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North Norway, Aurora Borealis & WhalesExplore the beauty of northern winter

Tripcode: Dates: Duration: Ship: Embarkation: Disembarkation:

RVR02-20 11 Jan - 18 Jan, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø

RVR07-20 15 Feb - 22 Feb, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø


RVR09-20 29 Feb - 7 Mar, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø


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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise oncomfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will beused in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine.There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speedfor s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots.

South route: (around Senja)

Day 1: Paris of the North

Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of theNorth,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history.

Enjoy exploring this sub-Arctic Norwegian town, said to have beeninhabited since the last ice age.

All voyages with s/v Rembrandt van Rijn aim at departing fromTromsø in the evening of day one, while s/v Noorderlicht will setsail in the early morning of day two. All passengers of Rembrandtare kindly asked to board the vessel by 17:00, while passengers ofNoorderlicht are welcome to board the vessel between 17:00 and

23:00.

Day 2: In search of Norway’s whales

The itinerary depends largely on the weather conditions, the amount of daylight during the voyage, and the expected location of the whales.

You might sail clockwise or counter-clockwise around the island of Senja.

Day 3 – 6: Whales of the shelf

You spend the next several days along the north coasts of Senja and Andfjorden, areas where many whales have been spotted in recent

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Day by Day ItinerariesArctic 2020

Day by Day Itineraries - Version: 14 Jan, 2020 © Oceanwide Expeditions • Visserijkade 5 • 4382 ZA Vlissingen • The NetherlandsOn all our transactions thegeneral terms and conditions of Oceanwide Expeditions b.v. apply, registered at the Chamber of Commerce, Middelburg, the Netherlands.

https://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/page/terms-and-conditions

years.

Keep a look out for sperm whales and other whale species here. Near Andenes, along the edge of the continental shelf, whales diveparticularly deep to feed on giant squid.

You may also see white-tailed eagles, one of the largest birds of prey in Europe, vying for their share of the herring. In the afternoon, youfind a place for the night in one of the scenic fishing villages nearby, such as Skrolsvik, Andenes, Gryllefjorden, Hamn and/ or Sommarøy.

Once the sun has set, you can make short hikes along the coast or in small villages – and maybe even catch sight of the aurora.

Day 7 – 8: Under the northern lights

Continuing your circumnavigation of Senja, you sail to the small island of Sommarøy. Here there are good opportunities to see the northernlights as well as embark on pleasant hikes.

You spend the last morning of the cruise exploring the island’s small bays and white beaches.

On day seven, you sail back to Tromsø and arrive around midday. You’ll have enough time to shop for souvenirs in town, visit a museum, orsimply take a walk in the fresh winter air.

After spending the last night on board, you disembark on day eight (Saturday) with memories that will accompany you wherever your nextadventure lies.

Important note: Tromsø is the base and gateway in which our voyages start and end

These voyages focus on viewing the aurora borealis and whales, and the expedition leader determines the final itinerary to be intrucedduring the welcome briefing on day one.

The map shows two possible routes that we may take in order to raise our chances for wildlife sightings:

One route (the described one) heads south around the island of Senja, mainly in the period from mid-January till March.

The other route (represented by the dotted line) heads north to the Kvaenangen fjord, very likely to be visited during November to mid-January.

Because of the seasonal occurrence of herring and whales in these fjords, the whale safari cruises take place in winter, when the NorthernNorway days are short and the nights long.

Whale watching (orcas and humpbacks) is highly dependent on the variable herring stocks in the area, and this is ultimately unpredictable.Other whales (i.e., sperm whales) are not dependent on herring, which is why we have a good chance of seeing them in specific areas, suchas along the south route near Andenes.

Our chances of seeing orcas are minimal, while the odds of encountering other species (for instance, humpbacks) are higher. The expeditionleader will adapt the sailing plan to maximize your chances of seeing whales.

Additional note: The coasts and fjords of Norway are renowned for their beauty

In the far north of the country, about 350 km (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, lie the islands of Kvaløya and Senja. Enormous schoolsof herring gather in the fjords around these islands to live out the winter.

This abundance of food creates one of the largest concentrations of biomass on Earth, which in turn attracts large numbers of whales. It isthese giants of the sea that this voyage is dedicated to finding.

During winter the daylight is limited, but the nighttime hours are far from wasted: North Norway is one of the best areas in the world to seethe northern lights, a magical phenomenon that can only be fully appreciated when the sky is clear and dark, with minimal light pollution.

This voyage offers ample opportunities to admire the auroras from the remote bays and fishing villages where you’ll spend the night.






NOO07-20 15 Feb - 22 Feb, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

NOO08-20 22 Feb - 29 Feb, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

NOO09-20 29 Feb - 7 Mar, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

NOO10-20 7 Mar - 14 Mar, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

NOO11-20 14 Mar - 21 Mar, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

NOO39-20 14 Nov - 21 Nov, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

NOO45-20 26 Dec, 2020 - 2 Jan, 2021 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø

RVR40-20 21 Nov - 28 Nov, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø

RVR41-20 28 Nov - 5 Dec, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø

RVR42-20 5 Dec - 12 Dec, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø



RVR45-20 26 Dec, 2020 - 2 Jan, 2021 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø

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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise oncomfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will beused in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine.There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed

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for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.






23:00.





You spend the next several days along the north coasts of Senja and Andfjorden, areas where many whales have been spotted in recentyears.













The other route (represented by the dotted line) heads north to the Kvaenangen fjord, very likely to be visited during November to mid-




January.












North Norway, Aurora Borealis, Hike & SailExperience the shores, seas, and lights of the Norwegian Arctic


RVR10-20 7 Mar - 14 Mar, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø



RVR13-20 28 Mar - 4 Apr, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø

RVR14-20 4 Apr - 11 Apr, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Tromsø

PLEASE NOTE: VERTALINGEN VERTALINGEN 100% 9 All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order totake advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, whichmust 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.Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equippedwith sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether touse the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of theteam. Average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots. Ondersteuning voor schermlezers is ingeschakeld. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs mayvary 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 ofthese itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel.Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, timeavailability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they areoperated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots.

North route: The programs and routes described here serve onlyas a rough guide

The overall program, such as the hiking program on land and theitinerary of the ship at sea, will adapt to the local weather, sea,and snow conditions, and may vary considerably from the routeshown. Availability of landing sites also plays a role in theselection of the program. The program may also be changed inresponse to interesting wildlife observations (e.g., whalesightings). The final decision as to where and in what way thehikes will be implemented is ultimately made by the expedition

leader on board. For the hiking program, it is recommended that you bring ankle-high, sturdy boots with gaiters. For wet shore landings viaour Zodiac boats, please bring insulated rubber boots with anti-slip soles. Hiking poles with deep snow plates are also required. See ourequipment list for more details.

