Arctic Spring in Spitsbergen – Photo Expedition
9-day trip
and 8 nights
From €9 900
per person
Polar yacht
The Great Explorer
Comfort
4 stars
Activities
Wildlife viewing. Hikes/excursions, Scuba diving
Difficulty
Easy
Temperature
-5° on average
Kilometres
3200
Spitsbergen: A Unique Photographic Playground
In the heart of the polar spring, Spitsbergen becomes a veritable open-air studio for photography enthusiasts. Still shrouded in their mantle of pristine snow, frozen fjords and jagged peaks offer striking contrasts, enhanced by low-angle light that shifts hour by hour.
During this season, the sun, low on the horizon, sculpts the landscape and reveals an infinite palette of hues—ideal for both landscape photography and more intimate scenes. The interplay of shadows and textures transforms every moment into a unique opportunity.
On board, take the time to observe, frame, and capture these rare moments in an atmosphere of absolute silence. On the pack ice and along the coast, Arctic wildlife—polar bears, foxes, and seals—offers precious encounters, always under exceptional lighting conditions.
This cruise is an invitation to slow down, sharpen your gaze, and capture all the poetry of the polar world as it awakens.
May 15–23, 2027
EARLY BOOKING OFFER
Starting at €10,500 €9,900 per person
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER, PLEASE CONTACT OUR TEAM
Our itineraries are subject to weather and ice conditions.
Spitsbergen: A Unique Photographic Playground
In the heart of the polar spring, Spitsbergen becomes a veritable open-air studio for photography enthusiasts. Still shrouded in their mantle of pristine snow, frozen fjords and jagged peaks offer striking contrasts, enhanced by low-angle light that shifts hour by hour.
During this season, the sun, low on the horizon, sculpts the landscape and reveals an infinite palette of hues—ideal for both landscape photography and more intimate scenes. The interplay of shadows and textures transforms every moment into a unique opportunity.
On board, take the time to observe, frame, and capture these rare moments in an atmosphere of absolute silence. On the pack ice and along the coast, Arctic wildlife—polar bears, foxes, and seals—offers precious encounters, always under exceptional lighting conditions.
This cruise is an invitation to slow down, sharpen your gaze, and capture all the poetry of the polar world as it awakens.
May 15–23, 2027
EARLY BOOKING OFFER
Starting at €10,500 €9,900 per person
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER, PLEASE CONTACT OUR TEAM
Our itineraries are subject to weather and ice conditions.
Highlights of your trip
Longyearbyen
Boarding around 5:00 p.m. in Longyearbyen. Setting sail for our first cruise in the Isfjord
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Croix Bay and Madeleine Bay
The Lilliehook Fjord, located in Baie de la Croix, with its 7-kilometer-long ice front. It may be the most majestic in the archipelago.
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Days 3 and 4: Monaco's sea ice and glacier
The sea ice is still there, along with its polar bears. The Monaco Glacier features a magnificent ice front and large icebergs. Moffen Island, beyond 80° North.
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Days 5 and 6: North Coast
One of the places frequented by bears, and above all, the spectacular colors and landscapes of mountain peaks and glacier fronts. On the northern coast, the landscape consists of ice and cold deserts where bears and walruses reign. A vast colony of birds and whales, along with the remains of whaling ships, are the highlights here.
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Smeerenburg Fjord
Smeerenburg Fjord, with its glacier and lace-like mountains. Walruses and beluga whales may be found in these places steeped in history.
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King's Bay
The peaks of the Three Crowns overlook King’s Bay, a place steeped in an exceptionally rich history. Bird colonies, botanical reserves, and scientific stations. Reindeer and arctic foxes will likely be spotted near the bird colonies.
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Longyearbyen
We'll disembark around 9 a.m.
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Your photographer guide
A lover of nature and the wilderness, Jean-Marie has been, first and foremost, a wildlife photographer for over 30 years. His passion has led him to explore Patagonia, the Himalayas, Alaska, and, of course, the Arctic. Since his first self-supported expedition to Banks Island (Canadian Arctic) in 2010 in search of arctic wolves, he has continually shared his polar experiences and approach with those he guides. Jean-Marie also has a solid understanding of wildlife and the threats facing this fragile environment, having worked on nature reserves on several occasions and traveled extensively around the world. What drives him above all else is the desire to share his experiences and to encounter wildlife with the utmost respect.
