Some highlights

  • Special expedition with photo focus, where we search for polar bears
  • Visit to walrus beaches with this year’s many collected walruses
  • Perfect landscape photo mode in autumn’s magical, low light, with long sunrise, long sunset and often incredible colors, both before and after
  • First powder snow on the mountain tops and autumn colors in the vegetation
  • Arctic fox in white winter fur
  • Svalbard reindeer in their finest autumn coat and most beautiful horns during the mating season
  • Good season to see the “Phantoms of the Pack ice” – the white, high arctic ivory gull
  • Close encounters with bearded seals and harbor seals
  • At this time of the year we have a great chance to see several species of whales
  • Glaciers, drift ice and pack ice, in the fantastic light of the season
  • The use of Zodiacs for going ashore and for getting better angles of photography
  • The tour leader will show you their best sites and provide photographic advice to a small like-minded group
  • We travel on board the traditional m/s Origo, perhaps the most charming ship up here and at the same time rebuilt for the best comfort

SVALBARD
Between northernmost Norway and the North Pole lies Svalbard, often also called Spitsbergen, an arctic wilderness that fascinates, with sea ice, glaciers, mountains and polar tundra. Despite its isolated location in the Arctic Ocean, 657 km north of Nordkap in Norway and over 1,000 km from the nearest airport in Norway, Svalbard is the most accessible high arctic area in the world, thanks to the infrastructure that Norway has built around, above all, Longyearbyen. The archipelago has both fantastic glaciers that glisten in the sunlight, midnight sun from mid-April to late August and exciting Arctic wildlife. Polar bears are perhaps best known for Svalbard, but here there are also walruses, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes and several species of whales and dolphins. In autumn, most of the snow on land and the land-based ice have melted away, so that the boat can often proceed without major problems with ice conditions. In this way, we can often reach further up towards the pack ice than during trips in early spring and summer. In addition, this is usually a very good time of year to see polar bears and walruses.

Svalbard is also home to the small-grown and hardy Svalbard reindeer, a subspecies of its own, adapted to the extreme winter climate. In the summer, the arctic fox hunts where there are birds, and in autumn and winter it follows the polar bears. Along the northern shores, walruses forage for clams, and baleen and toothed whales hunt in the rich sea areas along the continental shelf, where ocean currents swell.

In Svalbard, polar bears and walruses are often curious and can get very close. At the same time: with nature and wild animals you never know. You have to be aware of that.

This time we have extended the journey by another night and day to be able to reach a little further. Our ship, m/s Origo is a real veteran in Svalbard, with a high coziness factor and 14 passengers.

Arctic veteran Bjørn Anders Nymoen acts as expedition leader and Frida Hermansson is director of photography.

THE SHIP M/S ORIGO
For this tour, we charter the entire ship M/S Origo with 24 berths, but we limit the number of participants to 14. Origo was built in 1955 at Finnboda shipyard in Sweden, on behalf of the Swedish Maritime Administration, as an ice-reinforced pilot ship and lighthouse keeper. The ship has two zodiacs, each with room for 12 people. Although this is strictly a photography trip, of course non-dedicated photographers can come along and have an absolutely amazing arctic experience. The fact that it is a photo trip means that we spend the time we need to get a chance for good photos. Often this means a little more time with the motifs. We postpone meals if necessary; that is, if we have good subjects and good light, it takes precedence. Polar bears and walruses naturally have the highest priority.

The travel route is never completely decided in advance. Our tentative plan is to head northeast. Since we rent the whole ship, we have the freedom to plan the expedition as we want, based on weather, wind, current ice conditions and reports of polar bears in particular. Nature and wildlife are at the center of this trip. The crew, the captain and us who are the guides on the trip have extensive experience in both the Arctic and photography under the special conditions that prevail. The crew is Swedish-speaking and the participants can be from several countries. The ship is perfect for photography. The chef on board usually offers exciting and very good food. No one has to go hungry.

Lectures will be given by the tour guides. We will look at the participants’ photos and come up with positive photo criticism. And we, as leaders, will of course assist the participants with the necessary help and camera technical and photographic advice.

Main deck

1 superior double cabin up on deck with private WC / shower.

5 double cabins with private WC / shower.

1 double cabin with private WC and shared shower.

2 double cabins with shared shower / WC.

Fotoresa med Wild Nature fotoresor. Foto Staffan Widstrand

Itinerary

Day 0  (24/9)
Arrival in Longyearbyen and transport to hotel on your own. NOTE: This is one day before the travel arrangement begins, to be sure not to miss the ship’s departure. We will organize and offer a guided tour in Longyearbyen’s surroundings in the evening or early in the morning the next day, for those who want, for an additional price.

Day 1  (25/9) (Dinner)
Pick-up at the respective hotel in time for check-out, transport of the luggage to the ship and then free time in Longyearbyen until it is time for the ship’s departure, after 4 p.m. Then we sail out of Adventfjorden, and via Isfjorden we probably head north, if we didn’t have better indications to reach polar bears on the eastern side via the southern route. Welcome dinner on board.

Day 2-8 (26/9-2/10) (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Crusing, with a schedule updated daily if necessary. We fully adapt to current and upcoming weather, ice conditions and wildlife sighting reports. We will most likely cruise north of Svalbard and the northeast. In addition to polar bears, we also hope to meet walruses, whales and seals. So this year the walrus colonies are bigger. Photography as long as there is good light, both late evenings and early mornings. Sunrise between 06.40 and 07.40 and sunset between 17.40 and 18.40. Good to have time during the dark part of the day to sort photos, attend lectures and photo shows and also manage to sleep!

