North Spitsbergen Basecamp
Hiking, kayaking and photography, with Ortelius as your comfortable expedition base.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Book with experienced expedition guides. Independent advice, personal support and no EA service fee.
Why we picked it
For travellers who want to participate as well as observe, Basecamp makes the activities central to the voyage.
The ship stays in fewer areas for longer, creating more time for outings. We would match this to someone who values hiking, kayaking and photography over covering the greatest possible distance around Svalbard.
Kayaking, hiking and photography workshops form part of the Basecamp programme.
Easier walks and Zodiac excursions are available for those who prefer them.
Longer in selected locations, with the day’s activities shaped by conditions.
Considering this voyage? Ask our team how its cabins, activities and overall trip compare with other Arctic options.
Enquire about this voyagePersonal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Arctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our polar guiding experience helps you understand sea conditions, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Get practical flight, packing and preparation guidance, plus a pre-departure call with a regional guide. We can book your hotels and transfers with no extra booking fee.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage overview
A west and north Spitsbergen expedition with an activity programme around sheltered fjords, historic coastlines and glacier scenery.
All Basecamp activities are included, with onboard sign-ups and plans adapted to weather, wildlife and safe operating conditions. This is a ship-based voyage; “Basecamp” does not mean sleeping ashore.
Day-by-day plan
Longyearbyen and Isfjorden
Join Ortelius in Longyearbyen. After settling in and attending the safety briefings, sail out through Isfjorden towards the west coast. We help align your travel arrangements with the operator’s embarkation advice.
Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund
The activity programme starts around Blomstrandhalvøya in Kongsfjorden. Later, Ny-Ålesund may provide a walk through polar exploration and research history. The ship then heads towards the sheltered waters of Krossfjorden.
The northwest coast
Around Amsterdamøya, a walk may pass traces of a seventeenth-century whaling station. Fair Haven’s islands offer further opportunities to explore by water and on foot, with activities selected to suit conditions.
Raudfjorden
Raudfjorden brings glacier scenery, seabird cliffs and coastal vegetation. The expedition team balances planned activities with opportunities to observe seals and other wildlife safely.
Liefdefjorden and Monaco Glacier
Cruise towards Monaco Glacier when ice allows. Kittiwakes may gather along the glacier front, while the Texas Bar and Hornbækpollen areas offer hiking possibilities. A west-coast alternative is used if the fjord is inaccessible.
A flexible day in North Spitsbergen
This reserve day gives the team room to choose the best location for more outdoor activities. The programme follows the weather and wildlife situation, with opportunities for photography, walks or kayaking when suitable.
Forlandsundet or St. Johns Fjord
Look for walrus around the coast of Prins Karls Forland, or explore a sheltered fjord. Alkhornet is another possible landing, where birds nest above tundra visited by reindeer. Return towards Longyearbyen later in the day.
Disembark in Longyearbyen
Your expedition ends in Longyearbyen. Continue with a local stay or your onward journey, with transfers confirmed against the operator’s selected flight arrangements.
Indicative operator programme. Weather, ice, permissions, community arrangements and wildlife determine the final route. Images illustrate the region and experience; sightings and individual landings cannot be guaranteed.
Dates & departures
Selected published departures are shown below. Ask us to confirm the current schedule, ship and cabin availability for your preferred dates.
2027 sailings
| Starts | Ends | Ship |
|---|---|---|
| 23 June | 30 June | Ortelius |
Plan your voyage
Ask about this voyage, check availability or request a quote. We’ll confirm the complete trip cost, inclusions and any applicable operator offers for your chosen departure.
Enquire about this voyagePersonal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Life aboard Ortelius
A traditional expedition ship carrying up to 108 passengers in 50 cabins, with open decks, a bar and lecture room.
Explore the ship’s shared spaces and watch the operator’s tour below. The six cabin categories are shown together in the following section.
Tour Ortelius
Oceanwide’s ship tour. Watch on YouTube
A glimpse of Svalbard
An operator film of the region, not a promise of this eight-day route. Watch on Vimeo
Choose your cabin
Compare the categories below, then ask us about the best location and layout for you. Images are representative; individual cabins can vary. Availability and sole-use options depend on the departure.
Quadruple Porthole
12.4-14.1 m²
Four berths arranged as upper and lower bunks, two portholes and private shower/WC.
Triple Porthole
Triple share
An upper/lower bunk plus a single lower berth, two portholes and private shower/WC.
Twin Porthole
11.4-15.1 m²
Two lower berths, two portholes and private shower/WC. A practical starting point for two travelling together.
Twin Window
17.5-17.7 m²
Two lower berths, two windows and private shower/WC, with more floor space than the entry twin.
Twin Deluxe
17.7 m²
Two lower berths, three windows, a small sofa, refrigerator and tea/coffee facilities, with private shower/WC.
Superior
18.4-20.4 m²
A double bed and sofa bed, at least two windows, refrigerator and tea/coffee facilities, with private shower/WC.
What the voyage includes
See what your voyage fare covers and what to allow for beyond the ship.
Included in your fare
- Your stay aboardSeven nights in your chosen cabin, plus onboard meals, snacks, tea and coffee.
- Expedition programmeZodiac excursions, expedition staff and onboard lectures.
- Equipment on loanBoots and snowshoes for the voyage.
- Programme feesPort and service charges, AECO fees and programme governmental taxes.
- Useful extrasPre-departure material, a reusable water bottle and 1.5 GB of Wi-Fi data per guest, per day.
Budget separately
- Travel to LongyearbyenFlights and any travel outside the confirmed transfer arrangements.
- Time ashoreHotels and meals before or after your voyage.
- Travel insuranceArrange suitable cover for your trip.
- Personal spendingBar purchases, other personal expenses and customary gratuities.
- Arrival and departure taxesGovernment arrival and departure taxes are excluded.
Selected Longyearbyen flight transfers and baggage handling are included only when confirmed by Oceanwide. We’ll check your flight plans against those arrangements before you book.
Svalbard wildlife rules require a minimum distance of 500 metres from polar bears from 1 March to 30 June, and 300 metres from 1 July. This seasonal change does not relax other landing restrictions or guarantee closer encounters. The expedition team follows current rules, permissions and safe operating conditions. AECO polar bear guidance.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your wishes, dates and questions. We’ll help you choose with confidence.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage information
Details checked 2 October 2026 against the official operator itinerary. Photographs and films are credited to their respective operators and photographers. Ask Expedition Advisory for the current programme and booking terms.