Expedition Svalbard with Rick Tomlinson 2024
Embark on the ultimate photographic adventure of a lifetime! Are you passionate about capturing the beauty of the wild, eager to elevate your photography skills amidst Earth's most awe-inspiring landscapes? Seize this chance to journey alongside the esteemed photographer Rick Tomlinson, who will be your Special Lecturer and mentor throughout this Svalbard expedition. The diverse landscapes, the shimmering glaciers, and the majestic wildlife – from the massive walrus and the swift Arctic fox to the mighty polar bear – turn Svalbard into a photographer’s paradise.
You will stay on board the charming M/S Stockholm, a classic 12-passenger ship that combines the intimate ambiance of a small ship with the spirit of adventure.
- Photographer Rick Tomlinson as Special Lecturer
- Only 12 passengers
- Small group - great moments
- 2 experienced guides
- 12 nights on board the classic M/S Stockholm
- Incredible photo light
Itinerary
At the end of September, we set out into the untamed wilderness of Svalbard. With 12 nights on board, there will be many extraordinary photo opportunities. Zodiac excursions bring you face-to-face with Svalbard's beauty, while onshore hikes invite you to capture its essence from every angle. The Arctic foxes has started to change into their beautiful white winter coat and the Svalbard reindeers are photogenic with their full-grown antlers.
The tundra has shifted to warm autumn colors and the sun has started to set again, providing us with beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography. The ice has receded, allowing exploration further east. We have also great opportunities to reach Bråsvellbreen, a magnificent glacier front stretching 45 kilometers. During this time of year, the first snow may have fallen, beautifully covering the mountain peaks and the landscapes.
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 - 11: Expedition cruising
Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting up your fellow travellers and guides for lunch. In the afternoon we embark the expedition ship and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden - our Arctic expedition has started! We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and to go ashore when the opportunity arises. Here are some examples of places we may visit:
The magnificent fjords of Svalbard
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords, home to an abundance of wildlife. Below, we have listed some of the fjords and glaciers that we might explore with ship or Zodiac during our journey:
In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier.
Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier.
Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals.
Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here. We have good chances to reach and sail along the impressive Bråsvellbreen. If lucky we encounter whales in this area.
Southwest Spitsbergen
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals.
Day 12: Longyearbyen
Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
The Package Travel Directive – protects the traveller’s rights
When you have booked a trip with PolarQuest, you are protected by the Package Travel Directive. This includes that you have the right to rebook your trip or cancel and receive a full refund, if your Government, or other relevant authorities, have implemented restrictions against travelling. This includes documented quarantine requirements in the country you are travelling to. However, free cancellation is only possible when it is less than 30 days to departure, provided the travel restrictions are still in place and clearly will affect your trip. You are also entitled to a full refund, should PolarQuest cancel the trip for any reason whatsoever.
Special Lecturer: Rick Tomlinson
We are thrilled to present the knowledgeable photographer, Rick Tomlinson, as special guest lecturer. On board M/S Stockholm, he will share his experience and offer advice on shooting techniques and photo editing as well as pre-trip advice on photography equipment.
About Rick Tomlinson
Rick Tomlinson made his name capturing the Southern Ocean at its most treacherous as a crew member of various yachts in the Whitbread Round the World Race, he started with freelance pictures published in Yachting World on board Simon le Bons yacht Drum in 1985 and finished his 4 Race Whitbread career with a commission from National Geographic. Rick now leads many photography tours specialising in high latitude photography trips in Svalbard, Tromsø and the Falklands. Ricks first trip to Svalbard in 1998 was on board M/S Stockholm and he has had a close relationship with the ship ever since. Stockholm even guided one of the Super Yachts that Rick was working with on the east side of Svalbard through an area that was uncharted.
Rick also publishes an annual calendar which is now in its 36th year and is sought after around the world and has won many awards.
The ship M/S Stockholm
A CLASSIC EXPEDITION SHIP LOVED BY MANY
The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1998 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable polar passenger ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities and small windows (portholes). M/S Stockholm is a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and
wooden decks. It is no wonder she is loved by so many! After 20 years of navigating the waters in Svalbard she has the experience and track record of being able to access difficult to reach sites that are inaccessible to other ships.
On board you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of
likeminded travellers, who are all fascinated by the Arctic nature, wildlife and history. The food on board is of high standard and all beverages are included in the price. With such a small party on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. The crew on board M/S Stockholm are also great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A trip on board M/S Stockholm in these northern waters, with its unique wildlife and pristine nature, is an experience of a lifetime! There are two Zodiacs and two guides on board M/S Stockholm.
Cabins & prices
Cabin category | Price per person | ||
---|---|---|---|
Twin Cabin | bunk bed & private facilities | USD 11 990 | |
Twin Cabin for single use | bunk bed & private facilities | USD 22 690 |
Price includes
- 12 nights on board M/S Stockholm
- 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
- Lunch day 2
- All meals on board
- Beverages on board
- 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
- Guiding ashore and talks on board
- All excursions and activities
Not included
- Flight to/from Longyearbyen
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Gratuity to the ship’s crew
Departures & booking
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make a reservation.
Booking requestDeparture | Return |
---|---|
17 September 2024 | 30 September 2024 |
Related blog posts
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The magical polar night of Svalbard
In Svalbard, the dark season lasts for several months, from the end of October to the middle of February. However, between 14 November and 29 January, we enter the most enchanting and cozy phase of the dark season known as the polar night. During this time, the sun is never visible above the horizon, yet it's not entirely dark. The light from the hidden sun provides a few hours of daylight, and the significant turning point occurs around the winter solstice on 22 December. In this article, our expedition guide Olivier, who previously lived in Svalbard for six years, shares his unique experiences of the darkest of all dark seasons.
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