Wildlife of Arctic Bay in Winter by Snow Mobile
- March 08th, 2027 - March 20th, 2027
- Spaces Left: 5 (Maximum 5 Photographers)
WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE
This custom, bespoke expedition to Arctic Bay in northern Nunavut, Canada in winter is for dedicated and passionate wildlife photographers who want to capture dramatic and powerful photographs of Polar Bears and Arctic wildlife on the frozen sea ice in winter. As the third most northerly community in Canada, the hamlet of Arctic Bay, Nunavut is as remote as it is beautiful. During this expedition we will also have stunning opportunities with icebergs frozen in the sea as we traverse the frozen sea ice by snowmobile and qamutiik (traditional wooden sleds).
- Dates: 08th March 2027 until 20th March 2027 (Duration 12 Nights / 13 Days)
- Why Travel with Us: Wild Nature Photo Travels Point of Difference
- Investment: $28,950 USD
- Deposit: The deposit to secure your place is $5,000 USD
- Participants: Maximum 5 Photographers plus leader
- Start and Finish: Arctic Bay Airport, Nunavut, Canada
- Trip Leaders: Joshua Holko Master Photog II
- Fitness Level: Moderate
- Temperature: Freezing
- Experience Level: Intermediary to Advanced
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Against a tapestry of sea ice and frozen icebergs, we journey deep into one of the last vestiges of Arctic Wilderness in Arctic Bay in search of Polar Bears and Arctic wildlife.
During this expedition, we will travel by snowmobile and qamutiik (traditional wooden sleds) across the vast frozen sea of Arctic Bay, in Nunavut, Northern Canada. Here, the landscape is winter sea ice with icebergs trapped in the frozen sea; these fortresses of ice tower above us as we pass by. We are always keeping a watchful eye out for Polar Bears as our expedition focuses primarily on the king of the Arctic. The scale of the landscape here in this pristine environment is overpowering. This environment is also home to the Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, Snow Bunting, Ptarmigan, and Ringed Seals, a delicacy of the Polar Bear when out hunting. During March, we will also have an excellent chance to experience the Aurora Borealis, illuminating the nighttime skies above us.
For the duration of this expedition, we will be based in a small, remote, private camp on the sea ice (this camp will be established ahead of our arrival). From our base camp, we will make daily excursions via snowmobile out onto the sea ice in search of Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife.
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: We will travel by private snow mobiles and 'qamutiik' for the duration of this expedition. Please note you will not be required to drive your own snow mobile.
Equipment: Telephoto lenses from 500 mm to 600 mm are recommended. Zoom lenses generally provide more flexibility for fast-moving wildlife. A wide-angle lens and tripod are also recommended if you wish to take advantage of the lack of light pollution and the clear night sky for astronomy photography. There are likely to be frequent opportunities for Northern Lights photography.
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.
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
We officially start our expedition in Arctic Bay of the 8th of March. We expect to arrive in Arctic Bay in the afternoon of the 8th of March depending on the final flight schedules. We will have our first night in a small guest house in Arctic Bay to make final preparations before we out on the 9th to our camp on the sea ice.
On the 9th of March, we will travel by private snow mobiles to the remote camp waiting for us on the frozen sea ice where we will based for the duration of the expedition. Once we arrive at our camp we will have no contact with the outside world except via satellite phone for emergencies.
Once we are situated at our remote camp, we will have the next ten days to search for and photograph Arctic wildlife in the spectacular winter landscape of the frozen sea. We will return to Arctic bay on the 19th of March for one more night at the guest house,. We then conclude our expedition on the 20th of February with return flights from Arctic Bay to Ottawa.
Weather in Arctic Bay: The weather in Arctic Bay can be dramatic and wild. During this expedition, we expect to experience temperatures as low as -40º Celsius during the expedition. Along with dramatic weather comes dramatic light, and there are often opportunities to make incredible photographs during difficult conditions. 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 are a fact of life in Winter in the Arctic 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. We strongly recommend you allow a minimum of four days after our expedition in case we are delayed on our return.
Flights to Arctic Bay: Flights to Arctic Bay can be booked online with Canadian North from Ottawa, Canada. Ottawa can easily be reached from any major centre in the world with major carriers.
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions
- Transportation: All in-tour land transportation and guide services from our starting location in Arctic Bay, Nunavut for the expedition duration.
- Accommodation: Accommodation for two nights at a guest house in Arctic Bay and ten nights at our private camp on the sea ice in Arctic Bay.
- Food and Beverages: Includes breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (excluding alcohol) for the duration of the expedition
- Tuition: Expert one-on-one Photographic tuition and guiding services
Exclusions
- Transportation: Any travel required to arrive at the workshop starting location in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, Canada.
- Duties and Taxes: Any taxes, levies, insurances, Immigration, duty, and visa fees where applicable.
- Travel, Evacuation and Medical Insurance: Travel, Evacuation and Medical Insurance are not included in the cost of the expedition.
- Personal Items: Any personal items, including alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and travel insurance. Tipping is not required.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A deposit of $5,000 USD must be paid at the time of booking to secure your place, with a further progress payment of $15,000 USD due by the 1st of March 2026. The balance is then 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 Nature's most powerful land predator - the Polar Bear - in a stunning Winter landscape 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.