Northern Norway
January 23 – 31, 2027
1 Spot Left
Svalbard in Winter
At a Glance
Location
Svalbard, Norway
Dates
April 6 – 15, 2028
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 12 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
Svalbard in Winter Photography Workshop
Polar Bears, Seals, and Walrus Amongst Stunning Landscapes
April 6 – 15, 2028
- A photographer's paradise with ethereal golden light all day long
- Search for polar bears, walrus, and Arctic foxes navigating frozen ice
- Small ship with Ice Class B "ice-strengthened" hull
The Arctic light in Svalbard in late March and early April is like nowhere else on Earth. Soft blues, pinks, and golds across snow-covered landscapes, low-angle sun carving deep shadows into ice and rock. Glaciers glow in the filtered light, sea ice fractures into patterns, and even the stillness feels electric. Pancake ice drifts across the frigid waters, and when conditions are just right, sea smoke rises in ghostly swirls – adding an otherworldly dimension to an already surreal landscape. Yes, it is very likely we will photograph polar bears this time of year.
This workshop will get you into the unique rewards and challenges of winter in the high Arctic. You’ll travel on our private, ice-strengthened expedition ship, the M/S Virgo, with wide open deck space and custom zodiacs to get you up close to wildlife and ice formations. Each day will bring new opportunities – polar bears on the pack ice, walruses on floes, Arctic foxes and reindeer against a snow backdrop.
Landscape photographers will find endless inspiration in the sculptural forms of ice, frozen fjords and the quiet drama of pancake ice and sea smoke drifting through polar stillness.
You’ll shoot in golden hour that often lasts for hours, and Svalbard in winter is snow-covered, so the scenery is a blank canvas. With a small group of just 12 guests, you’ll get hands-on guidance from our Pros both in the field and during image review sessions on board.
This is your chance to photograph one of the world’s most incredible environments at a time of year few others get to experience.
Your Pros
Jonas Beyer
Itinerary
About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
April 6, 2028: Arrival in Longyearbyen, Norway, Group Dinner
Fly from your home to Longyearbyen, Norway, arriving anytime before dinnertime. We’ll begin our workshop with a group dinner and overnight at the hotel in Longyearbyen.
You may find that staying overnight in Oslo the night before makes your travel schedule easier. We can recommend a hotel right at the airport in Oslo.
April 7–14, 2028: Exploring the Arctic Aboard M/S Virgo, Seeking Polar Photography Including Polar Bear
In the morning, we’ll embark on the M/S Virgo, our home for nine days and eight nights. Newly remodeled for expeditions, Virgo is ideally suited for exploring the Great North. Owned by longtime explorers and photographers of the Arctic, Virgo has been thoughtfully outfitted with our imaging needs in mind and will serve as a comfortable and agile base for accessing the best of the region. There are numerous deck areas ideal for photography and two zodiacs. The cabins are bright and clean, and the meals are freshly prepared, creative, and delicious.
Polar Bears: Our main target on this expedition is the polar bear. We will most likely find them on the drifting ice. We may get lucky and find a bear with a kill or sparring males. While we can never guarantee sightings, our guides have years of experience and have perfected their approach in this winter setting.
Arctic Mammals: We expect to see and photograph specific wildlife that frequent this area in winter: walrus, seals, Arctic foxes, and reindeer! We’ll seek breaks in the sea ice to locate ourselves as close to wildlife as possible. We’ll also pursue fjords with spectacular scenery and winter conditions.
April 15, 2028: Disembark M/S Virgo, Taxi Ride to Airport, Flight to Oslo
The workshop concludes after breakfast. Disembark M/S Virgo, and connect to a domestic flight to Oslo. There are usually various SAS flights departing Longyearbyen for Oslo at several different times. We will provide a taxi ride to the airport.
