Svalbard Photo Tour

Journey to the “Cold Edge” on this far North Photo Expedition

Svalbard translates literally to the ‘cold edge’ in old Norse and it is the perfect place to experience polar bears, pack ice and Arctic history among jagged peaks and glaciated terrain. Whether you are a sea kayaker, cruiser or especially a photographer, the Svalbard archipelago is a must-visit destination.

Svalbard Photo Tour 2025 – Highlights

The Svalbard Wilderness Plan.

This Svalbard Photo Tour is actually a photo cruise… Besides the first night in a hotel in Longyearbyen we spend the whole trip sleeping in our comfortable cabins aboard our ship, the M/S Quest.

The M/S Quest is a Scandinavian purpose built ship for the ice choked waters of the arctic North. This ship, offers an intimate exploration experience of Svalbard for a maximum of just 53 passengers, ensuring a personalised journey. We have just 10 of those places set aside for our photographic tour.

Though there are others on the ship not part of our group, we have our own itinerary of landings and explorations and we are only constrained by the ship’s location and ultimately the weather

2025 Svalbard Photo Tour Itinerary

• Day 01: 02 July, 2025 – Arrive in Longyearbyen where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Meet the tour leaders and the rest of the group for drinks and tour briefing in the evening.
• Day 02: Today is a free day to explore Longyearbyen, followed by late afternoon embarkation to our ship, the M/S Quest. Settle into your cabin before we depart, sailing through Isfjorden, marking the start of our Arctic adventure. Longyearbyen has a population of around 1,000 and has a good supply of cafés, restaurants and other attractions for you to enjoy.
• Day 03-11: Our journey is governed by ice, weather, and wildlife encounters, influencing our daily plans. We aim for multiple daily Zodiac cruises and shore landings, with potential visits to selected locations. Our experienced Arctic team will use their know-how to design a day-to-day itinerary that makes the best use of the weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Over the 9 days of the cruise we will explore the amazing wilderness of Svalbard. Our aim is to experience as much time as possible outside, be it zodiac cruising, paddling kayaks (optional extra), hiking from our landing spots, wildlife viewing or all four… Depending on your stamina and desires.
• Day 12: 13 July 2025 – During the early morning we cruise back into Isfjorden before docking in Longyearbyen. Say your farewells to the crew and expedition leaders before a transfer to the airport to begin your journey back home.

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What’s Included

• Just 10 places available (Maximum number).
• 12 days, 11 nights in Svalbard, 10 nights, 11 days on the ship.
• Tour begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
• Transfer from airport to our first night Hotel.
• First nights hotel accomodation in Longyearbyen (twin share).
• Transfer from Hotel to ship.
• 10 nights ship accomodation.
• All your meals on board ship.
• Daily Zodiac shore excursions (weather Permitting).
• Regular lectures, videos, slide & film shows on the region & wildlife.
• Highly experienced qualified expedition guides.
• Full photographic tuition and workshops for the duration of the tour.
• Daily photography tuition & daily on site informal workshops from Paul.
• Extensive 21 page Photography Techniques E-Book, with complete shooting workflow.
• In depth 36 page Lightroom E-Book, with complete post processing workflow.
• AU$500 discount off the price of your next tour with us.
• On board medical facilities with well equipped clinic and doctor.
• All relevant port & government charges.

What’s Not Included

• Flights to/from your home port to Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
• Visa requirements you may have.
• Optional excursions (such as Kayaking), which can be purchased at additional cost.
• Hotels & Meals not included in the voyage itinerary.
• Laundry services
• Travel insurance (required as a condition of booking).
• Camera Insurance.
• Alcohol and extra beverages.
• Adobe Lightroom software subscription fees.

What to expect on this Svalbard Photo Tour

The itinerary created by photographers

This itinerary has been researched and created by Paul by going on this adventure to these places and extensively photographing at each location.  

This all takes experience and practical research, something that can’t be done from behind a desk.

A small group of just 10

Our group size for this Svalbard photo tour is  just 10 people, plus Paul.   The ship has a total of 52 potential passengers, most of whom are very like-minded people on a sea kayaking tour.

