Day by Day Itinerary

Transcription

1 Arctic 2018 INTRODUCTION Itinerary All promoted itineraries are for general guidance. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and decisions during the voyage by the Expedition Leader to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Landings are always subject to weather, local site availabilities and environmental regulations (AECO). Official sailing plans and landing slots will be scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season. The final sailing plan will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. The implementation of the sailing plan is subject to weather and ice conditions and the discretion of the Master. Rubber Boots Onboard Plancius and Ortelius, all passengers are entitled to use a pair of sturdy rubber boots for free. Sizes need to be pre ordered with Oceanwide Expeditions reservation departments at the latest 8 weeks prior to departure. A voucher will be sent with final travel documents approximately 4 weeks prior to departure. Requesting equipment items without pre-order and voucher is not possible when boarding the vessel. Boots will need to be returned to the expedition team at the end of the voyage. The rubber boots are of high quality, keeping your feet dry, warm and comfortable for all landings. Shore Excursions and Zodiac Cruising Guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting and zodiac cruises are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during the voyages. We put our emphasis on active wildlife and nature experiences. Bilingual voyages (B) English is the ship s language. Some German or French speaking expedition staff will be on board for bilingual voyages (English - German or English - French). Welcome and safety briefings, announcements, daily briefings, and recaps will be provided in English and German or French. English and German or French lectures may vary in content. Simultaneous translations of lectures will not occur but a summary in the second language may be given at the end of a lecture. Guidance during activities ashore will depend on the group each passenger chooses according to their own physical ability. In the Arctic we aim to split into three groups: a hiking group on a strenuous walk, a medium-paced group with more time for photography etc., and a leisurely group. A German or French speaking staff member will not necessarily be available for each group. During Zodiac cruises, each boat s driver/guide will not necessarily be bilingual. Polar Diving (D) Polar divers must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving. We hope for 1-2 different dives per day parallel to all other activities. Diving depends on local ice and weather conditions. Dive masters and dive guides are responsible for safety during operation. Basic equipment is onboard (scuba tanks, compressors, weights and diving essentials). Divers bring their personal gear. For prices please refer to our Dates & Rates and for more details please refer to the activity manual. German Speaking (G) Voyages marked with G are full German speaking voyages. All guide lecturers in the expedition team speak German. Hiking (H) During hiking voyages we exceed our normal shore excursion walking program. In general we plan to offer 3 possibilities to be active ashore. There will be easy, moderate and more demanding walks on offer in the vicinity of the landing sites. There are walks on offer to suit everyone s capability. In the Arctic we aim for two hikes per day, each 2-3 hours long during morning and / or afternoon landings. We also offer several full day walks (5 7 hrs) with packed lunch. The final plan for these hiking options will be made by the Expedition Leader on the day of the excursion. We recommend bringing a proper pair of ankle high hiking boots and gaiters. Hiking is free of charge. More details can be found in the activity manual and in the day by day programs. Kayaking (K) In general we plan to offer 4 days of kayaking or more. Basic kayak experience is welcome, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. Parallel to all other activities there will be kayak excursions during morning and / or afternoon landings. The final decision on those excursions will be met by the Expedition Leader on the day of excursion. Oceanwide will provide kayaks and neoprene wet suits. Kayakers will bring their personal gear. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions. For prices please refer to our Dates & Rates and for more details please refer to the activity manual. Snowshoeing/hiking (S) Especially on early departures at the beginning of the season, there are still snow covered hills and mountains further afield. On North Spitsbergen voyages we are aiming at offering hiking excursions with snowshoes, which are easy to use and which don t require specific technical skills. With the use of snowshoes it is easier and safer to walk on snow surfaces. Snowshoes will be provided for everybody on board. They fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide rubber boots. Snowshoe hiking is free of charge, and more details are found in the activity manual and day by day programs. Ski Mountaineering (X) This is a technical and strenuous activity for experienced ski mountaineers who wish to climb high peaks and viewpoints. Ski mountaineers climb and ski (if necessary in rope parties) in sometimes steep, deep snow-covered, glaciated and potentially dangerous alpine environment. Certified mountain guides are responsible for the safety of the group. Ski Mountaineering experience, good physical condition and health is essential and must be backed up by a health statement. Participants must be able to master techniques of alpine skiing in off piste terrain (ascent and descent). Each participant is asked to submit a personal questionnaire which should highlight the ski mountaineering experience. The maximum ratio of participants per mountain guide is 8:1. Participants will bring their personal ski - 1 -

2 mountaineering equipment (randonnee or telemark skis and boots, crampons which fit ski boots, skins, poles, harscheisen, avalanche receivers, shovel, probe, rope, carabiners, harness and ice axe) and protective outdoor clothes, (), ropes and carabiners, harnesses and ice axes. If you want to participate in this activity please enquire for a personal registration form and equipment list. This activity is supplemented. Trips under charter (*): Voyages marked with * are currently under charter. m/v Ortelius and m/v Plancius North Atlantic Islands 2018 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. Average cruising speed of m/v Plancius and m/v Ortelius is 10,5 knots. North Atlantic Odyssey - Whale Safari Vlissingen- Longyearbyen OTL02a) S May 18 May nights aboard Ortelius Day 1: In Vlissingen passengers will board the ship at mid-day. Day 2: We cross the North Sea North Atlantic Odyssey - Whale Safari Aberdeen - Longyearbyen OTL02b) S May 20 May nights aboard Ortelius Day 3: (May 20) We arrive in Aberdeen, famed as the Granite City and many times a winner of the Britain in Bloom competition, and embark on our trip. As we reach the North Sea, we see the lighthouse on Girdle Ness to the south, designed by the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson. More passengers will board the ship in Aberdeen. The Scottish waters offer excellent possibilities to spot Minke Whale, White-beaked Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise. Several other cetaceans, including Orca (Killer Whale), are also native to these waters. Day 4: At Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, we are welcomed by the 70 or so inhabitants (famed for their knitwear, examples of which we will see) to be followed by a walk to the bird observatory. Fair Isle is a haven for sea-birds, which are very accessible. We may also see Grey Seals. Day 5 6: We sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, situated 300 nautical miles north-east of Iceland. During our two days at sea there will be plenty of time to watch for the blow of a Minke, Fin or Blue Whale, which could herald a rewarding encounter with these gentle giants. Perhaps we might run into a pod of Orca, who can often be quite curious about boats such as ours. Day 7: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island of breath-taking beauty and mystique dominated by Mt Beerenberg. From the slopes of the 2300m volcano, impressive glaciers spill into the sea. Until recently, the island was off-limits as it is a military base, and was rarely visited by tourists, but with permission from the Norwegian authorities we hope to visit the weather station. We will also walk across the island to Kvalrossbukta to look at the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a substantial colony of Fulmar. Days 8 10: In the midnight sun, we sail north along the edge of the sea-ice, looking out for Bowhead Whales, Harp Seals, Polar Bears and a variety of seabirds, until about 79 North, then we will sail west to the edges of the continental shelf off West - 2 -

