Spitsbergen - Realm of the Polar Bear

Tour Code: NOR05

Join us on the ice-strengthened MS Quest on our small ship wildlife expedition to the high Arctic islands of Svalbard in search of Polar Bears, Walrus, breeding seabirds and spectacular scenery.

11 days from
£8,695 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£7,995

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Highlights

Summary

This is the ultimate wildlife cruise, a unique holiday which includes 9-nights on board the ice-strengthened MS Quest. From our comfortable floating base, we explore the spectacular Arctic island of Spitsbergen, the largest of the Svalbard archipelago, a dramatic land of jagged mountains, awe-inspiring glaciers and deep fjords lying just 600 miles south of the North Pole and home to an exciting variety of polar wildlife. Huge colonies of Little Auks, Brünnich’s Guillemots and other seabirds crowd the coastal cliffs, whilst inland, Grey Phalarope, Long-tailed Skua, King Eider and Barnacle Goose breed. Pack-ice lingers offshore throughout the summer, the hunting ground for the magnificent Polar Bear and home to Walrus, Harp Seal, Beluga Whale and the occasional Bowhead Whale too.

Exclusively chartered small ship cruise focusing solely on wildlife & scenery
Explore the pack-ice in search of Polar Bears
Visit Little Auk & Brünnich’s Guillemot colonies
Ivory & Sabine’s Gulls, Grey Phalarope, Long-tailed Skua & much more
Walrus, Harp, Bearded & Ringed Seals
Beluga Whale possible; previous groups have seen Blue & Bowhead Whales!
Huge glaciers such as Monaco & King’s Glacier
Wonderful photographic opportunities
Enjoy the midnight sun & 24-hour daylight
Expert guidance by Naturetrek naturalist guides & expedition staff

Grading

Grade A. Day walks only. Easy and optional.

The island of Spitsbergen, the largest of the Svalbard archipelago, is a dramatic land of huge glaciers, snow covered mountains and steep-sided fjords, separated from the North Pole by a mere 965 kilometres of frozen ocean. This is the true ‘High Arctic’, an extreme land gripped by ice for over eight months of the year and by darkness for over four. Winter begins to loosen its grasp in May, however, and during the brief Arctic summer Spitsbergen is transformed into a land of perpetual daylight, covered by a flower-filled tundra grazed by herds of Reindeer. Towering sea-cliffs crowded with millions of seabirds guard the land, while offshore lies a crazy paving of pack-ice upon which Polar Bears hunt and Walruses laze.

Naturetrek has been chartering ships to explore these wonderful islands since 2006 and since 2019 we have been chartering the 53-passenger MS Quest. Free from the shackles of having to visit non-wildlife sites, our cruise will only include the very best of Svalbard’s wildlife and scenery. Our holiday is timed for late June/early July when the sun never sets and the pack-ice has usually melted sufficiently to allow our ship to explore the fjords, towering cliffs and tundra of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. We begin, however, with a spectacular flight over the ice-dotted Arctic Ocean to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard. Here we will board our vessel and begin our voyage through an icy wilderness almost entirely devoid of human life. Birdlife on the other hand is abundant, and even in Longyearbyen itself Snow Buntings fly around the rooftops and Purple Sandpipers pick for insects along the meltwater streams. Blue phase Fulmars wheel around our anchored vessel together with Glaucous Gulls and Arctic Terns, the latter fresh from their ‘other summer’ in the Antarctic. Leaving Longyearbyen we will head north, past groups of Little Auks, Black Guillemots, Puffins and Brünnich’s Guillemots which skitter away across the water’s surface as we steam past, whilst the occasional Bearded or Ringed Seal may pop a head out of the water to watch us motor by; all this to a back-drop of spectacular jagged mountains.

Our voyage will take us into glass-like fjords backed by huge glaciers, such as the Monaco and Hamilton Glacier, and on to polar deserts where only a few lichens and other low-lying plants eke out an existence in the almost waterless environment. One advantage of travelling aboard an ice-strengthened vessel is that we can make our way deep into the pack-ice, the summer haunt of the true king of the Arctic, the magnificent Polar Bear. A meeting with a Polar Bear is one of those heart-stopping experiences you never forget, made all the better by seeing them in their own realm wandering around on the ice floes with pack-ice stretching to the horizon. This ice is also home to the huge Walrus which may be seen hauled out on the ice alongside its smaller cousins, the Bearded, Ringed and Harp Seals. Here too we will look for the ghostly white Ivory Gull and, if fortunate, maybe even a Ross’s Gull as these begin to pass through Svalbard in July.

