| Dates (Polar Bear Predation) | March 30 – April 7, 2025, April 6 – 14, 2025 |
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Welcome to the polar bear expedition to Svalbard, where the untouched Arctic wilderness awaits you. A land sculpted by ice and time – a place where nature commands your respect in return for its inspiration.
We choose to travel to Svalbard later because this is when the polar bears gather in large numbers, increasing our chances of seeing these majestic creatures and better understanding their world. Through our many years of experience we’ve learned having two local guides join us vastly increases our chances of finding the bears. One guide will accompany our group during the day, while the other will play a unique role as our night watcher, tracking the polar bears as we sleep. Thanks to this intelligence, each morning will hold the promise of a new encounter and the unfolding of a new story.
Ultimately, we’re in Svalbard for more than just its polar bears or any other animal; we’re here to understand it: to learn its language, understand its rhythms, and form a deep connection with it. We welcome you to join us for a chance to live the Arctic life — to participate in a timeless narrative of survival written in snow and ice — promising to change you in ways you never imagined.
Day 1
The polar bear expedition to Svalbard begins as your plane touches down in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. A place where snow-capped mountains reach high into the azure sky, and the Arctic Ocean stretches as far as the eye can see. Leaving the hustle and bustle of your daily life behind, you’re now stepping into an entirely different world – a world where nature reigns supreme. You’ll check into your hotel, where you can rest and prepare for the days ahead.
Day 2 – 7
As the first light of day breaks on the first day we gear up. Everything we need is ready – personal items, cameras, team supplies, fuel, and food, all strapped onto our sleds. We’ll take a crash course on the snowmobiles and once we’re comfortable and ready, we’ll make our way across the frozen sea to the island of Spitsbergen, our home base. It will take us a little over three hours to reach the island’s only town, an abandoned mining operation, now home to the upgraded Pyramiden Hotel. It’s not five-star luxury, but it’s warm, comfortable, and great for sleeping. We’ll begin our days here with breakfast and end them here with dinner. We’ll spend the rest of our time out on the ice.
At this time of year, the arctic days are long. The extended daylight will allow us to spend 10 to 14 hours at a time out in the wilderness. Along the way, quick, camp-style meals and hot tea will keep us going as we spend Five Full Days exploring the arctic expanses, tracking polar bears as they stalk their prey—seals and reindeer. We will be immersed in a cycle of observing, learning, and capturing the raw beauty of nature in a place few people ever get to see; an exploration in its purest form, a chance to witness life in one of its harshest yet most stunningly beautiful habitats.
The grand prize for polar bear lovers is observing a mother polar bear with her cubs. Most of the time, she will have two cubs, but on rare occasions, we see her with three. Watching the young ones with their mother is something special. They play, explore, and learn under the watchful eyes of their mother. It’s not uncommon for us to see a mother bear nurse her cubs right there on the open ice. She has no fear – her only concern is another male bear or us, the observers.
Our guides know the lay of the land and the behavior of these magnificent creatures. Their expertise ensures the safety of both us and the bear family. They bring us to a safe distance where we set up our tripods and cameras to capture deeply relatable and endearing interactions between the cubs and their mother.
Day 8
We begin our journey back to civilization, to Longyearbyen. We return tour gear and head for our lodging, where a simple pleasure will be waiting for you: a hot shower — a true luxury after spending many days and nights immersed in the stark, cold beauty of the Arctic. To say goodby, we gather together for one last meal, a farewell dinner where we share stories, laughter, and the common bond of our shared adventure.
Day 9
Our polar bear expedition to Svalbard has come to an end and it’s time to part ways, each of us making our way to the airport, our minds full of memories, our cameras full of breathtaking photos. Wherever you’re headed next, you’re taking a piece of the Arctic with you, a sense of awe, respect, and love for this spectacular wilderness that will stay with you, always.
Temperature
Day 23 – 77°F (-5 – 25°C)
Night -4 to -40°F (-20 to -40°C)
Amos Nachoum is a distinguished figure in wildlife and underwater photography, seamlessly combining exploration and artistry for over 45 years. His dedication to capturing the essence of marine life has garnered him prestigious accolades, including twice winning the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in animal behavior and the Siena Photo Competition in ‘Animals in Their Environment’ category.
Amos’s photographic excellence has earned him the title of Nature Photographer of the Year 2021 by Wilderness Photography. His impact on the artistic and conservation communities has been recognized with the NOGI Award in Art, solidifying his status as a leader in his field. His works have graced prominent publications like National Geographic, Time, and The New York Times, showcasing his ability to tell compelling visual stories.
In 2019, his documentary “Picture of His Life” unveiled his relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to marine conservation. As the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, he leads private expeditions, ensuring safe and intimate wildlife encounters during peak seasons. These expeditions, whether on land or in the ocean, reflect his immaculate safety record and deep respect for the natural world.
By choosing to embark on an expedition with Amos, adventurers open themselves up to a transformative experience. They learn from a maestro whose life’s work resonates with the pulse of the oceans and the dance of wildlife across diverse habitats. Whether a seasoned photographer or a nature enthusiast, participants in Amos’s expeditions gain unparalleled insight and a unique opportunity to connect with the wild.
