Franz Josef Land is an archipelago of islands in the Russian Arctic. Their remoteness means they aren’t visited by many; you’ll be treading in the footsteps of famous Polar explorers amid some of the most rugged Arctic landscapes in the world, with the opportunity to see walruses, whales and the mighty polar bear.
M/V Ortelius is a former Russian scientific vessel, built in Poland. Named after the cartographer who published the first modern world atlas, Ortelius is a good expedition vessel for exploring the more remote polar regions because of its high ice-class rating (meaning it can navigate difficult conditions). It also has a large amount of deck space from which passengers can observe the passing wilderness and a good number of on-board experts and Zodiacs to maximise wildlife-viewing.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Embark ship in Kirkenes
(Aug 09) - Afternoon. Embark ship in Kirkenes (16.00 hours)
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Dinner
2
Murmansk
Early Morning clearing position at anchor near Murmansk
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3 to 4
At sea
At sea
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5
Bell Island
We make a landing on Bell Island, near Eira Lodge, the station of Leigh Smith. Then we sail to Cape Flora on Northbrook Island is an important site in the history of Polar exploration, where a century ago, several expeditions had their base. On the cliffs behind Cape Flora, there are large colonies of Brünnich’s Guillemots. It is an exciting view to witness the young birds when they try to glide from the ledges to the sea and where they are often eaten by Glacous Gulls. In Günther Bay at Northbrook Island we make a zodiac cruise near an important haul-out place for Walruses.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
Rubini Rock in Tichaia Bay
Day 6 - Rubini Rock in Tichaia Bay on Hooker Island has colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds like Brünnich’s Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Little Auks, Fulmars and Kittiwakes. We should also see Bearded and Harp Seals. We shall also visit the Sedov Research station. Encounters with Polar Bears are likely and also Greenland Whales have been seen in this area.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Cape Norvegia
If sea ice conditions allow in the British Channel, we shall try to sail to Cape Norvegia on Jackson Island, where Nansen and Johansen spent the winter after they had left their ship, "Fram".
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Rudolph Island
If sea ice conditions are very light we will sail to Rudolf Island, the northernmost island of the archipelago or Apollonia Island, another large haul-out for walruses. Alternatively we may land at Alexandra Land at an Ivory Gull colony.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9
Seabird colonies in Spitsbergen
Camp Ziegler on Alger Island has remains of polar expeditions from a century ago. The island, in a beautiful setting, is surrounded by mountainous islands with impressive glacier fronts. On Champ Island we find a special geological phenomenon, perfectly round stone balls of more than 1 m in diameter.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10
Cape Tehethoff or Wilczek Island
If weather conditions for the home voyage will not be adverse we will try to land in the very early morning at Cape Tegethoff or Wilczek Island in the south, where we again find the remains of the stations of early polar explorers such as the Austrians, Weyprecht and Payer, who first discovered Franz Joseph Land in the 19th century.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11 to 12
At Sea
At Sea
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13
Debark in Murmansk
Morning, debark ship in port Murmansk (bus to Kirkenes)
Included meals: Breakfast
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