3 Spitsbergen, where we have good chances to meet Finn Whales and near the mouths of the big Spitsbergen fjords, Minke Whales. Day 11: We will look for Walrus at Poolepynten. In the evening we could land at Alkhornet another seabird colony, where at the slopes we can find reindeer and Arctic Fox. Day 12: We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for flights south to Oslo and onward home. North Atlantic Odyssey - Whale Safari Vlissingen- Longyearbyen PLA03 * S May 24 June nights aboard Plancius Day 1: In Vlissingen passengers will board the ship at mid-day. Day 2 3: We cross the North Sea which offers excellent possibilities to spot Minke Whale, White-beaked Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise. Day 4: At Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, we are welcomed by the 70 or so inhabitants (famed for their knitwear, examples of which we will see) to be followed by a walk to the bird observatory. Fair Isle is a haven for sea-birds, which are very accessible. We may also see Grey Seals. Day 5 6: We sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, situated 300 nautical miles north-east of Iceland. During our two days at sea there will be plenty of time to watch for the blow of a Minke, Fin or Blue Whale, which could herald a rewarding encounter with these gentle giants. Perhaps we might run into a pod of Orca, who can often be quite curious about boats such as ours. Day 7: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island of breath-taking beauty and mystique, dominated by Mt Beerenberg. From the slopes of the 2300m volcano, impressive glaciers spill into the sea. Until recently, the island was off-limits as it is a military base, and was rarely visited by tourists, but with permission from the Norwegian authorities we hope to visit the weather station. We will also walk across the island to Kvalrossbukta to look at the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a substantial colony of Fulmar. Days 8 10: In the midnight sun, we sail north along the edge of the sea-ice, looking out for Bowhead Whales, Harp Seals, Polar Bears and a variety of seabirds, until about 79 North, then we will sail west to the edges of the continental shelf off West Spitsbergen, where we have good chances to meet Finn Whales and near the mouths of the big Spitsbergen fjords, Minke Whales. Day 11: We will look for Walrus at Poolepynten. In the evening we could land at Alkhornet another seabird colony, where at the slopes we can find reindeer and Arctic Fox. Day 12: We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for flights south to Oslo and onward home. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer - 3 -

4 Spitsbergen 2018 North Spitsbergen Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen OTL03 S Polar Bear Special May 29 Jun nights aboard Ortelius PLA04 B S Polar Bear Special Jun 04 Jun nights aboard Plancius OTL04 G S Polar Bear Special Jun 05 Jun nights aboard Ortelius OTL05 S Polar Bear Special Jun 12 Jun nights aboard Ortelius PLA06 S Polar Bear Special Jun 15 Jun nights aboard Plancius OTL06 S Polar Bear Special Jun 19 Jun nights aboard Ortelius PLA07 S Polar Bear Special Jun 22 Jun nights aboard Plancius PLA08 B Polar Bear Special Jun 29 Jul nights aboard Plancius OTL07 * Polar Bear Special Jun 26 Jul nights aboard Ortelius PLA15 * North Spitsbergen Aug 29 Sep nights aboard Plancius Day 1: We arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the surrounding area of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plants have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden, where in the mouth of the fjord we may see our first Minke Whale. Day 2: We sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar bear are often seen here. Day 3: Depending on the weather we may now sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake. As well, Polar Bear have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography. Day 4: Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. At the entrance there is the possibility to see Blue Whale. We ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich s Guillemot. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory Gull, and Walrus. Day 5: We will try reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gull. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice, before turning west again. Day 6: Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the upwelling s along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of the Kongsfjorden we have also good chances to see Minke Whale

5 Day 7: In Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for Walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At nighttime we arrive in Longyearbyen. Day 8: We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for the flights south to Oslo and onward home. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer North Spitsbergen Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen PLA05 * B S Polar Bear Special Jun 11 Jun nights aboard Plancius Voyage under charter. Around Spitsbergen Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen OTL08 * Jul 05 Jul nights aboard Ortelius PLA09 B D Jul 06 Jul nights aboard Plancius OTL09 Jul 14 Jul nights aboard Ortelius PLA10 * Jul 15 Jul nights aboard Plancius OTL10 * Jul 23 Aug nights aboard Ortelius PLA11 * Jul 24 Aug nights aboard Plancius OTL11 Aug 01 - Aug nights aboard Ortelius PLA12 * Aug 02 Aug nights aboard Plancius PLA13 B Aug 11 Aug nights aboard Plancius Day 1: We arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden. northerly settlement. Day 2: Heading north along the west coast, we arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, where we board the Zodiacs for a cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the green slopes near the glacier, a colourful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwake and Brünnich s Guillemot nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting Arctic Fox, who patrol the base of the cliffs in case a chick falls from its nest, and Bearded Seal, who cruise this fjord. In the afternoon we sail to Ny Ålesund, the world s most Once a mining village - served by the world s most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research centre. Close to the village is a breeding ground for Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose and Arctic Tern. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile, in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928, before their flights to the North Pole. Day 3: Near the mouth of Liefdefjorden, we will go ashore for a walk on the tundra of Reindyrsflya. Sailing into Liefdefjorden, we will cruise near the face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes and occasionally Polar Bear are seen on the glacier

6 Day 4-5: We have our northernmost landing at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Walrus and Ivory Gull. We may sit for several hours in the pack ice, taking in our spectacular surroundings with their own wildlife. When the edge of the sea-ice is tens of miles north of the Seven Islands (mostly in August) we will spend a second day to get to and in the sea ice. Alternatively (mostly in July) we turn to Sorgfjord where we may find a herd of Walrus not far from the graves of 17 th century whalers. On a nature walk, we may encounter families of Ptarmigans. The opposite side of the fjord is also a beautiful area for an excursion. Day 6: Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. We ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich s Guillemot. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we ll attempt a landing at Augustabukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory Gull, and Walrus. Near Torrelneset, we will explore the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world s third largest ice cap, which meets the sea nearby. We will walk along beautiful coastline covered in smooth rocks, sculpted by the surf over thousands of years. We may encounter Walrus along the way. Day 7: In Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to visit an old trapper's hut and then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Goose. Later we cruise south to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia. We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of Kittiwake, together with Black Guillemot and piratical Glaucous Gull. During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Fox and Polar Bear, especially females with young cubs, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges. Day 8: We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name Spitsbergen - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bear. Day 9: Today we land on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden. Here piles of Beluga skeletons (the Beluga is a small white whale), the remains of 19th century slaughter, are yet another reminder of the consequences of thoughtless exploitation. Fortunately, Beluga were not hunted to the edge of extinction and may still be seen locally. Indeed, there is a good chance that we will come across a pod. Cruising into Recherchefjorden during the afternoon we can explore an area of tundra at the head of the fjord where many reindeer feed. Day 10: We return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home. N.B. The chances that we can complete a full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation (based on our experiences from 1992 until 2016) are about, 30 % in the first half of July, 60 % in the second half of July, 90 % in the first half of August, 95 % in the second half of August. In case we cannot complete a full circumnavigation we will mostly resort to a program in Northeast or Southeast Spitsbergen. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer - 6 -

