SVALBARD POLAR BEAR EXPEDITIONJune 14 - 24, 2019

ABOUTThe High Arctic is a place to inspire the imagination. Nowhere is it more accessible than the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, located deep within the Arctic Circle.

Follow in the footsteps of the great explorers and join photography tour leaders Daníel Bergmann and Jeff Vanuga plus Morten Jørgensen, one of Svalbard’s most experienced expedition leaders, on a unique expedition to one of the most fascinating photography locations on our planet.

This expedition is for a limited number of just 18 participants. One of our main goals will be to find and photograph Polar Bears, in its natural habitat out on the pack ice, and Svalbard has historically been one of the most reliable places for that. Our success will depend on the ice condition and it’s location. In some years the ice is just off the northern tip of Svalbard while in other years it has retreated too far north to make it possible to sail there. In the case of the latter we will search for Polar Bears that are on land in the northeastern part of the archipelago, where they are sometimes seen hunting on ice in front of glaciers. This is an expedition into a changeable environment and the element of surprise. The discovery of what wildlife is found where and when is a major part of the Svalbard experience.

ITINERARYUpon leaving the small town of Longyearbyen we will know what location we will first aim for but our plans might change with what we find and with the ice and weather we encounter. Although Polar Bears are on the top of our list of photography subjects, the full Svalbard experience is about so much more than the iconic Arctic predator. We will have 10 days to explore the islands and with crew that is able to operate the ship around the clock we can cover a great deal of terrain if we so choose. We might even circumnavigate Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island –something that was not possible a few years ago due to ice.

We will be using the ice hardened expedition ship M/S Freya that will enable us to skirt the edge of the pack ice if it will be within reach. Freya is widely regarded as one of the best ships in the Arctic for wildlife photography. With low-lying decks it is possible to photograph Polar Bears, Walrus, other sea mammals and birds closer and lower than on most other ships. Our expedition ship is also equipped with a sufficient number of zodiacs for all photographers to be shooting simultaneously.

Walrus north of Nordaustlandet

A Polar Bear chilling on pack ice, its natural hunting habitat

WHAT TO EXPECT

We have 24-hour daylight in June. This gives us opportunity to enjoy some long days with an extended flexibility of the program. We may add extra landings or Zodiac excursions, and we may shift some mealtimes to make extra use of opportunities provided. The weather can be anything, but freezing daytime air temperatures are infrequent. The fjord ice remains in some areas in some years, other times or at other glacier fronts there is now access right up close. Many landing sites are now quite negotiable after the snowmelt.

June is without doubt the best times for migrant birds, which includes just about all Svalbard birds. Species such as King Eider and Grey/Red Phalarope are best seen before late June, when they are around in flocks before being able to pair out on the tundra. To some extent this is true also of Brent/Brant and Pink-footed Geese. Also the endemic Ptarmigan subspecies is easier to find in June. It is a good time also for vagrants. But all else is pretty much in place, and the colonies of auks and kittiwakes etc are buzzing. Some years, sea-ice prevents much progress east, and the largest colonies remain out of reach – Little Auks (Dovekies) are however within reach on the west coast, and usually Brünnich’s Guillemot (Thick-billed Murre) too (even if not always the largest colony).

Polar Bears are present year round in Svalbard. In June, the cubs of the year are about 6 months old, still with their mothers. Those cubs that have reached 2,5 years of age are off on their own for the first time in their lives. Sometimes we meet these young, newly independent bears – they are often extra inquisitive. Where we see Polar Bears depends a lot on the sea ice. Some years, there is still a lot of sea ice in June, meaning that we find the bears there. Other times, the sea ice has melted back so far that many bears are stranded on shore for the summer. In such years, we can travel far to the east and northeast, and here we often see bears roaming the shores, or even riding small icebergs.

We will make a number of walks across the tundra, watching the Reindeer feed, Arctic Foxes go about ther daily life and the geese and Arctic Terns attending to their young, and the flowers adding colours. We shall also be going out in the inflatables, to explore wildlife, glacier fronts and coastal scenery up close.

You will have a daily program designed to maximize the wildlife and wilderness opportunities that are available. No two expeditions are ever the same. No two sailing routes are the same. The weather always changes. The location of the ice is unpredictable. The wildlife is – just that – wild! What will ensure a unique and extraordinary experience for all participants is the expertise of the guides and the crew combined with everybody’s flexibility and expeditionary spirit.

A male Polar Bear and Bearded Seal

PLACES WE MAY VISIT

Ice & time permitting, include:

Kongsfjorden, a scenic fjord complex of dramatic mountains and sweeping glaciers, housing Bearded and Ringed Seals, much flor, bird colonies and several options for shore landings.

NW Spitsbergen, an area of great beauty with glaciers, pointed mountain peaks and many islands and inlets. Here we often see Polar Bears, Walrus, Harbour Seals, Beluga Whales and many birds.

Liefdefjorden, a majestic fjord area with large glacier fronts, Polar Bears, numerous bird species, and frequently Beluga and Minke Whales.

Hinlopenstretet, which is often frequented by large baleen whales, houses Walrus, and boasts the largest accessible auk colony on a spectacular vertical cliff face.

Seven Islands, the northernmost part of Svalbard, a truly spectacular icy home for Walrus and Polar Bears.

White Island, the easternmost part of Svalbard, as remote as anywhere you will ever get.

Bråsvellbreen, the northern hemisphere’s longest ice wall, at this time of year with numerous waterfalls pouring off it.

Edgeøya, a large island offering numerous options for hikes across lush tundra plains, studying flowers, breeding birds, Arctic Fox and Svalbard Reindeer – and often larger mammals too.

Hornsund, massive glacier fronts and dramatic scenery, with colonies of various bird species and Ringed and Bearded Seals dotting the fast-ice, attracting Polar Bears.

