Spitsbergen-Bear Island
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SPITSBERGEN-BEAR ISLAND A voyage to Bear Island and returning to Longyeabyen, in search of seals and bears. The land of the midnight sun, of snow and ice, offers some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences in the world. Bear Island, or Bjørnøya in Norwegian, is the southernmost island of the Spitsbergen archipelago. ITINERARY Day 1: Departure from Longyearbyen Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden. Day 2: Cruising the fjords of Hornshund 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the amphitheatre of glacier fronts. spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to Day 7: Stormbukta 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave If ice conditions allow we will land at Stormbukta with an easily the name ‘Spitsbergen’ - pointed mountains - to the island. accessible Kittiwake colony in a canyon and warm springs, There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very which do not freeze during winter. Alternatively we land at good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bear. Palfylodden a Walrus haul out place with the remains of thousands of walruses slaughtered in previous centuries. We Day 3: Hvalrossbukta sail northward along the Spitsbergen banks, looking for Finn At the south side of Bear Island we sail by the largest bird cliffs Whales. in the North Atlantic occupied by more than 10 species of seabirds. We make a landing at the 19th century whaling Day 8: Ahlstrandhalvøya station at Hvalrossbukta. Today we land on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden. Here piles of Beluga skeletons (the Beluga is a Day 4: Hopen Island small white whale), the remains of 19th century slaughter, are On Hopen Island is the most remote weather station in the yet another reminder of the consequences of thoughtless Spitsbergen archipelago, with an always friendly Norwegian exploitation. Belugas were not hunted to extinction and may still crew. Near the station there are several remains of the Polar be seen locally. Cruising into Recherchefjorden during the Bear hunting era and large seabird cliffs. At Kofotodden there afternoon we can explore an area of tundra at the head of the are some remain of the 17th century whaling. fjord where many reindeer feed. Alternatively we sail to a Walrus haul out place at Mariasund or at the western entrance of Day 5: Storfjorden Fridtjofhamna. We work our way into the sea-ice at the south eastern part of Storfjorden near Tusenøyane, an area teeming with wildlife Day 9: Arrival in Longyearbyen which feeds at the edges of the ice near their breeding places. Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the Thousands of Harp Seals are laying on the ice here or swimming airport and the flight to Oslo and home. in the water. It is their rutting time. It is also a good area for bears and Bearded Seals and Walrus. Day 6: Hambergbukta A second day in the ice of Storfjorden, with more chances for Harp Seals, other seal species and bears. If ice-conditions allow we may try to land in the Hambergbukta or Isbukta, an 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: ORTELIUS YOUR SHIP: Ortelius VESSEL TYPE: LENGTH: PASSENGER CAPACITY: BUILT/REFURBISHED: The ice-strengthened vessel "Ortelius" is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, providing possibilities to adventure remote locations such as the Ross Sea. The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to opportunities. 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year Passengers on a typical voyage range from in their 30s to their sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. "Ortelius" is a great 80s, with the majority usually between 45 ― 65. Our expeditions expedition vessel for 100 passengers with lots of open-deck attract independent travelers from around the globe who are spaces and a very large bridge which is accessible to the characterized by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. passengers. The vessel is manned by 34 highly experienced The camaraderie that develops on board is an important part of crew, 15 international catering staff, including stewardesses, 6 the Oceanwide experience, and many passenger groups include expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides/lecturers) several nationalities. and 1 doctor. "Ortelius" was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named "Ortelius" offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two "Marina Svetaeva", and served as a special purpose vessel for restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. Ortelius' voyages the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality renamed "Ortelius". Ortelius was a Dutch / Flemish exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time cartographer. Abraham Ortelius (1527 - 1598) published the ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to first modern world atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theatre approximately 100 on the "Ortelius", flexibility assures of the World in 1570. At that time, the atlas was the most maximum wildlife expensive book ever printed. 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com What to Wear In keeping with the spirit of expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from deck ― which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts "Whales!" over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside in a moment's notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck. Electric Current The electrical supply aboard ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins, so some passengers may need a 220v/110v converter. Tipping The customary gratuity to the ship's service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. Tipping is a personal matter, and the amount you wish to give is at your sole discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest 8 ― 10 euros per passenger per day. It is better for the crew if you give cash. Smoking Policy Ortelius has a non-smoking policy inside, though you can smoke in certain designated areas. We ask that you please respect the wishes of non-smokers and please never throw your cigarette ends overboard or anywhere except the designated bin. 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com.