We will have our own landings in zodiacs with our own guides, and our own space on board for workshops and presentations.

For a small additional fee you can participate in some of the sea kayaking components. Being close to the water with a paddle is a great way to see this pristine environment.

What’s Included in the tour?

This tour begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. You make your own way there and then the first night in the hotel is included. The following day we board our ship and we live on board for the next 10 nights. All meals are included on board the ship, and we pick you up from the hotel at the start, and then drop you at the airport at the conclusion.

As per normal, alcohol and extra beverages you may want along the way are extra.

Accomodation on Board Ship.

Accomodation on board is in comfortable triple share, twin share or double cabins. Each cabin has it’s own private bathroom and a window for natural daylight. A variety of cabin types are available, the one show below is the twin share, one up from the base price triple share. We will get in touch with you about your cabin preference after you book.

Pre Trip Notes.

The best way to ensure you enjoy this trip to Svalbard is to be fully prepared before you leave. So we send you a comprehensive set of pre trip notes when you book the tour.

These will help you to be fully prepared long in advance. Of course we are always available to answer any questions you may have.

Should you go on this Svalbard photo tour?

This photo tour is for anyone with a love of wild untamed places and a keen interest in wilderness and wildlife photography.  

It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned professional or a complete beginner, all levels of photographer are welcomed and there is always something new to discover.

What about non photographers?

Non photographers are very welcome in this group, either as a partner of a keen photographer, or simply as somebody who appreciates the slower more considered pace this photography tour provides.  

Physical Fitness & age restrictions?

The age group for Svalbard photo tours is very diverse, we are based on a ship with trips to land by zodiac. Once on land how far you want to walk is entirely up to you.

Provided you can walk unassisted carrying your camera gear, are comfortable walking on natural trails and love being out in the wild untamed nature this Svalbard photo tour will suit you well.

You are not required to go on all excursions, or even walk the whole way.  The aim of this tour is enjoyment after all.

Photography Tuition on tour.

On this Svalbard photo tour you are always assured of personal interaction and tuition, whatever your needs.  With only 10 in the group Paul will have plenty of time to cater to your photography needs  

Paul will be shooting a few images along side you, but he will always have time to ensure you get the best images.

Your camera gear.

There is no limit to what camera gear you take other than your ability to carry it. Everything from Digital SLRs, professional and consumer, simple point and shoot cameras, even medium format digital and film or your iPhone.  

Prior to departure we will send you a comprehensive recommended gear and packing list. We are always happy to discuss the camera gear you have and how to best make it work for you.

Photography & Lightroom E-Books.

Additional to the pre trip notes, we will also send you several comprehensive E-Books on Photography techniques & workflow, plus an in depth guide to using Lightroom to manage and edit your images.

We will be running informal workshops on the tour, on many photography topics, and we use Lightroom to demonstrate many post processing tricks and techniques. These E-Books help cement this knowledge and are yours to keep.

Note: All photographs on this page are © Paul Hoelen or © Toby Story

Your Photo Guide – Paul Hoelen

Originally born in New Zealand to a Dutch Sailor and an American Nun, Paul has managed to put his four passports to excellent use before eventually settling on the beautiful, wild island of Tasmania.  Paul is a Master of Photography in the AIPP and Fellow of the NZIPP, he has won many awards and judges regularly at a state, national and international level, runs photo workshops worldwide and writes for numerous magazines.  

Self taught, travel hungry and with a healthy thirst for adventure he thrives on the challenge and freshness of shooting a wide diversity of genres ranging from fine art nudes, landscapes, and large-scale event photography through to fashion, travel, documentary and environmental portraiture – though he’s most renowned for his exquisite landscape imagery.  Amongst his many talents, Paul has worked as a wilderness guide in some of the most remote parts of Tasmania for some years, and he has a deep and abiding passion for Bhutan. You can see more of Paul’s Photography HERE>>

Your Photo Tour Organiser – Adam Monk

Svalbard Images Gallery (Click for larger version)