Embark on the adventure of a lifetime aboard the M/V Ortelius, a 19-day cruise that will take you to some of the most stunning places in the Arctic. From Akureyri to Tromso, you'll witness the natural beauty of Svalbard and northeast Greenland in all its glory. Be on the lookout for polar bears as you explore the Earth's largest fjord and discover the hidden treasures of this frozen wonderland. This cruise is an opportunity to experience the majesty of the Arctic and all its wonders.
Highlights
Explore Earth's largest fjord system in Scoresby Sund, Greenland
Experience the fiery colors of Arctic autumn in Antarctic Havn
Discover rarely visited Bear Island and its whaling history
Sail through the spectacular Hornsund area of Spitsbergen
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your journey begins in the morning, where by request you can transfer via chartered bus (T) from the city hall of Reykjavik (the meeting point) to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). You arrive in the afternoon after a six-hour drive through northern Iceland.
PLEASE NOTE: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening, the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the Denmark Strait.
While sailing north, you’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots. Cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting whales. By evening the first icebergs flash into sight with the approach to the east Greenland coast, near Brewster, and at night you might enjoy views of the enchanting aurora borealis.
Reach Scoresby Sund, Earth’s largest fjord system, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago.
The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the 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, continue sailing the berg-crowded fjords to the west.
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 sets sharp 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.
In the morning, encounter colossal icebergs, some of which are over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). Land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.
For the first half of the day, have an easy landing and excursion at a lagoon 4 km (2.5 miles) west of Kapp Stewart, a place where migrating geese and waders collect for their autumn migration. The low and gently undulating tundra is ideal for some easy walks, and continuing to see other local wildlife. In the afternoon, visit the settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit.
In the morning, pass through the strait between North Liverpool Land and the island of Uunartoq Qogertaq. Last century it was connected by a glacier with the mainland, but in 2005 an OEX expedition discovered that the glacier had disappeared and that you can now sail through the strait. In the afternoon, land at Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.
Enter Segelsällskapets Fjord in the morning, seeing the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. The landing will be on the south shore, where you can see ancient sedimentary formations lying right at your feet. A hike takes us near a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon, the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. You may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, experience a definitive Greenland adventure.
The morning plan is to head into Antarctic Sound, where find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing. Arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site.
Sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. In the morning, land in Margrethe Dal near Thule/Dorset remains, and later, sail into Foster Bay at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut where Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first half of the 20th century, there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. In the afternoon, sail northward along the Greenland coast and will probably have the last sights of Greenland when you sail by Shannon Island.
Sail northeast along the outer fringes of the southward-moving Greenland sea ice, with its seabirds, whales, seals, and maybe a polar bear sighting. The aim is Spitsbergen.
Sail northeast along the outer fringes of the southward-moving Greenland sea ice, with its seabirds, whales, seals, and maybe a polar bear sighting. The aim is Spitsbergen.
Day 14: Longyearbyen
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 15: Bell Sund
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Bell Sund is one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than other areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife.
One possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. These remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted into extinction, and you may still see them in the area.
In Recherchefjord at Lagerneset, the Dutch had a 17th-century whaling station, and in the Recherche lagoon you see often ringed seals. Alternatively, you may land at Millarodden at the north side of Bell Sund, where you may see walruses hauling out.
Though the bird mountains of Ingeborgfjellet are deserted in September, a landing on the northern shore of Bell Sund makes for a good walk among whale bones, while the southern shore has fantastic geological formations.
Day 16: Hornsund
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day by quietly cruising Brepollen in the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of glacier fronts and towering mountain peaks. The mountain of Hornsundtind rises to 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), while the peak of Bautaen testifies to why early Dutch explorers gave this island the name Spitsbergen, meaning “pointed mountains.”
There are 14 magnificent glaciers in the area, and have a fair chance of encountering seals and polar bears. In late afternoon, try to reach Palfylodden, a walrus haul-out site at the southern entrance of the fjord.
Day 17: Bear Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Depending on the prevailing winds, sail in the morning along the east coast of Bear Island by Myserifjellet. Also, plan to land in Kvalrossbukta, and see the remains of a whaling station from early in the previous century.
Afterward you may land in the shallow valley of Rendalen, where you still might see great skuas with their fledging young. Just south of this is the rock formation Perleporten, where in very calm weather you can sail through by Zodiac. The high seabird cliffs are deserted by this time.
Day 18: Barents Sea
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend a whole day sailing south on the Barents Sea en route to Norway, possibly encountering different species of whales in the mixing zones of the Gulf Stream and Barents currents. Later in the night, have the first chance to see the aurora borealis while the skies get darker.
Day 19: Tromsø | Disembark
1 Breakfast
You disembark in Tromsø at 09:00 AM at the latest. From here you can take a shuttle to the airport, departing for home or wherever your next adventure lies.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds and private facilities (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins). Spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin
1 suite with 2 windows (minimum), 1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, ample storage space.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate.
- Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Ortelius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
