Join Rinie van Meurs on an 8-day Svalbard Explorer Photo Tour aboard the MV Explorer, where you have the chance to get up close and photograph glaciers and sea ice while developing your photography skills in the field with a highly experienced expedition leader. On this tour, you also have the opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, and whales. In addition, you have the chance to photograph and explore the coastline by Zodiac landing craft and learn about the area from expert Svalbard guides.
Highlights
Visit Prins Karls Foreland and encounter whales, belugas and walruses
Venture up to the edge of the sea ice in search of polar bears
Learn photographic techniques while exploring the frozen north-west coast
Discover the scenic beauty surroundings and rich history of Longyearbyen
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your Svalbard photography voyage embarks in Longyearbyen, the most northerly town on earth. Upon leaving the Port of Longyearbyen, you say goodbye to civilization for the next 8 days and begin to explore the rugged coastline, searching for landscape and wildlife photography opportunities at every stage. As you sail north, you are likely to encounter glaciers and sea ice, which make the perfect photo subjects. Early in the season, the exact route is determined by the sea ice conditions, which vary from year to year.
As the ship leaves the Isfjord, keep a good lookout on deck for whales and other marine life that are common in this area. It is common to encounter many species of marine life in this area including blue and humpback whales, belugas, and walruses. Today's aim is to land on the island of Prins Karls Foreland and do a short hike or Zodiac cruise to a walrus colony. Here, you will spend some unhurried time observing and photographing the walruses as they swim and haul out onto the beach.
During these days, we sail as far north as possible along the west coast of Spitsbergen, keeping a lookout for wildlife including polar bears that inhabit the area. The ultimate plan if the conditions allow is to venture up to the edge of the sea ice and spend some time there searching for polar bears that use the sea ice to hunt from. The sea ice itself is a mesmerizing photography subject, and in calm conditions, it is possible to launch the landing craft to cruise in between the ice. We then explore the frozen north-west coast, travelling as far as the ice will allow in search of photography opportunities.
Day 8: Longyearbyen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Longyearbyen this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home.
Please note that 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.
$9,360
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Double Suite (Type A)
Cabin size: 17 m² located on deck 3 with double bed, en suite shower and toilet, corner desk & chair, wardrobe and a window & door with direct deck access
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Single Suite (Type B)
Cabin size: 11 m² located on deck 3 with single bed, en suite shower and toilet, desk & chair and a wardrobe
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Double / Twin Superior (Type C)
Cabin size: 17 m² located on deck 1 with twin or double bed, en suite shower and toilet, portholes, desk & chair and a wardrobe
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Double / Twin (Type D)
Cabin size: 14 m² located on deck 1 with twin or double bed, en suite shower and toilet, portholes, desk & chair and a wardrobe
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 our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
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.
