Join us to Svalbard in March, when the sun lights up the in snow covered landscape with its soft but magical Arctic light. Together with a local guide we explore the stunning surroundings of Longyearbyen. This area is known for its healthy populations of white arctic foxes, wild reindeer and rock ptarmigan. The wildlife around Longyearbyen is not shy and will offer us plenty of good photo opportunities. This is a true arctic winter photo adventure. 

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Longyearbyen and its surroundings  

Nestled deep within the Arctic Circle, Longyearbyen is the northernmost settlement of its size on Earth and the beating heart of the Svalbard archipelago. Located at 78° North, this remote outpost is a gateway to one of the planet’s last true wildernesses. Longyearbyen is surrounded by stark, stunning, and otherworldly landscapes that offer unmatched opportunities for nature and wildlife photography.

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In March, Longyearbyen emerges from the Polar Night and welcomes the return of the sun. The soft Arctic light during this transitional period is magical, as the sun stays low on the horizon and produces golden light for hours. This creates ideal conditions for photographing the local wildlife in the frozen beauty of Svalbard’s dramatic terrain. Vast valleys and snow-covered mountains provide an awe-inspiring backdrop for your images.

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Just outside the town’s edge, a world of Arctic wildlife awaits. The stunning white arctic foxes thrive in this area. Svalbard reindeer roam the tundra in small, photogenic groups. The area is also home to the hardy and well-camouflaged rock ptarmigan, often spotted perched on windblown ridges or foraging in the snow. These iconic species are remarkably adapted to their extreme environment and are our target species of this tour. 

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Longyearbyen itself is more than just a base—it’s a fascinating mix of raw nature and resilient human presence. The colorful wooden buildings contrast sharply with the monochrome landscape, while the town’s quiet atmosphere and Arctic culture give visitors a true sense of isolation and serenity. As the town is placed in the middle of the wilderness, the local wildlife often can be found within the heart of the tow. 

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Our carefully designed photo tours take advantage of local knowledge and expert guiding to put you in the right place at the right time—always with the best possible light. Whether you’re capturing the soft glow of the returning sun, the textures of ancient ice, or the wild spirit of Arctic animals, Longyearbyen and its surroundings offer an unforgettable experience for passionate photographers seeking something truly extraordinary.

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The photography tour

During our six-day stay in Longyearbyen, we will be guided by one of the region’s most experienced and knowledgeable local guides. With decades of expertise in guiding nature and wildlife photographers, he knows the terrain intimately and understands exactly where and how to find the wildlife. Over the course of the trip, we will embark on five guided excursions outside Longyearbyen. The guide will pick us up directly from our accommodation, and a short 20–30 minute drive will take us well outside the town’s borders, into prime wildlife habitat. These outings are carefully timed and planned to maximize our chances of photographing Arctic foxes, wild Svalbard reindeer, and rock ptarmigans in their natural surroundings. Each of these guided excursions will last around five hours, allowing us to focus fully on tracking and photographing wildlife in the stunning Arctic landscapes. In addition, we’ll have several hours each day to explore and photograph Longyearbyen itself, where wildlife is often spotted even within the town’s limits.

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In order to get to the wildlife, we will have to walk on foot into the terrain. Some wildlife sightings can be right from the road right next to the car. While for some other photo opportunities we will need to walk about an hour into the terrain. Please be prepared to make some short hikes. 

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We’ve chosen to limit the group size to just four to six participants to ensure the best possible wildlife photography experience. A smaller group allows for a quieter presence in the field, increasing our chances of close encounters with the animals and giving everyone more space and flexibility to capture unique shots.​​

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Itinerary

 

• ​Day 1. Morning flight* from Oslo Gardermoen airport to Longyearbyen airport, departing 07:05 and arriving 10:10. The group is picked up by Taxi from the airport and brought to the accommodation. You will be staying at the Coal Minder's Cabins. The accommodation lays outside the town center and offers wildlife photography possibilities right in front of the door. At 13:00 the local guide will pick up the group for the first photography outing of the tour. The outing is timed with the best evening light. Around 20:00 the group will have dinner in one of the local restaurants. 

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• Day 2. and 3. Early morning breakfast at 07:00 at the accommodation. At 07:30 the local guide picks up the group for the wildlife photography outing. The group will return to the accommodation around 12:30. After lunch there is time for exploring Longyearbyen and photographing the local wildlife in town. Or, if requested, the group can spend time editing the images from the previous outings. Around 19:00 the group will have dinner in one of the local restaurants.  

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• Day 4 and 5. Breakfast around 8:00. The morning is dedicated to exploring Longyearbyen and photographing the local wildlife in town. Or, if requested, the group can spend time editing the images from the previous outings. At 14:00, after lunch,  the local guide will pick up the group for the wildlife photography outing. These outings are times with the best evening light. Around 20:00 the group will have dinner in one of the local restaurants. 

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• Day 6. Breakfast around 8:00. If time allows its, there is a last possibility for a short photography outing around the accommodation or a short photo editing session. A taxi will pick the group up from the accommodation and bring you to Longyearbyen airport for your flight back home. 

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Fill in the booking form.

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Or contact us for inquiries for other dates and other questions.

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*We have chosen to fly to Longyearbyen in the early morning on the 8th of March. If we would take a later flight, we will arrive too late in Longyearbyen to still head out. Staying a night in an airport hotel in Oslo from the 7th to the 8th ensures you to be on time for the morning flight to Longyearbyen. Also, staying overnight in a hotel at Oslo airport is cheaper than staying in Longyearbyen. If you prefer to fly to Longyearbyen on the 7th already, please let us know so that we can adjust the booking for your accommodation. Thank you.