The Northern Norway coastline is renowned for its beauty, a forested terrain contoured with rugged mountains and vast fjords that hastwice been voted the best travel destination in the world by National Geographic. And it’s not just during the summer months that Norwayshows off its splendors, but the winter as well: The mountains are capped with snow, the sun hangs heavy on the skyline, and everything is

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embraced in a lustrous coat of frost. In the far north, about 500 km (310 miles) northeast of the Arctic Circle, the Lyngen and Kvaenangenfjords can be found, between which we find steep mountain ridges, remote islands, and a wealth of hiking opportunities. These areasprovide the ultimate wilderness experience, as ideal for exploration by foot as by sail.

Our itinerary depends largely on weather conditions and the amount of daylight during the voyage. These conditions dictate the route,sailing hours, and our harbors for the night. We intend to explore the fjords and islands by sail and also on foot. In case of heavier snow, wewill use our onboard snowshoes.

In winter the amount of daylight is limited, providing about 10 hours of light by the end of February. The dramatic landscape under the lowsun and long sunrise / sunset offers great opportunities for photography enthusiasts, but the dark hours will not be wasted: NorthernNorway is one of the best areas in the world to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. This amazing phenomenon canonly be seen when the sky is dark and clear. In good weather conditions, this voyage offers ample opportunities to admire and photographthe northern lights from the remote fishing villages and bays where we stay the night. During the voyage you may also see white-tailedeagles, one of the largest birds of prey in Europe, and the more-skittish fish otters. Both species are year-round residents of the Norwegianfjords.


Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of the North,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history. Enjoy exploringthis sub-Arctic Norwegian town, said to have been inhabited since the last ice age. We aim at departing from Tromsø in the evening, sailingthrough Grøtsundet and Ullsfjorden toward the northeast. All passengers are kindly asked to board the vessel by 17:00.

Day 2: Lighting out toward Lyngen

You arrive in the Nord-Lenangen fjord, just under Lyngsfjella (Lyngen Alps), and the ship may stay there for the night. If conditions permit,you may also make a walk along the coast of the fjord, after which evening glimpses of the northern lights may appear, if the sky is clearenough.

Day 3 – 6: Into the Nordic fjords

You then sail along the base of the Lyngen Alps, across the Lyngen fjord, and may stay for the night in Hamnnes, on the island of Uløya.Hamnnes is an ancient trade and fishing settlement originating in the 17th century, with typical wooden warehouses where residents storedried cod. (In fact, the town still exports this cod for the traditional Mediterranean dish, Bacalhau.) Uløya offers good hiking, often onsnowshoes.

From Hamnnes, you sail farther northeast into the Kvaenangen Fjord. Part of the day you sail through the fjords, and in the afternoon youfind a harbor to spend the night in one of the scenic fishing villages, such as Skjervøy, Seglvik, Reinfjord, or Burfjord. There are good hikingpossibilities in the area, for example on the Island of Spildra, where we might climb the 240-meter-high (788 feet) Staurhammaren, withexpansive views over the fjord. Great hikes can also be made in Burfjord, just 50 km (31 miles) from the northerly town of Alta. During theevenings and nights, there are fine opportunities to see auroras if the sky is clear enough.

Day 7 – 8: Below the northern lights

Your next objective is to sail back toward the southwest, staying for the night in Finnkroken, a tiny hamlet that gives you a solid chance ofseeing the northern lights. In the morning you embark on a final hike, hopefully with snowshoes, to the 315-meter-high (1,033 feet)Småvasshaugen. On day seven, you sail back to Tromsø and arrive around midday. You will have enough time to shop for souvenirs intown, visit a museum, or simply take a walk in the fresh winter air. After spending the last night on board, you disembark on day eight(Saturday) with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Additional note: Hiking / snowshoeing (two hiking options to choose from)

At the beginning of the season, there is still snow on the coastline, valleys, and in the mountains. For this reason, we offer the option ofsnowshoes during our hikes on this voyage.

Snowshoeing is easy for anyone in good physical condition and requires no technical knowledge. With the use of snowshoes, you can move




faster and safer on the snow. Snowshoes are available on board (free of charge) and fit all shoe sizes.

As a rule, daily hikes of two to three hours are planned, in the morning and / or afternoon. Approximately 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660feet) of altitude may be climbed per day, depending on the hike.

At midday hikers return for lunch aboard the vessel, but in the event of a full-day hike, participants receive a packed lunch.

For all hikes, guests (maximum of 33) are split into two groups under the guidance of experienced guides who take into account theinterests and physical fitness of the participants. Hiking routes cannot be determined in advance, because local conditions (ice, weather,etc.) influence the final program. The map outlines a possible but not final itinerary, as all itineraries are subject to change.




North Spitsbergen, Early Spring, Easter SpecialEmbark on a voyage to an Arctic wildlife haven


NOO14-20 10 Apr - 18 Apr, 2020 8 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: ice-covered mountains, snow-swept shores,temperatures around –10° C (14°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of the winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears, walruses, and seals into thebargain. Bird note: It is still somewhat quiet on the cliffs, as this time of year the cliff-nesting birds are only just arriving to pick out their breeding places. By May all the nestingbirds will have arrived, and the breeding will take place later in June. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and inorder to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission toland, 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 expeditioncruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat isequipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decideswhether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructionsof the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island

You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center ofSpitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoystrolling around this former mining town, whose parish churchand Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions.

Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundredspecies of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening theship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minkewhale of your voyage. In the evening you sail for Trygghamna,where you see the remains of a 17th-century English whalingstation and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of whichyou can visit the next morning.

Day 2: Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer

From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is acommon place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow

Day 3 – 5: Earth’s northernmost community

You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed withsnow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London,where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Alesund, the northernmost community in the world. There arealso research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaskain 1926.

Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.

Day 6: Walrus watching, seal seeing

Cutting south between the main island of Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland, you may encounter walruses at Poolepynten, a commonhaul-out site. You also have views of St. Johnsfjorden, near Gaffelbreen. The winter ice may not have loosened its grip on the water here,and seals (ringed and bearded) could be numerous in the area.

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Day 7 - 8: Wide tundra, tall mountains

You now double back into Isfjorden and venture to Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you find anexpansive tundra with its own avifauna, depending on when spring arrives, as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast.

Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, you have the chance for another hike. Common to this area are numerous glaciers that terminatenear or in the sea.

