Svalbard Classic Winter 2023
Svalbard in Winter
During our Svalbard Classic Winter 2023 Expedition you will experience one of the last true and unspoiled wildernesses on earth where not humans but nature still dominates. The archipelago is situated halfway between the northern tip of Norway and the North Pole. Svalbard is one of the best places in the Arctic to see polar bears and other Arctic wildlife like walrus, various seal species, whales, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic fox. It is a nature lover's and photographer's dream. And its landscapes are an awe-inspiring mix of giant glaciers, deep fjords, rugged peaks and tundra hills.
We have chartered a perfect, small vessel for an intimate and personal Svalbard experience. We take only 12 people and have 2 large zodiacs which leaves space for each passenger and their photography gear. We have done this expedition many times and you will find that only after 2 days we have all become like a big family and enjoy each others company during the meals or presentations and enthusiasm when we spot a polar bear.
The boarding of the zodiacs happens within a few minutes so that we don't miss out on a good polar bear sighting when we need to get closer to shore. Bigger ships don't have this flexibility. They also don't have the freedom to change their route or itinerary like we do. We go where the wildlife is and once found we stay as long as we want. This is what makes our Wild Focus expeditions so special.
We have chosen this time of the year because there will be an abundance of pack and fjord ice, Arctic winter light and snowy landscapes. The light conditions in Svalbard during April are magical, and if the ice allows, we look forward to visiting the western and northern areas of Spitsbergen at this time of year. Usually winter trips are limited to snowmobiles quite close to Longyearbyen, but with our expedition ship, we will explore a large area. Our main goal during this expedition is to find polar bears. However we will also expect to see walrus, Svalbard reindeer, different seal species and with luck whales and Arctic Fox.
On the day we leave Longyearbyen you can just relax or take a leisurely walk in the morning. You may also try one of the cozy coffee shops, visit their polar museums, restaurants or check out the local shops.
Around 16:00 we will board the M/S Origo and start our 10 day Arctic adventure cruise. You will find this small ship very comfortable and the crew very friendly. The captain and crew are highly experienced and have traveled these arctic waters for many years.
Because we specialize in exclusive small group travel, we have freedom and extra flexibility on our Svalbard expedition that may not be enjoyed with larger groups. We can linger as long as we like at wildlife sightings, and we have time to capture the perfect light while enjoying or photographing the majestic landscapes. We will look for calving glaciers and stunning icy landscapes during our expedition.
Svalbard is Wild Focus Expeditions’ flagship adventure and usually fills far in advance. Please don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime-experience. Svalbard should be on every adventurer’s and nature lover’s bucket list. Join us on our Svalbard Classic Winter 2023 Expedition - it will be a memory of a lifetime.
Please read the REVIEWS of our past Svalbard Expeditions