APRIL 2021
VENTURE THROUGH SVALBARD,
WHERE THERE ARE MORE POLAR BEARS THAN PEOPLE,
TO EXPERIENCE THE FROZEN DESERT,
ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME PLACES ON EARTH!
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Meeting in Longyearbyen
Upon your arrival in Longyearben, we will meet to introduce you to your trip guides and make any final preparations before we commence our expedition through the unforgiving frozen land. We will voyage aboard the ship to the north of the archipelago. It’s hard to say exactly where we will reach the fjords, bays, glaciers and of course the ice cap of the North Pole, since it all depends on the conditions of the sea ice and the location of the large animals, especially the mighty polar bear. During the expedition, the ship's crew will give lectures about the animals, the powerful nature of the Arctic and the nearby islands.
DAY 2 - Expedition Begins - Into the Wild
After breakfast, we will head to the equipment center, prepare all of our gear and receive special arctic clothing, such as boots, goggles, and gloves. Once the equipment is organized and strapped to the snowmobiles, we will head into the wilderness. We'll pass through spectacular and primeval snow-covered landscapes. We might even see bears, arctic foxes, and other animals. Once arrived, we'll get organized in our rooms for a good night's sleep.
DAY 3 to 6 - In the Land of the Polar Bears
Our world expert tracker will locate the bears for us and we will begin the slow and patient approach. We will strive to photograph special behaviors such as breastfeeding, cubs playing, and hunting. This time of the year will allow us to enjoy the magic golden low light – throughout the night. With photography guidance from award-winning professionals, we'll learn how to take advantage of unique angles and lights in the land where the sun never sets.
DAY 7 - Heading back
DAY 8 - Departure
Depending on your flight times, we'll have one last chat to review and reflect on our experience in the land of the polar bears, the skills we learned, and the adventures we'll reminisce about for years to come.
important information
Cost includes:
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Special production permits.
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5 nights in the hunter's cabin, in Pyramiden or another location, depending on the polar bears’ location.
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2 nights at a hotel in Longyearbyen.
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Expert tracker specializing in polar bears.
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Photography guidance by Roie Galitz.
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Rental of snowmobiles, including insurance, fuel, helmet, etc.
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Rental of high-quality arctic equipment and clothing.
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Medical emergency kit, bear defense weapons, satellite communication, food and drink.
Not included:
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Flights and ground services before and after the expedition.
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Personal expenses.
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Health and baggage insurance (mandatory health insurance that covers winter sports and medical evacuation to the minimal sum of $100,000).
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Anything which is not mentioned under “Included” section.
COST: Spots are extremely limited each year To apply for this expedition and receive more details, please send us an email here
CANCELLATION
From registration to 100 days before departure – 70% refund
(Upon registration, 30% of the full amount will be charged as an advance payment, which we will transfer to the authorities in Norway. This advance is non-refundable.)
From 80 to 60 days before departure – 50% refund.
From 59 days to departure – No refund.
(Working days only)
TRAVEL INSURANCE
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Medical and Travel Insurance: You must purchase a comprehensive and extended insurance policy that covers all the activities during the trip (including winter sports and air medical services). This includes personal insurance, baggage insurance, full adventure travel insurance, including medical evacuation from remote and dangerous areas and subsequent treatment in Israel or your home country, as well as trip cancellation insurance.
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To be clear, Phototeva does not insure or provide insurance coverage for participants. Participants must purchase full insurance coverage for all the regular and extreme activities expected on the expedition, including accident and medical insurance. Participants are responsible for purchasing the required insurance policy, and it is very important to get it done as soon as possible. In addition, participants should check with the nearest travel clinic about relevant medical requirements, such as vaccinations.
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As expected in an extreme expedition to one of the coldest, and most isolated areas in the world, including face-to-face encounters with the world's largest land predator (without protection), this trip poses clear risks that could result in injury or even death.
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It’s going to be cold! The average temperature is minus 25 degrees Celsius and snowstorms occur regularly. The journey will be intense and fraught with rough terrain. The expected route might stretch over 1,000 kilometers, and will include climbing mountains and crossing through glaciers and frozen fjords; and various challenges such as riding a snowmobile, driving and walking on ice and snow and face-to-face encounters with polar bears. By signing up for the expedition, you acknowledge that this is a challenging, tough journey that could even be dangerous and deadly (especially if you do not follow the instructions of the local guides).