In Gipsvika you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the UpperCarboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.

Day 9: There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that willaccompany you wherever your next adventure lies.




Alpine Peaks of North Norway, Ski & SailClimb snow covered alpine mountains and ski downhill


RVR15-20 11 Apr - 18 Apr, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Tromsø Alta



Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of theNorth,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history. Weaim at departing from Tromsø in the evening, sailing throughGrøtsundet and Ullsfjorden toward the island of Arnøya. Allpassengers are kindly asked to board the vessel by 17:00.

Days 2 - 3: Mountains of Arnøya

In the morning, you prepare for your first outing in Akkarfjord. Ifconditions permit, you start skiing up to the summit of Trolltinden(850 meters, 2,790 feet). From here you can enjoy an expansiveview of the beautiful Northern Norway coastline. The vessel staysin this area for another day in order to find more ski possibilities,

such as the summit of Arnoyhogda (1,170 meters, 3,840 feet).

Days 4 – 7: Deep fjords, high mountains

The ship becomes your base for daily ski trips in areas that can hardly be reached any other way.

This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have mastered techniques both for ascent and descent in challenging,snow-covered alpine terrain.

A typical day involves climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 800 - 1100 meters (2,600 - 3,600 feet) and downhill skiing from thosepoints. The accumulated altitude you might climb over a given day can exceed 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).

An accurate route cannot be determined in advance due to variable weather, sea, wildlife, and avalanche considerations.

The map outlines a possible but not final route with stops at Frakkfjorden (Stoltind, 962 meters, 3,160 feet), Langfjorden, Øksfjord(Øksfordjøkelen, 1,175 meters, 3,860 feet) Simavik on Stjernøya (Nordmannsfjellet, 844 meters, 2,770 feet), and Seiland.

This route serves as a rough guide only. The expedition leader ultimately makes the final decision as to daily adjustments. Flexibility isparamount in this type of cruise, and ski mountaineers must bring their own equipment.

Day 8: Arriving in the heart of Finnmarken

Your voyage ends in the picturesque town of Alta, located at the head of Alta Fjord. You disembark at 09:00, beginning your homewardjourney (or other post-cruise program) with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

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Please note: -

All activities on or off the vessel, such as (but not limited to) ski outings and Zodiac trips, are done at the passenger’s own risk. OceanwideExpeditions is not liable for any damage, such as (but not limited to) bodily injury, illness, and death, unless as a result of gross negligence.Furthermore, with the consent to participate in the ski mountaineering program, the passenger agrees to make no claims for reimbursementfor shortened travel days due to reasons beyond the organization’s control, such as (but not limited to) conditions of weather and ice,avalanche threads, and expedition staff injuries. On all our transactions, the general terms and conditions of Oceanwide Expeditions b.v. apply,registered at the Chamber of Commerce, Middelburg, the Netherlands. File nr.: 50590715. Upon request, a free copy will be provided.




North Spitsbergen, Early Arctic SpringEmbark on a voyage to an Arctic wildlife haven


NOO15-20 18 Apr - 25 Apr, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: ice-covered mountains, snow-swept shores,temperatures around –10° C (14°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of the winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears, walruses, and seals into thebargain. Bird note: It is still somewhat quiet on the cliffs, as this time of year the cliff-nesting birds are only just arriving to pick out their breeding places. By May all the nestingbirds will have arrived, and the breeding will take place later in June. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and inorder to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission toland, 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 expeditioncruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat isequipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decideswhether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructionsof the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.



Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundredspecies of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening theship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minkewhale of your voyage. In the evening you sail for Trygghamna,where you see the remains of a 17th-century English whalingstation and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of whichyou can visit the next morning.


From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is acommon place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow


You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed withsnow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London,where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Alesund, the northernmost community in the world. There arealso research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaskain 1926.

Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.



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Day 6 - 7: Wide tundra, tall mountains

You now double back into Isfjorden and venture to Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you find anexpansive tundra with its own avifauna, depending on when spring arrives, as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast.

Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, you have the chance for another hike. Common to this area are numerous glaciers that terminatenear or in the sea.

In Gipsvika you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the UpperCarboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.






Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & SailClimb snow covered alpine mountains and ski downhill


RVR17-20 1 May - 8 May, 2020 7 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Longyearbyen Longyearbyen


PLEASE NOTE: All activities on or off the vessel, such as (but not limited to) ski outings and Zodiac trips, are done at the passenger’s own risk. Oceanwide Expeditions is notliable for any damage, such as (but not limited to) bodily injury, illness, and death unless as a result of gross negligence. Furthermore, with the consent to participate in the skimountaineering program, the passenger agrees to make no claims for reimbursement for shortened travel days due to reasons beyond the organization’s control, such as (butnot limited to) conditions of weather and ice, avalanche threads, polar bears threats, and expedition staff injuries. On all our transactions, the general terms and conditions ofOceanwide Expeditions b.v. apply, registered at the Chamber of Commerce, Middelburg, the Netherlands. File nr.: 50590715. Upon request, a free copy will be provided. Allitineraries 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-boardexpedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Suchpermission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirementon board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (opensea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one orother propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is6.5 knots.

Day 1 - 8: Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen - Ski & Sail

This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers whohave mastered techniques both for ascent and descent inchallenging snow-covered alpine terrain. A typical day involvesclimbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700 - 850 meters(2,300 502,800 feet) and downhill skiing from those points.Accumulated altitude you might climb over a given day can exceed1,000 meters (3,280 feet).

An accurate route cannot be determined in advance due tovariable weather, sea, wildlife, and avalanche considerations. Themap outlines a possible (but not final) route in the regions ofKongsfjorden, Isfjord, and Prins Karls Forland. This route servesas a rough guide only. The expedition leader makes the finaldecision as to the daily adjustments. Flexibility is paramount in

this type of cruise. Ski mountaineers must bring their own equipment.

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North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring - Hike & SailExplore the shores and seas of an amazing Arctic island




PLEASE NOTE: At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: ice-covered mountains, snow-swept shores,temperatures around –4° C (25°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of the winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears, walruses, and seals into thebargain. Bird note: It is still somewhat quiet on the cliffs, as this time of year the cliff-nesting birds are only just arriving to pick out their breeding places. By May all the nestingbirds will have arrived, and the breeding will take place later in June. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and inorder to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission toland, 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 expeditioncruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat isequipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decideswhether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructionsof the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots.


You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center ofSpitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoystrolling around this former mining town, whose parish churchand Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Thoughthe countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species ofplant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sailsout of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale ofyour voyage. In the evening you sail for Trygghamna, where yousee the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of which you can visitthe next morning.


