Join this 9-day early-season photo expedition to and from Longyearbyen aboard the MV Vikingfjord and witness Spitsbergen's untamed landscapes emerging from winter depths. This expedition cruise, led by professional photographers, focuses on exploring and capturing Arctic scenery and wildlife before the spring thaw: snow-draped mountains and northern fjords filled with sea ice present excellent photo opportunities.
Highlights
Discover whales, walruses, and other marine life while sailing through Prins Karls Forland
Explore photography opportunities for wildlife in Isfjord
Experience the mesmerizing sea ice and search for polar bears along the northwest coast
Encounter excellent landscape photography scenery and polar bears in Hornsund
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
This Svalbard Photo Expedition departs from Longyearbyen. Upon leaving the port, say goodbye to civilization for eight days to explore the breathtaking Arctic as it emerges from winter. During April, your route will be determined by the sea ice. Sail north or south, depending on the conditions. This expedition offers a chance to encounter the coast of Svalbard, which is rarely seen. Use zodiacs daily to search for the best landscape and wildlife photography opportunities every day.
In Isfjord in April and early May, fjord ice from the winter lines the coast. This is a great place to start scouting for polar bears that move from the land to the sea ice during this time. If conditions allow, it is a great place to use the zodiacs to explore the ice edge and open up close-up photography opportunities for wildlife. After leaving Isfjord, the plan is to sail north, passing Prins Karls Foreland. As the ice recedes from the winter, this area is home to walrus haul-outs.
Day 3-7: Encountering Sea Ice and North-West Spitsbergen
The Northwest coast of Spitsbergen has many highlights and places to photograph, including countless glaciers and snow-covered peaks. Use the zodiacs daily to open up photography opportunities. You may land on the heavily frozen shores on the enormous rafts of fjord ice where possible. If the conditions allow, you may venture up to the edge of the sea ice and spend some time searching for polar bears that use the ice to hunt. The sea ice is a mesmerizing photography subject; in calm conditions, launching the landing craft to cruise between the ice can be possible.
If the time and conditions allow, attempt to sail south to visit Hornsund or Belsund. In late April, there is usually still a great deal of ice blocking the deep fjords, offering excellent landscape photography scenery. It is possible to encounter polar bears hunting along the ice edge of the fjord ice with some terrific set for a background.
Day 9: Longyearbyen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Late in the previous evening or early in the morning, arrive back at the port of Longyearbyen. Today, your Svalbard photo expedition ends. After breakfast, say your goodbyes after making new friends and sharing an excellent adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$13,1052-3 travelers
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Type A - Double with En-Suite
Cabin size: 15 m² with double bed, window, desk & chair, wardrobe and an ensuite shower and toilet. Located on deck 3.
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Type B - Double / Twin with En-suite
Cabin size: 15 m² with twin bed, window, desk & chair, wardrobe and an ensuite shower and toilet. Located on decks 1 & 2.
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Type C - Single Cabin with En-suite
Cabin size: 10 m² with single bed, desk & chair, wardrobe and an ensuite shower and toilet. Located on deck 3.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
