Svalbard wildlife
Cruise

July 26 - August 5 2023

SVALBARD PHOTO EXPEDITION LATE SUMMER 2023

Join us for this expedition into the drift ice north and east of Svalbard. The ice around Svalbard is melting earlier each year and we expect the ice has melted nearby the Svalbard islands this time of the year. We will therefor focus on the drift ice further north and east. There we will spend our time searching for polar bears, bowhead whales, seals and birdlife. By experience we know polar bears will be curious and sometimes come very close to our ship.

This expedition will be exclusive and a small ship charter navigating through the Svalbard wilderness and icy waters off the High Arctic. We focus on photographic opportunities but our expeditions are well suited for anyone interested in wildlife experiences. The guides aboard the small vessel MS Origo are Norwegian and Swedish, all of them have years of experience hiking and exploring the Norwegian landscape and Svalbard nature. The expedition ship MS Origo is a well suited ship to do expeditions in Svalbard.

Visiting the drift ice in the north east is something we will do more of in late seasons around Svalbard. Due to climate changes these late season expeditions will be organized like that in the future. Sailing through the drift ice is extremely exciting, at the same time it is the most relaxing experience you can think of. The drift ice is a pristine wilderness floating on the top of the globe. Our small ships carry only small groups of 12 pax and the guides are some of the most experienced you can find.

If you have questions about this expedition please do not hesitate to send an email on [email protected]

Dates: July 26 - August 5, 2023
Duration: 10 nights/11 days
Embark: Longyearbyen, July 26, 16:00
Disembark: Longyearbyen, August 6, 09:00

Twin cabin, private facilities,SOLD OUT
EUR 8900 pr. pax. 

Twin cabin spacious, shared facilities, SOLD OUT 
EUR 7500 pr. pax.

Single cabin, private WC, shared facilities, SOLD OUT 

EUR 8900 pr. pax. 

Please ask us for latest information about availability. The single cabins can also be used as double cabins.

Ship:MS Origo

Practical information

What's included?

Travel Route Svalbard photo expedition

Itinerary

Svalbard is situated at about 80 degrees north, so we schedule the expedition in accordance with prevailing weather and ice conditions. The map on this page shows the estimated route for this expedition. It might change according to ice situation and weather but this route will be possible to do in July. Sometimes we can reach almost 83 degrees north this time of the year. We will spend most of the time searching for Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales, Seals and some of the birdlife we will find in these areas.
We will also visit some interesting places on the islands of Svalbard and we may do some landings for Walruses or other wildlife.

Day 0 We always recommend to arrive Longyearbyen at least one day and night in advance.

Day 1 Departure from Longyearbyen throughout Isfjorden. Heading north to the drifting ice.

Day 2-10 Looking for wildlife around Sjuøyane and up in the drifting ice. Visiting Storøya, or even Kvitøya far east, if the weather is good. Depending on the ice conditions and weather we will choose the route for this Svalbard photo expedition. It will be varying from year to year and the ice conditions is the most important consideration we do before deciding where to go.

The route illustrated in the map on this page is just a estimate for where we will sail. It probably will be changed depending on the ice conditions. Maybe we have to sail much further to the north to reach the ice.

Day 11 Leaving the ship after breakfast and prepare the travel home.

What to expect?

  • Navigate far into the icy north for close-up polar bear encounters
  • Enjoy walking in and sailing through incredible landscapes and breath-taking fjords and waterfalls
  • Enjoy the small group flexibility our expeditions provide. We do what we want, when we want!
  • Get close to the Arctic wildlife and have your chances for stunning images
  • Spend the moments and sometimes long waitings for the extraordinary wildlife encounters with like-minded people
  • Enjoy the amazing light in medio and late August
MS Freya Svalbard
svalbard photo tours
walruses
Booking Information

Booking Inquiry for Svalbard photo expedition

Registration: You register by sending in the booking forms we send you upon your request. This inquiry is not a binding booking.

After sending us an inquiry we will send you the booking forms by email. Send in the completed reservation/booking after receiving them. We will inform you about deposit payments and payment method as soon as you inquire with us. Payments can be done either by wire transfer or credit card payments. Receiving your booking form and a deposit payment will be a confirmed booking.

Booking Inquiry

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READ SOME OF THE BLOGS FROM THE SVALBARD TOURS

Blog posts about Svalbard

stefano unterthiner

National Geographic photographer Stefano Unterthiner

24. January 2023

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…

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svalbard photography opportunities

The return of the Walrus on Svalbard

26. December 2022

The Walrus is one of the species we see more and more in Svalbard. The populations are growing after being almost exterminated back in the 1960`s. The story about the return of the Walrus on Svalbard…

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arctic photography expeditions

Photographer Ömer Acar on photographing polar bears and swimming in polar water

8. November 2022

With a love for spending time in nature, and wanting to photograph wildlife in the arctic circles, Ömer Acar booked a trip to exotic Svalbard through Arctic Wildlife Tours AS.

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