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Around Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, In the Icy Realm of the Polar Bear

A comprehensive circumnavigation of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. Discover massive glaciers, venture past 80° North to the Seven Islands, and search for polar bears, walruses, and belugas in their icy realm.


Svalbard
© OEX

Duration: 9 nights on board.
Starts: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Ends: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.


Included


Voyage deep into the Arctic Ocean on an extraordinary circumnavigation around Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. This expedition offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness polar wildlife in its natural habitat, from polar bears and walruses to Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, beluga whales, and vast seabird colonies. Setting sail from Longyearbyen, the journey heads north along the western coast to explore glacier-carved waterways like Krossfjorden, the historic research outpost of Ny Ålesund, and the precipitous 5-kilometer-long Monaco Glacier in Liefdefjorden.

Pushing through pack ice toward Chermsideøya and the Seven Islands, the ship attempts to reach 80° North, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. The voyage traces Austfonna—Europe's largest ice cap—featuring Zodiac cruises past meltwater waterfalls and navigating the secluded denning shores of Kong Karls Land. Exploring the pointed spires of Hornsund and the historic whaling sites of Bell Sund, guests will enjoy daily shoreside walks and Zodiac safaris led by expert naturalists throughout this High Arctic wilderness.

Highlights:
Circumnavigation cruise around Spitsbergen and the remote island of Nordaustlandet.
Reaching 80° North among the pack ice of the Seven Islands.
Scenic cruising along Monaco Glacier and Austfonna, Europe's largest ice cap.
Exceptional wildlife tracking for polar bears, walruses, belugas, and Little Auks.
Daily shore walks across tundra, historic whaling sites, and escorted Zodiac safaris.

Itinerary

© OEX
© OEX

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Arrival and departure from Isfjorden
Touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Explore the former mining town, local parish church, and Svalbard Museum. Embark in the early evening and set sail out of Isfjorden, watching for minke whales.

Day 2-9: Clockwise circumnavigation of West Spitsbergen
High Arctic wilderness exploration
Eight days exploring the highlights of the Svalbard archipelago:

* Krossfjorden and Ny Ålesund: Cruise past glacier fronts and visit the northernmost research settlement on Earth, home to historic airship masts.
* Monaco Glacier: Sail Liefdefjorden to view the 5-kilometer-long face of Monaco Glacier, a prime polar bear hunting ground and kittiwake feeding site.
* Sorgfjord: Observe walrus herds at Eolusneset near 17th-century whalers' graves and hike across tundra landscapes.
* Seven Islands: Reach 80° North at Chermsideøya and Phippsøya, navigating pack ice inhabited by polar bears and walruses.
* Austfonna Ice Cap & Kong Karls Land: Cruise along Europe's largest ice cap, take a Zodiac safari at Isisøya, and view the denning shores of Kong Karls Land.
* Storfjorden: Sail through Heleysundet past Negribreen glacier, explore Skjolddalen, and visit Diskobukta on Edgeøya to see kittiwake nesting canyons.
* Hornsund: Marvel at the jagged spires of Hornsundtind (1,431 m) and Bautaen, cruising past 14 glaciers with chances to spot seals, belugas, and polar bears.
* Bell Sund: Explore lush tundra habitats, 19th-century beluga hunting remains at Ahlstrandhalvøya, and little auk nesting slopes near Vaarsolbukta.

Day 10: Longyearbyen Disembarkation
Final disembarkation
Arrive in Longyearbyen in the morning. Disembark after breakfast with lifelong memories of your High Arctic circumnavigation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Arrival and departure from Isfjorden
Touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Explore the former mining town, local parish church, and Svalbard Museum. Embark in the early evening and set sail out of Isfjorden, watching for minke whales.

Day 2-9: Clockwise circumnavigation of West Spitsbergen
High Arctic wilderness exploration
Eight days exploring the highlights of the Svalbard archipelago:

* Krossfjorden and Ny Ålesund: Cruise past glacier fronts and visit the northernmost research settlement on Earth, home to historic airship masts.
* Monaco Glacier: Sail Liefdefjorden to view the 5-kilometer-long face of Monaco Glacier, a prime polar bear hunting ground and kittiwake feeding site.
* Sorgfjord: Observe walrus herds at Eolusneset near 17th-century whalers' graves and hike across tundra landscapes.
* Seven Islands: Reach 80° North at Chermsideøya and Phippsøya, navigating pack ice inhabited by polar bears and walruses.
* Austfonna Ice Cap & Kong Karls Land: Cruise along Europe's largest ice cap, take a Zodiac safari at Isisøya, and view the denning shores of Kong Karls Land.
* Storfjorden: Sail through Heleysundet past Negribreen glacier, explore Skjolddalen, and visit Diskobukta on Edgeøya to see kittiwake nesting canyons.
* Hornsund: Marvel at the jagged spires of Hornsundtind (1,431 m) and Bautaen, cruising past 14 glaciers with chances to spot seals, belugas, and polar bears.
* Bell Sund: Explore lush tundra habitats, 19th-century beluga hunting remains at Ahlstrandhalvøya, and little auk nesting slopes near Vaarsolbukta.

Day 10: Longyearbyen Disembarkation
Final disembarkation
Arrive in Longyearbyen in the morning. Disembark after breakfast with lifelong memories of your High Arctic circumnavigation.


© OEX
© OEX


INCLUSIONS

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Complimentary use of waterproof neoprene expedition muck boots and snowshoes.
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) to and from Longyearbyen.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity (1.5 GB of data usage per day per guest, resetting every 24 hours).
Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after your expedition.

EXCLUSIONS

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ortelius | Date: 15 Aug 2027 - 24 Aug 2027 (5753)
Quad Porthole
$6,250
Triple Porthole
$7,800
Twin Porthole
$9,150
Twin Window
$9,900
Twin Deluxe
$10,750
Superior
$11,950

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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