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Hiking in Spitsbergen

East Spitsbergen - Home of the Polar Bear, Including Long Hikes & Cleaning the Shores

Roundtrip Longyearbyen - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Ortelius
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Embark on an 8-day cruise from Longyearbyen aboard the Ortelius. This expedition in the Svalbard archipelago begins in Longyearbyen, where you explore the historic mining town before setting sail through Isfjorden. Experience the dramatic beauty of Hornsund, with towering peaks and 14 glaciers, offering chances to spot seals, polar bears, and nesting seabirds. Navigate Storfjorden to land in Diskobukta, home to reindeer and walruses. Discover the remote Freemansundet with its tundra, wildlife, and glaciers before visiting the fossil-rich Agardhfjellet cliffs. Journey to southern Spitsbergen for seabird colonies and explore Bell Sund, which is rich in history and where you may encounter belugas and reindeer. The trip concludes back in Longyearbyen.
Bell Sund’s flora, faunaA polar bear takes a wintery napGlass-still waters around SpitsbergenA walrus floats on the iceUnforgettable shades of blueLittle AuksBeautiful Hornsund, NorwayAn Arctic fox gazes across the landscapeA polar landscapeHiking in Spitsbergen
Highlights
  • Explore Longyearbyen’s charming town, steeped in mining history and culture
  • Visit Stellingfjellet’s vast bird colonies, home to Brunnich’s guillemots
  • Sail through Hornsund fjords, towering peaks, and glistening glaciers surround you
  • Experience Bell Sund’s history, where belugas and reindeer are frequently seen
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen | Embark

Arriving in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen's administrative center, step into the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Stroll through this historic former mining town, where the quaint parish church and the captivating Svalbard Museum await.

Despite the rugged terrain, over a hundred plant species thrive here. As evening falls, your ship sets sail from Isfjorden, offering a chance to spot your first minke whale of the journey.

Day 2: Hornsund

Begin the day with a serene cruise through the breathtaking fjords of the Hornsund region in southern Spitsbergen, where towering mountain peaks dominate the landscape. The mountain of Hornsundtind rises to 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen's peak summit reveals why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning "pointed mountains."

This stunning area boasts 14 glaciers, with good chances of spotting seals and polar bears. Nearby cliffs at Sofiakammen host thousands of nesting kittiwakes and little auks, while the evening may bring sightings of harp seals gathering on the ice floes at Sorkapp.

If conditions allow for a more adventurous experience, you can take a long hike at Treskelodden and walk westward toward Hyrneodden and north to Wibewika Glacier. This scenic 16-kilometer (10-mile) route concludes with a pick-up near the glacier while other guests explore Brepollen in the morning and Luciakammen or Sofiakammen in the afternoon. This route may also be completed in reverse.

Day 3: Diskobukta

After navigating the drift ice of Storfjorden, where you sometimes see harp seals, you land in northwest Edgeoya at the northern bank of Rosenberdalriver. You can walk to Rosenbergdalen on the raised beach, teeming with grazing reindeer.

Afterward, you plan to walk by a cliff with nesting black guillemots on your way to Stretehamna, where you often find a herd of walruses on the beach near an octagonal trapper’s cabin built in 1905.

You can also see the remains of a 19th-century Pomor house and the bones of walruses hunted in previous centuries.

Long hike - If conditions permit, you land at Blankoddden, near a large kittiwake colony in a beautiful canyon, then walk north along the coast to Kapp Lee (about 20 km / 12.4 miles) or the south side of Rosenbergdalen (about 17 km / 10.6 miles), and be picked up. You might also do this program in reverse.

If this long hike is not possible, the team might offer an alternative hike on day 4.

Day 4: Freemansundet

Sailing into the waterway of Freemansundet, you plan to land at the tundra lowland of Sundneset on the island of Barentsoya.

Here, visit the hut of a German scientific expedition (Wurzbugerhutte) from sixty years ago, then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen reindeer and barnacle geese. Afterward, you plan to go on a Zodiac cruise near Freeman Glacier and visit a kittiwake colony in a nearby canyon.

In case of heavy ice in Freemandundet, however, sail instead to Negribreen, one of Spitsbergen's most extensive glacier fronts on the east side. Here, you can take a Zodiac cruise and land on Walrus Island, which became ice-free at the end of the last century.

Long hike - If conditions permit, you land in Barentsoya, near small lakes with wildfowl and waders, then walk east along the coast of Barentsoya to Freemanbreen. After about 10 km (6.2 miles), pass a colony of kittiwakes. After another 10 km walk, be picked up at the west side of Freemanbreen. This is an excellent area to spot polar bears. You might also do this program in reverse.

Day 5: Agardhfjellet

Today, you sail to the east side of West Spitsbergen (west side of Storfjorden).

Here, you plan to walk to breeding places for ivory gulls in Agardhfjellet, which stands about 300 meters (980 feet) high.

The valley leading to the outcrops that house the nests is littered with fossils of belemnites and ammonites.

Day 6: South Spitsbergen

Today, you aim to land at the mountain of Stellingfjellet, near the largest colony of Brunnich’s guillemots in Spitsbergen. Later in the day, you make landings at the rarely visited coast of south Spitsbergen, at the bay of Isbukta.

Day 7: Bell Sund

Continue your voyage in Bell Sund, 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.

A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvoya, 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 to extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod.

Alternately, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore tundra, where reindeer like to feed, and rock slopes, where little auks breed.

Long hike - If conditions permit, you land at Recherchelagune and walk along the eastern shore of Recherchefjord by Laegerneset (17th-century whaling station). Your goal is to reach Ahlstrandhalvoya and from there to Ingebrigtsenbukta. If need be, the Zodiacs can help you at the mouth of the river. You might also do this hike in reverse or land at Ingeborgfjellet, then walk along the coast to the west side of van Muydenbukta, along a shore with many whale skeletons.

Day 8: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Ship/Hotel

Ortelius

m/v Ortelius at Orne Island
m/v Ortelius Reception
m/v Ortelius Reception area

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,450 2-3 travelers
M/V Ortelius Quadruple Porthole
Quadruple Porthole
4 quadruple cabins with 2 portholes, 2 upper / lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, Ample storage space.
M/V Ortelius Triple Porthole
Triple Porthole
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
Twin Porthole on the Ortelius
Twin Porthole
23 twin cabins with 2 portholes, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
Twin Window on the Ortelius
Twin Window
10 twin cabins with 2 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
M/v Ortelius Twin Deluxe
Twin Deluxe
6 superior cabins with 3 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Small sofa, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
M/V Ortelius Superior Cabin
Superior
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.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  • Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability. This applies to all trips scheduled for the 2024-25 Antarctic season and will continue across all future motor vessel trips in both Antarctica and the Arctic.
  • AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
  • Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.
  • Transfers to/from the Vessel Outside Spitsbergen

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