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Svalbard in Summer

Experiencing the summer in Svalbard is a unique adventure. The Midsummer Sun sets in, making day and night one and allowing you to scout and take photographs all night long. Nature is at its height, and birds are breeding. The fjords are no longer fully covered in ice, granting us better access to the glacier fronts.
Summer brings large numbers of whales, seals and birds to Svalbard, and the tundra blooms. With less pack ice surrounding the archipelago, we sail further northeast to explore the northern border.

Trip information

Svalbard is without a doubt one of the purest and wildest places in Europe. Remote, yet easy to reach, you set foot on the archipelago after flying across the Barents Sea. Usually departing from Oslo or Tromsö, you can already admire the snow-covered peaks, glaciers and frozen fjords from the air. Very few people venture to the north of the islands in early summer. This trip is for those who look to make unique images in one of the most unspoiled parts of the world.

The waters surrounding Svalbard are our playground. After we lift our anchor and get the engine running, the itinerary depends on nature and climate. The presence of wildlife, the weather and the ice conditions are unpredictable, so patience and flexibility are the keys to a successful expedition!

Everyone is welcome on this photo tour, whether you are a beginner or a pro. Taking pictures is not a prerequisite, as long as you love adventure and have a lot of patience. We base our planning on the best photo opportunities on deck, aboard the Zodiac or on land. Count on me to answer any questions, inspire you to try out new techniques and point out fresh perspectives. Come and explore!

Summary

Expedition Period

From
18/06/2024
To
27/06/2024

Start - End

Longyearbyen - Svalbard - Longyearbyen

How Many days?

9 nights

Condition

Easy to moderate, comfortable, Midsummer Sun!

Pricing

Shared twin cabin: € 9900
Single cabin: € 10 900

INCLUDED

2 experienced guides, daily excursions, all meals, lectures onboard, passenger fees for landings/ Svalbard

NOT INCLUDED

Services before and after the expedition, any hotelnights before and after the trip, mandatory insurance, alcoholic beverages onboard

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…

Oscar Westman

Oscar Westman

Oscar started his career at sea in 2002, navigating Norwegian fishing vessels. After graduating as a Commercial Yachtmaster in the…

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 with small, ice-strengthened vessels that we have chosen exclusively 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, exploring the waters around Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland or Norway. She will safely take you to places other expedition ships never visit. Traveling in a small group offers 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. There is a dining area on board for breakfast, lunch and two-course dinners. Coffee and tea are available 24 hrs a day.

Expedition stories

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