Price

€3.275,00 price per person (max. 6 persons)

Guides

Stefan Gerrits & Stijn Smits

Tour description

Svalbard is one of the world’s most spectacular Arctic destinations, a remote wilderness of snow-covered mountains, glaciers, frozen valleys and dramatic coastlines. Located at 78° North, Longyearbyen and its surroundings offer an extraordinary setting for winter photography. In late March, the polar night is behind us and the returning sun brings beautiful soft Arctic light and increasingly long days.

Besides the breathtaking Arctic scenery, Svalbard is home to some very special wildlife. Our main focus will be the Arctic Fox, still in its beautiful winter coat, alongside the Svalbard Reindeer and Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan. We will also look for seabirds and other wildlife, while always keeping an eye on the magnificent landscapes and changing Arctic light.

Are you ready to experience winter at 78° North and photograph the Arctic Fox and other wildlife in one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth? Let us take you on a photography trip into the winter wilderness of Svalbard!

Key experiences

1. Arctic Fox in the wilderness

   The Arctic Fox is our main photographic focus during this Svalbard winter adventure. In late March, the foxes are still wearing their beautiful thick winter coats, making this one of the most rewarding times of year to photograph them against the snow-covered Arctic landscape.

   
   

   We head out in both the morning and afternoon, making the most of the soft Arctic light and periods of increased wildlife activity. Our exact locations depend on recent sightings, weather and conditions. By remaining flexible and working with an experienced local guide, we aim to give ourselves the best possible opportunities to photograph these remarkable animals in their natural environment.
   

   

   
   

2. Svalbard Reindeer, Rock Ptarmigan and more

   Svalbard is home to much more than Arctic Foxes. We will also search for the endemic Svalbard Reindeer and Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan, both superbly adapted to life in the High Arctic. Depending on conditions and location, we may also encounter seabirds and other Arctic wildlife.

   The wildlife is only part of the experience. Snow-covered mountains, frozen valleys, glaciers and coastlines provide spectacular opportunities for landscape photography, while the rapidly changing Arctic light can transform the scenery throughout the day.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Into the Arctic wilderness by snowmobile

   One of the highlights of the trip will be a full-day snowmobile adventure into the Arctic wilderness. Travelling beyond the immediate surroundings of Longyearbyen allows us to explore remote valleys, glaciers, mountains and coastline that would otherwise be difficult to reach. There is no fixed route. We follow the weather, light and latest information on wildlife activity, looking for Svalbard Reindeer, Rock Ptarmigan, seabirds and other photographic opportunities along the way. And although it can never be guaranteed, we are travelling through polar bear country, so there is always the possibility of a distant encounter – naturally, from a safe distance.

Program overview

Below you will find a general itinerary for the trip. Naturally, the program is subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions, so the daily schedule serves as a guideline. The behaviour and location of wildlife will determine the specific daily photographic opportunities and priorities.

For example, Arctic Fox activity or information about other interesting wildlife can provide unique photographic opportunities that may lead us to change our plans immediately. We remain in close contact with our local guide and will adjust the program whenever we believe there is a better photographic opportunity elsewhere.

Svalbard is also home to Polar Bears, and although they are not a specific target of this trip, there is always a possibility of an unexpected encounter while exploring the area. Naturally, any such encounter will be approached with safety as the absolute priority and from an appropriate distance.

As with all wildlife photography, we cannot guarantee any particular sightings. However, the trip is deliberately designed to remain flexible, allowing us to make the most of the wildlife, landscapes, weather and extraordinary Arctic light we encounter each day.

Day 1: Airport pickup & transfer

Upon arrival at Longyearbyen Airport, we will take a taxi to our accommodation, located just outside the town centre. Even around our accommodation, there may already be opportunities to photograph local wildlife.

In the evening, we will have dinner together, discuss the programme for the days ahead and review the latest weather conditions and wildlife activity with our local guide. As always in the Arctic, we remain flexible and ready to make the most of any photographic opportunities that arise.

Day 2-3: Arctic Fox, Svalbard Ptarmigan & Svalbard Reindeer

After breakfast, we head out for our morning photography excursion at around 08:00, making the most of the soft Arctic light and wildlife activity. Our main focus will be the Arctic Fox, while we will also look for Svalbard Reindeer and Svalbard Ptarmigan.

After returning to our accommodation, there will be time for lunch and a break before heading out again at around 16:00 for another 4–5 hour photography session. The later hours can provide beautiful changing light as we move towards the Arctic evening.

Our exact locations will depend on weather conditions, wildlife activity and the latest information from our local guide. We travel mainly by car, combined with walks ranging from a few hundred metres to approximately 2–3 km each way, allowing us to react quickly to the best photographic opportunities.

Day 4: Snowmobile Expedition

After breakfast, we set out for a full-day snowmobile expedition into the Arctic wilderness. Travelling beyond the immediate surroundings of Longyearbyen, we explore valleys, glaciers, mountains and the coastline, with plenty of opportunities for both wildlife and landscape photography.

