Arctic Wildlife of Svalbard by Snow Mobile
- April 1st, 2026 - April 5th, 2026
- Spaces Left: 3 (Maximum 3 Photographers)
WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE
This custom five day snow mobile trip to Svalbard in winter is for dedicated and passionate wildlife and landscape photographers who want to capture dramatic and powerful photographs of Arctic wildlife (including Polar Bears, Arctic Fox, Ptarmigan and Reindeer) in winter. We have a small group size and personal, one-on-one tuition for the duration of the workshop. There will also be stunning winter landscape opportunities during this workshop, although our primary focus is Arctic wildlife. We will be based in Longyearbyen, but will have one night at an overnight camp.
- Dates: 1st April 2026 until 5th March 2026 (Duration 4 Nights / 5 Days)
- Why Travel with Us: Wild Nature Photo Travels Point of Difference
- Investment: $9,975 USD (Excludes accomodation and food in Longyearbyen)
- Deposit: The deposit to secure your place is $3,500 USD, with the balance due 120 days before the workshop commences.
- Participants: Maximum 3 Photographers plus leader
- Start and Finish: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Trip Leaders: Joshua Holko Master Photog II
- Fitness Level: Moderate
- Temperature: Freezing
- Experience Level: Advanced to Professional
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Against a Tapestry of frozen valleys and ice clad mountains, we journey deep into one of the last vestiges of Arctic Wilderness, the home of the Polar Bear.
During this expedition, we will travel by snow mobile across the vast frozen landscape of Svalbard, and over ice-clad mountains and through snowy alpine passes in Svalbard. Here, the landscape is heavily glaciated, with precipitous snow and ice covered peaks that provide a stunning backdrop for our photographs. All the time, we are keeping a watchful eye out for Arctic wildlife including Polar Bears, Arctic Fox, Reindeer and Ptarmigan. The scale of the landscape here in this pristine environment is overpowering. It is also home to the Ringed Seals, a delicacy of the Polar Bear when out hunting.
During the trip we will have one planned overnight stay in the field at a dedicated private camp. The wilderness camp is based in Reindalen (Høgsnyta). We will provide you with a sleeping place in our tents, heated tent for dinner, sleeping bags, sleeping mat and all food for evening and morning. This will give us an amazing opportunity for wildlife around the camp.
This wildlife expedition has been designed to provide the best possible opportunities to experience and photograph the incredible Arctic wildlife found in Svalbard from ground level - on the ice! During April, we will have a low angle of sun creating soft light for our photographs.
This exclusive expedition is for a strictly limited number of just 3 participants plus leaders and is dedicated to wildlife and landscape photography in Svalbard in Winter.
If you are excited by the idea of travelling to Svalbard in Winter with a small group of dedicated photographers to photograph Arctic wildlife as well as dramatic Arctic landscapes, now is the time to secure your place. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that’s it.
Accommodation: Please note that accomodation in Longyearbyen is not included in the price of this workshop. There are many accomodation options to choose from in Longyearbyen and we recommend choosing something that suits your individual requirements and budget. We can also make a recommendation for you if you wish. Accomodation for one night is included in the wilderness camp.
Photography: There are opportunities for both landscape and wildlife photography and lenses from wide-angle to super-telephoto are highly recommended.
Dietary Requirements: Please note that breakfast and dinner are not included in the workshop price. If you have special dietary requirements for lunch in the field, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.
Travel: During the workshop, we will travel by snow mobile with a local licensed guide with a flare gun and weapon for Polar Bear protection.
Equipment: Telephoto lenses from 500 mm to 600 mm are recommended. A wide-angle lens is also recommended if you wish to take advantage of the stunning winter landscape.
Application: Places on this expedition are minimal and are by application only. Applicants should have cold weather photographic experience in temperatures below 0º Celsius and be willing to spend time in the field in cold winter weather. Applicants should be able to walk at least 250 meters over steep rocky snow and ice-covered ground while carrying their camera equipment. Please use the register button at the bottom of this page to register your interest.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY
We officially begin our expedition in the town of Longyearbyen in Svalbard on the morning of the 1st of April with an early morning briefing and fit out for snow mobiles and appropriate winter clothing. Winter boots, a snow mobile suit and helmet will be provided for you for the expedition duration. Please note it is the law to wear helmets whenever driving snow mobile in Svalbard. You must also hold a valid drivers license. Once we are fitted with the necessary clothing and equipment we will strap our camera bags to our snow mobiles and head into the field for our first day out.
