Ultimate Polar Bears of the High Arctic
- June 10th, 2025 - June 27th, 2025
- Spaces Left: SOLD OUT! (Maximum 12 Photographers)
WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE
The High Arctic is the domain of Ursus maratimus - The Polar Bear. Nowhere is the Polar Bear more commonly found than north of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, located deep within the Arctic Circle.
This first-of-its-kind extended 18-day expedition north of Svalbard is for keen and passionate wildlife photographers who want to capture dramatic and powerful photographs of Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife. Svalbard is one of the best places in the world to photograph Polar Bears, and with our extended duration, we will be able to travel much further east and west along the edge of the permanent pack ice than other expeditions. We have a small group size and personal, one-on-one tuition for the duration of the expedition. There will also be landscape opportunities during this workshop, although our primary focus is Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife.
Follow in the footsteps of the great explorers and join Joshua Holko on a once-in-a-lifetime extended 18-day expedition to the permanent pack ice north of Svalbard to photograph the world’s largest land predator - the Polar Bear. Photographing these magnificent animals in the dramatic polar landscape will be our main objective. Although we will also search for walrus and other wildlife, the Polar Bear is our primary objective on this expedition.
Our intention is to sail directly north from the small town of Longyearbyen in Svalbard to approximately 80º degrees north, to the very edge of the permanent pack ice. At our northerly most point we will likely be less than 600 miles from the North Pole and depending on the sea ice we may get even closer. We will be using the ice-hardened expedition ship M.S Freya, which will enable us to skirt the edge of the pack ice, searching for and photographing landscapes and Polar Bears. M.S. Freya is regarded as one of the best ships in the Arctic for Photography. With low-lying decks we can photograph at eye level with wild Polar Bears and other wildlife. Our expedition ship is also equipped with sufficient zodiacs (2 x Zodiac MKV models) and crew for all photographers to be shooting simultaneously, with plenty of room to spare for camera equipment - So bring what you need! We will be spending as much time as possible in the pack ice for Polar Bears on this expedition.
- Dates: 10th June 2025 until 27th July 2025 (Duration 17 Nights / 18 Days)
- Investment: $24,750 USD ($2,450 USD Single Supplement). Wild Nature Photo Travel Team members pay no single supplement.
- Deposit: The deposit to secure your place is $4,000 USD, with the balance due 120 days before the workshop commences.
- Participants: Maximum 12 Photographers plus leader
- Start and Finish: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Trip Leaders: Joshua Holko Master Photog II
- Fitness Level: Easy
- Temperature: Cold
- Experience Level: Beginner to Professional
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
This extended 18-day expedition is dedicated to photographing the world's only marine bear - Ursus maritumus, The Polar Bear.
With Longyearbyen, Svalbard as our starting point, we will steam directly north, high into the Arctic Ocean, and deep into the pack ice in search of Polar Bears. In late June and July, the landscape will be bathed in the golden light of the midnight sun and provide a stunning backdrop to photograph the world's largest bear as it roams the frozen ocean in search of prey.
The main focus of this extended expedition will be Polar Bears, and we intend to spend the vast majority of our time high in the Arctic Ocean, navigating the sea ice where Polar Bears are to be found on their hunting grounds. With 18 days, we have much longer than most expeditions and have ample time to spend up on the ice searching for and photographing Polar Bears.
This expedition has been designed to provide the best possible opportunities to experience and photograph Polar Bears. We also expect to meet wildlife, including Polar Bears, Walruses, Seals, and Arctic Foxes.
This exclusive expedition is for a strictly limited number of just 12 participants plus a leader and is dedicated to Polar Bear photography high in the Arctic Ocean.
We will use the ice-hardened expedition ship M.S Freya, which will enable us to navigate deep into the pack ice, searching for and photographing Polar Bears and other wildlife. M.S Feya is regarded as the best ship in the Arctic for Photography. Our expedition ship is also equipped with sufficient zodiacs (2 x Zodiac MKV models) and crew for all photographers to shoot simultaneously, with plenty of room to spare for camera equipment - So bring what you need!
Meals will be held onboard the ship and shall consist of breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea/coffee and two-course dinner (three-course dinner the last evening). Coffee and tea will be available 24 hours a day. The mealtimes shall be held regularly, but the catering crew has been informed that photography has priority on this expedition and flexibility is necessary. If you have special dietary requirements, you will be accommodated – please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.
Dietary Requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.
Travel: For the duration of this workshop, we will be based on the expedition ship M.S Freya.