Along the way, we will look for Svalbard Reindeer, Svalbard Ptarmigan, seabirds and other Arctic wildlife, while making the most of the spectacular scenery and changing light. With some luck, we may even encounter a Polar Bear, always from a safe and appropriate distance.

There is no fixed route for the day. Our local guide will determine the best direction based on weather, snow conditions, wildlife activity and the latest information from the field, giving us the flexibility to make the most of the photographic opportunities Svalbard offers.

Days 5: Arctic Fox, Svalbard Ptarmigan & Svalbard Reindeer

After breakfast, we head out again for a morning photography excursion at around 08:00, focusing primarily on the Arctic Fox, while also looking for Svalbard Reindeer and Svalbard Ptarmigan. By now, we will have a good understanding of recent wildlife activity and can focus our efforts on the most promising locations.

After returning to our accommodation for lunch and a break, we head out again at around 16:00 for our final 4–5 hour photography session, making the most of the beautiful late-afternoon and evening light.

As throughout the trip, the exact programme remains flexible and will depend on weather conditions, wildlife activity and the latest information from our local guide, allowing us to make the most of our final full day in Svalbard.

Days 6: Departure

After breakfast, and depending on our flight schedule, there may be time for an optional final photography session around our accommodation or in the surroundings of Longyearbyen. We then return to our accommodation, collect our luggage and take a taxi transfer to Longyearbyen Airport for our return flight, bringing our winter photography adventure in Svalbard to an end.

General Travel Information

Participant Meeting

Before the trip, we will organize an online participant meeting so you can get to know your fellow travelers and ask any questions about the trip.

Maximum group size

You can book this trip individually or with your own group. The group size is a maximum of 6 people excluding the guides.

Guidance

Depending on your place of departure, you will either travel alone or with a group to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. From there, you will travel to your accommodation.

Accommodation

We will stay in clean and comfortable accommodation just outside the centre of Longyearbyen, providing a welcoming base from which to explore the surrounding Arctic wilderness. Wildlife photography opportunities may even start right around our accommodation.

Accommodation is based on shared double rooms and includes breakfast. Single rooms are available for an additional fee. After a long day of photography, there will be time to relax before dinner. Keeping our evenings flexible also means we are not tied to fixed dining times, allowing us to adapt our plans to weather, wildlife and photographic opportunities.

Passport and Visa

You must have a valid ID card or passport. These must remain valid throughout your stay. A visa is not required for Svalbard.

Extra costs

This trip is available to book starting at €3,275. The supplement for a single room or private use of a double room is €400. There are limited single rooms available.

• 1 person in a shared double room

  If you book this option, you'll share your room with someone of the same gender. The room will have separate beds. If no one of the same gender is available, you'll need to pay the supplement for a single room.

• 2 people in a double room

  This option is perfect for couples or friends traveling together. You can indicate in the booking notes whether you'd like a double bed or two separate beds.

• 1 person in a single room

  This option provides you with your own room, with a supplement for single use. If you are in a double or triple room alone, the same supplement applies.

Materials

We are happy to provide advice on which equipment and other necessities you should bring. Of course, you are free to make your own choices, but always be mindful of the maximum allowed weight for your flight.

Flight and Transportation

You will book the flights yourself, and they are not included in the price. However, we will provide you with ample notice before departure regarding the best flights to book, and we will inform the hotel of your estimated arrival time.

Health and Difficulty

Svalbard does not have any specific health risks different from those in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany. If you do wish to have more information, we recommend consulting the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your departure to stay informed about the latest developments in the country.

Remember to bring any necessary medication with you.

Difficulty: medium

During the photography excursions, we may have to walk through deep snow, with distances ranging from a few hundred metres to approximately 2–3 km each way. Conditions can make these walks physically demanding. The snowmobile expedition also involves spending a full day outdoors in Arctic conditions. Temperatures can be very cold, potentially reaching -20°C to -25°C, while wind can make it feel considerably colder. A reasonable level of fitness and appropriate winter clothing are therefore essential.

Terms and Conditions

What if I need to cancel my trip?

In the event of cancellation, you must inform us as soon as possible. As we also incur cancellation costs from our partners, we will have to pass these on to you according to the schedule below, which is also indicated in the terms and conditions and the travel information provided to you. You can always contact your cancellation insurance provider.

Cancellation fee timelines

• 5 to 3 months before departure: 25% of the total trip cost

• 3 to 2 months before departure: 50% of the total trip cost

• 2 to 1 month before departure: 80% of the total trip cost

• Less than 1 month before departure: 100% of the total trip cost

Extraordinary circumstances

In the event of trip cancellation by the local organization due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions, death, conflicts, or airline disruptions, no refunds will be provided for those reasons. You can always consult your travel insurance provider for assistance.