From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is acommon place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.


You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed withsnow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London,where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Ålesund, the northernmost community in the world. There arealso research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaskain 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itineraryhere.


Cutting south between the main island of Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland, you may encounter walruses at Poolepynten, a common

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haul-out site. You also have views of St. Johnsfjorden, near Gaffelbreen. The winter ice may not have loosened its grip on the water here,and seals (ringed and bearded) could be numerous in the area.

Day 6 – 7: Wide tundra, tall mountains

You now double back into Isfjorden and venture to Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you find anexpansive tundra with its own avifauna, depending on when spring arrives, as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast.Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, you have the chance for another hike. Common to this area are numerous glaciers that terminatenear or in the sea. In Gipsvika you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from theUpper Carboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.



NOTE: Hiking expedition focused on landed walks

NB: Deviating program as mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary.




North Spitsbergen, Arctic SpringEmbark on a voyage to an Arctic wildlife haven


NOO20-20 23 May - 30 May, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: snow-covered mountains, snow-swept shores,temperatures around –4° C (25°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears, walruses, and seals. Bird Note: It isstill somewhat quiet on the cliffs, as this time of year the cliff-nesting birds are only just picking out their places for breeding, which happens later in June. All itineraries are forguidance 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 leaderdetermines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is notgranted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of ahistoric traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth,appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsionmethod. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.






You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed withsnow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London,where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Ålesund, the northernmost community in the world. There arealso research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaskain 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itineraryhere.



Day 6 – 7: Wide tundra, tall mountains

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You now double back into Isfjorden and venture to Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you find anexpansive tundra with its own avifauna, depending on when spring arrives, as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast.Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, you have the chance for another hike. Common to this area are numerous glaciers that terminatenear or in the sea. In Gipsvika you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from theUpper Carboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.






North Spitsbergen, In search of Polar Bear & Pack IceThe best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic


HDS02-20 27 May - 3 Jun, 2020 7 nights m/v Hondius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

HDS03-20 3 Jun - 10 Jun, 2020 7 nights m/v Hondius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen



OTL04-20 5 Jun - 12 Jun, 2020 7 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen



PLA06-20 17 Jun - 24 Jun, 2020 7 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLA07-20 24 Jun - 1 Jul, 2020 7 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed for m/vHondius is 10,5 knots.

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You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center ofSpitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoystrolling around this former mining town, whose parish churchand Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Thoughthe countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species ofplant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sailsout of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale ofyour voyage.

Day 2: Route to Raudfjorden

Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, youtake in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe evenvisited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of thisfjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and

the possibility of polar bears.

Day 3: The massive Monaco Glacier

Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitousMonaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is apopular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast ofSpitsbergen can be implemented.

Day 4: Highlights of Hinlopen

Today you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spotblue whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you can view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with theirthousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing on Nordaustlandet. Here reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights. You can take an alternate route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen.

Day 5: Stop at the Seven Islands

The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice beforewheeling around west again.

Day 6: Sailing the continental shelf

While retracing your route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west ofSpitsbergen, you sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold,nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have agood chance of sighting minke whales.

Day 7: Reindeer, foxes, and so many seabirds

Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, your next stop. Alternatively, you might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth ofIsfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze thesparse vegetation. You arrive in Longyearbyen later at night.






North Spitsbergen, Arctic SummerWatch for wildlife in iconic Arctic terrain


NOO21-20 30 May - 9 Jun, 2020 10 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

NOO22-20 9 Jun - 19 Jun, 2020 10 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

RVR23-20 18 Jun - 28 Jun, 2020 10 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise oncomfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will beused in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine.There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speedfor s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.





Day 3: Remains of the whalers

You sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding areas for great skuas as well as likely spots to see apolar bear. On Birgerbukta you can see 17th-century Basque ovens once used for cooking whale blubber. The aim next is to visit YtreNorskøya, a small island that served for many years as a Dutch whaling lookout. Here you can still follow the whalers’ tracks to the summitof the island, passing popular bird cliffs on the way. On shore are the remains of more 17th-century blubber ovens, while Arctic skuas andcommon eiders breed among the graves of some two hundred Dutch whalers.

Day 4: Glaciers and Ermaktangen geology

Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine place for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed andbearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale. Ermaktangen, at the fjordh coast of Spitsbergen, is a

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fine place for gazing over the glof the land.

Day 5: Wide open tundra

If ice conditions permit, you may land on the northern side of Reindyrsflya, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. This vast and rolling plainis a popular grazing area for reindeer, and several species of waders also breed here. Similarly, the lakes afford you a good chance ofspotting red-throated divers and king eiders.



Day 7: On to the little auks

In the morning you land at Fuglesangen, where you can observe spirited communities of little auks. You then sail south toMagdalenafjorden, one of the glacier-filled highlights of Spitsbergen. A shore visit shows you the remains of 17th-century English whaling,and you can also see more large colonies of little auks.

Day 8: Earth’s northernmost community

You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed withsnow. We aim to visit places of historic interest: Ny London, where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and NyÅlesund, the northernmost community in the world. There are also research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge,which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaska in 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountainpeaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.

Day 9: The past days of polar bear hunting

On your journey south, the goal is a landing at Fuglehuken. Here you see remains from the great era of polar bear hunting. There are alsolarge seabird colonies and a haul-out spot for harbour seals. Alternatively you could land on the coast of Forlandsundet, at Engelskbukta orSarstangen. Walruses are occasionally seen here, and the tundra is a fine place for a walk.

Day 10: Wide tundra, towering mountains

The next stop is Bohemanflya, an expansive tundra with its own avifauna (depending on when spring arrives) and spectacular geologicalformations along the coast. In Gipsvika you can go on shore near Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from theUpper Carboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.






North Spitsbergen, In Search of Polar Bear & Pack IceThe best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic


OTL03-20 31 May - 5 Jun, 2020 5 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed for m/vOrtelius is 10,5 knots.



Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundredspecies of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening theship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minkewhale of your voyage.

Day 2: Cruising Krossfjorden

Heading north along the west coast, you arrive by morning inKrossfjorden. Here you might board the Zodiacs for a cruise near

the towering blue-white face of the Fourteenth of July Glacier. On the green slopes near the glacier, colorful flowers bloom while flocks ofkittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the cliffs. You have a good chance of spotting an Arctic fox scouting for fallen chicks, or abearded seal paddling through the fjord.

In the afternoon you sail to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerlyrailway – 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 polarexplorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).

Alternately, you may sail to Raudfjorden, taking in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and beardedseals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears.

