Day 1 Helsinki, Finland

Your arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, where you may arrive at any time today. Known for its extraordinary architecture, Helsinki is a great place to spend time, exploring the many museums, galleries and restaurants. Perhaps relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2 Helsinki, Finland - Longyearbyen – Embarkation Day

This morning, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement – where you’ll have some time to explore before boarding the ship. You may want to visit the Svalbard or North Pole museums to learn more about the local history, or perhaps grab a beer at the Svalbard Brewery. After boarding the ship, head out on deck to enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.

Day 3-13 Spitsbergen

The real thrill of adventure comes in not knowing what might come next. Every expedition in Svalbard is unique as the crew must adjust the ship’s course depending on the weather, sea and ice conditions. That way, you’ll be maximising your chances for rare wildlife spotting, going in search for Arctic terns, reindeer and walruses and the mighty polar bear. Who knows when these unique animals will rear their head into view – it may be over dinner, or very (very) early in the morning, so be ready with a charged camera and flexible mindset. An average day on board will include a wakeup call from your expedition leader around 7 am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow passengers for breakfast in the restaurant. You will usually have two excursions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with lunch back on the ship in between. You will head out on multiple Zodiac cruises in and around Spitsbergen, possibly venturing on land among fields of tundra or strolling by nesting puffins. On the off chance that the weather makes shore excursions unsafe, settle into your well-equipped expedition vessel and learn from your expert polar crew in a series of lectures, presentations and photography masterclasses. If the weather’s right, opt-in for an icy polar plunge – jumping into the deep blue Arctic for a mind (and body) numbing experience. The best thing is that, in any weather, the team are dedicated to creating an unforgettable photography-focused Spitsbergen experience, so keep your camera handy so you don’t miss a thing.

Day 14 Longyearbyen – Disembarkation Day – Helsinki, Finland

The time has come to say goodbye. This morning, your expedition finishes as it began in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, transfer to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki. On arrival at Helsinki Airport, your adventure comes to an end, and you are free to leave at any time.