Aboard the M/S Virgo
Our home for nine days and eight nights will be the M/S Virgo. Newly remodeled for expeditions, she was built in 1976 and worked as a buoy-laying vessel for the Swedish maritime authorities before she was bought and rebuilt for Arctic photo tourism in 2021. Virgo is spacious both on deck and inside, giving ample space for 12 guests and a guide team of two. All the suites/cabins have private facilities (WC/shower). Bed linen and towels are provided. Food service will be at designated times in our dining room, but as always, we intend to be flexible should any photo opportunities arise. The chef has a varied and tasty menu that can be adapted to special dietary needs. As part of the photography and wildlife experience, we offer a spacious lounge with outstanding viewing opportunities and plenty of space for photo editing, charging batteries, listening to lectures, or hanging out with fellow travelers.
Virgo has been rebuilt and fitted, especially with photography tourism in Svalbard in mind during 2021. The adjustments were based on our team's many years of experience running photography tours in Arctic waters, including adaptations to work in very low temperatures making her ideally suited to year-round Svalbard expeditions. Other essential features are her strong hull and powerful engines that will take us where we need to go.
There are two types of cabins aboard Virgo:
- 6 single cabins with private bathroom and shower.
- 3 twin cabins (convertible for couples or twins) with private bathroom and shower.
Embracing New Wildlife Viewing Regulations
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, restricted shoreline landings, and drone restrictions near bird nesting cliffs. We fully support these updates and see them as a vital step toward the long-term conservation of the landscapes and species we love to photograph.
Importantly, these changes do not necessarily reduce the experience—they promote a more ethical and rewarding approach. Winter conditions often allow for closer 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. On recent voyages, curious bears approached our vessel on their own terms, providing unforgettable, natural encounters.
Fitness
Easy: Be prepared for cold weather conditions and extended periods on deck or in zodiacs, which can require careful balance and footing including climbing up and down steep stairs, and getting in and out of zodiacs into knee-deep water at times. The itinerary includes daily outings to photograph wildlife and landscapes, often in icy environments. Guests will need to manage their camera gear in these conditions.
Flights
Arrive at Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR), Longyearbyen before 3:00 PM on April 6, 2028. Flights out can be made anytime on April 15, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $350 supplement. (Single supplement is for hotel nights only. On the ship it is determined by cabin choice.)
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Meals and lodging onboard the ship.
- Waterproof boots for shore excursions.
- Winter exposure suit.
- Naturalist lectures and presentations on board.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance including coverage from point of injury (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming is available for a $350 supplement. (Single supplement is for hotel nights only. On the ship it is determined by cabin choice.)
Payment Terms
- Your non-refundable deposit will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further non-refundable payment is due by March 1, 2027.
- The non-refundable balance is due not later than December 1, 2027.
- The payment amounts are determined by your cabin choice.
- In addition to our standard Terms and Conditions, for this workshop all payments are non-refundable, and this is why we recommend comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancelation. All other Muench Workshops Terms and Conditions apply.
- While not expected, we do reserve the right to add a surcharge for possible fuel cost increases. This can happen even right up until the time of the expedition, but we try to get as much notice as possible.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
| Cabin Choice | Tuition | Deposit | Further Payment | Balance Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Cabin with Private Facilities | $19,995 | $8,995 | $6,000 | $5,000 |
| Double Cabin with Private Facilities | $17,995 | $8,995 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll have the chance to photograph polar bears on the pack ice, walruses on floes, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and various birds. While wildlife sightings can't be guaranteed, our experienced guides will maximize opportunities for natural encounters.
You'll learn techniques for capturing the unique Arctic light, including working with long exposures and low-light conditions. The workshop also covers composition skills for photographing wildlife and landscapes in snowy, icy environments.
For this workshop, all payments are non-refundable under any circumstances. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage.
The fitness level is considered easy, but you should be comfortable living on a small ship, climbing steep stairs, and getting in and out of zodiacs into knee-deep water. Short walks on land are also part of the experience.
Bring a range of lenses, including wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes and telephoto lenses from 100–400mm for wildlife. A sturdy tripod and extra batteries are also recommended due to cold conditions.
Yes, new regulations require maintaining distance from polar bears and walruses and restrict shoreline landings. Drone use is limited near bird nesting cliffs. These rules promote ethical wildlife viewing and conservation.
The workshop is limited to a small group of 12 guests, ensuring personalized attention and guidance from the two professional photographers on board.
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