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Days
14
Price from
551325
Map of Spitsbergen Photography Adventure including Norway and Svalbard And Jan Mayen Islands

Capture the best of the Arctic’s wilderness

Chart a course along Svalbard’s coastline and explore the spectacular Arctic wilderness on a 14-day polar expedition, led by expert photographers and guides. Take advantage of continuous daylight to search for Arctic wildlife including walruses, whales, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer and the powerful polar bear. Reach areas that larger ships can’t access and make Zodiac landings to hike the colourful tundra and photograph wildlife up close. This one-off adventure is the perfect way to capture the stunning scenery, history and wildlife of this untouched region.

Start
Oslo, Norway
Finish
Oslo, Norway
Destinations
Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Style
Peregrine
Theme
Polar
Code
PPPA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 199

Peregrine trips are now operated by Intrepid Travel

Why you'll love this trip

  • Capture the raw beauty of the Svalbard archipelago with help from photography experts, who are available to coach you through camera and editing skills delivered in onboard classes and seminars.

  • Up to twice-daily Zodiac excursions mean there’s plenty of opportunities to get up close to glaciers, icebergs and all manner of Arctic wildlife.

  • There’s no denying that the weather will be on your side on this cruising schedule. Setting off to voyage in almost 24 hours’ sunlight each day, a midnight stargaze will be a daylight sightsee!

  • As you cruise the Arctic waters, join your expert expedition crew in a number of educational lectures and seminars presented by historians, glaciologists and marine biologists.

  • Search the swathes of Arctic tundra for polar bears, stopping to document these encounters on camera. Your flexible itinerary takes wildlife movement into account to maximise sightings.

Is this trip right for you?

  • As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are freezing. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details on what to bring.

  • Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. If waves are choppy it can get cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you have dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry.

  • Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Internal stairs are used to navigate between the different levels of the ship, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.

  • The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, while your expedition crew will try their best to stick to an itinerary, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area.

  • This trip takes places during the Arctic summer, which features an incredible 24 hours of daylight. Just one of the benefits of this is that wildlife can be seen at any time of the day.

  • Polar bears are one of the most incredible animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Your expedition leaders are trained in polar bear safety and it is therefore crucial that you follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group. If you catch sight of a bear, never approach it – stay calm and immediately inform your guide. Lastly, never leave food anywhere in an attempt to lure polar bears.

Passengers on board zodiac hold camera and take in scenery
Walrus skeleton discovered in Svalbard.
Walrus in Svalbard
Cruising on Zodiacs in Svalbard.
Polar bear in Svalbard.
Reindeer grazing on slops of Spitsbergen.
Crossing the tundra in Svalbard.
Colourful houses in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

Itinerary
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Welcome to Oslo – Norway’s modern and museum-stuffed capital. You are free to arrive at any time today and make your own way to the pre-expedition accommodation located near the airport – check-in is at 3 pm. This afternoon is free for you to head into Norway city and explore if you wish. Keep in mind that you will have an early morning flight to Longyearbyen scheduled tomorrow, so relaxing this evening is recommended.
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Early this morning, transfer back to Oslo Airport and board a charter flight bound for Longyearbyen. Once arrived, you may have some spare time in Longyearbyen, so perhaps visit the Svalbard Museum or North Pole Expedition Museum to learn more about the environments you will be exploring (and photographing!) in the coming days. You will embark this afternoon, settle into your cabin and have the chance to explore the amenities of your ship. After receiving your polar gear and joining a safety demonstration, meet your expedition crew over a drink at the Captain’s welcome and enjoy an onboard dinner as you begin your voyage.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
You will be transferred from the airport to Longyearbyen town for some free time until the afternoon. Your luggage will then be transferred directly to the ship to be placed in your cabin. A shuttle will be arranged to pick you up from the centre of town later in the afternoon when the ship is ready to depart. A more detailed itinerary of the day’s events will be provided closer to date as part of your final pre-departure briefing.

Prepare for the next ten days of rugged wilderness, spectacular landscapes and unique wildlife sightings as you explore the wonders of Spitsbergen with your camera in hand. Your expert crew will ensure they track ice, sea and weather patterns to maximise wildlife sightings and shore landings, all for the perfect photo opportunities. This voyage has the opportunity to deviate from a rigid itinerary to allow for any changes in weather or special events that present themselves, such as a polar bear sighting over dinner or a herd of Arctic wolves prowling in the distance. Expect to come across puffins, Arctic terns, reindeer and walruses on multiple Zodiac trips and wilderness hikes, cruising past calving glaciers and strolling by fields of colourful tundra. A typical day usually consists of two excursions with lunch served on board; however, if there happens to be any adverse weather or sea conditions, a range of onboard activities will be available, including wildlife presentations, documentary screenings and photography masterclasses, led by your expert polar team. There may also be the chance to truly take a polar plunge into the icy Arctic waters if you dare! Over the course of the voyage, your crew will be dedicated to curating the perfect itinerary so you can capture the best moments, on film and off. One thing is for certain – be sure to check your camera charge each night so you don’t miss a beat.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (11)
  • Lunch (11)
  • Dinner (11)
Special Information
The exact destinations you visit (and when you visit them) are dependent on factors such as weather conditions, sea ice and wildlife movement.

Your Arctic adventure ends back at the frontier settlement of Longyearbyen at 7–8 am, after an overnight sail. After an early morning breakfast, disembark the vessel and transfer to the airport for your charter flight back to Oslo. With no other activities planned after this, you are free to leave Oslo Airport any time after landing.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If you wish to organise an onward connection from Oslo, please book flights departing three hours after your charter flight lands. Exact flight details will be sent to you in the final joining instructions. If you wish to spend more time in Oslo, a Peregrine booking agent can help you organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac

Accommodation

Expedition Cruise Ship 12 nights

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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