ARCTIC ADVENTURE

SVALBARD, NORWAY

A 6-night nature-watching and photo holiday to the Arctic Circle -

wander among Arctic foxes, spectacular birds, whales and fjords this summer.

HIGHLIGHTS | ITINERARY | LOCATION | WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Join award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins to experience the best of Arctic wildlife.

Lying halfway between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is a wild land of glaciers and tundra - an irresistible destination for the artist or traveller inspired by nature. Unlike larger commercial tours, we'll base ourselves for 5 full days in one location, the charming town of Longyearbyen, to make the most of its unique landscapes and help you get stunning images of walruses, whales, seabirds and resident foxes!

With 24 hours of daylight and many animals within minutes of our lodge, we can make repeat visits to sites to get the best out of our subjects. This trip is therefore perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts who want to see the amazing wildlife that the Arctic has to offer.

DATES & PRICES

2026 TOURS AVAILABILITY PRICE

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Jun 01 - 07 5 Places £3,450

Jun 07 - 13 5 Places What's Included?

2027 TOURS AVAILABILITY PRICE

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Jun 01 - 07 4 - 8 Places TBC

What's Included?

Pay a deposit to secure your place - with final payment

2 months before departure.

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MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Are you interested in something similar? Send an enquiry and I’ll reply soon to discuss further.

PAUL ALISTAIR COLLINS

HIGHLIGHTS

Regular evening encounters with Arctic Foxes around the coast and town

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2 boat trips for Whales, Walruses, Seals, Seabirds, and maybe even Polar Bears in the ice fjords

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Photograph the courtship of Arctic birds such as Red-Throated Diver, King Eider, Long-Tailed Duck, and Phalaropes

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Sit among Little Auk cliff colonies

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Stay in a traditional Arctic mining town steeped in history and culture

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Expert 1-on-1 tuition from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins, with image feedback

“A week of wonderful memories. There were so many fun and lovely moments, it's hard to choose - sitting among little auks, Arctic Foxes coming so near to me, that's hard to beat! The ineffable golden magic of the midnight sun, king eiders, beluga whales in the fjord, walruses, conversations with the retired miners . . . Many special moments. I look forward to maybe doing it again sometime!"

Rebecca

(Arctic Adventure 2024)

ITINERARY

The following is a proposed itinerary, subject to animal activity and weather conditions. Each day we will discuss options on how best to maximise your artistic and wildlife viewing opportunities. All excursions are optional, allowing for relaxed exploration and longer creative sessions.

Meet in Oslo, where we fly onwards to Svalbard. We'll transfer to our accommodation, just a 10-minute drive from the airport and overlooking the town of Longyearbyen. Dinner at a nearby restaurant, with views of the town - it's not unusual to spot arctic fox or reindeer from the window!). Restful evening, meet-and-greet and talk through plan for the week. Optional evening drive for Arctic Foxes and tundra birds.

After breakfast, we head into the Adventdalen Valley. The lagoons along this 10km stretch of road hold a dizzying variety of breeding birds such as King and Common Eider (and sometimes Steller's), Red-Necked and Grey Phalarope, Long-Tailed Duck, Red-Throated Diver, Pink-Footed Geese, Purple and Pectoral Sandpiper, Snow Bunting, and the possibility of rarities like an Ivory Gull or Buff-Breasted Sandpiper. We will have unparalleled photo opportunities with these birds at water level and very close proximity - it's not unusual for phalaropes to swim inches from us as they feed like little spinning tops. We will focus on capturing courtship, breeding and territorial behaviours, and getting a variety of beautiful-lit portrait, reflection and action shots. We'll return to town for lunch and provisions, and spend the afternoon at a Common Eider colony, with approximately 200 nesting birds. Dinner in town, and an evening drive for Arctic Foxes on the coastal road. If energy is high in our group, we can revisit the tundra birds which look magnificent under the midnight sun.

