A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE ARCTIC, Svalbard, its animals and nature up close. North of Norway, not far from the North Pole, we find Spitsbergen and the mythical archipelago of Svalbard. Visiting the high Arctic with its untouched nature is a magical experience. The adventure of a lifetime?
JOIN FREDRIK GRANATH, MELISSA SCHÄFER AND EXPEDITIONSRESOR on an expedition into the extreme wilderness of Svalbard. The goal of our expedition is to experience the dramatic scenery and all the amazing wildlife around Svalbard.
MARCH 22 - 30, 2024
MARCH 30 - APRIL 7, 2024
MAY 1 - 9, 2024
WINTER AND SPRING IS THE MOST MAGICAL TIME OF THE YEAR around Svalbard and Spitsbergen. The landscapes are covered in snow and there is plenty of drift ice in the fjords and areas surrounding the islands. Our ship handles these conditions well and we will travel far out into the most remote and unique areas where we best can experience the Arctic nature and its impressive wildlife, of course including the polar bear. Hopefully we also encounter other animals, like walrus, seals, birds, and when we’re on land: arctic fox and reindeer.
In March and April, after months of polar night, a world of ice comes out of darkness and the days quickly become longer. From the middle of March we have plenty of daylight with a warm and beautiful light, while sunsets color the snow covered landscapes and frozen fjords, shifting from dark blue, to pink, violet, red and orange.
In May, spring is beginning to embrace the Arctic and the midnight sun shines around the clock. The landscapes are still covered in snow and there is usually plenty of drift ice in the fjords and areas surrounding the islands. The feeling out there is indescribable.
ON OUR CHARMING EXPEDITION SHIP M/S FREYA we are comfortably accommodated. During the days, when conditions allow, we leave the ship with our three zodiacs to cruise around for even closer contact with the amazing life and nature, like ice bergs and glaciers, or take a walk on land or the ice. The meals onboard are prepared by our Swedish chef, and when it’s possible we can also enjoy a late-night barbeque on land or on deck. If someone would like to take a cool swim in the Arctic Ocean there’s a sauna on board where you can get warm afterwards.
M/S FREYA IS THE BEST EXPEDITION SHIP IN THE ARCTIC in our opinion. She is small enough to get close to animals and nature without disturbing, but she also has the strength and power to force her way through close drift ice in a safe way. The ship is newly renovated with spacious twin cabins, a comfortable lounge, a large upper deck with an amazing 360° view of our surroundings, and everything we need for a relaxing and exciting expedition.
WHEN WE ARE NOT EXPLORING THE NATURE outside the ship, we enjoy the comfort on deck, looking for polar bears, whales, seals and other animals, or relax in the cozy lounge.
The adventure of a lifetime?
All photos by Melissa Schäfer from our expeditions with M/S Freya in 2017-2019.
DATES AND DETAILS
- March 22-30, 2024
- March 30-April 7, 2024
- May 1-9, 2024
Departure Longyearbyen at 4 pm first day. Return Longyearbyen last day at 9 am.
TRIP LENGTH: 9 days
GROUP SIZE: maximum 12 people
PRICE per person:
Standard cabin US$ 7,800/EUR 6900
Superior cabin US$ 8,300/EUR 7400
Executive cabin US$ 8,600/EUR 7700
ACCOMMODATION:
Shared twin cabin. All cabins have separate, lower beds, private bathroom/shower and a window to the ocean. The superior and executive cabins are newly built, and are on deck level with quick access to the deck, lounge and dining areas. They are slightly larger than the standard cabins, which are upstairs. The executive cabin is the largest. It also has a double, king size bed.
Price includes:
- All activities, transportation and fees/permissions on Svalbard.
- Guiding in English by Fredrik Granath and two guides.
- All meals on board M/S Freya. (Dietary requirements like vegan, vegetarian, lactose, allergies etc are not a problem - let us know).
- Local transport to and from airport and the ship in Longyearbyen.
- Large format photo book with memories from our journey.
- 120% Climate compensated trip including your flight.
Not included in the price:
- Flight to/from Longyearbyen
- Travel insurance
- Optional tip for the ship crew
Payment terms: A deposit of 20% after making your reservation.
The rest is due two months before departure.
This expedition is produced in collaboration with the Swedish travel agency Expeditionsresor, one of the best adventure travel operators in the world. They handle all reservations. After making a booking request, they will get in contact with you by email to finalize your reservation.
OBSERVE TO PROTECT
The far north is an ecosystem in perfect balance when it has the cold and the ice it needs, but every single degree of warming has huge consequences, and this makes it extremely vulnerable. The high Arctic offers some of Earth’s most extreme conditions and it inhibits some of the strongest, most powerful wildlife. At the same time it is the most fragile place you can imagine.
All human activity leaves footprints, also this trip. On our expeditions everything happens on the terms of Svalbard’s environment and wildlife. If anything we do comes at a cost for these, we do all we humanly can to avoid it. We never disturb wildlife knowingly. If an animal seems affected by our presence we always back off and retreat. When an animal changes its behaviour because of us, we have failed. Being quiet and avoiding disturbance is a much easier task on our small ship with only 18 guests than the big ones, with dozens or hundreds of passengers.
By visiting the Arctic we leave footprints. And travelling with a ship, we can not avoid emitting greenhouse gases. We and the owners of M/S Freya are completely committed to minimizing our emissions. We look at all aspects of these operations, big and small. All from what fuel is used to the products used on board and what food is served. We are constantly looking at ways to improve our operations.
M/S Freya is owned by Edvin Vidarsson and his family who also are running Skattegården, a beautiful farm in Sweden. They have an amazing focus on environmentally friendly production and work for a sustainable future. The ship and the farm is part of the same concept. For example, the goal is to have as much as possible of the food served on board produced by the farm. Locally produced and served in the north! This way of working and forward way of thinking makes us very proud to work with Edvin, M/S Freya and Skattegården.
We also calculate all carbon emissions created during this trip, not only from the ship, but from our guests’ flights to Svalbard as well. And we carbon offset (climate compensate) everything connected with this expedition. Our goal is to over-compensate up to at least 120% - to give more than we take to our planet. This is not a perfect system, but it does help.
We follow all national and international laws and regulations as well as the guidelines set up by The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). But we also have our own guidelines to follow in situations when they are more strict.
The number one priority for this expedition is to safeguard the place and life we are here to observe. The goal is to learn about the Arctic, its environment and wildlife by experiencing it close at firsthand.
Come watch the tones of changing light. From starlit days to sun-filled nights