7 Around Spitsbergen - Kvitøya Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen OTL12* Aug 10 Aug nights aboard Ortelius OTL13 * Aug 20 Aug nights aboard Ortelius PLA14 B Aug 20 Aug nights aboard Plancius Day 1: We arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounding area of Longyearbyen. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden. northerly settlement. Day 2: Heading north along the west coast, we arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, where we board the Zodiacs for a cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the green slopes near the glacier, a colourful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwake and Brünnich s Guillemot nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting Arctic Fox, who patrol the base of the cliffs in case a chick falls from its nest, and Bearded Seal, who cruise this fjord. In the afternoon we sail to Ny Ålesund, the world s most Once a mining village - served by the world s most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research centre. Close to the village is a breeding ground for Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose and Arctic Tern. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile, in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928, before their flights to the North Pole. Day 3: We sail through Beverleysundet named by Parry in 1827 and also sailed by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition in Today we will reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Walrus and Ivory Gull. Day 4: We push east to reach the area of Nordaustlandet, where the Nobile expedition drifted around in 1928 and where the Italian Sora tried to come to the rescue. There we hope to get to Alpinøya, reached by Sora in 1928, and then to the mouth of Finn Malmgrenfjord, and Albertinibukta and to climb Soraberget (205 m) from where we have a fantastic view on the icecap of Nordaustlandet. Alternatively we will land at Storøya, where again we may meet a group of Walrus. Day 5: Today we hope to get to the rarely visited Kvitøya farthest to the east, close to the Russian territory. The island is dominated by an icecap, which leaves a small area bare of ice and snow. We will land at the western tip at Andréneset, where the Swedish explorer André and his companions perished in We will also try to get to Kræmerpynten in the east, where an enormous group of Walrus resides. Day 6: South of Nordaustlandet we will try to land on Isisøya formerly a Nunatak area surrounded by glaciers. Now it is an island surrounded by the sea. Later we sail along the front of the Brasvell Glacier, the longest glacier front in Spitsbergen. In Olga Strait we have chances to spot the elusive Greenland Whale. Day 7: In Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to visit an old trapper's hut and then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Goose. Later we cruise south to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia. We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of - 7 -

8 Kittiwake, together with Black Guillemot and piratical Glaucous Gull. During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Fox and Polar Bear, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges. Day 8: We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name Spitsbergen - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bear. We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auk. Day 9: Today we land on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden. Here piles of Beluga skeletons (the Beluga is a small white whale), the remains of 19th century slaughter, are yet another reminder of the consequences of thoughtless exploitation. Fortunately, Beluga were not hunted to the edge of extinction and may still be seen locally. Indeed, there is a good chance that we will come across a pod. Cruising into Recherchefjorden during the afternoon we can explore an area of tundra at the head of the fjord where many reindeer feed. Day 10: Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home. N.B. The chances that we can complete a full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation (based on our experiences from 1992 until 2016) are about, 90 % in the first half of August, 95 % in the second half of August. In case we cannot complete a full circumnavigation we will mostly resort to a program in Northeast or Southeast Spitsbergen. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer - 8 -

9 North Spitsbergen Farthest North Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen OTL14* G Aug 28 Sep nights aboard Ortelius Day 1 - Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounding area of Longyearbyen. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden. Day 2 - We visit Raudfjord or Liefdefjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, beautiful fjords dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seal and where we often sea Polar Bear. In the evening we will sail by the island of Moffen where a big herd of Walrus can be found. Day 3 - In Liefdefjorden we will go ashore for a walk on the tundra of Reindyrsflya. Sailing into Liefdefjorden, we will cruise near the face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes and occasionally Polar Bear are seen on the glacier. Day We sail through Beverleysundet named by Parry in 1827 and also sailed by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition in We push east along Scoresby Island, into Rijpfjord, where in Wordiebukta the German Wehrmacht had the weather station Haudegen until September The station itself is off bounds, but we can see the outlines in a beautiful surrounding at the head of the fjord. In Zorgdragerfjord one group will walk at the eastern shore while the other group walks along the north side of Arkvatnet through Havsuldalen to the entrance of Duvefjorden. Day Today we will reach Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gulls and Walrus. In the afternoon we will venture north to the ice to reach our farthest north which may be as far as near the 82 nd parallel. Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the upwelling s along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden we have also good chances to see Minke Whale. Day 8 In Forlandsundet Sarstangen is a possible haul out place for Walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At night-time we arrive in Longyearbyen. Day 9 - Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer - 9 -

10 Greenland 2018 Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland Aurora borealis Longyearbyen Akureyri OTL15* Sep 05 - Sep nights aboard Ortelius PLA16 B Sep 05 - Sep nights aboard Plancius Day 1: We arrive in Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to visit this former mining village. The Parish Church and the Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden. Day 2: We sail into Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is home to Ringed and Bearded Seal, seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation. We have good chances to see Polar Bear, for instance near Hamilton Glacier, or more to the head of the fjord. From there we continue to Moffen Island on which Walrus haul out. watch for whales, and also for migrating seabirds. Day 3 & 4 - At sea, on our way to Greenland, we may see the edge of the East Greenland sea-ice. We keep Day 5: Approaching Greenland we will attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters hut (in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted here for Polar Bear and Arctic Fox) there is an extensive tundra populated by Musk Oxen. The small lakes are home to geese. We sail through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches choked with huge icebergs. An alternative is Sofia Sund, which is much narrower. Day 6: We will land at Blomster Bugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic Hare are usually seen here, and there is a lake with Great Northern Diver and their young. In the afternoon we sail along Teufelschloss and Ella Ø and may land at a beautiful spot in the early evening. Day 7: In the morning we enter Segelsällskapets Fjord with the beautiful Berzelius Mountains on the north side. We will land on the south side of the fjord in an astounding place where the ancient sedimentary geology is literally at your feet. A hike will take us near a small lake with good chances to see Muskoxen, Arctic hare, and Ptarmigan. In the afternoon the ship will venture into Alpe Fjord, which is as spectacular as the name implies. We may embark on a long Zodiac cruise around the Gully Glacier which once blocked the access to the interior of the fjord and venture deep inside to the very end. Adventure at its finest! Day 8: The first half of the day we spend in Antarcticahavn, a wide and extensive valley where we also could see groups of Musk Oxen. At this time of year the autumnal colours of the sparse vegetation make the landscapes even more beautiful. Day 9: Today we reach the Scoresby Sund and sail in the morning along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near for instance Måne Glacier. Later we land on Danmark Ø where we find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular tent rings of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. In the evening we continue our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with icebergs

