Discover the Beauty of the Arctic Circle: Svalbard

Dates: June 12-21, 2027

Instructors: Mike Mezeul II & Mital Patel

11 Participants - 1 Spot Left!

Tuition: $16,700

Have you ever wanted to explore the top of the world? Sounds kind of crazy, doesn’t it? Well it’s not quite the North Pole, but it sure is up there. Welcome to Svalbard, at 78°13′N 15°39′E / 78.22°N 15.65°E, you are well above the Arctic Circle and in one of the most remote, unique and stunning places in the world. One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, it's known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes and more!

On this 10 day expedition we will be exploring as much of the beautiful Svalbard region as possible. With so many locations and open sea available for us to explore, we will be having very full days looking for stellar arctic wildlife including polar bears, walruses, reindeer, whales, arctic foxes and more via zodiacs and land based excursions. During our down time we will work on our images with sessions focusing on both Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as continuing to rattle off the frames from the deck of our boat! Svalbard is a truly special region of the world, deserving of both the awe of your mind and the images you capture with your camera.

What You Will Learn:

• How to create stunning and emotional wildlife imagery in one of the most remote areas of the world.

• How to create compelling and creative arctic landscape imagery.

• How to discover and utilize your camera to its fullest capabilities.

• How to create a variety of scenes with multiple lenses and how to think “outside the box.”

• An understanding for light and how to take advantage of it in all conditions.

• How to bring your imagery even more to life through post-processing.

• An introduction to black and white photography for wildlife and landscape genres.

• How to pick your jaw up off the floor.

What You Will Need:

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera body.

• An assortment of lenses. Recommended lenses including a 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 100-400mm or equivalent. It is also highly recommended to have or rent a 600mm lens.

• At least the trial version of Lightroom or Photoshop on your laptop.

• Multiple batteries.

• A valid passport, visa and required vaccinations for traveling to Svalbard

• Travel insurance.

• Winter weather gear - Base layers, mid-layers, waterproof pants, gloves, and beanie.

• A desire to learn, have fun, be flexible, and experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world!

What's Included:

• Arrival night hotel in Polfareren.

• Transportation from Longyearbyen Airport to host hotel (for both arrival and departure).

• Visit to Svalbard Museum on embarkation day.

• All meals, beverages and snacks.

• Guest cabin based upon double occupancy.

• On-hand post-production and critique sessions.

• Boot rental.

• Post-processing video set.

• 3GB Wifi.

• A high quality expedition jacket.

• Access to my brain 24/7.

Itinerary:

June 12 - Arrival Day in Longyearbyen

You will make your own international flight arrangements to Longyearbyen. Your Arctic adventure starts in this small Norwegian town where you will be met at the airport and transferred to Polfareren. Tonight, you will be met and transferred to Gruvelagaret Restaurant for your 4-course set menu and wine pairing.

June 13 - Embark R/V Kinfish

On this morning you will have time to explore Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost permanent settlement, with vibrant, colorful buildings and a remarkable history. In the afternoon, you will board our vessel, meet the crew and your expert naturalist guide, and settle into your cabin before setting sail through the wilds of Svalbard.

June 14-20 - Exploring Svalbard

With the flexibility to journey anywhere in the region, every voyage aboard R/V Kinfish is a unique adventure. With no fixed itinerary and an expansive Arcticwilderness to explore, we’ll navigate the Svalbard Archipelago in search of breathtaking landscapes and remarkable wildlife. Each day’s route is shaped by weather conditions, pack-ice patterns and the best opportunities for encounters with nature. As we travel through this pristine environment, keep an eye out for Polar Bears hunting along the ice, Walrus lounging on the shores and whales surfacing in the icy waters. On shore, you may also spot Arctic Foxes, Svalbard Reindeer and the delicate, colourful flora that bloom in this extraordinary northern world.

