The Polar Travel Company

Picture-perfect snow-capped mountains. Fjords littered with crystalline sea ice. Wildlife taking their first tentative steps after the long winter. The soft light of the rising sun and pastel-coloured sunsets.

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There is no place on Earth like Svalbard in the spring. It�s a rite of passage for landscape photographers, and your guide and tutor, Virgil Reglioni, is one of the finest polar landscape photographers around.

Duration: 8 days
Starts: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Ends: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Language: English speaking voyage

* We always recommend to arrive in Svalbard at least 24 hours before departure.

Included

Optional

Virgil Reglioni is one of the world�s premier polar landscape and northern lights photographers. Known for his soulful images of the polar regions, Virgil is the ideal photo guide to have by your side on this spring adventure to Svalbard. The frozen springtime landscape of ice-strewn fjords and undisturbed snow is the perfect canvas on which to elevate your photography skills. The light at this time of year has a studio-like softness � sunrise and sunset are sublime. Patience is a virtue when photographing Arctic animals in their snowy element. But take your time, and you�ll capture some of the best wildlife shots of your life.

Svalbard Photography Tour Highlights
� We only work with award-winning legends of polar photography who are in-field tuition experts � you�re learning from the very best
� The best time to visit the Arctic for landscape photography, capturing frozen seascapes, crystalline icebergs, and snow-covered mountains in soft-hued light
� A chance to encounter wildlife, including whales, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, walruses, seals, and polar bears, against a snowy backdrop
� We have the best guest-to-guide ratio, with two expedition guides and your photography leader available at all times to enhance your experience and develop your skills
� We use two Zodiacs for 12 guests, meaning the whole team can explore off-ship together, experiencing the frozen fairytale landscape and seeking out truly up-close wildlife photo opportunities
� We have no fixed itinerary, meaning we can take our time and make the most of the opportunities nature presents us with � a nature photographer�s dream

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Day 1: Welcome aboard! Embarkation in Longyearbyen at 16:00
Our Svalbard Photo Expedition departs from Longyearbyen. Upon leaving the port, we will say goodbye to civilisation for the next eight days to explore the breathtaking Arctic as it emerges from winter. During this time of year, our route will be determined by the sea ice. We will either sail north or south depending on the conditions. This expedition offers a chance to encounter the coast of Svalbard as it is rarely seen. We will launch the Zodiacs daily to search for the best landscape and wildlife photography opportunities every day.

Day 2: Isfjord & Prins Karls Forland
In Isfjord in April and Early May, fjord ice from the winter lines the coast. This is a great place to start scouting for polar bears that move from the land to the sea ice during this time. If conditions allow, it is a great place to use the Zodiacs to explore the ice edge and open up close-up photography opportunities of wildlife.

After leaving Isfjord, our plan is to sail north, passing Prins Karls Foreland. As the ice recedes from the winter, this area is home to walrus haul-outs.

Day 3: Ice Edge
The Northwest coast of Spitsbergen has many highlights and places to photograph, including countless glaciers and snow-covered peaks. We will launch the Zodiacs daily to open up photography opportunities. We may land on the heavily frozen shores on the huge rafts of fjord ice where possible. If the conditions allow, we will plan to venture up to the edge of the sea ice and spend some time searching for polar bears that use the ice to hunt. The sea ice is a mesmerising photography subject in calm conditions, it can be possible to launch the landing craft to cruise between the ice.

Day 4 - 7: Exploring North West Spitsbergen / Sailing South
If the time and conditions allow, we will attempt to sail south to visit Hornsund or Belsund. In late April, there is usually still a great deal of ice blocking the deep fjords, which offers excellent scenery for landscape photography. It is possible to encounter polar bears hunting along the ice edge of the fjord ice with some terrific scenery for a background.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen at 09:00
Either late the previous evening or early in the morning we will arrive back at the port of Longyearbyen. Today our Svalbard photo expedition ends. After breakfast when we say our goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure.

The above itinerary is a guide only. Part of any Arctic adventure is the flexibility to take advantage of the weather and ice conditions. Our expedition leader will make sure you see as much as possible.