A Trip to Spitsbergen
We are thrilled with our trip. The wildlife sightings far exceeded our wildest expectations. Jonathan managed the trip exceptionally well. The flexibility that is the hallmark of “Grands Espaces” allowed us to optimize our schedule and itinerary as much as possible, depending on the weather. The Zodiac excursions came one after another without a break, as we had so many encounters with bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, whales, and birds. We enjoyed the lectures, which were always of excellent quality and tied in with the day’s sightings.
⏤ The Great Discovery of Svalbard
Specialty: Photographe
ACTIVITIES
- Hiking
- Zodiac Excursions
- Wildlife Viewing
LANGUAGES
A 100% French-speaking tour led by a team of tour guides and a Grands Espaces expedition leader.
CLIMATE
- Average temperature: +0°C.
FORMALITIES
For European and Swiss nationals:
- Valid passport
CLOTHING
You’re heading to the polar regions, so it’s important to be properly equipped. You’ll be spending time outdoors and aboard the Zodiacs, where you may get wet from rain or sea spray. We recommend:
- Waterproof parka
- Waterproof fleece pants or waterproof overpants
- Lightweight sweater
- Thick sweater
- Long-sleeved T-shirt
- Sunglasses
NOTE
To fully enjoy wildlife viewing as well as the scenery, we strongly recommend that you bring a good pair of binoculars.
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
For great wildlife photos, we recommend a lens with a focal length of at least 200mm.
THEY EXPLORED THE ARCTIC WITH US:
Hervé and Françoise S.: We are absolutely delighted with our trip. The wildlife sightings far exceeded our wildest expectations. Jonathan managed the trip very well. The flexibility that is the hallmark of “Grands Espaces” allowed us to optimize our schedule and itinerary as much as possible, depending on the weather. The Zodiac excursions came one after another without a break, as we had so many encounters with bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, whales, and birds. We appreciated the lectures, which were always of excellent quality and tied to the day’s sightings.
Victor B.: This trip was exceptional in every way: the landscapes, the sightings, the organization, and the people we met! An excellent team!
Gabrielle J.: We really enjoyed exploring Spitsbergen. Between wildlife sightings on the boat, Zodiac excursions, and shore landings, along with the lectures and information sessions, our days were packed. It was a wonderful and very intense experience.
CHECK OUT OTHER REVIEWS IN OUR GUESTBOOK
Built in 1994 for the Danish government, it was used for oceanographic research and the installation of coastal buoys in Greenland. It was completely refitted in 2020 at the Gdansk shipyard by a Norwegian shipowner. The work was carried out in close collaboration between Italian architect Marco Coppola and Christian Kempf, a scientist and pioneer of expedition cruises, founding president of Grands Espaces, expedition leader, and the person with the most extensive experience with expedition cruise ships.
Technical Information:
- Capacity: 12 passengers
- Guides: 2
- Length: 46.6 meters
- Width: 10.5 meters
- Zodiacs: 2
- Interior spaces: bar, large panoramic lounge (72 square meters), sea-view cabins ranging from 14 to 20 square meters…
- Outdoor areas: sauna, Jacuzzi, observation decks
Everything You Need to Know About the Explorer
Ship layout
RATES – Price per person
- Double-bed cabins / lower berths: €10,500 (Introductory offer: €9,900 for the first 6 registrants!)
- Double-bed cabins / lower-bunk superior cabins: €11,500
- Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows: €12,900
- Private suites: €12,900
PRICE INCLUDES
- The cruise with full board
- French-speaking tour guides
- A selection of beverages
- Emergency assistance and repatriation insurance
- Boots and wetsuit
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Flights
- Transfers
- Beverages not included in the selection
- Personal expenses and tips
- Comprehensive insurance
The Awakening of Spitsbergen:
Discover our world through our online magazine.
Polar news, in-depth articles on wildlife, and many other fascinating topics.
All our articles
Grands Espaces is a member of
Tour Operator License in France IM02117002 and in Switzerland CH-626.4.004.351-6 © GRANDS ESPACES SARL