Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships Norge in 1926 and Italia in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole. Close to the community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese and arctic terns. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway that can still be seen, Ny Ålesund is now a research center. In the afternoon sail to Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. There is also a good chance of spotting opportunistic arctic foxes scouting for fallen chicks, or a bearded seal paddling through the fjord. On the green slopes near the glacier, colorful flowers bloom while flocks of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the cliffs. Heading north along the west coast, arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, with the possible opportunity to board the Zodiacs for a cruise near the towering blue-white face of the 14th of July Glacier. Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises, Svalbard Cruises and Arctic trips. Contact the polar experts at AdventureSmith Explorations to discuss which itinerary and ship best suits your interests, ability and budget. Regardless of itinerary choice, the wildlife, history and frigid magnificence of the Arctic makes sailing Around Spitsbergen a trip to remember.
#Ortelius walking tracks full#
In case your expedition cannot complete a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, your captain and expedition team will devise a program in Northeast or Southeast Spitsbergen. While the intention is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, it is important to note that the chances of each ship completing a full Spitsbergen circumnavigation (based on the expeditions’ experiences from 1992 to present) are about 30% in the first half of July, 70% in the second half of July, 90% in the first half of August and 95% in the second half of August. The Rembrandt van Rijn is an AdventureSmith favorite for private charter cruises due to her adventurous nature and intimate size, however all of these small ships are equipped for intimate exploration of the incredible sights visited on all Around Spitsbergen itineraries. Passage is aboard one of the 170-guest sister ships Hondius or Janssonius, one of the 116-guest ships Ortelius or Plancius, or the 33-guest schooner Rembrandt van Rijn. Highlights of this Arctic cruise include a Zodiac ride near the towering blue-white face of the 11th of July Glacier exploring the once mining village and now research center of Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement photographing thousands of kittiwakes near a popular polar bear hunting ground at Monaco Glacier attempting to reach 80 degrees north and the Seven Islands at Phippsøya sailing the Hinlopen Strait to search for blue whales, polar bears and ringed seals watching walruses haul out on Kapp Lee gazing at the spire-like mountain peaks of Horsundtind and walking amongst beluga whale skeletons and witnessing the consequences of 19th century whale hunters. Covering an area almost as big as the Republic of Ireland, Spitsbergen has a population of 3,500 in five settlements and is a virtually unspoiled wilderness. The Norwegian name for the Svaldbard archipelago, including Bear Island and Jan Mayen, is Spitsbergen and it contains the largest of Norway’s Arctic islands.
#Ortelius walking tracks free#
In addition to the main 10-day Around Spitsbergen itinerary, there is a 10-day alternative route that aims to reach the rarely visited Kvitøya Island as well as a 15-day Around Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring sailing departure that offers a relaxed pace aboard a three-masted schooner, with a free itinerary to visit many fascinating stops along Spitsbergen’s east coast. Spitsbergen’s abundant wildlife was once a huge draw for whalers and trappers and now discerning visitors are discovering the attractions of huge Arctic seabird colonies and the chance to enjoy and photograph Arctic wildlife like walrus, reindeer, arctic fox, beluga whales and, of course, polar bears. Cruise through icy waters to impressive glaciers and attempt to reach 80 degrees north. While in the realm of the polar bear, focus on seeing these magnificent hunters, along with other Arctic wildlife.
The 10-day Around Spitsbergen Arctic cruise sails entirely around the island of West Spitsbergen, round-trip from Longyearbyen, Norway.
Polar Regions Arctic Cruise Around Spitsbergen