Svalbard Golden Light
Celebrating the return of the midnight sun
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Explore Svalbard in late winter
WildPhoto Travel started winter expeditions to Svalbard in 2016. From then we have arranged more than 40 ship-based photo expeditions in March, April, and May to the western and northwestern parts of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. If you are looking for a different and exciting photo adventure, this is the expedition for you.
The main focus of our Svalbard Golden Light expeditions will be Arctic winter light, landscape, and wildlife. From mid-April, the midnight sun is back in the high Arctic with great light conditions, and we are looking forward to visiting the western and northern parts of Spitsbergen at this time of the year. Usually, winter trips to Svalbard are limited to snowmobiles quite close to Longyearbyen. With our expedition ship MS Virgo, we can explore a much larger area, where very few photographers have been before. Are you ready to join the WildPhoto team on a winter photo expedition?
We hope to observe and photograph wildlife such as Polar bears, Walrus, seals, and reindeer, but animals are not as easy to locate in winter as they are in summertime. This is mostly because there is more ice to hide on in winter. However, we’ve had some great encounters on our previous Svalbard winter expeditions, so there is always a chance.
The group size is limited to 12 participants giving you plenty of space and time to explore and photograph the magical Arctic winter.
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Itinerary Svalbard Golden Light
Svalbard is located about 80 degrees north, so we plan the Svalbard Golden Light expedition in accordance with prevailing weather and ice conditions. After 1 May it might be possible to go further east with our expedition ship. A possible itinerary for a Svalbard Golden Light expedition could be:
DAY 1 Departure from Longyearbyen through Isfjorden.
DAY 2-4 Northwestern coast of Spitsbergen, with possible visits to Kongsfjorden, Magdalenefjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Liefdefjorden and other areas. Here we have possibilities to have great landscapes with glaciers and sharp mountain ridges, as well as chances for wildlife encounters.
DAY 5-7 Southwestern coast of Spitsbergen with Bellsund and Hornsund, where there are also great snow-covered mountains and chances for wildlife on the sea ice. The weather and ice conditions have to be in our favor to get into both the northwestern and southwestern areas of Spitsbergen in winter.
In May it might be possible to visit Hilopen, if the sea ice allows for it, giving us more opportunities on the western side of Nordaustlandet.
DAY 8 Returning to Isfjorden arriving in Longyearbyen port late in the evening.
DAY 9 Disembarking the ship after breakfast and prepare for the travel home.
Trip reports Svalbard Golden Light
Click on the image below to read trip reports from the WildPhoto expedition to Svalbard 17-25 April 2023. See where we have been, what we have photographed, and some behind-the-scenes images.
Available cabins for Svalbard Golden Light expeditions
Below are available cabins on WildPhoto Svalbard Golden Light expeditions. The price below each cabin refers to the price (in USD $) for each spot in the cabin - not for the whole cabin. Let us know if you can't find your preferred cabin or any spots available at all and we can place you on the waiting list and let you know if spots are available later.
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Please click on one of the buttons below to request more information about the expedition or if you want to reserve a spot. We will answer you as soon as possible.
WildPhoto Travel is a leading photo expedition company - specialized in polar regions. Since 2006, we have offered great photo opportunities for our guests and partners.
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Our Destinations
WildPhoto Travel specializes in photography tours and expeditions to some of the most remote and spectacular Polar destinations, including Svalbard, Greenland, Antarctica, and South Georgia. Since 2006, we have developed extensive expertise and built a strong WildPhoto guide team to deliver high-quality photo expeditions and safe navigation in these challenging environments. Over the years we have learned where to find the wildlife we want to photograph, and the best time of the year and day to visit these areas.
Below, you will find information about our primary WildPhoto destinations, where we have recently organized photo tours and expeditions. To learn more about the specific destinations and what you can expect of wildlife and photo opportunities - if you book with WildPhoto - simply click on the images below for detailed information about each unique adventure.
For Svalbard, we have also included comprehensive information about the birds, mammals, and landscapes you can photograph throughout different seasons. If you have any questions or need assistance with your booking, please contact to us at booking@wildphoto.com . We’re here to help you plan your next polar photography adventure!
WildPhoto Travel is a leading photo expedition company - specialized in polar regions. Since 2006, we have offered great photo opportunities for our guests and partners.
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