Svalbard 2024 — Armstrong-Fortescue

Having sold out two years in a row our favourite trip returns in 2025

For eight nights in May 2025 we’ll have exclusive use of MV Villa, a purpose built Arctic Exploration ship, exploring the fjords of Svalbard Archipelago and searching for the regions endemic wildlife, experiencing a landscape found nowhere else on this planet and coming eye to eye with the holy grail of Arctic wildlife, the polar bear.

With Matt and William both professional photographers and experienced guides there will be a strong photographic element to the trip. However, for those more inclined to witness the miracle of the north without a camera in hand we have designed the trip to accommodate all kinds of traveller.

Our accommodation, the MV Villa, is internationally recognised as providing a luxurious base from which to explore the Arctic Circle, while we will utilise zodiacs (dinghy boats with an outboard motor, pictured below) for our daily wildlife expeditions.

Back on board, Matt and Will can host private editing sessions to ensure you get the best out of your images, while also running group lectures on their experiences of photography in the frozen north and journeys around the world.

2nd - 11th May 2025
This trip is strictly limited to 10 guests, making it one of the smallest group trips offered to the Arctic.
One night in Longyearbyen at Basecamp Explorer and eight nights aboard our expedition vessel MV Villa.
All travellers are required to get to Longyearbyen, reached via a direct flight from Oslo, Norway.

Itinerary

2nd May 2024

Arrive in Longyearbyen, overnight and dinner in the world’s northernmost city.
3rd May

Board MV VIlla in Longyearbyen Harbour and set sail round the Svalbard archipelago.
3rd - 11th May

Days spent aboard MV Villa with activities dependent on weather ice and snow.
3rd - 11th May

Activities include zodiac adventures looking for polar bear, arctic fox, walrus etc.
3rd - 11th May

On board there will be one-on-one photo editing lessons and group workshops.
3rd - 11th May

Lectures on polar wildlife, photography and expeditions from Matt, Will and our local guides.
3rd - 11th May

There will also be plenty of time to enjoy the 24 hour Arctic daylight from the bridge of the ship learning about Arctic exploration from the ship’s crew.
11th May

Disembark MV Villa in Longyearbyen harbour and fly home.

Wildlife

When anyone thinks of the Arctic, their first thought is always of polar bears, naturally. There is so much more to Arctic wildlife than that though, and we aim to show you as much of that as possible.

From either aboard the MV Villa, or out on our zodiacs, Matt, William and the crew will constantly be on the look out for polar bears, Arctic fox (pictured opposite), walrus, and the huge variety of seal and bird species. The majority of these species are endemic to the Arctic region and cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

Not only is the wildlife breathtaking, the landscape is too. Meaning for those interested in photography the potential of getting ‘the shot’, of a polar bear, fox or reindeer surrounded by sea, ice and snow is a tantalising prospect.

Photography

Matt and William are both professional photographers but this trip is about so much more than the images you create. Aware that some people are more interested in photography than others we have come up with a program that ensures you receive the level of tuition you desire.

By utilising our pair of zodiacs, one boat will retain a photography theme, with William offering ‘in the field’ photography lessons guaranteeing you capture the arctic wildlife in an original, dynamic way. Matt’s zodiac will take a slightly separate approach, focussing more on the wildlife and landscape viewing experience.

Once back on board after a day exploring on Zodiac’s both William and Matt will be available to run post processing lessons and professional portfolio reviews, making sure your images tell the true story of the expedition.

Costs

Our partners for this trip, Nansen Polar Expeditions, require payment in Norwegian Krone (NOK), and as such we must quote the price in local currency. However we will organise this and simply require payment in USD($) or GBP(£).

- Shared Cabin: NOK152,000 Per Person ($13,900/ £11,030 as of June 2022)
- Single Occupancy: NOK304,000 Per Person ($27,800.00/ £22,060 as of November 2023)
- Accommodation in Longyearbyen
- All transfers on Longyearbyen
- Accomodation on board MV Villa
- Expedition activities (Zodiac cruises, shore landings, hikes) Professional guides with lectures and hands-on, in-field tutorials
- All meals aboard MV Villa
- Tea and Coffee, welcome cocktail, wine with the farewell dinner, laundry facilities (self service), daily cabin housekeeping and turn-down service
- Matt & William as your expedition leaders and photographic guides
- International Flights to Longyearbyen
- Meals and beverages when in Longyearbyen
- Bar whilst on board
- Taxes, levies, insurance, VISA fee, immigration duties or other travel services (where applicable)
- Personal items such as expedition clothing
- (Optional) crew gratuities
- Anything not mentioned above
- 40% non-refundable deposit required to secure your booking.
- Remaining balance due 1st February 2024.