(Round trip around Spitsbergen and the remote Nordaustlandet)
Welcome to one of the most spectacular expeditions you can experience – a journey around Svalbard , where you’ll discover the wild, untouched Arctic realm in all its splendor. Aboard the expedition ship MS ORTELIUS, you’ll embark on a voyage that not only takes you to remote, icy shores but also offers unique opportunities to experience Svalbard’s diverse wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes. This journey will take you through the remote waters and majestic fjords that surround the archipelago, giving you the chance to observe Arctic foxes, walruses, reindeer, and polar bears .
Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, is renowned for its majestic beauty and pristine wilderness. During this ten-day expedition, you’ll revel in the vast horizons amidst glaciers and icebergs that stretch across the landscape. This journey is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Arctic while learning about its fascinating nature, history, and the impacts of climate change.
The MS ORTELIUS is the perfect ship for this expedition. With its robust construction and ability to access remote areas, it allows for exceptional proximity to nature and the animals that inhabit this region. This expedition is not only a journey across the ice, but also a journey back into the history of the Arctic, to the pioneers of polar exploration and the unforgettable landscapes they left behind.
In conclusion, this Spitsbergen expedition, including Nordaustlandet, is an unforgettable adventure that will transport you to the pristine wilderness of the Arctic. From majestic glaciers and dramatic fjords to unforgettable wildlife encounters , this expedition offers everything an adventurer could desire. Aboard the MS ORTELIUS, you’ll have the ideal expedition ship to immerse yourself in this fascinating world and experience the Arctic up close.
The MS ORTELIUS was built in Poland in 1989. Initially named MARINA SVETAEVA, it served the Russian Academy of Sciences as a work vessel in Arctic waters.
Later, it was converted into an expedition ship and primarily used for voyages to polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.
In 2011, the Dutch shipping company Oceanwide Expeditions acquired the vessel, which now mainly operates for ambitious nature cruise programs in extreme polar regions. The ship’s new name, ORTELIUS, commemorates the important Flemish geographer and cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598), who published the first modern world atlas.
Ship Data | MS ORTELIUS
Equipment:
The MS ORTELIUS has the Russian ice class UL1 (equivalent to 1A) and is therefore ideally suited for navigating polar waters. The cabins, renovated in 2005 and 2012, offer a comfortable and spacious stay for up to 108 passengers.
The public areas include two restaurants, a lecture room, a bar, a sauna and the open bridge, which invites observation.
Deck Plan:
We can organize suitable flights for you from Germany, Switzerland or Austria.
Welcome to Oslo, the Norwegian capital, which was awarded the prestigious title of “Green Capital of Europe” in 2019. We have arranged a comfortable stay for you in a hotel very close to Oslo Airport, so you can easily catch your flight to Longyearbyen on day 2.
If you’d like to take a trip to the city center and have some time, you can take the convenient airport train to the heart of Oslo – the journey takes only 20 minutes and trains run regularly throughout the day. Near Oslo Central Station you’ll find shops, cafes, the Botanical Garden, cultural attractions, and the attractive harbor area.
Overnight stay in Oslo
Continue your journey by plane to Longyearbyen, the starting port of your Spitsbergen circumnavigation cruise and the administrative center of Spitsbergen, located on the archipelago’s largest island, West Spitsbergen. Before boarding, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the town. The parish church and the Svalbard Museum, with its interesting exhibits on the mining industry and polar history, are well worth a visit.
Your expedition cruise begins in the early evening when the MS ORTELIUS leaves the port of Longyearbyen and sails into the Isfjord.
The very next morning you will reach Krossfjorden, known for its impressive glacier fronts. Krossfjorden is a true highlight, showcasing the beauty of the Arctic in a very small area. After visiting the fjord, the journey continues to Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Originally a mining town, Ny-Ålesund has now developed into an international research center. Here you can learn more about the history of polar expeditions and visit the historic mast used by the famous polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile during their expeditions. Ny-Ålesund is also an important breeding ground for Arctic birds such as geese and Arctic terns.
