Svalbard Autumn Photo Tour

The archipelago saves its finest colours for the late season, with sunrises and sunsets painting the landscape in autumnal hues as the wildlife gets ready for winter.
Virgil Reglioni is one of the world’s premier polar landscape and northern lights photographers. Known for his soulful images of the polar regions – and his mastery of colour and composition – Virgil is the ideal photo guide to have by your side on this autumn adventure to Svalbard.
Capture the full spectrum of the Arctic in autumn.
This is a season like no other, offering up an entirely different perspective on Svalbard for just a few short weeks each year. At your side on this journey north is one of the most skilled and storied Svalbard photographers there is: Virgil Reglioni.
On this expedition, we will explore the east of Svalbard. Our ultimate aim is to capture the meltwater waterfalls of the Austfonna ice cap – the ultimate Svalbard in autumn sight. This rare phenomenon occurs as the ice cap warms during the summer months, causing streams of meltwater to pour over the sheer ice cliffs.
Under gorgeous, long-tail sunsets, marvel at the wildlife of Svalbard, from Arctic foxes to whales, reindeer, walruses, and polar bears. But Austfonna, its spectacular ice waterfalls gushing down into the Arctic, serves up the ultimate, documentary-worthy image of this expedition into the sublime.

Stunning landscapes and unique lighting conditions provide incredible photography opportunities, combined with dramatic glaciers and fjords
Capture breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, which only grace Svalbard for a few months each year
Witness flowing waterfalls from the unique Austfonna ice cap, Europe’s third largest glacier by area and volume

Enquire about this journey

Itinerary

Day 1 Longyearbyen

Depart Longyearbyen at 4pm.Sail past striking Fuglefjella (Bird Mountain), a fine example of plateau mountainous landscape, as we leave Longyearbyen.

Day 2 Smeerenburg & Virgohamna

Sail to Smeerenburg, a former whaling settlement and source of an enduring myth, now home to a walrus colony.Possible landing in Virgohamna, a historical site, to learn about the attempts to reach the North Pole by air that departed from here and see remains of blubber ovens from the 1600s.

Days 3 - 5 Sail along the continental shelf

Sail along the continental shelf, scouting for fin and blue whales that gather in the upwelling zones.Scout the ice edge, a dynamic setting of texture and light, home to seals, seabirds, and polar bears.

Days 6 - 7 Alkefjellet & Storisstraumen

Marvel at Alkefjellet, a stunning bird cliff, nesting location of Brünnich guillemot.Take a Zodiac cruise to see Storisstraumen and a ship cruise to Bråsvellbreen of the Austfonnaice cap, Europe's third-largest glacier by volume and area.

Days 8 - 9 Edgeøya & Kvalvågen

Enjoy the green Kapp Lee headland on Edgeøya, spotting walruses, reindeer, and Arctic foxes, along with remnants of the walrus hunting industry.Zodiac landing and hike at Kvalvågen, a geologically interesting bay known for its Cretaceous period dinosaur footprints.Take a Zodiac cruise of Hambergbukta, an attractive bay in south Spitsbergen.

Day 10 Hornsund

See Hornsund, with a landing in Gnålodden to marvel at the scenic bird cliff (home to black-legged kittiwakes) and trapper’s hut.

Day 11 Isfjorden

Sail back to Isfjorden and Longyearbyen.

Day 12 Longyearbyen

Disembark in Longyearbyen at 9am.

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Vikingfjord

Vessel Type: Ice-Strengthened Expedition Vessel
Length: 41.8 m
Passenger Capacity: 12
Introducing MV Vikingfjord, a new ice-strengthened expedition vessel for 12 guests with great environmental credentials. MV Vikingfjord enters service in Svalbard for low impact expeditions in May 2023. She offers cruise ship comfort on a small ship with 9 ensuite cabins, an open plan saloon with rear facing windows, and on on deck hot tub and sauna.
What we love about Vikingfjord
• The most environmentally friendly small ship in the polar regions with a 95% reduction in NOX emissions.
• Large, open plan saloon and comfortable lounge located at the stern with sofas and large rear facing windows to enjoy the view.
• 9 Spacious cabins with modern decor, comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms with a choice between doubles, twins or singles.
• Enjoy a sauna or outdoor hot tub on the upper deck.
• Lounge area on the bridge with a great view.
• Ice strengthened hull with 1B rating for exploring the polar regions.
MV Vikingfjord Key Features:
• New energy efficient engine and NOX cleaning fitted in 2022 offering the best environmental credentials.
• Rebuilt from the ground up in 2022 as a modern expedition vessel offering cruise ship comfort.
• Accommodates 12 guests in 9 ensuite cabins with windows that are all situated above the waterline.
• Modern interior finished to a high standard in 2023.
• Equipped with 2 x Zodiac landing crafts for shore landings
• Fully staffed with experienced captain, crew and expedition leaders.
Interior
• Large open plan guest area with lounge, dining and seating area located at the stern. Equipped with TV for presentations, mini bar and hot drink service.
• Observation lounge area with seating area on the bridge.
• Spacious cabins with ensuite toilet and shower.
• Large mudroom and storage spaces for skis, and equipment.
Exterior
• Outdoor hot tub and sauna with a view on Deck 2.
• Large viewing area on the bow.
• 4 open decks for lots of viewing options.
• Accessible bow deck.