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The participants must be physically healthy and mentally stable in order to deal with potential mishaps, extreme weather and problems that arise along the way. They also must have the physical and mental strength to endure long rides on snowmobiles and run fast in the case of a polar bear attack. It is imperative that they listen to the guides and drive according to their instructions.
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The expedition is contingent on a minimum number of participants.
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The order and content of the expedition might change based on the decision of the guides (at their professional discretion), due to various constraints.
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Minimum age for participation is 18.
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If the snowmobile is damaged due to driving in violation of the guides’ instructions, the driver shall bear the cost.
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Phototeva may cancel the expedition at any stage, and if so shall provide a full refund.
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By signing up for the Phototeva expedition, the participant hereby declares that he/she understands the nature of the activities and the potential dangers of the expedition and is medically fit. If the participant has a medical problem that may hinder or prevent his/her participation in the various activities of the expedition, it is their responsibility to notify the company and the guide before embarking on the journey. In some cases, the participant will have to present a note from his/her doctor in order to participate in the expedition. Without this note, the participant will not be allowed to join the expedition.
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This is a wild area with more polar bears than humans. The odds of spotting a polar bear are high but not guaranteed. Nature is wild and unpredictable, so there is no way to guarantee the animals’ behavior and proximity or even ensure sightings at all.
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Discipline – the local guides and bear experts are in charge. By joining the expedition, you acknowledge your commitment to follow all their instructions immediately in order to ensure your safety. For example, do not wait and take photos while a polar bear is charging at you.
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On rare occasions, the guide may be replaced before the start of the expedition.
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The order and contents of the journey may vary based on the guides’ decision (at their professional discretion) due to various constraints.
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The transaction is pending until final confirmation from the service providers, and as long as they do not approve the request, the customer's account will not be charged.
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Phototeva may cancel the expedition at any stage and provide a full refund.
NOTES
Svalbard, the largest archipelago in Norway is located in the Arctic Ocean. It lies halfway between the North Pole and the Norway. This icy gem treasures wildlife and captivating natural beauty. With divine snowcapped mountains, fields, and magnificent fjords, it is home to Polar Bears. Svalbard is among the best places on the globe for photographing Polar Bears, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Belugas, Narwhal, Orcas, Bearded and Ringed Seals, Blue Whales, Reindeer, and Guillemots.
The place of extraordinary beauty attracts adventurers, explorers, and wildlife enthusiasts. If you want to experience the best of nature, the Svalbard tour is the right choice. Capture the rich wildlife and the beautiful snow-covered mountain peaks and glaciers mirrored in the water.
This beautiful place on earth is a perfect adventure destination. Here you can experience the true natural beauty such as the midnight sun, glaciers, polar bears, Northern Lights, and other animals. Svalbard is a great choice for photographers who want to capture the Arctic wilderness. Every season has a unique character so you can visit this place anytime in winters and summer. During the winter season, you can see Northern lights even in the day and summer is full of bright sunlight even at midnight.
Unique Fauna and Northern Lights
Observing the animal life of Svalbard is out of a world experience. You can closely see a whale and walrus in summers and photograph amazing creatures that enjoy lying on the beach. During autumn, you can see the Northern Lights in the absence of the midnight sun. You will get mesmerized by seeing the colorful Northern Lights. Svalbard tour will allow you to experience the serene beauty away from the artificial world.
One can expect unbearable cold due to its location but some islands have distinctive seasons and mild climates. Summer is blessed with bright long days that are perfect for photography and winter is popular for Northern lights.
Svalbard Photo Expedition: Grab the Lifetime Experience
Over the period, more people are navigating this gleaming pearl. Each year pack ice is opens making it ideal to navigate in the initial months of the year. The Svalbard luxury travel allows seeing polar bears roaming and jumping on the ice.
Observe the innumerable wild animals with the Svalbard photo tour. Our photography tour in Svalbard is planned in a way that you get the most from the journey. The spring begins in the Arctic in April and it is the home returning time for migrant birds. This is when you can experience the beauty of birds on shores and polar bears on ice packs. Additionally, you can observe and spend time with an arctic fox, walrus, bearded seals, and reindeer in this Svalbard expedition.
Svalbard tour is an unforgettable experience for photographers that they will cherish for a lifetime. Photographing the magnificent polar bear in their natural habitat is adventurous. For the best Svalbard photography expedition, Phototeva offers a private ship so that this journey can give maximum benefits. This allows spending time with wild creatures. Navigating by boat gives you the freedom to move freely in any specific location and excellent opportunities for photography.
What this Trip Offers?