Where we will go each day will depend on the weather and snow conditions as well as the latest info about where we can find wildlife. We will keep an eye out for wildlife all the time when in the field – ptarmigan can be difficult to spot due to their white camouflage, but they often sit just next to the trails and you can get very close to them with your camera. Arctic fox have the same camouflage as ptarmigan, but they move around more so they are easier to spot. If you are patient, you can sneak up on both with a camera. We will have many encounters with Reindeer and of course, we will also be the look out for the King of the Arctic - the Polar Bear.
During the workshop we may visit the settlement of Barentsburg and the abandoned town at Coles Bay. If weather and ice conditions permit, we may also visit the east coast and drive on the sea ice in search of wildlife and icebergs frozen in place in the winter sea. At the end of each day, we will return to Longyearbyen for the night. This allows us to have proper facilities, a private room, hot shower and a choice of local restaurants. We also plan to have one dedicated night in the field in a wilderness camp. All overnight facilities will be provided for you including tent, sleeping bag, heated dining tent etc.
We will finish our workshop in the afternoon of the 5th of April with return of the snow mobiles, helmets and winter clothing.
Weather in Svalbard in April: The weather in Svalbard in April can be particularly harsh in winter. We reserve the right to make last-minute changes to the itinerary to both avoid bad weather and to take advantage of good weather and light as the conditions permit. Departure delays due to weather and cancelled flights are a fact of life in Svalbard and are to be expected. We can take no responsibility for weather-induced delays and ask for your patience if we are delayed by weather for any reason.
Flights to Svalbard: Flights to Longyearbyen, Svalbard can be booked with SAS or Norwegian Air from Oslo airport in Norway. We recommend arriving in Svalbard on the 29th of March or before in case of bad weather delays or lost luggage.
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions
- Transportation: All in-tour land transportation via snow mobile and guide services in Svalbard for the workshop duration. All fuel for the expedition.
- Outer Clothing and Safety: A snow mobile suit, winter boots and helmet will be provided for you for the duration of the expedition.
- Evacuation Insurance: Mandatory Svalbard evacuation insurance is included (medical insurance is not included).
- Accommodation: Please note accomodation other than one night in the wilderness camp is not included.
- Food and Beverages: Please note breakfast and dinner are not included other than one night in the wilderness camp.
- Tuition: Expert one-on-one Photographic tuition and guiding services
Exclusions
- Transportation: Any travel required to arrive at the expedition starting location in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
- Accommodation: Please note accomodation is not included. We recommend booking your preference in Longyearbyen with booking.com
- Food and Beverages: Please note breakfast and dinner are not included. There are many restaurants to choose from in Longyearbyen.
- Duties and Taxes: Any taxes, levies, insurances, Immigration, duty, and visa fees where applicable.
- Medical Insurance: Medical insurance is not included.
- Personal Items: Any personal items, including alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and travel insurance. Tipping is not required.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A deposit of $3,500 USD must be paid at the time of booking to secure your place. The balance due 120 DAYS before the workshop commencement date. Deposit Methods Accepted: Credit card Visa/Master (+3%) or Direct Deposit / Wire Transfer.
Refunds and Cancellations: Our standard workshop policy requires an initial non-refundable deposit for the reservation of your space and your payment balance in full 120 days before the commencement of the workshop date unless otherwise noted. If we do not receive the balance on or before the due date, and we are unable to get in contact with you via the contact details you have provided, we will try to fill your spot off the waiting list. At our discretion, we may apply your deposit to be used for another workshop within one year. Please note that price increases may apply in this instance.
If the workshop is cancelled for any reason, your deposit will be refunded in full. Wild Nature Photo Travel Pty Ltd., trading as Joshua Holko Photography and Joshua Holko, is not responsible for any financial commitments that registered attendees have with third parties such as airlines or other travel services.
READ FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Travel Insurance: You must purchase travel and evacuation insurance in the event of illness or any other emergency that delays or otherwise prevents you from travelling on the trip. Wild Nature Photo Travel partners with and recommends Global Rescue for Evacuation and Medical insurance.
REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP
If you are excited about photographing Arctic wildlife and exploring a stunning Winter landscape by snow mobile with a small group of like-minded, passionate photographers, now is the time to register your interest. Places are extremely limited, and once spoken for, that's it.