EXPEDITION CRUISE

Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland & Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes

All departures of this trip

CRUISE ID # OCEANWIDEOTL13-27

Longyearbyen TO Akureyri

Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland & Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes
Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland & Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes

The probability of sailing into Scoresbysund is high (based on our experiences from 1993 – 2019), but there is still a chance (about 10%) that ice will obstruct passage into the fjord system. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.

TRIP STARTS ON
August 24, 2027
SHIP SAILS ON
August 24, 2027
HOTEL NIGHTS
Pre-Cruise: 0, Post-Cruise: 0
SHIP
m/v Ortelius
TRIP ENDS ON
September 06, 2027
STOPS
14 Stops, 3 Countries
CRUISE NIGHTS
13
OPERATOR
Oceanwide Expeditions
FROM: 

$11,650

WITH SPECIAL SAVINGS APPLIED

FARES SHOWN ARE PER GUEST

Suites & Fares

CHOOSE START DATE 

: August 24, 2027

 
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Itinerary

14 Ports
3 Countries
Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland & Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes route map

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.

Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you 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.

You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.

You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.

As you approach Greenland, you may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. From here you sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.

For those who choose to attend, we have our first long walk (6-7 hours) of the voyage today. We start at Myggbukta station and head into Badlanddal, then turn south to Fangsthytte near Kap Bennet. A Zodiac will sail ahead of the walking party and parallel to the coast to watch out for bears.

You arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site. In the afternoon you head into Antarctic Sound, where you find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.

In the morning you enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. You land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. You may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, you experience a definitive Greenland adventure.

The first half of the day you spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.

Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt.

In the afternoon, we plan to sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to the Charcot Glacier. We will then continue by Bjørneør and sail into Øfjord, where we might also make a landing.

The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Sorte Ø, surrounded by icebergs. Their austere blue-white contrasts sharply with the sediment slopes nearby. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord and into Harefjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.

Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordøstbugt (12 km, 7.5 miles to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. We plan to walk south along the shore to Satakajik, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the long walking group will join us at this location for their second excursion of the day.

Today you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon you sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

A sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and at night, the magical northern lights.

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer (T) by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

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About the Ship

Name

m/v Ortelius

Operator

Oceanwide Expeditions

Fortified for both poles of the planet, the ice-strengthened Ortelius is the ideal polar vessel for your Arctic or Antarctic expedition

Ship Facts
cabin count
50
capacity
108
crew count
53
deck count
3
currency
EUR onboard
gross tonnage
4090
language
en
launch year
1989
length
91m
speed
11kts
wheelchair count
No Data
width
17m

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DINING

We serve buffet-style breakfasts on board our motor vessels, and lunches are often buffets as well. Our dinners can also be offered in a buffet-style or are served at the tables and include a choice of main courses.

Dining

Buffet breakfasts include:

  • eggs, bacon, & sausage
  • hot cereal
  • baked beans
  • variety of breads
  • cold-cut meats
  • cereals
  • crackers
  • yogurt
  • jams & preserves
  • fruit platters
  • pastries

Lunch buffets:

  • soup & salad
  • sandwich foods
  • main course meal
  • fruit basket
  • dessert
Dinners served at the table ....
Entertainment

Daily programs: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Furthermore there are informative lectures hosted by expedition staff. There is also a possibility for the passenger to relax in the lounge with a drink and enjoy the spectacular views.

Reception

One of the first places all new passengers see when they board the vessel, this reception area will greatly enhance their experience on one of our most longstanding ships.

Library

Several books and games can be found here to entertain you during the calm moments of your trip.

Observation Lounge & Bar

The Observation Lounge can be found on Deck 6.

Bridge

The Bridge can be found on Deck 7.

Outside Deck

The Outside Deck can be found on Deck 6.

Infotainment
You can get instant access to a selection of newspapers and magazines on board as well as a choice of movies and TV series through our Infotainment system that works via the vessel’s Wi-Fi.
Health And Fitness

There are no health/fitness facilities on board.

Enrichment

Kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, camping, scuba diving, and much more – our activities are as exciting as they are numerous.We provide much of the equipment you’ll need, and our fleet of Zodiacs will shuttle you to and from all outings with utmost speed and safety. Should you need more of a lift, we even bring our own helicopters on select Ortelius cruises.

