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Spitsbergen Photography Adventure


Just like a true Arctic adventurer, throw away the itinerary, grab your camera and let wildlife and pack ice decide your route around Svalbard. Guided by your experienced expedition leaders and coached by a team of professional photographers, set off from Longyearbyen and explore the archipelago’s collection of fjords, glaciers and weathered historical sites. 24 hours of daylight will give you plenty of time to search for Arctic wildlife like polar bears and walrus, whales and seabirds, Arctic fox and reindeer. This one-off adventure is the perfect chance to experience the Arctic and bring back incredible images and memories of this unique untouched region.

14 days, from

$13,290

per person

GROUP SIZE

199 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

1
Trip code: BQMSP
Style: Comfort
Theme: Polar

Details

Countries Visited:  Finland Norway
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship (12 nights), Hotel (1 night)
Transportation: Expedition Cruise Ship , Zodiac
Included Meals:

  • 13 breakfasts
  • 11 lunches
  • 13 dinners

Group size: Minimum 1, Max 199

  • Refine your skills and become a photography expert, capturing some of the most remote and extraordinary landscapes on earth. Better yet, you’ve got a team of photography experts on hand to help.

  • See onboard environmental and scientific lectures and seminars to give you all the Spitsbergen knowledge, plus a couple of photography masterclasses to hone your technique.

  • Twice daily zodiac excursions mean there’s plenty of opportunities to get up close to glaciers, icebergs and all types of wildlife. There are more polar bears than people on Svalbard, so get snapping!

  • Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!

  • With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team to maximise wildlife spotting opportunities each day.

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: Helsinki, Finland

Your arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, where you may arrive at any time today. Known for its extraordinary architecture, Helsinki is a great place to spend time, exploring the many museums, galleries and restaurants. Perhaps relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2: Helsinki, Finland - Longyearbyen – Embarkation Day

This morning, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement – where you’ll have some time to explore before boarding the ship. You may want to visit the Svalbard or North Pole museums to learn more about the local history, or perhaps grab a beer at the Svalbard Brewery. After boarding the ship, head out on deck to enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.

Day 3-13: Spitsbergen

The real thrill of adventure comes in not knowing what might come next. Every expedition in Svalbard is unique as the crew must adjust the ship’s course depending on the weather, sea and ice conditions. That way, you’ll be maximising your chances for rare wildlife spotting, going in search for Arctic terns, reindeer and walruses and the mighty polar bear. Who knows when these unique animals will rear their head into view – it may be over dinner, or very (very) early in the morning, so be ready with a charged camera and flexible mindset. An average day on board will include a wakeup call from your expedition leader around 7 am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow passengers for breakfast in the restaurant. You will usually have two excursions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with lunch back on the ship in between. You will head out on multiple Zodiac cruises in and around Spitsbergen, possibly venturing on land among fields of tundra or strolling by nesting puffins. On the off chance that the weather makes shore excursions unsafe, settle into your well-equipped expedition vessel and learn from your expert polar crew in a series of lectures, presentations and photography masterclasses. If the weather’s right, opt-in for an icy polar plunge – jumping into the deep blue Arctic for a mind (and body) numbing experience. The best thing is that, in any weather, the team are dedicated to creating an unforgettable photography-focused Spitsbergen experience, so keep your camera handy so you don’t miss a thing.

Day 14: Longyearbyen – Disembarkation Day – Helsinki, Finland

The time has come to say goodbye. This morning, your expedition finishes as it began in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, transfer to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki. On arrival at Helsinki Airport, your adventure comes to an end, and you are free to leave at any time.