Returning to the coastline, we will board inflatable Zodiacs to view the towering cliff faces that are home to thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots. We will also visit colonies of Little Auks where thousands of these tennis ball-sized auks wheel around the mountain-tops like mosquitoes over a pond. Always on the look-out for a meal, Arctic Foxes patrol the base of these colonies, whilst out on the tundra Brent, Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese all breed alongside King Eider, Grey Phalarope, Red-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Purple Sandpiper, Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas and Ptarmigan. Of these breeding birds, it is only the latter that also braves the harsh Arctic winter.

Although primarily a wildlife voyage, we will have opportunities to learn about Spitsbergen’s fascinating human history, much of which is closely tied to the very animals and birds we have come to view. Abandoned whaling stations such as the 17th century Smeerenburg (Blubber Town) stand testament to the impact of early whalers on the islands, whilst the remains of the camps of early explorers such as the Swedish balloonist André remind us of Svalbard’s appeal to past adventurers.

Once back at Longyearbyen a spectacular flight over huge glaciers, braided river valleys and snow-capped peaks will bring us back to mainland Norway, from where we must continue our journey south away from the roof of the world and back home.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Oslo

Day 2/10

Spitsbergen voyage

Day 11

Fly London

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
For this voyage we will be taking exclusive charter of the 53-passenger MS Quest. Please refer to the trip itinerary for more information on the vessel and a full price list. In Oslo we use a comfortable airport hotel with private facilities.
Food:
All meals are included in the price with the exception of meals in Longyearbyen and Oslo.

Reviews

A truly amazing holiday with many, many highlights. A common thread was how the fieldcraft of the ship's captain, zodiac pilots or expedition leaders positioned us to enjoy intimate and extensive views of so many different animals without disturbing them. Watching, for example, the polar bear sliding down a slope on its back and then returning to do the same again in case we'd missed it the first time. The magnificent Bowhead whale, not just an occasional or distant view of the double blow, but repeated views over a period of nearly two hours and including two great tail flukes when diving. The belugas, not just white blobs, but fully visible in a feeding frenzy with Kittiwakes and Glaucous Gulls. They came so close we could watch them swimming underwater. And the list goes on, King Eider, Grey Phalarope, Arctic Fox, Walrus all enjoyed many times with some superb views. The glorious weather and incredible Arctic scenery just added to the experience. We felt privileged to be part of this wonderful adventure.
A.S. Kent, Jun 24
We cruised around Spitsbergen, on a small vessel. We had excellent guides, who were very knowledgeable about all aspects - glaciers, animals, birds and plants, and brilliant at wildlife spotting. We saw loads of great wildlife, and wonderful scenery. Caught in the SAS pilot strike, we were impressed by how Naturetrek handled this, especially their communication with our group regarding what they were doing to get us home. Professional and friendly, and as noted above, really took the stress out of our delay - sorting accommodation, alternative flights, and keeping us informed.
M.Y. Northamptonshire, June 22
Naturetrek expedition cruise around Spitsbergen - Spitsbergen: Realm of the Polar Bear. Fabulous scenery and wildlife sightings including polar bear, Arctic fox and walrus. Very comfortable boat with excellent food. Expertly led by Naturetrek leaders and local guides. Naturetrek are professional, knowledgeable, customer focused.
I.M. Wiltshire, Jun 22

A an amazing 9 night cruise/expedition to Svalbard in the High Arctic to enjoy wildlife and beautiful flora and scenery. This was a 9 day voyage of over 2000 Km from Longyearbyen in the west to Edgeoya and Barentsoya in the east of the archipelago travelling through incredible fjords, open sea and pack ice. We went ashore accompanied by expedition leaders in zodiacs on most days and got close to incredible mammals including Polar Bear, Walrus and Arctic Fox as well as several bird species and many species of plants. The tour was accompanied by excellent lectures from the expedition team and was well supervised by Naturetrek leaders and Expedition staff. The ship's accommodation was excellent and the cabins were very comfortable, the cleanliness and dining on the ship (the MV Quest) was excellent. The crew were polite and helpful.
H.L. Hertfordshire, June 19

Fantastic and extraordinary wildlife break sailing around Spitsbergen (Svalbard) - all guests landed for guided viewing at a huge variety of sites, seeing polar bears (from boats), walrus, arctic foxes, svalbard reindeer, king eider, little auk etc etc.super accommodation on our ice-strengthened ship, superbly handled outings on zodiacs. The Naturetrek guides, and the boat expedition leaders were enthusiastic, informative, and always available with answers. The food was great, the accommodation comfortable. Brilliant, memorable trip! Naturetrek described the trip accurately and comprehensively beforehand, guided us helpfully without removing the sense of adventure, and saw everything through to a great finish.
I.H. Tyne & Wear, June 19