11 Day 10: We go ashore at C. Hofman Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigan and Great Northern Diver at sea. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch change colour. Arctic Blueberry and Crowberry add their own colourful touch - the berries are tasty too! In the evening we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal colours of the vegetation on shore, backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs. Day 11: In Northwest fjord in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400m deep here. We land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland Whale and using their vertebrae to build the houses. We may also land at Gurreholm on Jameson Land. The landscape here is gently undulating. Day 12: In the morning we land at Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of Seal, Musk Ox and Polar Bear. After dinner we will sail south passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast. Day 13: We will spend the whole day at sea and we will have splendid opportunities to see large whales and seabird migration and, in the night, the Aurora borealis (Northern Lights). Day 14: In the morning, we arrive in Akureyri and upon request you can transfer by chartered bus to a centrally located hotel in Reykjavik (6 hours). The transfer is supplemented and must be booked and paid for in advance. N.B. The OTL15 itinerary (under charter) is 1 day longer than that of PLA16. We will spend an extra day in Scoresbysund

12 East Greenland - Scoresby Sund Aurora Borealis Akureyri Akureyri PLA17 B D K Sep 18 Sep nights aboard Plancius Day 1: In the morning, upon request, you can transfer by chartered bus from one centrally located hotel in Reykjavik ( meeting point) to the ship in Akureyri, where you arrive in the afternoon after a six hours drive through North Iceland. The transfer is supplemented and must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening the ship will depart from the port of Akureyri and sail north towards the Denmark Strait. Brewster. Day 2: At sea, sailing north through the Denmark Strait. We are almost certain to see Fulmar, Kittiwake, Gannet and rafts of Common Guillemot. We cross the Arctic Circle and continue north, perhaps seeing whales. In the evening we will spot our first icebergs appear as we approach the east coast of Greenland near Kap Day 3: In the morning we sail along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near a glacier, like Måne Glacier or in Vikingebugt. Later we land on Danmarks Ø where there are the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular tent rings of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. In the evening we continue our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with icebergs. Day 4: We go ashore at C. Hofman Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigan and at sea Great Northern Diver. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch change colour. Arctic Blueberry and Crowberry add their own colourful touch - the berries are tasty too! In the evening we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal colours of the vegetation on shore, backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs. Day 5: On our way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400 m deep here. We land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland Whale and using their vertebrae to build the houses. Day 6: In the morning we land at a lagoon at the south coast of Jameson Land, an area with waders and geese collecting for the autumn migration. The landscape here is gently undulating. Musk Oxen and Collared Lemming - survive on the meagre vegetation. In the afternoon we visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement near Scoresbysund with about 400 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, Musk Oxen and Polar Bear. Day 7: The whole day at sea offers excellent opportunities to see large whales and seabird migration and, at night the Aurora borealis (Northern Lights). Day 8: In the morning, we arrive in Akureyri and upon request you can transfer by chartered bus to a centrally located hotel in Reykjavik (6 hours). The transfer is supplemented and must be booked and paid for in advance

13 Autumn Whales Akureyri - Vlissingen OTL16* Sep 19 - Sep 25 6 nights aboard Ortelius Voyage under charter. s/v Noorderlicht Northern Norway 2018 All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and of the opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, the crew operates them. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots. North Norway, Whale Safari - Aurora Borealis Tromsø Tromsø NOO b) Jan 06 Jan nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO01 * Jan 13 Jan nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO02 * Jan 20 Jan nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO03 * Jan 27 Feb nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO04 * Feb 03 Feb nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO05 * Feb 10 Feb nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO06 * Feb 17 Feb nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO07 Feb 24 Mar nights aboard Noorderlicht Norway has a spectacular coastline; its fjords are renowned for their beauty. In the far north, about 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the islands of Kvaløya and Senja are located. Around these islands something special happens during winter; enormous schools of herring gather here in the fjords to overwinter. This abundance of food attracts other animals, such as large numbers of whales, creating one of the larger concentrations of biomass on earth. Therefore, this voyage will be dedicated to meeting these giants of the seas. Because of the seasonal occurrence of the herring and the whales in these fjords, the whale safari voyages take place during winter, when the days are short and the nights are long in northern Norway. In January/ February the herring, and so the whales, migrate southwards, often to the northwest coast of Senja and Andfjord. The sailing plan will therefore be adapted by the expedition leader according to the best chances to see whales. Please note; whale watching (Orcas and Humpback whales) is highly dependent on the variable herring stocks in the area and is therefore unpredictable. During winter the amount of daylight is limited but the dark hours will not be wasted. Northern Norway is known to be one of the best areas in the world to see the Northern Lights. This amazing phenomenon can only be seen when it is dark and the sky is clear, with not much light pollution around. The voyage will offer ample opportunities to admire the Aurora Borealis from the remote fishing villages and bays where we will be staying for the night. Day 1: The voyage starts in the scenic town of Tromsø. Here the 100-year-old two mast schooner Noorderlicht will be waiting in the harbour. In the evening, there is time to explore the town. Day 2: Early in the morning we will depart from Tromsø. The itinerary depends largely on the weather conditions, the amount of daylight during the voyage and on the expected location of the whales. Therefor we might go either clockwise or counter clockwise around the island of Senja