Day 3 & 4: Route to Raudfjorden

Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited byringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility ofpolar bears. Or you may go to Magdalenafjorden, one of the glacier-filled highlights of Spitsbergen.

Day 5: The Arctic island of Spitsbergen

Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinatingwildlife. Walruses sometimes haul out here, and seabirds can be found around Fuglehuken. You may also see walrus populations aroundSarstangen and Poolepynten.

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Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & IceFull Spitsbergen Circumnavigation


HDS06-20 24 Jun - 3 Jul, 2020 9 nights m/v Hondius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

OTL07-20 26 Jun - 5 Jul, 2020 9 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

OTL08-20 5 Jul - 14 Jul, 2020 9 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLA08-20 1 Jul - 10 Jul, 2020 9 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLA10-20 19 Jul - 28 Jul, 2020 9 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: N.B. The chances that we can complete a full Spitsbergen circumnavigation (based on our experiences from 1992 – 2018) are about 30% in the first half of July,70% in the second half, 90% in the first half of August, and 95% in the second half. In case we cannot complete a full circumnavigation, we may devise a program in northeast orsoutheast Spitsbergen. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities tosee 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 relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for m/vHondius is 10.5 knots.




Heading north along the west coast, you arrive by morning inKrossfjorden. Here you might board the Zodiacs for a cruise nearthe towering blue-white face of the Fourteenth of July Glacier. Onthe green slopes near the glacier, colorful flowers bloom whileflocks of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the cliffs.

You have a good chance of spotting an Arctic fox scouting for fallen chicks, or a bearded seal paddling through the fjord.

In the afternoon you sail to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerlyrailway – 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

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explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).



Day 4 – 5: Stop at the Seven Islands

The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice beforewheeling around west again.

When the edge of this sea ice is tens of miles north of the Seven Islands (mostly in August), you can spend a second day in this area.Alternatively (mostly in July) you may turn to Sorgfjord, where you have the chance to find a herd of walruses not far from the graves of17th-century whalers. A nature walk here can bring you close to families of ptarmigans, and the opposite side of the fjord is also a beautifularea for an excursion.

Day 6: Highlights of Hinlopen

Today you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded and ringed seals as well as polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility tospot blue whales. As with Liefdefjorden, you can take an alternate west Spitsbergen route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen. After cruisingamong the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you then view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their thousands of Brünnich’sguillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing where reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights.Near Torrelneset you can also visit the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world’s third-largest ice cap. Here you may encounterwalruses during a coastline hike over the area’s raised beaches.

Day 7: Barentsøya’s many bounties

The plan is to make landings in Freemansundet, though polar bears sometimes make this impossible. Potential stops on Barentsøyainclude Sundneset (for an old trapper’s hut), Kapp Waldburg (for its kittiwake colony), and Rindedalen (for a walk across the tundra). Youmight also cruise south to Diskobukta, though Kapp Lee is more likely your destination. On Kapp Lee is a walrus haul-out, Pomor ruins, andthe chance for hikes along Edgeøya.

Day 8: Land of the Pointed Mountains

You start the day by cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, taking in the spire-like peaks: Hornsundtind rises1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen is a perfect illustration of why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning“pointed mountains.” There are 14 sizable glaciers in this area as well as opportunities for spotting seals, beluga whales, and polar bears.

Day 9: Bell Sund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history

Today you find yourself in Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer thanother areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both historyand wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. Theseremains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas werenot hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod. Alternately, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, youcan explore tundra where reindeer like to feed as well as rock slopes where little auks are breeding.






Spitsbergen - Northeast GreenlandA classic three island voyage : Ice , Inuit and Remoteness


RVR27-20 28 Jul - 15 Aug, 2020 18 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Longyearbyen Constable Pynt





From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliffwhere the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is a common place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeergrazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.

Day 3: Fuglefjorden to Raudfjorden

You sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding places for great skuas as well as likely spots to spy apolar bear. Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine area for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringedand bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale.

Day 4 – 7: Onward to east Greenland

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

Day 8: Remains of the trappers

The goal is to sail into Foster Bay, making your first landing at Myggbukta in the late afternoon or evening. Beyond the old hunters’ hut(where, in the first half of the 20th century, Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox) there is a sprawling tundra populatedby musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes.

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Day 9: Bright bergs, big mountains

You sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, enjoying its lofty mountains and bright interior icebergs. In the evening you reach Teufelsschloss,a prominent mountain that comprises part of the Eleonora Bay Supergroup: sedimentary rock created between 950 – 610 million years agoto a depth of 16 km (10 miles). This rust-red multi-layered unique geology defines the scenery over the coming days.

Day 10: The essential Arctic

Landing at Blomsterbugten, you have a good chance of spotting Arctic hare and musk oxen. Noah Lake is home to great northern divers aswell as their young, and the hiking opportunities here are numerous. In the afternoon you venture deeper into Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord,finding shelter in Renbugten. Colossal icebergs and quintessential Arctic scenery accompany you while passing through this narrow fjordsystem.

Day 11: Into the Antarctic Sound

Today the aim is to land in Renbugten in search of musk oxen and Arctic hares. Around lunch you head east into the inversely namedAntarctic Sound, enjoying views of the ancient sedimentary rock. You should arrive at Maria Island before nightfall.

Day 12: Meeting Menander

You cut into Kong Oscars Fjord for an attempted landing near Menander Øer, a location with lively walking opportunities.

Day 13: Colors of Arctic autumn

Continuing east, you land in Antarctic Havn. You spend the afternoon in this expansive valley, where you can see groups of musk oxen. Atthis time of year, the sparse vegetation is colored with golden fire. Your guide may be able to tell you about the intriguing geopolitics thatplayed out here in the early 1930s between Norway and Denmark.

Day 14: Sailing to Scoresbysund

Spending the day at sea, you make for the largest fjord system in the world: Scoresbysund.

Day 15: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear

Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacierfronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where youfind the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, whilethe winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches,and grave sites. During the afternoon, you sail along the east side of Milne Land amid a number of scattered icebergs.

Day 16: Nordvestfjord’s enormous icebergs

You land near Sydkap, where Arctic hares are often seen, and during lunch you get a glimpse of the entrance to Nordvestfjord in ScoresbyLand. Here you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters high (328 feet) and more than a kilometer in length (.6 mile). Most ofthese bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet).

