Franz Josef Land - MV Ortelius
View Trip Notes
An exploration of a life time. Visit the remote Franz Joseph Land, an archipelago located in the far north of Russia. 900 kilometres from the North pole, these islands have incredible scenery, wild life and an opportunity for you to visit where so few others go.
M/v “Ortelius” is an excellent expedition vessel and has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) “Ortelius” is a great expedition vessel for 100 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces and a very large bridge which is accessible to the passengers.
Welcome aboard in Kirkenes
Murmansk
At Sea
Arrive at Franz Joseph Land, explore cliffs and Northbrook Island
Sedov Research Station - possible Polar Bear Encounters
Sail to Cape Norvegia
Sail to Rudolf Island, the northernmost island of the archipelago
On Champ Island we find a special geological phenomenon, perfectly round stone balls of more than 1 m in diameter.
Search for the remains of the stations of early polar explorers
At sea
Disembark and travel to Kirkenes
Countries visited
The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. “Ortelius” is a great expedition vessel for 100 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces and a very large bridge which is accessible to the passengers. The vessel is manned by 34 highly experienced Russian nautical crew, 15 international catering staff, including stewardesses, 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor.
”Ortelius” offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 100 on the “Ortelius”, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.
Included In Price
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Meals Included
This tour includes 35 meals; 12 breakfasts 11 lunches 12 dinners
Not Included In Price
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; 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; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of EURO 18 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.
Important Information
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 see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.| Start | End | Quad pp | Twin Private Porthole | Twin Private Window | Superior | |
| 9 Aug 2012 | 21 Aug 2012 | AU$ 5750 | AU$ 7820 | AU$ 8100 | AU$ 9720 | |
| NOTE: Prices listed are 1AU$ = 1US$. We honor the US$ price. | ||||||
| 21 Aug 2012 | 1 Sep 2012 | AU$ 5225 | AU$ 7130 | AU$ 7420 | AU$ 8910 | |
|
One day less. NOTE: Prices listed are 1AU$ = 1US$. We honor the US$ price. |
||||||
Day 1: Welcome aboard in Kirkenes
Embark ship in Kirkenes (16.00 hours)
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x DinnersDay 2 : Murmansk
Early Morning clearing position at anchor near Murmansk
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 3 & 4: At Sea
At sea
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
2 x Breakfasts2 x Lunches2 x DinnersDay 5: Arrive at Franz Joseph Land, explore cliffs and Northbrook 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.
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 6: Sedov Research Station - possible Polar Bear Encounters
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.
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x Dinners1e1e Day 7: Sail to 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".
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 8: Sail to Rudolf Island, the northernmost island of the archipelago
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.
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 9: On Champ Island we find a special geological phenomenon, perfectly round stone balls of more than 1 m in diameter.
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.
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 10: Search for the remains of the stations of early polar explorers
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.
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 11 & 12: At sea
At sea
Accommodation
MV OrteliusMeals Included
2 x Breakfasts2 x Lunches2 x DinnersDay 13: Disembark and travel to Kirkenes
Morning, debark ship in port Murmansk (bus to Kirkenes)