East Spitsbergen - Arctic Academy (Ortelius)

Description

This is a voyage, with a group of scientists on the ship, who will follow-up on the investigations which Dutch researchers began on Edgeøya in the 20th century. Academic voyage organized by the Dutch University of Groningen to the Island Edgeøya south of Spitsbergen. Voyage dedicated to science and research.

We cruise north to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land at Blankodden on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks. During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Fox and Polar Bear, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges.

At Andrétangen we have a good opportunity to observe a herd of Walrusses near an old trapper station. Some way inland near a lifted shore in a surf zone from thousands of year ago we find the skeletons of stranded whales from that time.

Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen’ – pointed mountains – to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bear.

Trip Name

East Spitsbergen - Arctic Academy (Ortelius)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Expediton Length: 91m Passenger Capacity: 108-123 Built / Refurbished : 1989 / 2015 The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefor suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice as well as loose multi-year pack ice. Ortelius can accommodate up to 116-123 passengers (108 passengers as of season Arctic 2020) and has an abundance of open-deck spaces. It is manned by 22 highly experienced nautical crew members, 19 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor. Though our voyages are primarily meant to offer our passengers an exploratory wildlife program with as much time ashore as possible, Ortelius offers all the comforts of a standard hotel ― along with a bar and lecture room. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. As such, Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Largest town, biggest island

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 a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.

Day 2 - Day 2: South Spitsbergen

Landings at the rarely visited coast of South Spitsbergen between Sørkap and Isbukta and sailing by Stellingfjellet the biggest colony of Brünnichs Guillmots in Spitsbergen.

Day 3 - Day 3: Wild west side of Edgeøya

We cruise north to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land at Blankodden on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia.We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of Kittiwake, together with Black Guillemot and piratical Glaucous Gull.During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Fox and Polar Bear, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges. From there we walk to Kapp Lee.

Day 4 - Day 4: Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet

At the east side of West Spitsbergen (west side of Storfjorden) we will walk to some breeding places of Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet at about 400 m high. The valley leading to the outcrops with the nests is littered with fossils of Belemnites and Ammonites.

Day 5 - Day 5: Trapper´s history in Freemansundet

In Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to visit an old trapper's hut and then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Goose. We also plan a zodiac cruise near the Freeman glacier and visit again a Kittiwake colony in a canyon.

Day 6 - Day 6: Long island excursion in Diskobukta

At Diskobukta we make a long inland excursion into the braided rivers, which are easily crossed this late in the season. At Caltex fjellet we will search for breeding places of Ivory Gulls and proceed into Smelledalen with some Pingo’s. Alternatively we land at Plurdalen, and area where 40 years ago extensive explorations for oil were carried out.

Day 7 - Day 7: Russian history in Habenichtbukta

At Habenichtbukta Russian Pomors built their hunting station in which they lived during quite some periods in the 18th and 19th centuries. We will land in the area and make also an inland excursion in an area with pond and lakes, populated by divers, ducks and geese

Day 8 - Day 8: Walrusses and whale skeletons

Day 9 - Day 9: Spectacular Hornsund !

We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks.Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen’ - pointed mountains - to the island.There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bear.We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auk.

Day 10 - Day 10: There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Day 11 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Barentsøya
Black Guillemot
Brünnich's Guillemot
Edgeøya
Kittiwake
Little Auk
Shore-Based Walking
Zodiac Cruising & Shore program