14 Day 3-6: The next days we will spend in the areas where many whales have been spotted in recent years; along the north coast of Senja and in Andfjorden. Besides Orca and Humpback whale there are also chances to see Sperm whale. Near Andenes, along the edge of the Continental Shelf, these large whales dive into the depths of the ocean where they feed on giant squid. Furthermore, there are very good chances to see White-tailed eagles, as they also want their share in the herring frenzy. This magnificent bird of prey is one of the largest birds of Europe and a resident in northern Norway. In the afternoon, we will find a place for the night in one of the scenic fishing villages, such as Skrolsvik, Andenes, Gryllefjorden and Sommarøy. When the sun has set, we can make small hikes along the coast and hope for some clear sky and the Aurora. Day 7-8: We continue our circumnavigation of Senja and sail to the small island of Sommarøy. Also, here there are good opportunities to see the Northern Lights and the island offers good hiking possibilities. Therefore, we spend the morning of the last expedition day on this lovely island to explore the coastline with its small bays and white beaches and try to climb to the top of the 211-metre-high Mount Hillesøya. From here there are excellent panoramic views of the rugged coastline. In the afternoon, we sail back to Tromsø. We spend the last night on board in Tromsø, where we disembark the vessel in the morning of day 8. North Norway, Whale Safari - Aurora Borealis Tromsø Tromsø NOO30 Nov 03 Nov nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO31 Nov 10 Nov nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO32 Nov 17 Nov nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO33 Nov 24 Dec nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO34 Dec 01 Dec nights aboard Noorderlicht The Whale Safari voyages take place in winter, when the days are short in Northern Norway. Whale watching (Orcas) is highly dependent on herring cycles in the area. The expedition leader according to best chances to see whales will adapt voyages. Norway has a spectacular coastline, its fjords and mountains are renowned for their beauty. In the far north, about 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle we find the island of Kvaløya, the whale island. In early winter, enormous schools of Herring from the Barents Sea come together here in the fjords to winter. The Herring attracts large numbers of whales, as they feed on it. On an exploratory voyage in 2015, about 100 Orcas and 60 Humpback Whales were seen in one single fjord at Kvaløya. Therefore, this voyage will be dedicated to meeting these giants of the seas. Other highlights of these voyages: Arctic Norway and Northern Lights ( Aurora Borealis). During the voyage, the fjords and islands around Kvaløya and Ringvassøya will be explored. Three days will be spent in the fjords near Kvaløya to see the whales. The other days offer plenty of opportunities to sail under canvas and to explore some of these remote islands on foot. In winter the amount of daylight is limited but during the dark hours we have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. This amazing phenomena can only be seen when it is dark and the sky is clear, with not much light pollution around. The voyage will offer ample opportunities to admire the Aurora Borealis from the remote bays where we will be staying for the night. Day 1: The voyage starts in the town of Tromsø, also called 'the Paris of the North' because of its nice atmosphere. Here the 100 year old two mast schooner Noorderlicht will be waiting in the harbour. In the evening there is time to explore the town. Day 2: Early in the morning we will depart from Tromsø and sail towards the north-east, into Langsundet. In this magnificent fjord we plan to land at the small village of Hansnes from where we will attempt to hike up a trail to the 306 metres high hill Storheia to admire the view across the fjord. We will spend the night in Dyrsfjorden at the northern tip of the island Ringvassøya. Day 3 5: The next three days we will spend in Vengsøyfjorden and Kaldfjorden, the area where many whales have been seen in recent years. Besides Orca's and Humpback Whales there are also good chances to see White-tailed Eagles, as they also want

15 their share in the Herring frenzy. This eagle is one of the largest birds of Europe and a resident in northern Norway. In the afternoon, when the daylight is over, we plan to make small hikes in the area and hope for some clear sky in order to see the Tricky Lady, as the Aurora is sometimes called. Day 6: Then we continue our circumnavigation of Kvaløya and sail to the small island of Sommarøy. Also here there are good opportunities to see the Northern Lights and the island offers good hiking possibilities. Therefore we spend the daytime of the last expedition day on this lovely island to explore the coastline with its small bays and white beaches and maybe even climb to the top of the 211 metre high Mount Hillesøya. From here there are excellent panoramic views of the rugged coastline. Day 7 8: In the afternoon we sail back to Tromsø and complete our circumnavigation of Kvaløya. We spend the last night on board in Tromsø, where we disembark the vessel in the morning on day

16 s/v Noorderlicht & s/v Rembrandt van Rijn Spitsbergen 2018 All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and of the opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, the crew operates them. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots. Average cruising speed for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots. North Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring Longyearbyen Longyearbyen NOO e) S Mar 23 Mar nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO08 S, Easter Special** Mar 30 Apr nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO09 * S Apr 08 Apr nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO10 S Apr 15 Apr nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO11 * S Apr 22 Apr nights aboard Noorderlicht RVR15 S May 04 May nights aboard Rembrandt RVR16 S May 11 May nights aboard Rembrandt RVR17 S May 18 May nights aboard Rembrandt RVR18 Hike & Sail S *** May 25 June nights aboard Rembrandt Day 1: After arriving in Longyearbyen, the capital (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration In the evening we sail, setting course for Trygghamna where we will see the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Pomor hunting station, which we will visit the next morning. Day 2: From Trygghamna we walk to Alkhornet a large seabird cliff, where the birds are prospecting their breeding places. Below the cliffs is a den of Arctic Fox, and Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. In Forlandsundet we visit a haul out place of Walrus at Poolepynten if sea conditions allows, or at Sarstangen. Day 3: Today we sail into Fuglefjorden with views on Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, with breeding places for Great Skuas and good chances for bears. In Birgerbukta we find blubber ovens of the Basques. We will try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while Arctic Skua and Common Eider breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers. Day 4: Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seal, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bear and Beluga. Jermaktangen, at the fjord s eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea. N.B.: RVR18 may visit Buchananhavoya or Brucenest. Day 5: If sea-ice conditions allow, we may land on the northern-side of Reindyrsflya, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area s lakes offer good chances of spotting Red-throated Diver and King Eider. Alternatively we land at Fuglesangen, where we can sit among the Little Auks. N.B.: RVR18 may visit Woodfjord instead of Reindyrsflya, ice conditions depending. Day 6: In the morning we are at the 14 th of July Glacier. Not far from the glacier we see a breeding site for Brünnich s Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to a

