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Svalbard in Summer

Wildlife photography expeditions have always been at the core of our business. With some of Europe’s finest arctic wildlife and landscape photographers, many guests return to further refine their skills and craft. Count on unique opportunities to photograph Polar bears, walrus, Arctic birds, whales, fjords, icebergs and more in the stunning environment of the high arctic.

Traveling with the MS Freya assures the needed comfort, stability, and strength in the ice, with the low decks offering great angles for photography.

Trip information

Are you a nature lover and photographer looking for an unforgettable adventure? Look no further! Join us on a nature photography trip to Svalbard, an archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean.

Onboard our small expedition vessel, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of this unique region. From towering glaciers and rugged mountains to polar bears and arctic foxes, Svalbard has it all.

Our experienced guides will lead you to the best spots for capturing breathtaking photos of the surrounding nature. We’ll also provide you with lectures on the history and culture of the region, as well as tips on how to get the most out of your camera.

This trip is perfect for photographers of all skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pro. We’ll have plenty of time to practice your skills and capture the beauty of the Arctic.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore and photograph the breathtaking beauty of Svalbard. Join us on our nature photography trip and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Summary

Expedition Period

From
27/06/2023
To
06/07/2023

Start - End

Longyearbyen - Svalbard - Longyearbyen

How Many days?

10 days

Condition

Easy to moderate, comfortable, cold!

Pricing

Please contact us for the most recent updates

Where are we going?

Our route will be determined by wind, weather, ice and wildlife. This assures many amazing surprises, but there are some activities we never miss.

  • Cruising in front of the glaciers, with many photographic opportunities with sea birds, ice, landscapes, seals on ice and Polar bears.
  • Pack ice, where larger mammals such as walrus and bearded seal come to rest, and Polar bears come to hunt.
  • A landing at a walrus haul-out, one of the most impressive Svalbard animals. Since the hunting ban of 1952 their population has increased to an estimated 5000.
  • Bird colonies: little auks, black-legged kittiwakes and Brunichs guillemots all come to nest in large numbers and are oblivious to our presence, granting us great photo opportunities.

Day to day

Departure: flight to Longyearbyen, where we check in to the hotel. Being present one day before the departure of the ship is highly recommended, to avoid trouble with cancelled flights or delays. The extra day gives you a great opportunity to experience daily life in the high Arctic.

We embark the MS Freya, which will be our home for the next 8 days. You will explore one of the worlds wildest and most beautiful areas, making daily landings and discovering Arctic wildlife. This is an expedition, so ultimately our route will be determined by wind, weather, ice and the presence of wildlife. Patience and flexibility are the keys to success as we strive for the ultimate Svalbard experience!

After breakfast, we check out of the ship at 9 AM.

Guides

Celina Fester

Celina Fester

Celina is a certified Arctic Nature Guide based in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where she guides travellers either hiking, snowmobiling, out on…

Yves Adams

Yves Adams

A celebrated wildlife and landscape photographer from Belgium, Yves is passionate about the Arctic. This passion has brought him to…

Ship

MS Freya

We work exclusively with small, ice-strengthened vessels that we have chosen carefully for our trips in the high Arctic. The MS Freya is one of our trusted ships. Built in 1980 for the Swedish Coast Guard, this ship ensured that the beacons and lighthouses worked in good order, moving through very tough weather and ice. She classifies as an ice-strengthened ship under Lloyd's highest class. Today, Freya sails in Arctic waters almost year-round. When she's not in Svalbard, you might find her exploring the waters around Iceland, Greenland or northern Norway. This ship will safely take you to places other expedition ships never visit. Traveling in a small group will offer you a truly intimate experience of the beautiful Arctic surroundings. The ship has comfortable double cabins fitted with 220-volt European standard outlets. All cabins feature an ensuite WC and shower and are cleaned daily by the ship's crew. There…

Expedition stories

Introducing Pieter-Jan

Introducing Pieter-Jan

Spring of 2022 marked the first Vega trip for Pieter-Jan D’Hondt. As a biologist, photographer, and nature guide, he specialises…

Introducing Celina

Introducing Celina

9 February 2023

We are delighted to welcome Celina Fester to our team! Celina is a well-travelled and highly trained Arctic Nature guide.…

Introducing Oscar

Introducing Oscar

30 December 2022

Oscar Westman was always at sea. As one of the founders of Vega, he comes from a seafaring family. His…

Introducing Vera

Introducing Vera

4 December 2022

Vera Simonsson is one of the founders of Vega Expeditions. As a certified Arctic guide, glacier instructor and captain, she…

GREENLAND – ARCTIC AUTUMN COLOURS

GREENLAND – ARCTIC AUTUMN COLOURS

27 November 2022

This year I spent September travelling and guiding in Greenland in Scoresby Sund, the biggest fjord system on earth. Along…

Introducing Yves

Introducing Yves

4 November 2022

Yves Adams is a passionate nature and Arctic guide and renowned photographer. Years of experience have brought him to a…

The first to arrive in the east

The first to arrive in the east

22 August 2022

It was late May when we boarded our expedition ship Freya, the earliest summer days in Svalbard. Traveling this early…

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