It isn’t just the landscape you will experience, it’s also the immense and indelible world of wildlife that calls that landscape home. Allow us to acquaint you with the real polar survivalists that make these far-flung regions truly come alive.

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Zodiac Cruising and Shore Programs
Our voyages are primarily defined as explorations and we spend as much time ashore as possible. We can be flexible, taking advantage of wildlife opportunities by using our zodiacs for both landings and cruises. Our knowledgeable guides assist on these outings, providing detailed information. This is supplemented by lectures on board which covers topics such as wildlife, nature and history.

Zodiac cruising instructions

The ....

Polar Diving

All of our polar voyages provide you maximum firsthand contact with local wildlife and terrain, but it is our intimate knowledge of the seas that allows us to also give you an unparalleled adventure below the waves.

Join us on one of our Arctic or Antarctic diving cruises, true expeditions in every sense of the word, during which you will have access to some of the most scenic dive sites in the polar regions.

With this exciting ac....

Ski Mountaineering

Interested in something slightly more adventurous than shoreline walks and wildlife watching? Our ski mountaineering trips give you an invigorating up-close experience of the rugged peaks and majestic mountains flanking the high Arctic fjords.

Along the way, you’ll be able to enjoy all the usual perks of polar expedition cruising: expansive scenery, exploratory outings, and the chance to see all manner of exotic Arctic wildlife.

Ou....

Lectures
Lectures on board are selected and relevant to the destinations we travel to. We cover major topics like marine biology, geography, geology, glaciology, ornithology and history.
Hiking

There’s no closer way to explore a new area than on your own two feet. With this in mind, we offer a number of hiking expeditions built for all levels of hiker – from the casual walker to the hard-core hiking enthusiast.

Do you need to be an experienced hiker?

For basic walks, you just need to be in reasonably good shape and health. Hikes usually last somewhere between two and six hours. Keep in mind there are no paths and t....

Photo Workshop

Photography trips

You might find mere words failing to express to your friends what it meant to you to get in touch with the pristine beauty of the Polar Regions. But you might also be worried that you’re no world-class photographer and that your pictures aren’t going to live up to your Arctic or Antarctic experience.

Not to worry. Select voyages have pro photographers on board who are happy to share their experience and exp....

Kayaking

Explore the Arctic and Antarctic coastline in a kayak.

One of the best things about a polar voyage is that you’re never done exploring. Even if you think you have walked every shore, climbed every mountain, and spotted every penguin (or polar bear), there is still a whole other world to explore on the water.Polar kayaking is a great way to tour the blue-and-white beauty of the polar seas up close, visiting stunning ice formations and wat....

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing in the Arctic and Antarctica

There really is no better way to take in a new place than by exploring it on foot. With that in mind Oceanwide Expeditions offers you the chance to explore your way inland from the Polar shorelines with a wide variety of snowshoeing expeditions built for everyone. From the casual explorer to the hard-core snowshoe-er.

Do I need to be experienced? How physically fit do I need to be?

Mountaineering

Explore the Antarctic highlands

If you’re looking to push yourself a little further on your polar voyage, mountaineering could be just what you’re after. This exhilarating activity lets you venture beyond the shorelines and into Antarctica’s higher ground, gaining vistas and viewpoints unavailable anywhere else.

Do I have to be in great physical shape for mountaineering?

You must be fit and have stamina enough t....

Antarctic Camping

For those craving a truly immersive polar adventure, our open-air camping activity gives you the chance to experience the Antarctic wilderness as few travelers have.

We provide the necessary camping gear, including breathable bivouac bags that are wind and waterproof and a lightweight alternative to tents. And our polar sleeping bags will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable during the enchanting Antarctic night.

All campers will be....

Helicopter Tours
On selected Ortelius voyages we use helicopters to get even closer to the heart of untouched wildlife, allowing to set foot onto some of the world's most remote landscapes. Take a flight above the ice of the Weddell Sea or Ross Sea and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Antarctic wilderness.

Helicopter Operation & procedures

Before flights (and sometimes before entering the helicopter), you will be briefed on the loc....

Kids And Teens

There are no dedicated children's facilities on board.

