Home » National Geographic photographer Stefano Unterthiner

Stefano Unterthiner join us regularly for doing workshops we now have named Masterclass onboard. Stefano recently gave out his book about climate changes on Svalbard.

Growing up in the mountains of Northwest Italy, Stefano Unterthiner began serious photography at the age of 17, went on to study zoology and, in the fall of 2000, obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). After completing his studies, Stefano returned to Italy and began his career as a zoologist. But his camera was always at his side, and it was not long before his hobby turned into an all-consuming lifestyle and profession.

His first award was in 2000, when Unterthiner won the prestigious Mario Pastore prize for best Italian ‘Young Environmental Journalist’. Unterthiner now travels around the world in search of new subjects for his photo stories. He specialises in telling the life stories of animals, living in close contact with his chosen species for long periods. He also has a strong commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental issues, with a particular interest in human-wildlife conflict and coexistence.

Stefano is a regular contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine, he’s the author of eight photography books and a multi-award winner in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. He lives with his wife Stéphanie and their children Rémi and Bahia in the Aosta Valley, Italy.

Read his blog he made for Leica "Beyond the fjord and among the ice" in 2022.

Stefano Unterthiner
Stefano during a project he did for National Geographic some years ago.

Stefano will join us also in 2023 and 2024. You can read about the Masterclass we do in 2023 here.

Upcoming Svalbard tours

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Golden Eagle photo hides 2023-2024

The Golden eagle hides are open for booking during the season 2022-2023. Please send us your inquiry and we will help you.

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Svalbard Winter expedition 2024

Svalbard travel photography on Svalbard, every day is different, and every year is different. Arctic Wildlife Tours guides leads this winter expedition on Svalbard, a remote area we know well…

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6 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard Winter expedition#2 2024

Travel with us and experience this Svalbard winter photo cruise for wildlife photography on Svalbard. Arctic Wildlife Tours guides leads this winter expedition on Svalbard, a remote area we know…

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4 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard Winter exclusive 2024

Join our photography expedition hosted by Nat Geo photographer Stefano Unterthiner and Arctic Wildlife Tour experienced guides

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3 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Early season May 1 – 9 expedition 2024 MS Virgo

Arctic Wildlife Tours do this early May expedition on Svalbard in 2022. We will be using the expedition ship MS Virgo for this wildlife expedition, which is a recently refurbished…

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Peak Wildlife season Svalbard June 10 – 19 2024

Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…

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1 SPOT AVAILABLE

Peak Wildlife season Svalbard June 19 – 28 2024

Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…

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Peak Wildlife season Svalbard June 28 – July 07 2024

Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…

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2 SPOTS (1 DOUBLE CABIN)

Main Wildlife season Svalbard July 07 – 17 2024

Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…

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SOLD OUT!

Main Wildlife Season Svalbard July 17 – 27 2024

Svalbard photo tours and small vessel cruises in mid summer to photograph and experience the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours, providing great opportunities to see Svalbard's…

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2 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Main Wildlife season Svalbard August 06 – 16 2024

Svalbard wildlife photography tour in the late summer and early autumn to spend more time in the drift ice searching for Polar Bears and other wildlife.

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1 SPOT AVAILABLE

Main Wildlife season Svalbard August 16 – 26 2024

Svalbard wildlife photography tour in the late summer and early autumn to spend more time in the drift ice searching for Polar Bears and other wildlife.

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5 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Late Autumn season Svalbard September 05 – 15 2024

In September we expect to spend days into the drift ice far north and east of Svalbard. Our goal is to photograph polar bears and other wildlife in golden light.

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NEW! 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard September 14 – 24 2024 Expedition MV Kinfish

September light photo expedition where we expect to sail into the drift ice far north and east of Svalbard to find find polar bears and other wildlife.

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