17 relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants. In the afternoon we sail to Ossian Sarsfjellet, where we can observe the Kittiwakes and Brünnich s Guillemots on the cliffs at close quarters. Alternatively we visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions (Amundsen and Nobile for example). Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Common Eider, Arctic Tern and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The reindeers here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds. N.B.: RVR18 may visit Blomstrandhalvoya instead of 14th of July Glacier. Day 7: In the morning we find ourselves on Bohemanflya an extensive tundra area with their own avifauna and spectacular geological formations along the coast. In Gipsvika deep inside Isfjorden were we will go ashore near the majestic cliff of Templet. It is a stunning area with spectacular mountains eroded into shape in the sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous created around 290 mio years ago. Day 8: Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer ** NOO08: Easter Special voyage is 2 days longer which will be spend in the North of Spitsbergen. *** RVR18: Hiking expedition voyage with focus on walks onshore. N.B.: deviating itinerary as mentioned in day by day. Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail Longyearbyen Longyearbyen NOO12 X Apr 29 May nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO13* X May 06 May nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO14* X May 16 May nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO15* X May 25 June nights aboard Noorderlicht Important note: The Ski & Sail program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who can master skiing techniques in ascent and descent in challenging snow covered alpine terrain. A typical day will involve ski climbs on mountain tops which are in average m high and downhill skiing from there (actual accumulated altitude climbed over the course of a day can exceed 1000 m and more). An accurate routing cannot be determined in advance because weather, sea conditions and avalanche situation will influence the final layout of the program which will be in the benefit of all passengers onboard. The map outlines a possible (but not final) route in the greater region Kongsfjorden, Isfjord and Prins Karls Forland. This route plan serves as a rough guide only. The (ski) program and the itinerary of the vessel will be adjusted to the prevailing conditions, thus the daily program may differ considerably from the illustrated directions sketched. The complete program (at sea and on land) is dependent on the local weather, sea ice and snow conditions, the availability of landing sites, encounters with wild animals (polar bears) on land, and the avalanche situation. On board the ship the expedition leader makes the final decision on the necessary program adjustments on the day of the excursion. Flexibility is paramount in expedition cruises. Ski mountaineers bring their own equipment. Disclaimer: All travel elements which relate to the stay on board of the vessel and/or excursions or programs off ship (such as but not limited to ski outings on land, including zodiac excursions) are for 100% the own risk of the passenger. Oceanwide Expeditions is therefore not liable for any damage, such as but not limited to (bodily) injury, illness and death except for gross negligence. Furthermore, with the consent to participate in the ski mountaineering program each expedition member agrees that there will be no claims for reimbursement for travel days in case the ski program is shortened due to reasons which cannot be influenced by the organization, such as but not limited to weather, prevailing ice conditions, avalanche threads, polar bears threads ashore, expedition staff injuries etc. On all our transactions the general terms and conditions of Oceanwide Expeditions b.v. apply,

18 registered at the Chamber of Commerce, Middelburg, the Netherlands. File nr.: Upon request, a free copy will be provided *Charters may follow another itinerary in dialogue with the charterer North Spitsbergen Longyearbyen Longyearbyen NOO16 Arctic Summer June 01 June nights aboard Noorderlicht RVR19 Arctic Summer June 01 June nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR20 * Arctic Summer June 10 June nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn NOO17 Arctic Summer June 12 June nights aboard Noorderlicht RVR21 * Arctic Summer June 19 June nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn NOO18 Arctic Summer June 23 July nights aboard Noorderlicht RVR22 * Arctic Summer June 28 July nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn NOO19 *Arctic Summer July 04 July nights aboard Noorderlicht RVR23 * Arctic Summer July 08 July nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR24 * Arctic Summer July 18 July nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn NOO23 Arctic Autumn Aug 29 Sept nights aboard Noorderlicht Day 1: After arriving in Longyearbyen, the capital (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration In the evening we sail, setting course for Trygghamna where we will see the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Pomor hunting station, which we will visit the next morning. Day 2: From Trygghamna we walk to Alkhornet a large seabird cliff, where the birds are prospecting their breeding places. Below the cliffs is a den of Arctic Fox and Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. In Forlandsundet we visit a haul out place of Walrus at Poolepynten if sea conditions allows. Day 3: Today we sail into Fuglefjorden with views on Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, with breeding places for Great Skuas and good chances for bears. In Birgerbukta we find blubber ovens of the Basques. We will try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while Arctic Skua and Common Eider breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers. Day 4: Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seal, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bear and Beluga. Jermaktangen, at the fjord s eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea. Day 5: If sea-ice conditions allow, we may land on the northern-side of Reindyrsflya, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area s lakes offer good chances of spotting Red-throated Diver and King Eider. Day 6: (not on voyages RVR19, 20, 21). We sail into Liefdefjorden and look Worsleyneset where King Eiders and Grey Phalaropes nest. Chances that fjord-ice is blocking our way to the front of Monacobreen and to the Warm springs in Bockfjord are there, but the life along the edge of the fjord ice is spectacular (chances for Bearded Seals, Polar Bears, foraging seabirds) Day 7: In the morning we land at Fuglesangen, where we can sit near the Little Auks. Sailing southwards we visit Magdalenafjorden, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier faces. During a shore visit we will view the remains of 17th century English whaling activities. We can also visit some big seabird colonies particularly noteworthy for their Little Auk

19 Day 8: Today we will visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions (Amundsen and Nobile for example). Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Common Eider, Arctic Tern and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The reindeers here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds. Day 9: In the morning we sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14 th of July Glacier where we cruise in zodiacs. Not far from the glacier we see a breeding site for Brünnich s Guillemot, Auk and Puffin. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to a relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants. Day 10: On our way south, we will try to make a landing on Fuglehuken, where we see many remains form the Polar Bear hunting era. There are large seabird colonies and a haul out place for harbour seals. Alternatively we land on the coast of Forlandsundet at Engelskbukta or Sarstangen. Occasionally Walrus are hauled out here. The tundra offers some great walking in a beautiful setting. Day 11: (not on voyages RVR19, 20, 21, 23, 24). In the morning we find ourselves on Bohemanflya an extensive tundra area with their own avifauna and spectacular geological formations along the coast. In Gipsvika deep inside Isfjorden were we will go ashore near the majestic cliff of Templet. It is a stunning area with spectacular mountains eroded into shape in the sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous created around 290 mio years ago. Day 12: (Voyage RVR23, 24 : Day 11 ; and voyages RVR19, 20, 21 : Day 10) Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer

20 Around Spitsbergen Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen NOO20 * Jul 15 Jul nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO21 * Jul 30 Aug nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO22 * Aug 14 Aug nights aboard Noorderlicht Day 1: After arriving in Longyearbyen, the capital (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the evening we sail, setting course for Trygghamna where we will see the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Pomor hunting station, which we will visit the next morning Day 2: From Trygghamna we walk to Alkhornet a large seabird cliff. Below the cliffs is a den of Arctic Fox which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. In Forlandsundet we visit a haul out place of Walrus. Day 3: Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen. We also land on Ytre Norskøya where there are many graves dating from whaling days. Day 4 15: Today we start by sailing either to Sorgfjord or to Murchison Bay, on the north side of which there is an extensive dry tundra, home to many reindeer. There is also is a Swedish research station here. The next days we continue through Hinlopen Strait were we are surrounded by icecaps. We will land in Lomfjord, a beautiful fjord surrounded by high mountains. Augustabukta is a lovely open bay close to a glacier which is crevasse-free, allowing us to walk without difficulties. On a nearby cliff the rare and beautiful Ivory Gull nests, together with Black Guillemot. Reindeer, Polar Bear and Walrus are usually seen in this area. We next sail towards the impressive Bråsvell glacier. We may take an excursion on Svartknausflya, a desolate polar desert almost devoid of vegetation, or visit Wilhelmøya, which has raised beaches littered with sub fossilised whale skeletons, and where encounters with Polar Bear are likely. Sailing through the narrow Heleysundet between Spitsbergen and Barentsøya can only be done against the current, a very spectacular journey. As an alternative, if conditions do not favour us, we will sail through Freemansundet. At Kapp Lee, we walk in beautiful Rosenbergdalen to see reindeer. In Diskobukta we visit a large colony of Kittiwake which nest in a canyon. Arctic Fox and Polar Bear with young, often roam through the canyon, scavenging on young, flightless birds which fall from the ledges. On the raised beaches there are many sub fossilised whale skeletons. Continuing our exploration of southern Spitsbergen, we sail into the labyrinth of side fjords in Hornsund. At Brepollen, a large glacial deposit at the head of the fjord, we will sail along a beautiful glacier front with good chances of seeing Bearded Seal and Polar Bear. The geological formations in this area are very spectacular and colourful. We will also pay a visit to the Polish research station at Isbjørnhamna, where the friendly crew will discuss their scientific programs. On our way to Longyearbyen we sail into Bell Sund to reach Ahlstrandhalvøya, with its interesting geological formations and the remains of the 20th century Beluga hunting. It is still a good area for observing Beluga. If time allows we will pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen, or to Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement. Day 16: Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer

21 Central Spitsbergen Longyearbyen -Longyearbyen NOO24 *Arctic Autumn Sep 09 Sep nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO25 Arctic Autumn Sep 16 Sep nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO26 Arctic Autumn, Aurora borealis Sep 23 Sep nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO27 Arctic Autumn, Aurora borealis Sep 30 Oct nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO28 Arctic Autumn, Aurora borealis Oct 07 Oct nights aboard Noorderlicht NOO29 Arctic Autumn, Aurora borealis Oct 14 Oct nights aboard Noorderlicht The autumn Spitsbergen voyages, at the onset of winter, are ideal for observing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Day 1: After arriving in Longyearbyen, the capital (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a high cliff. Below the cliffs we often see Arctic Fox and reindeer. We continue to Trygghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station. Day 2 5: We leave Trygghamna early in the morning and sail to the north side of Bellsund. Bellsund is a fjord system with two major branches (Van Mijenfjord, Van Keulenfjord) and one smaller side bay (Recherchefjord). The geology is fascinating and has created amazing landscapes, such as the long, narrow island of Akseløya that blocks Van Mijenfjord almost completely. In Fridtjovhamna, the calving glacier Fridtjovbreen is surrounded by picturesque mountains. The rich wildlife of the area has attracted hunters throughout several centuries - we will walk in their footsteps and see remains of their huts - for example, at Ahlstrandhalvøya. Recherchefjord is one of the places in Spitsbergen with the highest concentration of historical sites, dating back to 17th century whalers and the mining period of the early 20th century. The glacier Recherchebreen ends at a lagoon, likely to be frozen in October, with many smaller icebergs. Polar Bear are likely to be present anywhere in the Bellsund area, and we will keep a keen watch to find them. We have also seen Beluga (white whales) in this area. Day 6: We will pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen, or to Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement. Day 7: We sail into the inner reaches of the Isfjord system, where during nights with open sky we will experience temperatures of minus 10 degrees C, and new ice will be forming on the heads of the fjords. Day 8: Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo

22 s/v Rembrandt van Rijn East Greenland 2018 Day by Day Itinerary All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and of the opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board of a historic traditional sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: the boat is equipped with sails and these will be used in good conditions (open sea, water depth, appropriate wind conditions, time availability). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or other propulsion method. If sails are used, the crew operates them. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots. Spitsbergen - North East Greenland Longyearbyen Constable Pynt RVR25 * July 28 Aug nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn Day 1: After arriving in Longyearbyen, the capital (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration In the evening we sail, setting course for Trygghamna where we will see the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Pomor hunting station, which we will visit the next morning. Day 2: From Trygghamna we walk to Alkhornet a large seabird cliff, where the birds are prospecting their breeding places. Below the cliffs is a den of Arctic Fox, and Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. In Forlandsundet we visit a haul out place of Walrus at Poolepynten if sea conditions allows, or at Sarstangen. Day 3: Today we sail into Fuglefjorden with views on Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, with breeding places for Great Skuas and good chances for bears. Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seal, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bear and Beluga Day 4 Another day in North Spitsbergen. Day 5 7: At sea. On our way to Greenland, we may see the edge of the East Greenland sea-ice. We keep watch for whales, and also for migrating seabirds. Day 8: If we have experienced fair winds we will attempt to sail into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten in the late afternoon or evening. Beyond the old hunters hut (in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted here for Polar Bear and Arctic Fox) there is an extensive tundra populated by Musk Oxen. The small lakes are home to geese. Day 9: We sail through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches choked with huge icebergs. In the evening we will reach the incredible Teufelschloss. This prominent mountain is part of the socalled Eleonora Bay super group: Sedimentary rocks which was created between mio years ago to a depth of 16 kilometres. The scenery will be dominated by this unique geology during the next days. Day 10: We will land at Blomster Bugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic Hare are usually seen here, and Noah Lake sometimes offer Great Northern Diver and their young. Musk oxen are also often spotted in the area and the hiking opportunities are phenomenal. In the afternoon we will venture deeper into Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord and find shelter in Renbugten. Huge icebergs and spectacular scenery will accompany us throughout the passage of this relatively narrow fjord system

