Map of Spitsbergen Photography Adventure including Finland and Norway

Snap your way through the photogenic wilds of Svalbard

Just like a true Arctic adventurer, throw away the itinerary, grab your camera and let wildlife and pack ice decide your route around Svalbard. Guided by your experienced expedition leaders and coached by a team of professional photographers, set off from Longyearbyen and explore the archipelago’s collection of fjords, glaciers and weathered historical sites. 24 hours of daylight will give you plenty of time to search for Arctic wildlife like polar bears and walrus, whales and seabirds, Arctic fox and reindeer. This one-off adventure is the perfect chance to experience the Arctic and bring back incredible images and memories of this unique untouched region.


Start
Helsinki, Finland
Finish
Helsinki, Finland
Destinations
Finland, Norway
Style
Comfort
Theme
Polar, Wildlife
Code
BQMSP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 199

Why you'll love this trip

  • Refine your skills and become a photography expert, capturing some of the most remote and extraordinary landscapes on earth. Better yet, you’ve got a team of photography experts on hand to help.

  • See onboard environmental and scientific lectures and seminars to give you all the Spitsbergen knowledge, plus a couple of photography masterclasses to hone your technique.

  • Twice daily zodiac excursions mean there’s plenty of opportunities to get up close to glaciers, icebergs and all types of wildlife. There are more polar bears than people on Svalbard, so get snapping!

  • Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!

  • With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team to maximise wildlife spotting opportunities each day.

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 Essential Trip Information for further important information about 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 and awe-inspiring 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.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 18 May 2023 to 31 May 2023.
View the 2024 itinerary
Your arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, where you may arrive at any time today. Known for its extraordinary architecture, Helsinki is a great place to spend time, exploring the many museums, galleries and restaurants. Perhaps relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
This morning, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement – where you’ll have some time to explore before boarding the ship. You may want to visit the Svalbard or North Pole museums to learn more about the local history, or perhaps grab a beer at the Svalbard Brewery. After boarding the ship, head out on deck to enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
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.
The real thrill of adventure comes in not knowing what might come next. Every expedition in Svalbard is unique as the crew must adjust the ship’s course depending on the weather, sea and ice conditions. That way, you’ll be maximising your chances for rare wildlife spotting, going in search for Arctic terns, reindeer and walruses and the mighty polar bear. Who knows when these unique animals will rear their head into view – it may be over dinner, or very (very) early in the morning, so be ready with a charged camera and flexible mindset. An average day on board will include a wakeup call from your expedition leader around 7 am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow passengers for breakfast in the restaurant. You will usually have two excursions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with lunch back on the ship in between. You will head out on multiple Zodiac cruises in and around Spitsbergen, possibly venturing on land among fields of tundra or strolling by nesting puffins. On the off chance that the weather makes shore excursions unsafe, settle into your well-equipped expedition vessel and learn from your expert polar crew in a series of lectures, presentations and photography masterclasses. If the weather’s right, opt-in for an icy polar plunge – jumping into the deep blue Arctic for a mind (and body) numbing experience. The best thing is that, in any weather, the team are dedicated to creating an unforgettable photography-focused Spitsbergen experience, so keep your camera handy so you don’t miss a thing.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (11 nights)
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.
The time has come to say goodbye. This morning, your expedition finishes as it began in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, transfer to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki. On arrival at Helsinki Airport, your adventure comes to an end.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The charter flight will arrive late in the evening on this day so we recommend booking an additional night in Helsinki.  

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13 dinners

Transport

Expedition Cruise Ship, Zodiac

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship (12 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Spitsbergen Photography Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

Please note in 2023 this trip will start and finish in Helsinki, Finland.

BOOKING CONDITIONS
Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20% of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure.

If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure – the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.

If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure – the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.

Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage.

Your voyage is operated by our polar partner, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

COVID 19 VACCINATION
All customers must be vaccinated against covid 19 to join this voyage. You must present a copy of your Covid 19 proof of vaccination record from your government’s health authority prior to embarkation.

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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