Comfortable Journey
Our Svalbard tour aims to provide a comfortable journey to one of the world’s most isolated places that is home to polar bears. The Svalbard expedition is great for people who are passionate to explore the Arctic wilderness. Traveling enthusiasts can enjoy this photography tour in a small group on a ship.
Mesmerizing Landscape
You can experience the beautiful landscape including the icy rivers, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and fjords. Also, get the opportunity to explore the untouched wildlife.
Amazing Wildlife Photography
We will take you to the adventurous places where you can see reindeer, walruses, and Arctic foxes and observe the marine life too. You can explore the hotspots of polar bears where they roam the most.
Tour leader
The renowned photographer Roie Galitz will accompany you on this tour. Roie will assist you in photography so you can get the best. Our experienced team will share their expertise and passion throughout this expedition.
Minimum Guests
“The smaller the better” we follow this policy. We know that the best way to navigate untouched places is in a small group so you can capture the wildlife easily.
Freedom to move
The expedition is incomplete without shore landings. This guided tour allows moving freely so you can photograph the best. You can get alluring shots of the landscape, wildlife, and snow-capped peaks.
How this Guided Tour Works?
Phototeva, a travel company specialized in Svalbard photo tours offers the best services to the traveling enthusiasts. Our award-winning photographer Roie Galitz and team ensure getting stunning photographs in the exhilarating Svalbard workshop.
We know the best places and time to visit along with adequate lighting conditions. Our two local polar bear specialists are always in search of Polar bears so you need not wait longer to spot them. You are free to go anywhere and our private chef prepares delicious cuisines so you can enjoy travel without the pain of searching for tasty food. We make Svalbard photography tours convenient and exciting for adventurers.
Tour Highlights
- Experience the Arctic waters closely from the zodiac and capture the memories in photographs. Likely, there will be good sunlight, and you will get sufficient time for photographing the amazing sights and wildlife including birds.
- You will travel to exciting places with abundant natural light. This will help to get the best photographs.
- Enjoy rides on a zodiac boat, walk on snow and pack ice. The maximum number of guests on each ride is decided such that it does not hinder the freedom and space.
- The tour is designed especially for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. This nine nights onboard expedition provides the best opportunity for the Arctic and polar bear photography.
- Our experienced photographers will assist you and share their experience and knowledge of wildlife.
About Svalbard
Ever since its discovery by the Dutch in 1596, Svalbard has been a benchmark for extreme adventure and unique wildlife.
From the world‘s largest land predator, the mighty Polar Bear, to the enormous Walrus and its impressive tusks and the whales who roam the ocean, this is a land of giants like no other.
Everything is unique here: The sun doesn’t set for our entire stay, the snow may fall even in the peak of summer while ancient glaciers carve the landscape of the fjords.
Svalbard Facts
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Latitude: around 80° north
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Size: 61,000 Km2 (23,500 mi2)
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Human Population: 2,000
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Polar Bear Population: 3,000
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Capital: Longyearbyen
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Temp. during stay: -20°C / -4°F
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Norwegian Province
Land of the Polar Bear
In one of the most extreme places on Earth, less than a thousand kilometers from the North Pole lives one of the world's largest land predator - the polar bear, alongside thousands of walruses, arctic foxes, reindeer and millions of nesting birds. Every year, when the light is golden and the land is covered with snow and ice, we go there with an intimate group of only three participants, all production permits, special licenses, and a leading nature photographer in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Tour Highlights
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A unique expedition designed for wildlife photographers.
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3 participants only!
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Special production permits with the local team behind the frozen planet series
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Photography guidance by award-winning photographer, Roie Galitz
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Expert tracker specialising in polar bears
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Rental of snowmobiles, including insurance, fuel, and helmets.
Why Phototeva?
If you’re traveling all the way to Svalbard, you might as well get the best results, the greatest freedom and of course - the closest proximity to the wildlife. That's why we offer this private Phototeva expedition on snowmobiles - we decide where to go and where to stop, letting us get as close as possible to the action.
Your Expedition Leader
Roie Galitz is an award-winning wildlife photographer and educator, and ambassador for Gitzo, Lowepro, DJI, G-Technology and Greenpeace. For over a decade, Roie has been exploring our planet’s wildlife. His photographs get great exposure worldwide, millions of views and frequent appearances in the media (check out BBC's Snow Bears film). He was presented in international exhibitions and in exclusive magazines and honored with many international awards.
Dates:
Guided by: Roie Galitz
Cost: Spots are extremely limited each year To apply for this expedition and receive more details, please send us an email here.
GET MORE INFO
REGISTER HERE