The first half of this day is the Walrus Safari. Departing our hotel at 9am, we will head out by boat either to a beach colony at Poolepynten or to a nearer glacial colony, where we can expect to photograph up to 30 walruses on land and in water (sometimes very close to the boat). En route we'll pass through spectacular fjords and ancient blue glaciers, where we may see Seals (Bearded, Ringed), Whales (Blue, Beluga, Humpback), and seabirds on the ice or flying close to the boat which can offer excellent fly-by photos ("Blue" Fulmar, Arctic Tern, Kittiwake, Glaucous and Iceland Gull, Brunnich's and Common Guillemot). We return to Longyearbyen at 3:30pm. The afternoon is open for more tundra birds and Arctic Foxes along the coastal road. Dinner in town, and an optional midnight sun drive for those who fancy it.

After breakfast, we'll drive to the nearby coastal road lagoons. Our focus this morning is the colony of Little Auks, with several thousand birds nesting on the dramatic chimney stack of the Vestpynten cliffs. We'll photograph these endearing birds as they fly back and forth to their nests. We'll also scan the sea here for migrating Belugas or Humpback Whales. On the way back to town for lunch, we'll pass by the historic boatyard and the Seed Vault, two historic points of interest. After lunch, we drive the full extent of the Adventdalen to the Isfjord Radio in the mountains, to locate ptarmigan and reindeer (we may stop en route for tundra birds and waders if there is any interesting activity going on or any rarities present). The Svalbard Ptarmigan is all-white with striking red eyebrows, and we should find him and his partner on the snowy peaks. Evening in town, and optional evening drive for Arctic Foxes and tundra birds.

A full day boat-trip to the abandoned Soviet mining town of Pyramiden. Our boat passes through Billefjorden and the cobalt blue Nordenskiold glacier. From the boat, we can photograph seabirds such as Puffins and Brunnich's Guillemot which nest on the Diabas Bird Cliffs. Depending on sea ice levels, we have a good chance of finding Polar Bears on the ice, and Beluga, Humpback or even Blue Whale. We return to Longyearbyen around 7pm. Dinner in town, with an optional evening drive for Arctic Foxes and tundra birds.

We will spend our last morning in the Adventdalen with the eiders and tundra birds, targeting any species that our group would like to focus on. Lunch in Longyearbyen. Chance to visit the Svalbard Museum and North Pole Museum, explore the town, and to buy any souvenirs. Afternoon in the mountains with ptarmigan and reindeer, and "mopping up" any animal behaviours and portraits that we want for our portfolios. Dinner in Longyearbyen. A final quick evening drive for Arctic Foxes, before our late flight back home.

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LOCATION

We will stay in one location so that you can deeply discover this unique environment over time. For the duration of the holiday, you will be based in a prime location for the best local wildlife and cultural opportunities - unlike costly Arctic cruises where sightings are often fleeting. Staying at a comfortable hotel, formerly miners barracks, in Longyearbyen, you'll have arctic foxes and reindeer as your neighbours, allowing endless opportunities for artistic inspiration or to enjoy the view.

The cabin is equipped with private bedrooms, a communal kitchen, lounge area, bathroom and washing facilities, plus heating and wifi.

Arctic Foxes

We'll make 6 evening outings for Arctic foxes, to coincide with when they are most actively hunting. We have had much luck in the past seeing foxes take eggs and show their opportunistic characters. As many as five individuals can be seen in a single night. We'll spend as much time as possible getting to know their personalities and capturing their behaviours. You'll want spare camera batteries!

Birds Of The Valley

You will have many opportunities to take photos of a dazzling variety of birds on the tundra lakes, during the day and under the midnight sun. Unlike other photo tours, we'll make the most of the Arctic's golden hours to get creative portraits.

These sessions are great fun and offer awesome chances to capture stunning portraits and breeding behaviours at very close range, in flight and at water level, without the need for a hide - many birds come very close! With a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, there's no place quite like it!

