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Peregrine Travel Centre

South Spitsbergen Explorer – Bear Island Expedition

South Spitsbergen Explorer – Bear Island Expedition

From USD $6,250

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Description

Across 9 nights, prepare to explore southern Spitsbergen, the largest island in Svalbard and home to a plethora of Arctic wildlife. From walrus haul-outs and encounters with the king of the Arctic, you’ll glimpse the drama of life in one of Earth’s most extreme environments. Then, visit remote Bear Island as you voyage to Norway’s beautiful far north beneath aurora-filled night skies.

Trip Name
South Spitsbergen Explorer - Bear Island Expedition
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Expediton Length: 91m Passenger Capacity: 108-123 Built / Refurbished : 1989 / 2015 Ortelius is a fully ice-strengthened Polar Class UL1 vessel built for demanding expeditions in one-year and multi-year sea ice. Originally constructed in 1989 for the Russian Academy of Science, its robust engineering and wide open-deck spaces make it well suited to deep-field exploration in the Arctic and Antarctica. The ship carries 108 passengers and operates with a substantial team of nautical crew, hotel staff, expedition leaders, and lecturers, supported by a fleet of ten Zodiacs for frequent shore landings and wildlife access. Interiors are functional and comfortable, offering standard hotel amenities alongside a lecture room and bar. The vessel is designed for maximum time ashore and flexible routing, prioritising nature observation over traditional cruise programming. Some cabins may have partially obstructed views due to structural requirements, but the best vistas are always outside on deck or from the bridge. Ortelius offers stable performance, reliable ice navigation, and a straightforward, expedition-focused environment, making it a strong choice for travellers who want direct contact with polar landscapes without unnecessary embellishment.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Longyearbyen - the start of your journey
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than 100 plant species have been recorded here. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 2 - Day 2: Spectacular Hornsund
We start the day by quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area in southern Spitsbergen, dominated by 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, which translates to “pointed mountains.” There are 14 magnificent glaciers in the area, and we have a fair chance of encountering seals and polar bears. The nearby cliffs of Sofiakammen are also home to thousands of pairs of nesting kittiwakes and little auks. In the evening, we might see thousands of harp seals rutting on ice floes at Sørkapp.
Day 3 - Day 3 - 4: The seabird colonies of Bear Island
Today, we venture along the west side of Bear Island, heading toward the southeast- an excellent place for viewing large seabird colonies. The nearby nesting cliffs are part of an extensive nature reserve where shore landings are not permitted. Afterward, we’ll sail northeast into Sörhamna, where we can get closer to the seabird cliffs. Chiefly, Brünnichs guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars nest here.Just northeast of this is Revdalen, where, at a safe distance, we can watch breeding great skuas, large seabirds known to be fiercely territorial. From there, we may climb some way to the bird mountain at the coast. In Kvalrossbukta, we will land at the remains of a whaling station from the early part of the previous century. As we continue north along the east side of Bear Island, we will look for other good landing and activity spots.
Day 4 - Day 5: Along and through the pack ice
Sailing northward, we may still encounter sea ice, where we have a good chance of spotting polar bears as well as various species of whales, seals, and seabirds. Sailing along the western side of the Tusenøyane, we may see polar bears, walruses, and belugas.
Day 5 - Day 6: Kittiwakes & hiking in Diskobukta canyon
We land at a beach dotted with bones of prehistoric bowhead whales and walk to a canyon with over 10,000 pairs of breeding kittiwakes on both sides, and often Arctic foxes preying on eggs, and sometimes a polar bear. The valley south of the colony is inviting for long walks.
Day 6 - Day 7: The ivory gulls of Agardhfjellet
We land at the east coast of Spitsbergen at the mouth of Skjolddalen river, where ivory gulls gather to breed. Then, a relaxed walk takes us to the summit of Fleinskallen (about 300 m high), with some tens of breeding Ivory Gulls spread along the ridges. Here it pays to keep one eye on the ground at your feet - the area is very rich in fossils, such as belemnites.
Day 7 - Day 8: Dinosaurs and seabird colonies at Kvalhovden
The area around Boltodden is famous for its preserved dinosaur fossil tracks. Behind these are the steep bird mountains of Kvalvaagen, home to many thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots and other seabirds. At Kvalbreen, we have a good opportunity for a Zodiac cruise and seal observations. Polar bears are not uncommon in this area, so keeping your camera handy here is a must.
Day 8 - Day 9: Bellsund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
Bellsund is one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. Here, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found, remains of poorly managed 19th-century whaling. Thankfully, belugas were not hunted to extinction, and we have a good chance of encountering a pod. Alternatively, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore the tundra where reindeer like to feed, as well as rock slopes where little auks breed, near Vaarsolbukta.
Day 9 - Day 10: There and back again
Even the most remarkable journeys must eventually come to an end. We disembark today in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany us wherever the next adventure lies. Here, you can further explore the town or prepare for your onward flight.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-07-202719-07-2027USD $6,250Quadruple Porthole
10-07-202719-07-2027USD $7,800Triple Porthole
10-07-202719-07-2027USD $9,150Twin Porthole
10-07-202719-07-2027USD $9,900Twin Window
10-07-202719-07-2027USD $10,750Twin Deluxe
10-07-202719-07-2027USD $11,950Superior

Inclusions

    • Bellsund
    • A beautiful sound in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard
    • Hornsund
    • Part of the South Spitsbergen National Park, the Hornsund is a fjord found on the west side of Spitsbergen, on the southern tip of the island.
    • Svalbard reindeer
    • Saved from the brink of extinction by dedicated recovery programs, these small reindeer have a dramatically variable birth rate

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