North Spitsbergen - Basecamp Ortelius - Summer Solstice & Cleaning the Shores

Description

The North Spitsbergen Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy this Arctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, and learn to take perfect pictures of the polar flora and fauna.

Cleaning the shores of Spitsbergen: 24 June 2021 Departure

Interested in doing something good for the enviroment?
We welcome you to participate in our ongoing effort to remove plastic waste and other rubbish from the shores of Spitsbergen.
Garbage from the ocean, such as fishing gear and plastic litter, piles up on these shores. This litter is hazardous to the animals, which get entangled in fish nets and sometimes ingest micro-plastics that can lead to starvation and suffocation.
Supported by AECO and the governor of Spitsbergen, we enjoy cleaning the beaches of Svalbard with our passengers. All participants will be assisted by our guides and provided with collection bags. About 50 passengers will clean in the morning while the other 50 have their excursion in another area. Then in the afternoon, the groups switch roles. And if we cannot clean a certain area because of roaming bears or other concerns, we will find an alternate area.

Solstice: 17 June 2021 Departure

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer months, when the sun is visible for 24 hours in fair weather. This coming solstice occurs on Monday, 21 June, 2021 at 05:32 in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen.
The term “solstice” (Latin: solstitium) means “sun-stopping.” This is the point on the horizon at which the sun appears to rise and set before stopping and reversing direction afterward. On the day of the solstice, the sun does not rise precisely in the east but slightly to the north of east. It then sets slightly to the north of west, meaning it is visible in the sky for a longer period of time. It will not be until late August that the sun goes down, and then only for a few minutes.
Join us in experiencing the summer solstice during this adventurous Arctic voyage, when the midnight sun reaches its highest position above the ruggedly scenic wilderness of Svalbard (Spitsbergen).

Background on Basecamp cruises:

Our Basecamp voyages focus on land and near-shore activities with minimal disturbance to local wildlife. If time and conditions permit, the expedition team will also look for wildlife opportunities whenever possible.
By definition, a basecamp is a temporary camp from which expeditions or other outdoor activities can be carried out. During our designated Basecamp cruises, the ship navigates to carefully chosen areas around North Spitsbergen, staying in fewer locations than during our regular trips so that it can serve as a comfortable hub for multiple outdoor activities.
Hikers (H) can embark on vigorous walks in the backcountry, photographers (P) can capture the dramatic surroundings in pictures, and kayakers (K) can explore waterways through which the ship cannot always sail. Passengers who do not wish to engage in these activities can enjoy Zodiac excursions and easy-to-moderate shoreline walks that focus on wildlife.
All activities are free of charge.

Trip Name

North Spitsbergen - Basecamp Ortelius - Summer Solstice & Cleaning the Shores

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: Kongsfjorden and Blomstrandhalvøya

On the first day of our activity program, we will slowly ease into things. Blomstrandhalvøya is located on the northern side of the fjord, which will offer shelter and room to change plan in case the weather changes. In the afternoon, you visit Ny Ålesund, one of the northernmost settlements on Earth.Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway – you can still see its tracks – Ny Ålesund is now a research center. Close to the community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns. And 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).In the evening, we head north along the west coast and spend the night in the sheltered surroundings of Krossfjorden.

Day 3 - Day 3: Exploring the North West

Next to our activities, we will next head toward Amsterdamoya, where you have the chance to hike past the remains of a 17th-century whaling station. You can also enjoy the beautiful panorama of Smeerenburgsleta. In the afternoon, we make for the islands around Fair Haven.Ytre Norskoya is home to a small rookery of puffins, Brünnich’s guillemots, and other wildlife. Nearby Fuglesangen may also offer the chance to see litte auks flying overead as they return to their nests among the rocks, and all around the island are opportunities for amazing kayaking.

Day 4 - Day 4: Rugged Raudfjorden

At Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. Here we will find the right balance between safe activities and wildlilfe watching.

Day 5 - Day 5: The stunning sights of Liefdefjorden

Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground.If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, we may use an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen. Near the area of Texas Bar and Hornbaekpollen, there are also some great hikes.

Day 6 - Day 6: North Spitsbergen splendors

This is our reserve day for activities around North Spitsbergen. Weather and wildlife permitting, we will choose the right location for another day of splendid outdoor adventures.

Day 7 - Day 7: Forlandsundet or St. Johns Fjord

Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses sometimes haul out here, and seabirds can be found around Fuglehuken.You may also see walrus populations around Sarstangen and Poolepynten. Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. We will arrive in Longyearbyen later that night.

Day 8 - Day 8: There and back again

Even the greatest journeys eventually come to an end. Today you disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Day 9 - Please Note:

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed for m/v Ortelius is 10,5 knots.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Enjoy free kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, photo workshops
Visit Kongsfjorden and Blomstrandhalvøya
Discover rugged Raudfjorden