Monaco Glacier and Liefdefjorden
The MS ORTELIUS continues towards Liefdefjorden, one of the most impressive fjords in Spitsbergen. Here you can admire the majestic Monaco glacier front, which stretches 5 kilometers into the cold sea. The area is known for its numerous kittiwake colonies and as a hunting ground for polar bears.
Depending on weather conditions, you will take a trip with the Zodiacs to get closer to the glaciers and perhaps even observe a polar bear in its natural environment.
Sorgfjord and Heclahamna
Today we continue to one of Spitsbergen’s most historic sites – Sorgfjord. Here you’ll find the remains of shipwrecks dating back to the 17th century, when French and Dutch ships were wrecked here. Afterwards, you’ll continue your journey and perhaps spot a herd of walruses near the old whalers’ graves. In Heclahamna, a fascinating coastal area, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about Arctic flora and fauna on a hike
The northernmost point: The Seven Islands
The Seven Islands mark the northernmost point of your journey. Here you reach 80° north latitude, placing you only about 870 kilometers from the geographic North Pole. This region is home to polar bears and walruses. The MS ORTELIUS sails through pack ice to search for these majestic animals in their natural habitat. The story of the Italian expedition that attempted to rescue the missing explorer and adventurer Nobile in 1928 comes alive here.
Austfonna and Kong Karls Land
Today you will explore the vast Austfonna ice cap on Nordaustlandet – the largest ice cap in Europe. You will stop at Isisøya, a former nunatak island now surrounded by glaciers. A Zodiac tour around the island offers the opportunity to experience the icy landscapes up close.
You will then continue your journey to Kong Karls Land, which is known as one of the best areas for polar bear viewing.
Heleysundet and West Spitsbergen
The journey continues to Heleysundet, a narrow channel between West Spitsbergen and Barentsøya. Here you have the opportunity to admire enormous glaciers like the Negribreen and go ashore on the west side of Spitsbergen to observe a colony of ivory gulls.
Hornsund – Land of pointed mountains
On the eighth day, the plan is to reach Hornsund, one of Spitsbergen’s most dramatic landscapes. The rugged peaks—including Hornsundtind (1,431 meters high) and Bautaen—offer a breathtaking view. This area boasts numerous glaciers and ample opportunity to spot seals and polar bears. Here, you will enjoy a hike and take in the majestic scenery.
Bell Sund and its history
You reach Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The area’s warm ocean currents support lush vegetation rarely found elsewhere in the archipelago. On a hike, you can discover ancient whale skeletons, remnants of 19th-century hunting. The wildlife is equally fascinating: deer and small auks are frequently encountered.
After enjoying a final breakfast on board, the crew will bid you farewell in the port of Longyearbyen. An organized transfer will take you to Longyearbyen Airport for your flight to Oslo, where you will stay overnight.
Overnight stay in Oslo
Connecting flight from Oslo to your home airport in Germany, Switzerland or Austria.
Notes:
The chances of a complete circumnavigation of Svalbard are 30% in the first half of July, 60% in the second half of July, 90% in the first half of August, and 95% in the second half of August. (These statistics are based on data from 1992 to 2011). If a circumnavigation is not possible due to ice conditions, the program will focus on the northeast or southeast of Svalbard.
The programs we have described are examples of a possible itinerary for your nature cruise. Since landings and excursions depend on the prevailing weather and ice conditions, changes to the itinerary may sometimes be necessary. This is the only way to ensure that you experience the greatest possible diversity of landscapes and wildlife. The final decision regarding the exact itinerary rests with the captain and the expedition leader. During the nature cruise, the planned activities will be presented to you daily. Please bear in mind: flexibility is crucial for the success of expedition cruises.
Changes to the itinerary and program are expressly reserved.
We are obliged to point out that this trip is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation
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