Spitsbergen Polar Bear Photography Special

Your Arctic expedition will begin in the Finnish capital city of Helsinki where after arriving independently you can make your way to your hotel close to the airport for your overnight stay. You may wish to arrive a couple of days early to allow time to sample some of this vibrant city’s many delights.

On the morning of day 2 you will join the transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard. Upon arrival there will be some time to explore this unique Arctic town before you board your ship and settle in to your comfortable surroundings. As we set sail you will get fantastic views of the mountainous background and dramatic landscapes of this remote settlement. Your experienced expedition crew will brief you on what’s ahead as you embark on your Arctic adventure.

For the next 11 days you will immerse yourself in the beauty of Spitsbergen, on a constant search for wildlife as we cruise around this spectacular remote island. Embracing the very nature of expedition cruising there will be no particular fixed itinerary for your time in Spitsbergen. We plan to circumnavigate the island, but if conditions are favourable, we will also attempt a circumnavigation of the whole Svalbard archipelago. The routes taken will be dependent on weather and ice, but some of the areas you can expect to visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitøya. You will enjoy Zodiac excursions throughout, bringing you up-close to the spectacular landscapes of the island.

Each day will bring something new and exciting and your experienced expedition team will choose the best course for optimum wildlife viewing and the best places from which to get an insight into the history and geology of Spitsbergen.

The 14th of July Glacier will be of particular interest to birding enthusiasts as it is home to a multitude of species including purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and arctic terns, whilst the famous Alkefjellet cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s guillemots. This is also a great area from which to spot Polar bears as they join Arctic foxes on their hunt for free bird egg meals. Searching for polar bears, the largest land carnivores in the world, will be a constant activity throughout your expedition. Phippsøya, Isbukta & Hornsund are areas which almost guarantee a polar bear sighting, with these being their favoured places for hunting. We will also be on the lookout for reindeer, visiting sites like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet where you will want to have your camera ready for shots of these beautiful animals grazing on the lands. Walrus haul-outs are also very common round Spitsbergen and you will feel an air of excitement as you come across the noisy spectacle of these lumbering giants vying for a choice spot on the coastline.

There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen and one of the very best ways to experience this is to join an optional kayaking excursion through the more isolated pockets of the area, whilst hiking excursions and shore walks will bring you up close to Spitsbergen's surprising flora. Please note, kayaking incurs an additional charge and should be booked well in advance.

Whichever course your expedition team choose for your thrilling Spitsbergen adventure you can be assured of remarkable scenic sights, from polar flora to immense glaciers, exceptional wildlife viewing and a sense of true wilderness in these beautiful lands at the top of the world.

Our arrival back into Longyearbyen signals the end of our exciting Spitsbergen cruise. A group transfer will take you to the airport for your return charter flight to Helsinki. Should you wish to spend more time in Longyearbyen there are numerous possibilities for more Arctic adventures so please feel free to ask for options and advice.