Equipment: Telephoto lenses from 400 mm to 600 mm are recommended for Arctic wildlife. A wide-angle lens and tripod are also recommended if you wish to take advantage of the dramatic pack-ice landscape and support heavy telephoto lenses for extended periods.
If you are excited about travelling deep into the pack ice in the Arctic Ocean in search of Polar Bears with a small group of dedicated photographers, now is the time to secure your place. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that’s it.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY
Our expedition ship (M/S Freya) will depart from Longyearbyen at 4:00 pm on the 10th of June 2025. Please note that the boat cannot wait past its scheduled departure time in case of lost luggage or other delays. The ship will return to Longyearbyen around midnight on the 26th of June 2025. We will eat breakfast aboard the ship before we disembark at 9:00 am on the 27th of June. We conclude our expedition on disembarkation. We strongly recommend you plan to arrive in Longyearbyen at least one day before the ship departs on the 10th of June in case of lost luggage or delayed flights. There are many nice hotels in Longyearbyen, and day tours can be taken out of town with local operators.
Day One - Start your Svalbard Expedition: Svalbard is located at approximately 80º north, so our expedition is scheduled according to the prevailing weather and ice conditions found at this latitude at this time of the year. We will depart from Longyearbyen through Isafjorden and encounter our first Arctic landscapes under the midnight sun. We will seem north for the edge of the permanent pack ice and start our hunt for wildlife.
Day Two - Three - Photograph Svalbard: We continue our steam north heading for the permanent pack ice. Along the way, we will pass stunning Arctic landscapes, glaciers and excellent chances for wildlife, including Polar Bears, Walrus and Seals.
Day Four - Sixteen - Photograph Wildlife north of Svalbard: We cruise the edge of the pack ice, making journeys into the ice when possible in search of Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife. How far we travel along the edge of the pack ice will depend on how many Polar Bears we encounter and on reports of their recent locations. On this expedition, we will be carrying an expert specialising in locating Polar Bears and an expedition leader and captain with years of experience in placing us in the ideal position to make the best photographs. Their expertise will allow us to approach the king of the Arctic as closely and safely as possible and take incredible photographs under the midnight sun. Every effort will be made to find and photograph as many Polar Bears as possible; however, it is important to remember that these are wild animals and that they are free to roam when and how they please.
On this expedition, we will also likely photograph Walrus, Seals, Whales, Arctic Foxes and the many Arctic sea birds, including the rare and angelic Ivory Gull.
Day Seventeen - Photograph and Return: Return sail to Longyearbyen, arriving late in the evening, around 24:00
Day Eighteen - Disembarkation: Disembark the ship after breakfast. End of Service.
Summer in Svalbard: The average temperature in Svalbard in winter is around 5º Celsius. However, temperatures can drop below 0º Celsius, and with wind chill and in the pack ice, it can feel even colder, so it is essential to be prepared with the appropriate warm clothing. We will provide you with a complete list of recommended clothing on confirmation of booking. Please note that our expedition ship is heated 24/7, and the temperature on board in the cabins is warm and comfortable. Inside the ship, it is possible to wear light clothing such as a t-shirt and light pants.
Itinerary Changes: The weather in the Arctic can be fickle. We reserve the right to make last-minute changes to the itinerary to avoid bad weather and take advantage of good weather and light as the elements permit.
Flights to Longyearbyen: Flights to Longyearbyen can be booked with Norwegian Air or SAS direct from Oslo, Norway. Please note that some flights stop in Tromso on the way to and from Longyearbyen. We recommend booking direct flights when possible to avoid delays.
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions
- Transportation: All in-tour ship transportation for the duration of the workshop. All zodiac excursions and fuel for the duration of the workshop.
- Accommodation: Accommodation for seventeen nights on M.S Freya
- Survival Suit: Supply of survival suits for zodiac excursions if required
- Food and Beverages: Includes breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (excluding alcohol) for the duration of the workshop
- Tuition: Expert one-on-one Photographic tuition and guiding services
Exclusions
- Transportation: Any travel required to arrive at the workshop starting location in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
- Duties and Taxes: Any taxes, levies, insurances, Immigration, duty, and visa fees where applicable.
- Personal Items: Any personal items, including alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and travel insurance. Tipping for local guides is optional. Our recommendation is $30 USD per/day per person.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A deposit of $4,000 USD must be paid at the time of booking to secure your place. A further progress payment of $5000 USD is due by the 1st of September 2024, with 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 in the permanent pack ice north of the archipelago of Svalbard 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.