YOUR INVESTMENTThe cost for the expedition is from $12,450 (USD) for a berth in a twin share cabin with en shite facilities. We willl board the ship at 16:00 on the 14th of June and disembark at 09:00 on the 24th of June. All meals are included but drinks (other than water, tea and coffee) are excluded.

The meals onboard 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 at regular times, but the catering crew has been informed that photography has priority on this expedition and flexibility is necessary.

TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL IN LONGYEARBYENSAS and Norwegian fly to Longyearbyen in Svalbard from Oslo. We strongly recommend you arrive to Longyearbyen at least one day before the ship departs in case of lost luggage or delayed flights. There are a number of nice hotels in Longyearbyen and day tours can be taken out of town with local operators.

SVALBARD VIDEOSIn 2015 Daníel did a Svalbard expedition in partnership with Joshua Hilko with a film crew on board. This short film (link below) about that expedition will give you a good impression of what you will likely be experiencing.Kingdom of the Ice Bear on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/145823088

Svalbard landscapes – mountains and tundra

Angels of the Arctic – Ivory Gulls at the pack ice

Brünnich’s Guillemot and Northern Fulmar – Guillemots at Alkefjellet

FACTS ABOUT THE EXPEDITION

Dates: June 14–24, 2019Group Size: 18 guests plus leaders

TRANSPORTATION: M/S Freya & Mark V Zodiacs

RATES (per person in USD):Older twin cabin (4 berths) $12,450Newer twin cabin (10 berths) $12,950Superior cabin (DBL bed) $13,450

INCLUDED IN THE EXPEDITION RATE: • 10 nights of accommodation aboard the ship • all meals while on board • water, coffee/tea ad libitum • guides and crew services • daily excursions by Zodiac (only 6 guests per Zodiac) • instructions from a highly experienced photo leader • one of Svalbard’s most experienced expedition leader • lectures, briefings and shore side interpretations • magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife encounters • great company and safe and friendly travel

EXCLUSIONS: • any pre- or post-cruise expenses including flights and transfers • other drinks than mentioned above • customary tips for crew and staff • mandatory insurance • anything else not specified as included

PAYMENT TERMS $3,000 deposit at registration $5,000 due October 15, 2018 Balance before February 15, 2019

For registration and further info contact Daníel Bergmann at: natura@natura.isSee more about Iceland and Arctic photography tours at: www.danielbergmann.com

M/S FreyaWith a 1360 HP engine, the highest ice class possible, and certification for unrestricted trade, the M/S Freya is an excellent and very useful expedition ship. From 2017, it has a capacity of 24 guests and 2 guides (but we will have a group of only 21 total with guests, leaders and guides).

M/S Freya was originally built in 1981 for the Swedish Maritime Administration as the light house building vessel “FYRBJÖRN”. She is built to fall into Lloyd’s class for unrestricted trade, and has the highest ice class 1A. The vessel was rebuilt and extended with five meters at Holms ship yard in Råå 1995. In the Falkenberg Yard, she was converted into an expedition ship in 2015 and renamed “Freya af Göteborg”.

M/S Freya meets all standards and requirements regarding maritime safety and navigation. She carries three Mark V Zodiacs for guest use.

M/S Freya has six lower-bunk double cabins and four triple cabins (the third bunk folds up/down), all with en-suite facilities. The public areas consist of a lecture room / salon (shared with the crew), a dining and bar area, an aft deck with furniture, and further good amounts of deck space behind the bridge, on the sides and in front of the superstructure, and on the bow.

Photography leader Daníel BergmannDaníel is a professional nature photographer from Iceland with over 20 years of experience in the field. He leads photography workshops in Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard. He is widely published and his latest book is Iceland Landscapes. Daníel brings to the expedition an intimate knowledge of Arctic wildlife and an experience of photographing in Svalbard on a number of previous expeditions, the first one in 2011.

See more at: www.danielbergmann.com

Expedition leader Morten JørgensenMorten was born in Copenhagen and has always loved the natural environment and especially its wildlife. He has been working in the Arctic since 1997, on small cruise ships as guide, lecturer, Zodiac driver and expedition leader. Since the mid-eighties, Morten has been an active ornithologist, a passion that has been supplemented with a love for marine mammals, whales and dolphins, seals and polar bears alike. But there are no areas of nature that do not fascinate him. He is also a keen photographer.

PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS AND GUIDES

Assistant expedition leader Nozomi TakeyabuNozomi was raised in a log cabin of Japan’s Hokkaido Island by an artistic father and devoted mother. Her enthusiasm and love for nature were shaped by the natural environment she grew up in. It is reflected in most of her actions and also in her work as an artist. Nozomi’s devotion to nature and travel has taken her all around the world as she seeks inspiration for creative projects.

Nozomi immediately developed an intense passion for the Polar Regions after she visited first Svalbard and then Antarctica. Since her first visit to the polar regions, she has not missed one season to visit these magnificent places that she fell in love with. While driving Zodiacs in the polar regions, snorkelling in warmer areas, trekking anywhere in various climates, or spotting wildlife in the vast wilderness, she finds deep joy and inspiration in sharing nature experiences with others.

Photography leader Jeff Vanuga

Jeff is a photographer based in Dubois, Wyoming. He has been a photography tour leader for Joseph Van Os Photosafaris for a couple of decades and has been on numerous Svalbard expeditions before. His images have been published in National Geographic Magazine, Outside, National Wildlife, Nature’s Best, The New York Times and Wyoming Wildlife. His photography has won many awards, including first place in the National Wildlife Photography Competition, first place in BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature’s Best, Outdoor Writer’s Association and many other photographic competitions.

To learn more, visit Jeff’s website: www.jeffvanuga.com