Day 17: Settlement at Scoresbysund

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

Day 18: The hikes of Hurry Inlet

In the morning you stop on the south coast of Jameson Land, at a lagoon near Kap Stewart. Here the waders and geese are collecting fortheir autumn migration, and musk oxen and collared lemmings survive on the meager vegetation. Further inside Hurry Inlet, you may take a




walk near the head of the fjord as well as one of the rivers that terminate here. There’s also the chance of a climb up the mountain of J.P.Koch Fjeld, near Hareelv. In this remarkable area, scientists found fossils that linked fish and amphibians in the lower Cretaceous period.You spend the night at anchor off Constable Pynt.

Day 19: Final call at Constable Pynt

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You make your final landing at the airfield on Constable Pynt,flying by chartered plane to Keflavik taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.




Around Spitsbergen - Kvitoya, In the realm of Polar Bear & IceFull Spitsbergen Circumnavigation with a visit to Kvitøya


HDS10-20 2 Aug - 11 Aug, 2020 9 nights m/v Hondius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLA13-20 15 Aug - 24 Aug, 2020 9 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: N.B. The chances that we can reach Kvitøya and complete a full Svalbard circumnavigation (based on our experiences from 2013—2018) are about 70%. Incase we cannot complete a full circumnavigation, we may make a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen through Hinlopen Strait. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs mayvary 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 ofthese itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for m/v Hondius is 10.5 knots.




Heading north along the west coast, you arrive by morning inKrossfjorden. Here you might board the Zodiacs for a cruise nearthe towering blue-white face of the Fourteenth of July Glacier. Onthe green slopes near the glacier, colorful flowers bloom while

flocks of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the cliffs. You have a good chance of spotting an Arctic fox scouting for fallen chicks,or a bearded seal paddling through the fjord.

In the afternoon you sail to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerlyrailway – 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 polarexplorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).

Day 3: Stop at the Seven Islands

The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears and walrus inhabit this stark desolate landscape. Later in the day the ship may roam forseveral hours among the pack ice in search of wildlife.

Day 4: The great glacier front of Schweigaardbreen

Pushing east to Nordaustlandet, you reach the area where the Italian captain Sora tried to rescue the Nobile Expedition in 1928. The focus

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here is the great glacier front of Schweigaardbreen, though you may also land at Firkantbukta, getting the chance to gain some altitudeand take a few higher-elevation photos. Alternately, you could make a Zodiac cruise near Storøya, where you might encounter walruses.

Day 5: Ice cap at Kvitøya

Today you try to reach the rarely visited Kvitøya, far to the east and close to Russian territory. The enormous ice cap covering this islandleaves only a small area bare. You land at the western tip of Andréeneset, where the Swedish explorer S. A. Andrée and his companionsperished in 1897. Another objective for the day is Kræmerpynten, where a sizable group of walruses reside.

Day 6: The longest glacier in Spitsbergen

South of Nordaustlandet you may land on Isisøya, formerly a Nunatak area surrounded by glaciers but now an island surrounded by thesea. You then may pass by Bråswellbreen, part of the largest ice cap in Europe and famed for its meltwater waterfalls.

Day 7: Barentsøya’s many bounties

The plan is to make landings in Freemansundet, though polar bears sometimes make this impossible. Potential stops on Barentsøyainclude Sundneset (for an old trapper’s hut), Kapp Waldburg (for its kittiwake colony), and Rindedalen (for a walk across the tundra). Youmight also cruise south to Diskobukta, though Kapp Lee is more likely your destination. On Kapp Lee is a walrus haul-out, Pomor ruins, andthe chance for hikes along Edgeøya.

Day 8: Land of the pointed mountains

You start the day by cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, taking in the spire-like peaks: Hornsundtind rises1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen is a perfect illustration of why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning“pointed mountains.” There are 14 sizable glaciers in this area as well as opportunities for spotting seals, beluga whales, and polar bears.

Day 9: Bell Sund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history

Today you find yourself in Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer thanother areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both historyand wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. Theseremains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas werenot hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod. Alternately, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, youcan explore tundra where reindeer like to feed as well as rock slopes where little auks are breeding.






East Spitsbergen - Arctic AcademyDutch scientific expedition to Spitsbergen


OTL11-20 3 Aug - 12 Aug, 2020 9 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: N.B. This is a voyage, with a group of scientists on the ship, who will follow-up on the investigations which Dutch researchers began on Edgeøya in the 20thcentury. The passengers will be given the opportunity to share the experiences of the scientists, but will also have the opportunity to join some rather extended walks to specialplaces of interest. 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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for m/vOrtelius is 10.5 knots.



Day 2: South Spitsbergen

Landings at the rarely visited coast of South Spitsbergen betweenSørkap and Isbukta and sailing by Stellingfjellet the biggest colonyof Brünnichs Guillmots in Spitsbergen.

Day 3: Wild west side of Edgeøya

We cruise north to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land at Blankodden on abeach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia.

We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of Kittiwake, together with Black Guillemot and piraticalGlaucous Gull.

During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Fox and Polar Bear, searching for young birds that have fallen fromthe nesting ledges. From there we walk to Kapp Lee.

Day 4: Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet

At the east side of West Spitsbergen (west side of Storfjorden) we will walk to some breeding places of Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet at about400 m high. The valley leading to the outcrops with the nests is littered with fossils of Belemnites and Ammonites.

Day 5: Trapper´s history in Freemansundet

In Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to visit an old trapper's hut and then take a brisk walk acrossthe tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Goose. We also plan a zodiac cruise near the Freeman glacier and visit again aKittiwake colony in a canyon.

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Day 6: Long island excursion in Diskobukta

At Diskobukta we make a long inland excursion into the braided rivers, which are easily crossed this late in the season. At Caltex fjellet wewill search for breeding places of Ivory Gulls and proceed into Smelledalen with some Pingo’s. Alternatively we land at Plurdalen, and areawhere 40 years ago extensive explorations for oil were carried out.

Day 7: Russian history in Habenichtbukta

At Habenichtbukta Russian Pomors built their hunting station in which they lived during quite some periods in the 18th and 19th centuries. We will land in the area and make also an inland excursion in an area with pond and lakes, populated by divers, ducks and geese

Day 8: Walrusses and whale skeletons

At Andrétangen we have a good opportunity to observe a herd of Walrusses near an old trapper station. Some way inland near a lifted shore in a surf zone from thousands of year ago we find the skeletons of stranded whales from that time. In the afternoon we land atKong Ludvigøyane or Tiholmane with again remains of the Pomor period.

Day 9: Spectacular Hornsund !

We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery oftowering mountain peaks.

Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen’ - pointed mountains - to theisland.

There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bear.

We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station themountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auk.






Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis


RVR28-20 15 Aug - 26 Aug, 2020 11 nights s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Constable Pynt Constable Pynt

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Around SpitsbergenFull Spitsbergen Circumnavigation


NOO28-20 23 Aug - 7 Sep, 2020 15 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen






Day 3: Remains of the whalers

You sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding areas for great skuas as well as likely spots to see apolar bear. On Birgerbukta you can see 17th-century Basque ovens once used for cooking whale blubber. The aim next is to visit YtreNorskøya, a small island that served for many years as a Dutch whaling lookout. Here you can still follow the whalers’ tracks to the summitof the island, passing popular bird cliffs on the way. On shore are the remains of more 17th-century blubber ovens, while Arctic skuas andcommon eiders breed among the graves of some two hundred Dutch whalers.

Day 4 – 15: The many sights of Svalbard

Today you start by sailing either to Sorgfjord or Murchison Bay, on the north side of which lies an extensive polar desert that is home tonumerous reindeer as well as a Swedish research station. You then continue through Hinlopen Strait, surrounded by lofty ice caps.

Over the following days, you may visit the following sites:

Lomfjord – This is a beautiful fjord fringed by towering mountains offering a great opportunities for a hike.

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Wilhelmøya – A tundra landscape in which polar bears can possibly be seen, Wilhelmøya is also a good area for shoreline, inland, andaltitude-gaining hikes.

Svartknausflya – You may take an excursion to this stark polar desert, which is almost devoid of vegetation but rich with invertebratefossils and whale skeletons along its raised beaches.

Heleysundet – A narrow but picturesque waterway between Spitsbergen and Barents withthis route can only be made against the current.

Freemansundet – Depending on conditions, you may also sail through this waterway. A walk at Kapp Lee may introduce you to a few newreindeer and walruses, and you might also visit a large colony of kittiwakes nesting in a canyon in Diskobukta. Arctic foxes and polar bearswith their young often roam this canyon, scavenging for birds that fall from the ledges. Sub-fossilized whale bones are scattered across theraised beaches.

Hornsund – You continue your Spitsbergen voyage by sailing into the labyrinth of side fjords around Hornsund. At Brepollen rests a largeglacial deposit at the head of the fjord. Sailing along the glacier front will afford you good chances of spotting bearded seals and polarbears. The geological formations in this area are vibrant and mesmerizing.

Bellsund – En route to Longyearbyen, you may reach Ahlstrandhalvøya. More fascinating geological formations can be seen here, as wellas the remains of 20th-century beluga hunting. (This is still a good area to see beluga.)

Barentsburg – If time allows you could then pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen. A side optionis Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement.






North Spitsbergen - 82 Degrees NorthSailing Farthest North


PLA14-20 24 Aug - 31 Aug, 2020 7 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

OTL14-20 28 Aug - 4 Sep, 2020 7 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for m/vPlancius is 10,5 knots.



Day 2: The first of the fjords

Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, youtake in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe evenvisited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of thisfjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, andthe possibility of polar bears. In the evening you sail by the islandof Moffen, where you can find a large herd of walruses.



Day 4: Fjord-fueled hikes

You next sail through Beverleysundet, formerly navigated by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition in 1898. From here you pusheast along Scoresby Island into Rijpfjord, where the German Wehrmacht operated the weather station Haudegen (now off-limits) untilSeptember 1945. The aim in Zorgdragerfjord is to have one group walk the eastern shore while another walks the north side of Arkvatnet,through Havsuldalen to the entrance of Duvefjorden.

Day 5 – 6: Far north to Phippsøya

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Reaching Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet, you’re now at 80° north and just 870 km (540 miles) from thegeographic North Pole. Polar bears and walruses inhabit this region. In the afternoon you venture to your northernmost point, near the

82nd parallel. While retracing your route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales.

About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, you sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in theupwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouthof Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of sighting minke whales.

Day 7: Watching the Forlandsundet wildlife

Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, your next stop – though this late in the season, they may have already departed.Alternately, you might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arcticfoxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. You arrive in Longyearbyen later that night.






Spitsbergen - Northeast GreenlandA classic three island voyage : Ice , Inuit and Remoteness


PLA15-20 31 Aug - 13 Sep, 2020 13 nights m/v Plancius Longyearbyen Akureyri

PLEASE NOTE: The probability of sailing into Scoresbysund is high (based on our experiences from 1993 – 2018), but there is still a chance (about 10%) that ice will obstructpassage into the fjord system. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage ofopportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be grantedby the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruisingspeed for m/v Plancius is 10,5 knots.








Day 5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs

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

Day 6: The islands of Antarctic Sound

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

Day 7: Alpefjord’s lofty peaks

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In the morning you enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. You land onthe south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to seemusk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrustup 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.

Day 8: Sights of the Arctic autumn

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, thesparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.


Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacierfronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where youfind the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, whilethe winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches,and grave sites. In the evening, you continue sailing the berg-crowded fjords to the west.

Day 10: Colors of the cape

The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the world’s most cherished iceberg attractions: The austere blue-white of the icebergs setssharp against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord,with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

Day 11: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares

In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most ofthem 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 anda good shot of seeing Arctic hares.



Day 13: Sea life under the northern lights

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

Day 14: Journey’s end at Akureyri

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 Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompany youwherever your next adventure lies.




Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Aurora BorealisA classic three island voyage : Ice , Inuit and Remoteness


OTL15-20 4 Sep - 18 Sep, 2020 14 nights m/v Ortelius Longyearbyen Akureyri

PLEASE NOTE: N.B. The probability of sailing into Scoresbysund is high (based on our experiences from 1993 – 2018), but there is still a chance (about 10%) that ice willobstruct passage into the fjord system. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage ofopportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be grantedby the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruisingspeed of m/v Ortelius is 10,5 knots.








Day 5: Clavering Ø - Northeast Greenland

We arrive at Clavering Ø in remote Northeast Greenland. The island was named by the second German North Polar Expedition 1869–70 as“Clavering Insel” to commemorate Douglas Charles Clavering (1794–1827), commander of the Griper on the 1823 voyage, which exploredthe area and, at the southern shore of this island made the first (and last) encounter that Europeans made with the now extinct Northeast-Greenland Inuit.

The Second German North Polar Expedition in 1869, found the remains of many former settlements, but the population had apparentlydied out during the intervening years . Bones of muskoxen and Arctic hare suggest that the Inuit were hunting in this area. Nowadays wemay encounter muskoxen in this region.

Day 6: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs

As you approach Greenland, you may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (whereNorwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by

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musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. From here you sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountainsand bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.