USEFUL TO KNOW

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Age Restrictions

Children must be at least three years old to sail with us, however we advise against travelling with children under 8 years old. We do not have an upper age restriction, but all passengers must be mentally and physically capable of making the voyage.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, we’re only able to provide voyages to passengers who meet a certain level of physical ability. Rough seas, rugged terrain, and physically demanding weather conditions are all commonly encountered during our voyages, which can at times be challenging even for people in peak physical fitness.

The added difficulty of a wheelchair or other physical disability, therefor, could prevent us from making safe and timely shore landin....

Packing Tips

The choice of clothing for cold temperatures during your Arctic or Antarctica expedition cruise is a very special matter. It depends on your individual experience whether to take warm clothes with you.

Our advice is to take warm, wind and waterproof clothes with you during the expedition. Multiple layers of medium-warmth clothing provide more insulation than a single heavier article – this is due to warm air getting trapped in between th....

Medical Facilities

On our motor vessels, we have an onboard doctor as well as a basic infirmary equipped to provide first-aid assistance for small injuries. If you feel sick or uncomfortable, please do not hesitate to consult the doctor. If you take special medication or are allergic to any medication, please inform us well in advance of your trip. In case of emergencies, please contact the ship’s doctor.

Wi-Fi & Cellular Service

Ortelius has internet and phone facilities (subject to satellite connection and coverage). Wi-Fi access is available throughout the ship. There are also two computer stations available for public use. You can either purchase full access to the internet in various numerations or purchase a ship email account for the duration of the voyage. We even run a cell network on board that allows you to use your mobile phone, subject to VSAT connection.<....

Solo Travellers

We always pair you with someone of the same gender. If you do not want to share a cabin with another passenger, you can book a twin cabin for your own individual use. The single supplement of 1.7 will then apply.

The single supplement is only applicable when you request a guaranteed single cabin. If you end up being alone in your cabin simply by chance, we do not charge the single supplement.

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 comfor....
Payments
Refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before departure you can settle your bill with the hotel manager, paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (euro, or in some cases dollar). We cannot, however, accept checks. Though the prices and standard currency on board is in the euro, other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager, at prevailing rates.
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.
Non-smoking Policy
We have a non-smoking policy inside all our vessels, though you can smoke in certain designated areas. We ask that you please respect the wishes of non-smokers.
Your Physical Condition
You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and board....
Proximity to Wildlife

We are required to keep a minimum distance from all wildlife. This distance may vary depending on the species, but the aim is always to reduce the possibility of disturbing the animals while also keeping our passengers safe. Your expedition guides will inform you as to the distance we are required to keep from various animals.

Sometimes curious wildlife (such as penguins and young seals) may approach you, but we ask that you refrain from....

Preservation & Restrictions

  • Avoid unnecessary damage to the ground surface and vegetarian cover, as regeneration rates are extremely slow. Do not take specimens from plants. Do not pick flowers.
  • Avoid disturbing or feeding the wildlife. Be aware of your activities and whether they are resulting in a change of the animals' behaviour. Be aware that Rabies does occur on Spitsbergen, particularly in Arctic Foxes. Be careful when moving in areas where bird....
Pregnancy

You can travel if you are pregnant, although with certain restrictions. Please first consult your gynecologist and obtain all necessary medical advice before booking or making a voyage with Oceanwide Expeditions.

Also, be aware that we may not be able to provide you a voyage at all if your pregnancy has advanced beyond a certain point (usually 29 to 36 weeks, depending on your circumstances). Our onboard infirmaries are not equipped to a....

Sustainability

We are all guests in the polar regions, which means we must do everything we can to leave these incredible areas as untouched by our passage as possible. Here are some ways we do this.

Promoting polar awareness

In 1983 the Arctic Centre of Groningen University in the Netherlands launched a research program to Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. This research program, which became known a....

Internet Access

There are facilities on board to send emails and call via satellite. Depending on location, you may also be able to use your personal cell phone. Aboard all of our motor vessels, m/v Hondius, m/v Plancius, and m/v Ortelius, complimentary internet connectivity via Wi-Fi is provided. All guests have access to 1.5 GB of data usage per day, which resets every 24 hours.

For guests requiring additional internet connectivity, vouchers can be pu....