Additionally, his work in marine conservation and education has not gone unnoticed. Amos has been named Seakeepers’ Man of the Year, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to the ocean and its inhabitants. Through his expeditions, workshops, and storytelling, he continues to inspire, educate, and ignite a passion for conservation in hearts worldwide.
Pyramiden Hotel, a comfortable and unpretentious seasonal lodge in the heart of Spitsbergen – a coal mining town on Svalbard’s only year-round inhabited island. The hotel exudes a sense of history, with a distinct echo of the Soviet era in its architecture and design. In the winter, it’s reachable only by snowmobile.
The rooms, while simple, are cozy and provide everything a true adventurer needs to support their polar bear expedition to Svalbard. A charming onsite restaurant serves up nourishing meals beneath an aluminum ceiling, accompanied by a fully-stocked bar to unwind after a day’s adventure. A place where simplicity meets comfort; a quiet retreat in the vast, icy wilderness.
To support the polar bear expedition to Svalbard, Amos has worked closely with the same outfitter for the last twenty years. They are the absolute best at what they do. They will make sure you are fully geared to handle just about anything the Arctic environment could throw at you including providing each guest with a personal snowmobile, helmet, gloves, goggles, boots, water and wind-proof survival suit, and even survival training.
These guides have an unprecedented level of expertise and are highly sought after for high stakes shooting assignments and costly productions.
There is no better way to observe polar bears hunting in their natural environment of frozen snow and ice than with this Big Animals expedition to our polar north.
There is only space for three guests and we like to keep it this way for a variety of reasons. Overcrowding is a chronic problem for photographers looking to capture natural animal behaviors and unique images. Our small expedition size ensures that will never be an issue. It also means that each guest will have a uniquely personal experience and the absolute best chances possible to capture rare images and footage of polar bears hunting.
Most importantly, a small group is far less likely to disturb the bears in comparison to a large one. This is critical for the sustainability of the activity. Because we must not alter their environment or change their behavior in any way, we will remain a minimum of 200 feet away from the bears at all times.
Accommodations are not for the faint of heart and can be rather rustic at times. Since we will be traveling across a gigantic frozen fjord, our lodging each night will depend on where the bears are and how far we followed them. In northern Svalbard, we will be staying in a deserted Russian coal-mining town in an austere cement building with minimal running water and simple beds. In the south, we will overnight in spartan “hunter’s huts” that are small, chilly, a bit smelly, and require a warm sleeping bag.
We spend 8-14 hours a day out on the ice and carry with us absolutely everything we could possibly need such as food, drinks, communication, first aid supplies, and more. The late afternoon and early evening light is the most beautiful and is typically when the bears are out hunting because it’s cooler and the sun is lower. These “golden hours” are flawless for photography and produce the most spectacular images imaginable.
In this incredibly harsh yet surprisingly fragile northern polar region of our planet, be prepared to partake in an adventure that will forever change your perspective on travel. This journey will try your patience, test your endurance, and show you a world of unmatched beauty and frozen splendor that you couldn’t possibly be prepared to understand.
You can reserve now by either paying a 33% deposit through our online reservation system or by mailing a check.
If you’d prefer to mail a check to our office or arrange for a wire transfer, please get in touch with us via the Contact BigAnimals form below.
All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. In order to join an expedition, you are required to carry trip, health, and dive (if applicable) insurance. This information as well as your passport photo will be requested after you place your deposit.
Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
Your deposit reserves your place on the trip. However, the full amount is due 90 days or more before the expedition date begins.
You will receive a confirmation email when your application is received. When your deposit is complete, you will receive trip confirmation. Complete trip details will be sent upon final payment.
View the Expedition Page for Total Trip Price and Cancellation Policies
| Dates (Polar Bear Predation) | March 30 – April 7, 2025, April 6 – 14, 2025 |
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FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY
We at Big Animals LLC know how upsetting it might be for our valued clients to have to postpone or cancel a trip they have been looking forward to for months. We, too, are disappointed when plans must be changed. However, we make extensive preparations in advance of each trip and we are required to make nonrefundable payments to hotels and other vendors on a regular basis. Consequently, we must rigorously enforce our cancellation and trip change policy for all guests without exception.
Purchasing travel insurance is vital and may be obtained through a variety of insurance providers. Life in the modern world has taught us that trip cancellations and interruptions happen, luggage gets lost, and people have accidents prior to trips, and people get sick, and are unable to commence or complete anticipated journeys. Insurance is expected to provide you, as our valued client, with the protection and peace of mind in the event that all things do not go according to your intended plan. As a traveler, please be aware you are personally responsible for any expenses incurred due to illness or injury that may arise before departure or while you are on expedition — and as per the details below — cancelling or altering a trip without insurance becomes very expensive for all parties involved, including for Big Animals LLC.
We encourage you to make the responsible choice — protect your investment with a reasonably-priced, comprehensive insurance policy.
Big Animals LLC requires a deposit equal to 33% of the total trip price at the time of booking, including all applicable taxes, in order to secure space.
Once we have accepted your deposit and application, we will make non-refundable payments to secure your space with overseas vendors; consequently, all deposits on expeditions are also non-refundable, without exception.
There shall be no exceptions to this “FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY” for any reason, including, but not limited to force majeure.
Governing Law California. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement, and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