Day 9 (3/10) (Breakfast)
Arrival back in Longyearbyen. The tour ends after breakfast.

More information

  • PHOTO EQUIPMENT
    As we will be able to photograph a range of different subjects, from landscape, plants, people, mammals and birds, we recommend a range of lenses from wide-angle to telephoto. A wide-angle zoom, e.g. 24-70 mm and a tele-zoom, e.g. 70-200 mm, 80-400 mm or 200-500 mm will give the best opportunity for a range of subjects.
    A longer prime telephoto lens, e.g. 500 mm or 600 mm is very useful for bird and mammal photography. To ”increase” focal length, you might use a teleconverter, or a camera with a smaller sensor.

    It is important to protect your gear from snow, rain and saltwater splashes. Good waterproof covers for your camera bag or rucksack. Maybe a waterproof sack for all your gear whilst on the zodiacs?

    If you have two camera bodies, bring both. Tripods can be good for photography and film-making ashore. Bring plenty of memory cards and storage space, because more photos are taken on these tours than most people think.

  • CLOTHING
    Proper field clothing is necessary. Consider the conditions as similar to a Scandinavian winter. Hooded down-parkas are great. We will be borrowing insulated buoyancy overalls onboard, and these must be used when in the zodiacs. They are also great for watching from the ship, and everyone will have their overall hanging outside their cabin. Woolen sweaters (preferably) or fleece, with several layers (thin, mid and thick layer) will allow you to regulate your temperature. Large mittens, preferably with a woolen inner mitten are recommended. Warm, insulated boots (e.g. wool-lined Nokian boots), skidoo boots or warm winter-lined hiking boots (e.g. Sorel or Meindl) are great. Arctic boots can be purchased in Longyearbyen. Some landings can be so-called wet landings, stepping out of the zodiac into up to knee-deep water. A telescopic hiking pole can be useful ashore. A warm hat (or fur cap) and sun-glasses against the strong sunlight. Thermal underwear in merino wool are great and are strongly recommended. A double layer of woolen socks, one thick and one thin. No need for elegant clothing. Indoor shoes or slippers onboard. Swimwear – there might be an opportunity for an ice-bath!
  • ACCESSIBILITY
    Both the boat, use of zodiacs and the nature means that the nature of the trip is a bit limiting in the event of severely reduced mobility. Contact us at the slightest doubt.
  • PRICES AND CABINS

    Share in double cabin, shared shower / WC  TBA

    Share in double cabin, own WC, shared shower TBA

    Share in double cabin with its own WC / shower TBA

    Share in superior cabin on main deck with its own WC / shower TBA

    Single cabin supplement, shared shower / WC TBA

    Single cabin supplement, with its own WC / shower TBA

    The availability of single cabins is limited. Contact us for information.

  • INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
    Share in double cabin according to booking, meals according to program, photo lessons, special lectures, cruise where the exact route depends on ice conditions and weather.

  • NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
    Return flights to Svalbard, tips, insurance, cancellation protection, drinks (other than those served with the food) and things of a personal nature.

  • MEETING POINT
    Longyearbyen harbour. The journey begins and ends here. Exact time and place will be given before the tour.
  • TERMS OF PAYMENT
    The registration fee, 30 % of the total price of the tour, is paid via invoice in connection with registration. The remaining amount is paid no later than 100 days before the trip. The terms of this and our other voyages when we charter an entire ship deviate from our usual terms in that the registration fee is slightly higher than 20% and the date for final payment is a little earlier (normally we have 60 days before departure).
  • PASSPORT AND VISA
    If you are an EU citizen travel within the EU or to the Schengen countries Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein, you must always bring your passport. When checking in for a flight, a passport is required. With reservation for that government decisions because of the somewhat unclear Covid-19 situation may mean various limitations that we do not know of today.

    For citizens outside of the EU please check if you need a visa to enter Svalbard.

    All travel regulations according to Covid-19 must be fulfilled.

  • INSURANCE
    Contact your insurance company about travel insurance and cancellation insurance. We always recommend travel insurance that covers medical transports both at the destination and for transport home.
  • HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS
    Contact your doctor for advice on vaccinations. Also check any requirements for medical tests for entry into the country.
  • THE GROUP AND LANGUAGE
    Our tours are open to all nationalities, which means that the group can be international.
    The tour guides on our trips speak Swedish and English.

  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
    Terms and conditions

Photographic leader

Frida Hermansson
Lives in Roslagen. Frida has had a fascination and love for animals and nature since childhood. She also works as an AD and graphic designer and that has shaped her image creation.
In her photography, she is curious and constantly strives for new ways to portray her subjects, whether it is animals, landscapes or graphic details.

Frida has had several photo shows and exhibitions and also participated in SVT’s Mitt i Naturen, “The art of photographing nature”.
Frida’s pictures are published in Fotosidan Magasin, in articles and reports on Natursidan.se, the book “Experiences in Stockholm’s Nature”, and local press.

As a photographic guide on trips and workshops, Frida is passionate about sharing knowledge and inspiration, and the goal is always for the participants to come home with new knowledge, memorable experiences and really good pictures.

Website: www.fridahermansson.com

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