Arrive on Spitsbergen
We arrive in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, before transferring to our hotel. Overnight stay at BaseCamp Spitsbergen in the small Arctic town of Longyearbyen, where lunches and dinners are on your own.
Included
- Accommodation for 10 nights in twin/single share room basis
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Zodiac excursions daily
- dog mushing and snowmobile tour
- Certified bear guards
- Two Wild Focus Expedition Leaders
- Photography Workshop
Not Included
- Any expenses of a personal nature such as telephone calls, beverages, liquor and wines, etc.*
- Dinners at BaseCamp
- Lunch on arrival day in Longyearbyen
- International airfare
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel/medical insurance (highly recommended)
*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.
On some of our Svalbard Expeditions (only late Spring), we offer the chance to spend a full day traveling on snow mobile or mushing a team of sled dogs. Dog sledding is very active and good physical health is a requirement. You will be responsible to control your team of dogs after receiving basic training on dog mushing. Travelers with severe back problems should avoid this activity as mushing can be bumpy and require upper body strength to control the sled. Please discuss this activity with your Expedition Leader if you have any doubts or questions.
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.