SOUTH SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER – BEAR ISLAND
__________________
10 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Longyearbyen, Svalbard | Stroll around this former mining town before embarking the ship |
| Day 2 | Hornsund | Towering mountain peaks, Hornsundtind mountain, 14 magnificent glaciers in the area, seals and polar bears |
| Days 3 - 4 | Bear Island | Nesting cliffs, Brünnichs guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars, remains of a whaling station |
| Day 5 | At Sea | Spot polar bears as well as various species of whales, seals, and seabirds |
| Day 6 | Diskobukta Canyon | Over 10,000 pairs of breeding kittiwakes, bones of prehistoric bowhead whales |
| Day 7 | Agardhfjellet | Summit of Fleinskallen, breeding Ivory Gulls, rich in fossils |
| Day 8 | Kvalhovden | Preserved dinosaur fossil tracks, steep bird mountains of Kvalvaagen, thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots and other seabirds |
| Day 9 | Bellsund | One of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard, piles of beluga skeletons, good chance of encountering a pod of belugas |
| Day 10 | Longyearbyen | Disembark and continue on your onwards journey |
Ship Offering This Itinerary
Ortelius
The Ortelius was originally the Marina Svetaeva. Built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, it served as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius, who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theatre of the World. The Ortelius can accommodate 108 guests and has an abundance of open-deck spaces for watching wildlife and the impressive scenery as you sail past. She also has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) making her perfect for polar expeditions.
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre 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 Hornsund
Start the day by quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area in southern Spitsbergen, dominated by towering mountain peaks. The mountain of Hornsundtind rises to 1,431 metres, while the peak of Bautaen testifies to why early Dutch explorers gave this island the name Spitsbergen, which translates to “pointed mountains.” There are 14 magnificent glaciers in the area, and you have a fair chance of encountering seals and polar bears. The nearby cliffs of Sofiakammen are also home to thousands of pairs of nesting kittiwakes and little auks. In the evening, you might see thousands of harp seals rutting on ice floes at Sørkapp.
Days 3 – 4 Bear Island
Venture along the west side of Bear Island, heading toward the southeast- an excellent place for viewing large seabird colonies. The nearby nesting cliffs are part of an extensive nature reserve where shore landings are not permitted. Afterward, sail northeast into Sörhamna, where you can get closer to the seabird cliffs. Chiefly, Brünnichs guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars nest here.
Just northeast of this is Revdalen, where, at a safe distance, you can watch breeding great skuas, large seabirds known to be fiercely territorial. From there, climb some way to the bird mountain at the coast. In Kvalrossbukta, land at the remains of a whaling station from the early part of the previous century. As you continue north along the east side of Bear Island, look for other good landing and activity spots.
Day 5 At Sea
Sailing northward, you may still encounter sea ice, where you have a good chance of spotting polar bears as well as various species of whales, seals, and seabirds. Sailing along the western side of the Tusenøyane, you may see polar bears, walruses, and belugas.
Day 6 Diskobukta Canyon
Land at a beach dotted with bones of prehistoric bowhead whales and walk to a canyon with over 10,000 pairs of breeding kittiwakes on both sides, and often Arctic foxes preying on eggs, and sometimes a polar bear. The valley south of the colony is inviting for long walks.
Day 7 Agardhfjellet
Land at the east coast of Spitsbergen at the mouth of Skjolddalen river, where ivory gulls gather to breed. Then, a relaxed walk takes you to the summit of Fleinskallen (about 300m high), with some tens of breeding Ivory Gulls spread along the ridges. Here it pays to keep one eye on the ground at your feet – the area is very rich in fossils, such as belemnites.
Day 8 Kvalhovden
The area around Boltodden is famous for its preserved dinosaur fossil tracks. Behind these are the steep bird mountains of Kvalvaagen, home to many thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots and other seabirds. At Kvalbreen, you’ll have a good opportunity for a Zodiac cruise and seal observations. Polar bears are not uncommon in this area, so keeping your camera handy here is a must.
Day 9 Bellsund
Bellsund is one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. Here, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found, remains of poorly managed 19th-century whaling. Thankfully, belugas were not hunted to extinction, thus you’ll have a good chance of encountering a pod. Alternatively, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore the tundra where reindeer like to feed, as well as rock slopes where little auks breed, near Vaarsolbukta.
Day 10 Longyearbyen
Even the most remarkable journeys must eventually come to an end. Disembark today in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever the next adventure lies. Here, you can further explore the town or prepare for your onward flight.