Day 7: The islands of Antarctic Sound

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

Day 8: Alpefjord’s lofty peaks

In the morning you enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. You land onthe south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to seemusk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrustup 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.

Day 9: Sights of the Arctic autumn

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


Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacierfronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where youfind the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, whilethe winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches,and grave sites. In the evening, you continue sailing the berg-crowded fjords to the west.










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 Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompany you




wherever your next adventure lies.




Central Spitsbergen, Arctic AutumnSee the seasons change on an Arctic wildlife hotspot


NOO29-20 7 Sep - 14 Sep, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

NOO30-20 14 Sep - 21 Sep, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: The autumn Spitsbergen voyages are ideal for enjoying solitude at the onset of winter, a very special season. The month of September is still fine to sail outsidethe Isfjorden. 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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise oncomfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will beused in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine.There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speedfor s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.



Day 2 – 5: Glacial fjords, historic finds

Leaving Trygghamna early in the morning, you sail to the north side of Bellsund. Here you find a fjord system with two major branches: VanMijenfjord and Van Keulenfjord – and one smaller side bay, Recherchefjord. The geology has created particularly unique landscapes here,such as the long and narrow island of Akseløya, which blocks Van Mijenfjord almost completely. In Fridtjovhamna, the calving glacierFridtjovbreen is surrounded by picturesque mountains.

The rich wildlife of this area has attracted hunters throughout the centuries. At Ahlstrandhalvøya you can walk in the hunters’ footsteps,examining the remains of their huts. Recherchefjord has one of the highest concentration of historical sites in all of Spitsbergen, rangingfrom 17th century whaling culture to the mining period of the early 20th century. The glacier Recherchebreen ends at a lagoon, likely to befrozen in October, and several smaller icebergs. Polar bears are commonly sighted all over Bellsund, so keep your eyes open for them andfor the belugas that frequent this area.

Day 6: Russian waypoints

You next pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen. An alternative is Colesbukta, an abandonedRussian coal mining settlement.

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Day 7: Chasing the Arctic chill

Sailing into the inner reaches of the Isfjord system, you can see the new ice that is forming on the heads of the fjords. You may alsoexperience temperatures as low as -10° C (14° F).






Scoresbysund, Aurora BorealisWitness the Northern Lights at Scoresby Sund


PLA16-20 13 Sep - 20 Sep, 2020 7 nights m/v Plancius Akureyri Akureyri

HDS15-20 14 Sep - 21 Sep, 2020 7 nights m/v Hondius Akureyri Akureyri

OTL16-20 18 Sep - 25 Sep, 2020 7 nights m/v Ortelius Akureyri Akureyri

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 seewildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for m/vPlancius is 10.5 knots.

Day 1: On the Iceland road

Your journey begins in the morning, where by request you cantransfer via chartered bus (T) from the city hall of Reykjavik (themeeting point) to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). Youarrive in the afternoon after a six-hour drive through northernIceland.

PLEASE NOTE: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for inadvance. In the early evening, the ship departs from the port ofAkureyri, sailing north toward the Denmark Strait.

Day 2: Sailing to east Greenland

While sailing north you’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets,and common guillemots. You then cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with yourapproach to the east Greenland coast, near Brewster.


Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacierfronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where youfind the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, whilethe winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches,and grave sites. In the evening you continue sailing the berg-crowded fjords to the west.



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Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer bychartered bus (T) (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompanyyou wherever your next adventure lies.




Isfjorden Adventure, Late Arctic Autumn & AuroraIndulge in the beauties of Svalbard's second-largest fjord


NOO33-20 5 Oct - 12 Oct, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Longyearbyen Longyearbyen

PLEASE NOTE: The chances for observing northern lights are good during those late Arctic autumn voyages. In October the vessel will operate within the many protectedbranches of the Isfjorden. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunitiesto 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 relevantnational authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise oncomfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will beused in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine.There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, they are operated by the crew. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speedfor s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.


Your voyage begins in Longyearbyen, the administrative center ofSpitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoystrolling around this former mining town, whose parish churchand Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Thoughthe countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species ofplant have been recorded in the surrounding area. In the earlyevening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot thefirst whale of your voyage.

Day 2: From Arctic mountains to mining towns

Your aim for the morning is Trygghamna. From this mountain-fringed bay, you may make excursions to a former English whalingstation, the remains of a Pomor house, and the base of AlkhornetMountain. In addition to the seabirds, you might see Arctic foxes

and reindeer here. Later that afternoon, you sail to the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, Svalbard’s second-largest town. Here you’llencounter the world’s northernmost brewery, a heated seawater swimming pool, a historic statue of Lenin, the must-see BarentsburgPomor Museum – and some very friendly Russians.

Day 3: Sculptures of ice and stone

The goal is to spend the morning exploring the jagged blue glacier front at Borebukta, our first close encounter with the glaciated interior ofSpitsbergen. You may also pay a visit to the east coast of Bohemanflya in the afternoon, a peninsula with striking geological formations.

Day 4: Northern fjords and northern lights

Your next morning introduces you to another glacier front: Sveabreen in Nordfjord, the most impressive in the Isfjord area. Afternoon findsyou at the head of Dickson Fjord, the northernmost point of the voyage. This fjord branch also happens to be the place with the most stableweather and optimal conditions for seeing the northern lights.

Day 5: The inner reaches of Isfjord

This day is reserved for sailing the extent of Isfjord, Svalbard’s second largest fjord and a vast panorama of snow, ice, slopes, and sea.Depending on the conditions, you’ll then sail into one of the other nearby fjords for further Arctic exploration.

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Day 6: Glaciers and ghost towns

The morning’s mission is to visit the glacier front of Nordenskiöld, an enormity of Arctic ice that has every reason to leave you breathless.On the agenda for the afternoon is Pyramiden, a deserted Soviet settlement that provides a hauntingly complete time capsule detailing howits resident coal miners lived many years ago.

Day 7: The layered peaks of Skansbukta

On the second-to-last day, you tour the valley of Skansbukta and its beautiful geological formations. Enjoy the splendor of these stratifiedmulticolored peaks, each one rising out of wide slopes of sediment like the guard towers of some ancient, eroded castle. Your return toLongyearbyen is planned for the early evening.

Day 8: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen

Every adventure, no matter how great, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home a wealth ofmemories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.






NOO37-20 31 Oct - 7 Nov, 2020 7 nights s/v Noorderlicht Tromsø Tromsø







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You spend the next several days along the north coasts of Senja and Andfjorden, areas where many whales have been spotted in recentyears.






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The other route (represented by the dotted line) heads north to the Kvaenangen fjord, very likely to be visited during November to mid-January.












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