23 Day 11: Today we try to land in Renbugten in the search for Muskoxen and Arctic hare. At lunch time we will head eastwards and into Antarctic Sound and enjoy the views of the ancient sedimentary rocks and witness what plate tectonics have done to the once horizontal layers. We aim at arriving at Maria Ø before nightfall. Day 12: We head into Kong Oscars Fjord and aim to make landfall in the afternoon near Menander Øer; Another spectacular place offering good walking opportunities and chances of large land mammals. Day 13: Kong Oscars Fjord is one of the largest fjords in the area and as we continue to sail east we land in Antarctic Havn. The second half of the day we spend in this wide and extensive valley where we also could see groups of Musk Oxen. At this time of year the autumnal colours of the sparse vegetation make the landscapes even more beautiful. Intriguing geo-politics played out here in the early 1930 ies between Norway and Denmark. Day 14: At sea. Throughout the day we will be at sea. The goal is to enter the largest fjord system in the World: Scoresbysund. Day 15: At Danmark Ø we find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular tent rings of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. During the afternoon we sail along the east side of Milne Land with numerous huge icebergs all around. Day 16: We land near Sydkap in the morning for the spectacular views. Arctic hare are often seen in this area. During lunch we get a glimpse of the entrance to Nordvestfjord in Scoresby Land. Here we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400m deep here. Day 17: We land at Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of Seal, Musk Ox and Polar Bear. Day 18: In the morning we land on the south coast of Jameson Land near Kap Stewart at a lagoon, an area with waders and geese collecting for the autumn migration. The landscape here is gently undulating. Musk Oxen and Collared Lemming survive on the meagre vegetation. Further inside Hurry Inlet we may take a walk near the head of the fjord and take a walk near one of the rivers terminating here. We may opt to do an excursion near Hareelv and climb J. P. Kochs Fjeld. In this area they found the fossils of the link between fish and amphibians in the lower Cretaceous. We spend the night at anchor off Constable Pynt. Day 19: We make our final landing at the airfield of Constable Pynt and fly with chartered plane to Reykjavik

24 Scoresby Sund Constable Pynt Constable Pynt RVR26 * B Aug 15 Aug nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR27 Aurora Borealis Aug 25 Sep nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR28 * Aurora Borealis Sep 05 Sep nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR29 * Aurora Borealis Sep 15 Sept nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR30 * Aurora Borealis Sep 26 Oct nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn Day 1: We arrive by charter plane from Reykjavik at Constable Pynt, the airfield at the head of Hurry Inlet. The area has a fantastic geology. Day 2: We sail along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near a glacier, like Måne Glacier or in Vikingebugt. Day 3: We land on Danmarks Ø where there are remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular tent rings of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. Day 4-6 (Days 4-5 on RVR 26, 28, 30): We continue our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with icebergs and try to land on Røde Ø, where we see incredible beautiful sandstone formations with basalt intrusions and a back ground of myriads of contrasting blue ice-bergs. If the ice conditions allow we will attempt to navigate Røde Fjord famed for its beauty. It is a fantastic alternating landscape with the red sedimentary rocks to the west completing the amazing scenery all around. We may find a good place to land and take a walk in the autumn vegetation with good chances to see Muskoxen and guaranteed amazing views. Day 7 (Day 6 on RVR 26, 28, 30): We go ashore at C. Hofman Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigan and at sea, the Great Northern Diver. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch change colour. Arctic Blueberry and Crowberry add their own colourful touch - the berries are tasty too! In the evening we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal colours of the vegetation on shore, backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs. Day 8 (Day 7 on RVR 26, 28, 30): We sail through one of the most spectacular Fjords in the world. Ø Fjord is almost 40 nm long, only a few nm wide and with mountains of up to 2000 meters high on each side. Large icebergs are drifting through as the depth reaches more than 1000 meters. We aim to find shelter in Jyttehavn on the so-called Bjørneøer (Bear Islands) and may make a landing in the later afternoon. Day 9 (Day 8 on RVR 26, 28, 30): On our way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400 m deep here. We land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland Whale and using their vertebrae to build the houses. Day 10 (Day 9 on RVR 26, 28, 30): We visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 400 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, Musk Oxen and Polar Bears

25 Day 11 (Day 10 on RVR 26, 28, 30): In the morning we land on the south coast of Jameson Land near Kap Stewart at a lagoon, an area with waders and geese collecting for the autumn migration. The landscape here is gently undulating. Musk Oxen and Collared Lemming survive on the meagre vegetation. Further inside Hurry Inlet we may land near the head of the fjord and take a walk near one of the rivers terminating here. We may opt to do an excursion near Hareelv and climb J. P. Kochs Fjeld. In this area they found the fossils of the link between fish and amphibians in the lower Cretaceous. We spend the night at anchor off Constable Pynt. Day 12 (Day11 on RVR 26, 28, 30): We make our final landing at the airfield of Constable Pynt and fly with chartered plane to Reykjavik. * Charters may follow another itinerary in collaboration with the charterer Scoresby Sund Iceland Aurora Borealis Constable Pynt Akureyri RVR31 * Oct 06 Oct nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn Day 1: We arrive by charter plane from Reykjavik at Constable Pynt the airfield at the head of Hurry Inlet. Day 2: We sail along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near a glacier, like Måne Glacier or in Vikingebugt. Day 3: We land on Danmark Ø where there are the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular tent rings of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. Day 4-5: We will explore the area around the eastern entrance to the majestic Ø Fjord and the amazing area around the mouth of Nordvest Fjord where we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400 m deep here.. We may land at Jytte Havn and near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland Whale and using their vertebrae to build the houses. Day 6: We visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 400 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, Musk Oxen and Polar Bears. Day 7: Stewart ø is an important hunting station for the people from Scoresby Sund. It is a good area for Narwhal. There are also beautiful remains of Thule houses. Day 8: Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord give us the opportunity to sail far inland as they have no glacier front at the head and they are not clogged with glacier ice. This is an area with best chances to see Polar Bears and Narwhal. Day 9 10: At sea with great opportunities to see the Aurora Borealis, while sailing under canvas. Day 11: Arrival at Akureyri, and transfer by chartered bus to Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, Adalstraeti 16 in Reykjavik (6 hours)

26 North Iceland - Aurora Borealis, Arctic Circle & whales Akureyri Akureyri RVR32 Oct 16 Oct nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR33 Oct 19 Oct nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn RVR34 Oct 22 Oct nights aboard Rembrandt van Rijn Day 1: Embarkation in Akureyri at hrs. The ship will leave port in the early evening and will sail north towards the island of Grimsey. Late night arrival and anchor outside town. At night we might see Aurora borealis (Northern Lights). Day 2: Depending on weather conditions we will attempt a zodiac landing on the island of Grimsey in the morning. We will take a guided walk across the Arctic Circle. There is a sign on the island which marks the coordinate 66,34 degree North. The Arctic Circle is the most northerly of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. After lunch back on the ship, we depart towards the small town of Husavik. While sailing across Skjafandi Bay we hope to see whales. In the evening we arrive near Husavik and the ship will anchor outside town. Day 3: We will spend the morning in town of Husavik with free time ashore and the possibility to visit the whale museum (entrance fee not included). Lunch will be served onboard. In the afternoon the ship will sail across Skjafandi Bay with good chances to witness Humpback whales, Minke whales, White-beaked dolphins and Harbour porpoise. We spend the night at sea, and arrive in Akureyri in the early morning hours. Day 4: Disembarkation in Akureyri after breakfast at hrs (no bus provided on this day)