where we want to land some way into Forlandsundet at Poolepynten, a haul-out place for walruses. Alternatively, we might sail to Alkhornet at the mouth of Isfjorden and land there. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. In the mouth of the fjord, we often see minke whales, so spending time on deck is recommended!
Day 6: Longyearbyen - the end of your journey
Day 6: Longyearbyen - the end of your journey
Early morning, we arrive in Longyearbyen once again. Here, with memories made, we say our goodbyes before you explore more of the settlement or prepare for your flights home.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
04:00pm
Longyearbyen
Svalbard Airport: LYR
Return
09:00am
Longyearbyen
Svalbard Airport: LYR
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ortelius/itn-2512120226391-a-taste-of-north-spitsbergen-compact-arctic-adventure