The Polar Travel Company

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Duration: 10 days
Starts: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Ends: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Language: English speaking voyage

* On 9 day voyages we return to Longyearbyen on day 8. Exploration will be focused on the Northern and Western Fjords.
* We always recommend arriving in Svalbard at least 24 hours before departure.

Included

Optional

Join accomplished and legendary wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein on a small ship photo expedition to explore Spitsbergen with just 12 guests on the magnificent MV Vikingfjord.
During June polar bears can be seen hunting on the pack offering gorgeous backdrops for photography. You can expect huge rafts of sea ice, walruses hauling out on remote beaches, Arctic foxes and encounter some of Spitsbergen�s countless glaciers with 24 hours of daylight. The expedition days will be spent searching for wildlife from the ship and the Zodiacs.

Exploring on a small ship allows a great deal of flexibility, Paul is big on flexibility and works VERY long hours. When wildlife is encountered, if pertinent, Zodiacs can be launched in under 15 minutes ensuring opportunities are rarely missed. There will be bags of instruction, advice, entertainment and chatter from Paul and plenty to learn about Spitsbergen from our experts John and Mette along the way.

MV Vikingfjord is a best in class small ship which benefits from an ice strengthened hull, fast cruising speed, a complete refit and a new engine making it the perfect choice for exploring polar waters. Expect onboard creature comforts including a large panoramic guest lounge, all ensuite cabins, situated above deck, an on deck hot tub and sauna to enjoy after a busy day (or indeed �night�) out in the ice and mountains of this captivating archipelago.

Paul Golstein
A travel veteran of over 35 years, a multi-award winning photographer and he with a guiding retinue from six continents, Paul Goldstein has a broad and burgeoning bank of followers and indeed some even agree with him. He is also a big defender of persecuted species and has run 20 marathons including the fearsome Everest one last year in his now fabled tiger suit raising almost half a million dollars for his beloved Bengal cats.

A word from Paul Goldstein
�Spitsbergen has haunted me for 20 years. Its scenery is mesmerising: the snap crackle and pop of the sea ice, the artillery-like concussion of a calving glacier, the perfect arc a northern fulmar describes over a gunmetal ocean or the impishness of an arctic fox. Then there are the walrus hauled out on cobalt blue sea ice and of course the graft spent gazing through precision optics, looking for a distant ivory blob and indeed the thrill when one bear suddenly becomes a family. Twenty charters in 20 years may seem like a lot but once I saw this vessel twinned with the two guides (friends of almost 20 years) it was not a hard decision. This is a brilliant ship for this sort of voyage and John is precisely the sort of guy I like to work with, both he and Mette have a nautical polar pedigree longer than almost anyone so rest assured we will be working every hour to deliver some precious polar moments.�

Expedition Highlights
� Learn from world class wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein and veteran expedition leaders John and Mette.
� Explore in comfort on the newest and most environmentally friendly small ship in the polar regions with a 95% reduction in NOX emissions.
� Small, intimate group size of just 12 like minded guests.
� June offers a great time of year to encounter polar bears, walruses and whales and sea ice.
� 2 Zodiacs to use for exploring and close up photography of wildlife
� 3 guides for a group of 12 offers the best ratio available
� Friendly, inclusive atmosphere

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Day 1 Longyearbyen
The expedition departs from Longyearbyen, the most northerly town on earth. The transfer will collect you from your hotel / airport and take you to MV Vikingfjord at 4pm. For the next 10 days civilization bid farewell as the wilderness of Spitsbergen is comprehensively explored. The aim of this expedition is to spend lots of time out in the field photographing the wildlife, nature, scenery, and glaciers of Spitsbergen. In the spirit of true exploration we don�t have a set itinerary which gives the expedition team flexibility to ensure you maximise your time.

Day 2 - 9 Exploring Spitsbergen
The focus of this voyage is capturing some beautiful imagery of Arctic wildlife. We will explore by ship and Zodiac in search of polar bears, walruses and Arctic wildlife under the guidance of Paul and the expedition team. Every day will offer a different experience and the focus will be spending time out on the Zodiacs and on deck to maximise photography opportunities. During June bird colonies become active, Arctic foxes can be seen beneath the steep cliffs and there are walruses in abundance.

Day 10 Longyearbyen
Either late the previous evening or early in the morning we will arrive back at the port of Longyearbyen. Today our Spitsbergen photography tour ends after after breakfast when we say our goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure.

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