June 21: Disembarkation Day

Your ship is likely to arrive into the harbour the night before you disembark to ensure you are in Longyearbyen ready for your onward flights. Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner and your final night together. Wake for an early breakfast and then head back to the airport

*Please note that our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. Flexibility is the key to a successful expedition! It is possible that access to wildlife may be restricted by national government regulation, which we will be required to comply with, and your booking is subject to this.

Our Vessel - R/V Kinfish

Our comfortable and well-appointed expedition ship is among the best in the Arctic. While there are a number of ships that carry passengers on expeditions to the Arctic, there are only a few able to access the most remote areas of this frozen wilderness. Completely refurbished in 2018, the R/V Kinfish boasts a slew of modern amenities, but this is also a vessel with history and character.

Designed for rougher waters and tougher conditions than you will ever find around the Svalbard Archipelago, she boasts a fantastic stabilization system for comfortable cruising, superior to that normally found in vessels of this size.

With room on board for 12 passengers, the R/V Kinfish has an intimate atmosphere, and her small size allows her to maneuver through some of the smaller fjords and coves along Svalbard’s coastline that are inaccessible to larger ships. On board you’ll find two spacious lounges, a fantastic presentation room, state-of-the-art navigational equipment and a number of different viewing platforms.

Cabins are comfortable and well appointed, all with en-suite facilities. Portholes just above water level offer a unique perspective of the frozen world you are navigating directly from your cabin. Mealtimes offer an informal opportunity to come together and chat about the day. Food served on board is traditional hearty Scandinavian cuisine – breakfast and lunch being buffet or ‘family style’ with everyone helping themselves. The evening meal is a two-course set dinner, apart from the farewell dinner which is three courses.

While spotting wildlife, guests can enjoy aperitifs in their deckchairs out on deck. The weekly BBQ is another highlight and is served out on deck in sunny weather.

What Are The Cabins Like?

There are six guest cabins on board, including five twin cabins and one triple cabin, all with ensuite bathrooms. Four of these twin cabins have two lower berths and one has an upper and lower berth. The triple cabin has upper and lower berths. Cabins will be based upon double occupancy and will be coordinated for couples and same gender sharing.

The wildlife in Svalbard and the surrounding waters is truly spectacular, so come prepared with multiple empty memory cards! Our journey will give you the opportunity to put a variety of wildlife in front of your lens. From polar bears to walruses, reindeer, arctic foxes, whales, seals and a handful of migratory birds. Although these animals call Svalbard home, it takes patience, the animals cooperating with us and a bit of luck to photograph them. All wildlife will be approached in an ethical and respectful manner.

In 2025, new regulations were introduced to help protect Svalbard's fragile ecosystems and promote more responsible wildlife viewing. These include seasonal distance requirements around polar bears and walrus and restricted shoreline landings. Summer conditions often allow for close wildlife encounters, and many of the most exciting sightings—especially of polar bears—occur farther north on the drifting pack ice, in international waters outside the restricted zones.

Physical Requirements:

There will be minimal hiking involved in this workshop. Zodiac excursions can be bumpy at times with larger swells. It is recommended to not have any major back or neck problems. You will be staying on the vessel for the majority of the workshop, so please plan accordingly if you have any sea sickness issues. Please consult your physician if you may question your physical condition.

Zodiac Excursions

Each day, weather permitting, we will be planning to take zodiacs out for closer wildlife encounters as well as shore landings during optimal photographic light.

Where To Fly Into:

You will be arriving and departing from Svalbard Airport.

Financial Investment & Expedition Tuition

I want nothing more than you to come join us for this incredible and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Svalbard. That’s why tuition will be broken down into four payments in a way that we feel will make this workshop affordable for all!

Deposit 1 - 25% - Due at registration.

Deposit 2 - 25% - Due June 1st, 2026

Deposit 3 - 25% - Due November 1st, 2026

Final Balance - Due February 1st, 2027

* Please note: All deposits are non-refundable unless we can fill your space. There is a $250 charge for any cancellation even with the spot being filled. It is highly recommended after your first deposit, to purchase travel insurance for your expedition.

REGISTRATION!