M/S Freya
Per Person Sharing
Why Svalbard?
During our Svalbard Classic 2025 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.
Why go with us?
We have chartered a perfect, small vessel for an intimate and personal Svalbard experience. We take only 12 people and have 3 large zodiacs which leaves much space for each passenger and his or her 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 is a great chance for an abundance of pack and fjord ice which in return means many seals and hopefully polar bears. Our main goal during this expedition is to find polar bears. However we will also see walrus, Svalbard reindeer, different seal species and with luck whales and Arctic Fox. Not to forget the giant cliffs with thousands of breeding Arctic birds.
Around 16:00 we will board the M/s Freya and start our 8 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 (12 passengers maximum on the M/S Freya), 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. 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 tour 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 2025 Expedition - it will be a memory of a lifetime.
Please read the REVIEWS of our past Svalbard Expeditions
$10,500.00
Per person sharing
In stock
Per Person Sharing
Letters correspond to points on the map in the map tab.
You will arrive in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. Please book a hotel far in advance as they fill fast. You can contact us for any accommodation suggestions.
Hotel and meals on your own
You will have time to pick up any needed last minute items before we board the M/S Freya after lunch (on your own). We depart at approximately 16:00. We have our first dinner on the M/S Freya after we embark, get settled into our cabins and then slowly start moving out of Adventfjorden on our adventure. We will spend the next eight nights onboard the M/S Freya who will transport us to a surreal world of beauty, ice and snow. We are on our way deep into the land of the mighty polar bear. Our Arctic expedition in the land of the midnight sun begins now!
Overnight M/S Freya (D), breakfast and lunch on your own
The next 7 days are dedicated to exploring the Svalbard Archipelago in search of the polar bear and other northern wildlife. We will photograph towering glaciers and sea ice in many shapes and forms. Because we chartered the entire ship, we are free to go where the light and ice take us and linger as long as we like to capture the magical light available to us for arctic photography.
Overnight M/S Freya, (B,L,D)
You will enjoy the last breakfast on the ship before disembarking in Longyearbyen port this morning. The expedition has come to an end. You transfer to the airport in Longyearbyen to connect to your international outbound flights home. Please book your flight out of Longyearbyen after breakfast time.
(B) on board the M/S Freya
*Beverages including liquor can be purchased in USD on the ship at the bar. Credit cards are accepted.
For this ship-based trip, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You will need to be able to climb into and out of rigid inflatable Zodiac rafts for excursions ashore and have the ability to walk one to three miles over sometimes rough and uneven terrain such as rocky beaches and/or snow. This is an active expedition that requires mobility and good health. Travel via Zodiac may include variable conditions and can on occasion be bumpy and windy. If it’s windy, you may get wet from sea spray. We provide one-piece immersion suits that will protect you and your outer clothing from getting wet.
Travelers must be prepared for any type of weather, including extreme conditions that may involve high winds, rain and snow. While seas are generally calm on this expedition, it’s possible that we could encounter rough conditions which may cause issues for travelers prone to motion sickness. Please consult your physician about medications that control motion sickness. Inquire specifically about the Transderm Scop patch which we have found to be extremely effective without causing drowsiness. Discuss this with your doctor first because it should not be prescribed if you have been treated for glaucoma. There may be newer medications available as well, so please consult your physician.
"There is a magic about the Arctic that is difficult to describe...even for me having lived in the far North for more than two decades. You have to experience it for yourself. Svalbard is one of the best places to do so!"
“The Arctic is indescribably beautiful. For centuries, explorers were drawn to it. It is one of my very favorite places to photograph and explore. Ice is a photographer’s dream. And polar bears, the ultimate predators, live in this icy landscape. This expedition is the ultimate adventurer's adventure and will give you a fantastic opportunity to see the mighty polar bear in his natural and magical habitat."
Wild Focus Expeditions provides specialized, small group photography tours. Our photography expeditions are designed to get participants into distinctive, engaging locations around the world at the optimum times for photography. Our photo tours are created by our team of photographers who want to experience and photograph the world's top wildlife, nature and traditional cultures locations.
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