Mountains: Ptarmigan & Reindeer

We will also make a couple of visits to the nearby mountains and abandoned mines to spot ptarmigan in the snow. As these are just a 30 minute drive from our accommodation, it is easy to head up into the lower peaks at short notice. The male of the Svalbard ptarmigan subspecies is white all year with striking red eyebrows; whilst the softly patterned females hiding in the tussocky grass allow for a more subtle photography approach. Repeat visits may allow us to observe the males sparring as they defend their territories.

Walrus Safari

A day among this 30-strong walrus colony is highly recommended! We will either land at a beach colony or a glacial colony, depending on weather conditions. At both sites there will be the chance for close encounters, with walruses often coming into the water to check us out.

Our boat trip will pass through dramatic fjords and passed ancient glaciers and the bluest icebergs imaginable, home to bearded and ringed seals, plus guillemots and puffins. There is a high chance of spotting whales, and we regularly find pods of belugas following the boat!

Little Auk Colony

The penguins of the north! Prepare to have your heart stolen by the charismatic little auks as they squawk just a few feet away from you. We'll get you into the best positions to capture close-ups, portraits and flight shots as they fly overhead in their thousands. This is a lovely place to drink in the magnificent fjords, and maybe spot a walrus or whale as the sun sets.

A short ascent is required from the coastal road to reach the little auk cliff colony, over stony and uneven terrain. Many birds nest at lower levels, although the best opportunities for photos require 5 to 10 minutes of gradual ascent.

WANT TO EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY?

Want to combine a bit of culture or add more wildlife experiences?

Paul Alistair Collins Photography is thrilled to offer extensions for Arctic Fox photography, as well as cultural, birdwatching and geological experiences around Svalbard and Norway.

We can arrange pre/post tour extensions in Svalbard and Norway.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR FOR YOU?

This is the only photo tour in the world that concentrates on Svalbard's land birds and mammals. Whilst other tours spend weeks circumnavigating Svalbard by boat (which can be very costly!), we will be based in the town, teasing the wonderful photo opportunities on our doorstep. We'll also take two boat trips so that you can get the full taste of the Arctic both on land and at sea.

With expert photographic guidance from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins, we'll ensure you capture truly unique images. Paul has guided here for 10 years. We believe no one knows a land better than those who’ve lived there and travelled its length and breadth, and they will help you make the most of every opportunity.

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OTHER TOURS

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

✓ Services of professional photography and local wildlife/polar guides

✓ Full-day walrus safari boat trip

✓ Evening boat trip for whales and seals

✓ Evening image review and edit sessions (optional)

✓ Welcome presentation & materials on local fauna and sites

✓ 6 nights' stay in a traditional hotel

✓ All breakfasts

✓ Admission to the Svalbard Museum

✓ Airport pick-up and drop-off from Svalbard Longyearbyen Airport

✓ Ground transportation

✗ Return flights to Svalbard Longyearbyen Airport (please contact me so I can recommend the best flights)

✗ Any Visa charges or airport taxes

✗ Personal and cancellation insurance*

✗ Lunches, dinners, personal snacks, beverages and alcohol

✗ Personal expenses

✗ Laundry

✗ Any additional overnight stays or excursions

Have any other questions? Check out our Tour FAQs below.

TOUR FAQs

EXCLUSIVE
ACCESS

Gain access to private locations where other tours don't go - and capture unique shots that no one else is getting.

INTIMATE
ENCOUNTERS

Enjoy regular sightings of our target species, in diverse light and weather conditions - allowing you to build a rich portfolio of stunning images.

DEEP
IMMERSION

Develop your vision at your own pace - with thoughtfully curated itineraries, expert guiding, small groups and 1-on-1 learning.

For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions

* To take part in our trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses. We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.

ARCTIC ADVENTURE

SVALBARD, NORWAY

HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

LOCATION

WANT TO EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY?

​ WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR FOR YOU?

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

INTIMATE ENCOUNTERS

DEEP IMMERSION

WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR FOR YOU?

EXCLUSIVE
ACCESS

INTIMATE
ENCOUNTERS

DEEP
IMMERSION