JUNE 2021

PHOTOTEVA

SVALBARD - PRIVATE SHIP

IN A WORLD THAT IS ALL WHITE

AND WHERE THE SUN NEVER SETS

WE EXPLORE THE WORLD OF THE LARGEST AND MOST IMPRESSIVE LAND PREDATOR OF THEM ALL - THE POLAR BEAR

Svalbard by Private Ship With expedition leader – Roie Galitz

We are thrilled to embark on another exclusive Phototeva expedition. On a private ship all to ourselves (only 12 participants), we explore the world of the largest and most impressive land predator of them all - the polar bear. In a world that is all white and where the sun never sets, we will observe countless animals: thousands of walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, many types of birds and, of course, the polar bear.

Advantages of a Private Ship

If you’re traveling all the way to Svalbard, it is important to do so in a way that provides the best opportunities, the most independence and of course - the greatest proximity to the wildlife. Therefore, we offer a private Phototeva expedition on a ship that is all to ourselves - we decide where to sail and where to anchor, without being restricted by the narrow constraints of large ships. With the Zodiac boats, we can approach the animals and witness the wildlife from up close, the closest you will ever get.

Tour Highlights:

Voyage on a private ship chartered by Phototeva, all to ourselves!
12 participants only
Guidance by the award-winning photographer - Roie Galitz.
The Zodiac boats at our disposal will allow us to get close and find the best locations and best angles for the best photos
Over a hundred adventurers have already joined us for the amazing Svalbard experience.

About Expedition Leader - Roie Galitz

An award-winning wildlife photographer, entrepreneur, and educator. Ambassador for Nikon (Israel), DJI, Wix, and Greenpeace - Arctic and Antarctic. For over a decade, Roie is exploring and documenting our planet’s wildlife. His photographs get great exposure worldwide, millions of views and frequent appearances in the media (most recently featured in the BBC's Snow Bears film). It was presented in local and international exhibitions, featured in exclusive magazines and honored with many international awards over the years.

Important Information

Location: Svalbard Islands, Arctic Ocean
Dates: 05 June - 14 June 2021 - FULL | 08 June - 17 June 2021 - FULL |

26 June - 5 June 2021 - OPEN | 09 July - 19 July 2021 - FULL
Temperatures during our voyage: About 2 degrees centigrade

Guided by: Roie Galitz
Cost: based on the cabin on the ship

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DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Assembly in Longyearbyen

Assembly in Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen. We will tour the town and learn a bit about the history of the region before preparing for the start of the expedition the following day.

DAY 2-10 - Our voyage aboard the ship

Our voyage aboard the ship to the north of the archipelago. It’s hard to say exactly where exactly 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 and the powerful nature of the Arctic and the nearby islands.

DAY 11 - Disembarking from the ship

Disembarking from the ship at Longyearbyen Harbor and returning to the city or flying directly back to Israel (depending on the flight schedule).

important information

Price of the Expedition:

Cabin for 2 with shared bathroom - $10,900

Cabin for 1 with shared bathroom - $11,800

Cabin for 2 with private bathroom - $12,500

Cabin for 1 with private bathroom - $12,800

Superior Cabin for 2 with private bathroom - $13,400

Cost includes:

Nine nights on the M/S Origo, in a cabin of your choice – depending on availability
Beach tours in Hebrew and English guided by the ship’s crew.
Photography training and geographic orientation by the Phototeva team and a local guide who specializes in polar bears.
Full board: 3 meals a day during the expedition.
Rubber boots on loan for the duration of the expedition

Not included:

Flights and ground services before and after the expedition.
Tips for the ship's service providers.
Personal expenses: laundry, telephones, alcoholic and light beverages that are not part of the meals.
Health and baggage insurance.
Anything that does not appear in the "Price Includes" section.

COST:

CANCELLATION

TRAVEL INSURANCE & NOTES

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, as well as trip cancellation insurance. 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.

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 worst.

It will be cold and snowstorms are a routine occurrence. The expedition includes various extreme activities such as, but not limited to Zodiac boat rides, ice and snow walking, close proximity to polar bears, sailing through extreme weather and so on.
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. It is imperative that they listen to the guides and drive according to their instructions.

The expedition is contingent on a minimum number of participants.

The order and content of the expedition might change based on the decision of the guides (at their professional discretion), due to various constraints.

By joining this 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.

This is not a cruise ship; it is "Spartan" in essence. This ship is designed for research and photography at the North Pole. There is no doctor on the onboard, but there is a first-aid kit. In case of emergency and only if conditions allow, evacuation by helicopter to a hospital in Longyearbyen

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. The crew of the ship will make the final decision regarding the route of the voyage and the order and content of the activities, keeping passenger safety as their top priority.