Itinerary
ITINERARY: BELLSUND ARCTIC CRUISE 24-28/5 2010
Day 1, 13.55 On arrival at Longyearbyen airport you will be met by a Basecamp Spitsbergen guide. We’ll then transfer to the harbor and embark on the ship. In the afternoon we sail out Isfjord. In the night we sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen to Bellsund and Recherchefjorden where we’ll make our first stop.
Day 2, In the morning we’ll go ashore for a walk in the area surrounding the fjord. Recherchefjorden is known for its high concentration of historical sites from the 17th century whaling to the 19th century mining. In the afternoon we anchor up in Fleur de Lyshamna and go for an evening trip at Midtrehuken where we’ll have a closer look at the fascinating geology of the Bellsund region.
Day 3, In the morning we’ll go ashore at the bird cliffs of Mariasundet. After lunch we’ll sail north along the island Akseløya to Fridtjovbreen we’re we go ashore. During the night we set a northerly course and in the morning we enter Isfjord once again.
Day 4, On Kapp Linné, at the mouth of the fjord sits the old radio communications-station Isfjord Radio. We’ll visit the station and the near-by bird sanctuary. After lunch we continue to the bird cliffs of Alkehornet where we’ll make a landing. Here we’ll see many of the species of birds living in the Arctic. The Polar Fox is a regular visitor, scavenging the base of the cliffs for food. Early in the season there might still be some sea-ice in front of the glaciers and the chances of spotting Ringed and Bearded Seals are good. In the evening we sail into Ymerbukta and cruise the glacier front of Esmarkbreen. Then we set the course for Longyearbyen.
Day 5, Breakfast and disembarking. Possibility for sightseeing and shopping in Longyearbyen. Transfer to the airport at 13.00. Departure for Oslo at 14.45.
