Discover the beauty of East Svalbard on this 10-day autumn photo tour aboard the MV Vikingfjord. Explore the stunning ice waterfalls, wildlife, and Arctic colors as you capture images of the Austfonna Ice Cap's meltwater streams. Begin your expedition in Longyearbyen before sailing through Isfjord. The next morning, discover the dramatic scenery and walrus colonies of Prins Karls Foreland before exploring the northeast of Svalbard by zodiac. Over the next few days, you have the opportunity to view wildlife such as walruses and polar bears and capture images of the meltwater streams pouring from the edge of the Austfonna Ice Cap. On the final day, you return to Longyearbyen.
Highlights
Discover the mesmerizing waterfalls of the Austfonna Ice Cap
Experience autumn in the Arctic and capture stunning photos of landscapes
Explore Prins Karls Foreland and observe walruses in their natural habitat
Photograph Svalbard's stunning landscapes in the glorious autumn light
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
The expedition departs from Longyearbyen, the most northerly town on earth. You leave the port late in the afternoon. For the next 10 days, you are saying goodbye to civilization as you sail to the far northeast. Whales are active this time of year, and you spend time out on the deck looking for photo opportunities as you sail out through Isfjord. The aim of this expedition is to spend lots of time exploring the nature, scenery, wildlife, and glaciers of Svalbard, and every expedition offers a different experience.
On a daily basis, you launch the Zodiacs to go exploring. During September, undertake lots of Zodiac cruises and shore landings to open up different photography opportunities. On the first morning, you sail alongside Prins Karls Foreland, an island known for its dramatic scenery and walrus colonies. If conditions allow, you land at a walrus colony which offers some great shots of walruses. As you head north, visit some of Svalbard's glaciers bathed in golden light while keeping a good lookout for polar bears that roam the shores.
The plan is to sail around the northwest coast of Spitsbergen to reach the east of Svalbard. At this time of year, there are great photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset to capture Svalbard's stunning landscapes and glaciers in the glorious autumn light. During the days, you launch the Zodiacs and spend lots of time outside exploring wild nature. The area is good for sighting polar bears, and you sail close to the coast, keeping a lookout for wildlife at all times.
As you continue your exploration of the East of Svalbard, you attempt to visit the meltwater waterfalls pouring from the edge of the Austfonna Ice Cap. Alongside spending time capturing this amazing natural spectacle, you go in search of wildlife, which includes walruses that frequent the area, and spend lots of time out on deck scouting for polar bears. You do lots of exploring with the Zodiacs and spend some time exploring ashore in less visited places as you head back south.
Day 10: Longyearbyen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Either late the previous evening or early in the morning, you arrive back at the port of Longyearbyen. Today, your Svalbard photography tour ends after breakfast, when you say your goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure together.
The above itinerary is a guide only. A part of any Arctic adventure is the flexibility to take advantage of the weather and ice conditions. Your expedition leader will make sure you see as much as possible.
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.
$13,875
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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
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours 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
2 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
