Dates June 26–July 8, 2006
Photo Leaders Darrell Gulin, Wayne Lynch, John Shaw, Joe Van Os and Rinie van Meurs
Cruise Director Aubrey Lang
Fee $4,695 Triple with shared bath
(two lower, one upper berth)
$5,495 Twin with shared bath
(two lower berths)
$5,995 Twin with private bath
(upper, lower berths)
$7,395 Twin Superior with private bath
$8,695 Twin Suite with private bath
Flights between Oslo and
Longyearbyen will be arranged
at additional cost.
Deposit $1,500
Limit 49
Special Terms and Conditions Apply
Client Photo Gallery

Don’t miss this absolutely incredible opportunity to visit the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard and its largest island, Spitsbergen—Earth’s most spectacularly photogenic arctic destination—on the world’s only cruise that is totally dedicated to the interests of wildlife and nature photographers. Due to very popular demand we have, once again, created just such a cruise aboard the 50-passenger vessel Professor Molchanov.

The Svalbard Archipelago comprises four large mountainous islands and hundreds of smaller ones. The island of Spitsbergen has four settlements including Longyearbyen, the world’s most northerly town, positioned more than 10 degrees north of the Arctic Circle.

Along with the stark and photogenic beauty of its snowcapped mountain coastline, the archipelago is the premier destination in the world for photographing polar bears.
On the northern edge of the islands, drifting pack ice crowds the shore and it is common to find numerous polar bears hunting seals and walruses. The Norwegian Polar Institute has estimated that there are over 2,000 polar bears in the Svalbard region—a relatively high number for such a small area. It is not uncommon to see as many as 20 or more bears on our cruises, and thus far every trip we’ve offered has seen bears and their seal kills at very close range. Before the inception of our cruises, these remarkable images of bears and seals were very rare.

With a mild climate due to the northernmost influence of the Gulf Stream, the summer snow line recedes to between 1,600 and 2,300 feet, uncovering verdant patches of green and red mosses and delicate wildflowers. Svalbard is perhaps the only place in the world where it’s possible to photograph bears on sparkling ice and spring wildflowers in the same day! Two national parks, 15 bird sanctuaries and two plant reserves protect half of Svalbard’s spectacular landmass.

Spitsbergen is also home to some of the largest concentrations of seabirds in the North Atlantic, including immense and accessible colonies of dovekies, black-legged kittiwakes, thick-billed murres and northern fulmars. Walruses, bearded seals and Svalbard reindeer are additional highlights of the voyage. We’ll hike right up to curious reindeer, use the ship to approach the seals, and launch our Zodiacs to approach walruses snoozing on the pack ice—we’re often able to get so close that we can photograph them with a wide-angle lens!

As if that is not enough, while cruising along the pack ice we’ll see ivory gulls, jaegers, puffins, ringed and harp seals, and possibly a whale or two.

Our cruise begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, with no lengthy travel days at sea. We will be shooting every day of the 9-night voyage so there is no wasted “at sea” time. The Professor Molchanov has a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs, which get us ashore quickly and often, and also allow us to cruise among the ice floes in search of bears, walruses, seals and beautiful scenery. Become a member of our congenial group of photo travelers on an unforgettable cruise to one of the most remote and uniquely beautiful locations on Earth.



Day 1
Depart from home.

Day 2
Participants arrive in Oslo, Norway, and transfer to our hotel for introductions, dinner and one overnight stay. (D)

Day 3
We transfer to the airport for our flight to Longyearbyen and board the Professor Molchanov in the afternoon. (BD)

Days 4–11
The next 8 days are dedicated to exploring the enigmatic and legendary Svalbard Archipelago. Our exact day-to-day itinerary will remain flexible, depending on local conditions. We spend our days in search of fantastic wildlife and landscape photo opportunities. Possible subjects are Svalbard reindeer as they graze along mossy banks, walruses amidst the ice floes, arctic foxes, bearded and ringed seals and several species of whales.
But the main feature of our trip will be our search across the pack ice for the very icon of the arctic—the polar bear—in spectacular photogenic situations that surpass anyplace else on Earth! Birdlife will offer wonderful additional photo possibilities including throngs of wheeling seabirds, barnacle and pink-footed geese, arctic terns and red-throated loons. Since we control every aspect of the cruise we will have a remarkable amount of time available for photography in the 24 hours of daylight. (BLD)

Day 12
We arrive back in Longyearbyen and fly to Oslo, where hotel accommodations are included for this night. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own. (B)

Day 13
Participants may depart at any time today. (B)


Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.