TASTE OF NORTH SPITSBERGEN
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6 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Longyearbyen, Svalbard | Stroll around this former mining town before embarking the ship |
| Day 2 | Kongsfjorden and Krossfjord | Ny Ålesund, one of the northernmost settlements on Earth, breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns |
| Day 3 | Ytre Norskøya and Raudfjorden | Whaling history, expansive fjord spilling with glaciers, ringed and bearded seals |
| Day 4 | At Sea | Look for seals, polar bears, ivory gulls, and whales, including bowhead whales |
| Day 5 | Forlandsundet and Poolepynten | Haul-out place for walruses, Alkhornet where seabirds nest and Arctic foxes search below |
| Day 6 | 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 Kongsfjorden and Krossfjord
Today, 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, head north some way into breathtaking Krossfjord. Overnight, the ship will sail along the west coast, heading north.
Day 3 Ytre Norskøya and Raudfjorden
Today, 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 At Sea
Sail due north until you reach the edge of the pack ice the next day. From there, sail southwest in the outer fringes of the sea ice south to west of Spitsbergen, where you can expect to see seals, polar bears, ivory gulls, and whales, including bowhead whales. Explore the fringes of the sea ice, providing superb photography opportunities and a chance to explore this ethereal landscape.
Day 5 Forlandsundet and Poolepynten
In the course of the afternoon, arrive at the southern end of Prins Karls Forland, where you’ll land some way into Forlandsundet at Poolepynten, a haul-out place for walruses. Alternatively, you 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, you may see minke whales, so spending time on deck is recommended!
Day 6 Longyearbyen
Early morning, arrive in Longyearbyen once again. Here, with memories made, say your goodbyes before you explore more of the settlement or prepare for your flights home.