COMING SOON!: Svalbard Polar Bears
Ship-based Polar Pack Ice Expedition
Polar Bears on Pack Ice – Venture deep into the drifting pack ice of the High Arctic–beyond Svalbards territorial waters and restrictions–to photograph polar bears up close in their true marine domain. We'll follow the bears and the ice, letting nature, not itineraries, guide our journey.
Elite Ice-Class Expedition Vessel – The MS Kvitungen is purpose-built for one thing: accessing remote Arctic pack ice that stops most vessels in their tracks. This gives you photographic opportunities in waters few photographers ever reach.
Intimate, Ethical Wildlife Encounters – Experience polar bears in their natural habitat at close range from our ship, aboard Zodiacs, and on carefully selected ice landings—always conducted with minimal disturbance and maximum respect for wildlife behavior and Arctic wilderness ethics.
Beyond Polar Bears – Walrus and whales, ethereal icescapes and remote fjords. What else might we concounter on our journey? We'll never know unless we go.
At A Glance
Dates: July 28 – Aug 7, 2027
Starts/Ends:
Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway)
Price:
TBA - Approximate Cost $15,900
Your Instructor: Leighton Lum
Max Participants: 12
What’s Included: Lodging & Meals aboard ship, Transportation, Guides & Photography Instruction
What’s Not Included: Flights to/from Longyearbyen, Tourist Visa/ETA, Travel Insurance (mandatory), Personal Expenses, Gratuities. Anything not specifically listed as included
For Passionate Photographers. By Passionate Photographers.
Travel into the heart of polar bear habitat—working the moving Arctic pack ice in international waters north of Svalbard. We follow the ice and the bears, not a schedule, adjusting constantly to maximize wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities.
Our expedition vessel, the M/S Kvitungen, serves as both our home and floating classroom, with recently renovated cabins providing comfort and modern amenities between wildlife encounters. Crewed by Arctic expedition specialists and equipped with Zodiacs for close-range photography, she's purpose-built for these demanding conditions. Elevate your skills with in-the-field instruction on field craft, positioning, and split-second decision-making. We’ll also have plenty of time for image reviews and post processing sessions to help you polish your pictures.
This is a no-compromise expedition for photographers who want access and images that can't be made from anywhere else.