Thoroughly enjoyed this trip from start to finish. Everything was perfect. Enjoyed the scenery, mammals and birds. The Naturetrek tour leaders and other members of staff on this cruise had so much knowledge and were great fun. The Ortelius was a very clean and comfortable boat to be on and the food was delicious. Well done and thank you once again Naturetrek for a fantastic experience.
D.H. Middlesex

Although it is hyperbole to say so, this has been the best holiday ever. We were blessed with a huge amount of sunshine which enabled us to see almost every species on the Naturetrek list. The fellow travellers were equally keen and of great company. Led by a most knowledgeable Malcolm Scott whose enthusiasm is infectious and whose dancing has to be witnessed! The only downsides were only 3 polar bears and that we must re-join the civilised world. But thank you Naturetrek for another excellent holiday.
A.A. Scotland

It was a unique and amazing experience in every way and we both feel privileged to have had the opportunity of exploring this very special part of our planet.
Mr & Mrs. McC.

Seeing Polar Bears in such wonderful surroundings was certainly a magical moment and brought tears to my eyes. A trip of a lifetime.
L.F. London

Even superlatives cant do justice to this trip. Simple outstanding. Superbly organised, led, executed and serviced. The ships crew were magnificent. For anyone with a sense of adventure and average agility it is hard to imagine a better trip. As for photographic opportunities, they were boundless. A truly memorable experience. Thank you Naturetrek.
C. & R.S. London

This was an excellent trip thanks to the commitment and expertise of Rini, the Expedition Leader and the Captain and crew of the Proff. Molcanov. They worked very hard to make the most of every opportunity enabling us to experience as much as possible. The Naturetrek leader, Paul, was efficient, pleasant and helped everything to run smoothly. We were also very lucky to have Adam, the geologist, with us and Chris the historian - both added greatly to the trip...I cannot fault the trip in anyway - it was one of the best ever.
E.F. Co. Durham

The trip was a wonderful experience, which exceeded my expectations in all its aspects - the scenery, the wildlife, the ship, the food - everything. All the naturalists/leaders/guides, both Naturetrek and local, were friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable and experienced. The ship's captain and crew and the catering/cabin staff were tremendous. They adapted and responded wonderfully to the constantly changing conditions and we were able to enjoy some fantastic wildlife viewing whilst cruising through magnificent scenery. The ship itself was perfectly suited to the expedition with the restaurant/viewing area allowing everyone to relax and watch the outside world in comfort. An enormous thank you to all concerned.
V.K. Nottinghamshire

Spitsbergen was never on my list of to do's as I like hot climates. However my friend said it was a life time ambition to go to the Arctic…. I now owe her big time, I loved every minute of the trip, mammals and birds of course but I was bewitched by the scenery, I never dreamt that I would be so happy doing nothing just watching the ever changing ice flows. As ever the Naturetrek leaders were first rate.
W.S. Essex

This trip has been one of the great experiences of our lives. Extraordinary wildlife encounters, mind blowing scenery and a full sun barbecue at midnight.
R.H. Devon

The trip was well up to expectations with a bonus of good weather. Animal sightings, plus the help from onboard experts certainly made the holiday - not forgetting the birds. It was also very pleasing to note that all staff seemed genuinely interested in all their clients. We will certainly recommend Naturetrek to our friends.
G.H. Cambridgeshire

For me, the fact that the catering staff made no fuss about providing gluten-free food and in fact knew within 25 hours my name and requirements was such a bonus. All the Naturetrek leaders were approachable and helpful, Ed in particular. He didn't mind a complete novice 'birder' asking very basic questions and always ensured we all saw what was being pointed out. Well done Ed. All the Ortelius guides were also helpful and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the whole polar experience, but particularly the flowers, glaciers and Polar Bears.
P.C. Devon

The amazing wildlife sightings and scenery, very much aided by good weather and the enthusiasm and knowledge of the expedition staff and Naturetrek guides.
C.F. Hertfordshire

The leader, the guides, and all the staff of the ship worked wonders. The food on board was very good indeed, the cabin much roomier than I expected. Everyone did there utmost to give us a great holiday. Every day was a wonderful adventure, we saw so much and I shall never forget it.
S.P. Northamptonshire

Enjoyed the whole experience on the boat, the staff were excellent especially the guides. Well organised and very knowledgeable. Great food and service. Wonderful wildlife viewing and scenery.
J.H. South Yorkshire

A wonderful holiday in the high Arctic aboard a Naturetrek chartered vessel (MV Ortelius). Expectations were high but the wildlife and scenery easily exceeded our wildest dreams! Polar Bears, Walrus, huge sea bird colonies, Blue, Humpback and Minke Whales were amongst the many wildlife highlights. All this with spectacular scenery throughout. The boat, an ice-strengthened expedition vessel, was crewed by a professional and friendly team and Naturetrek also sent 3 of their own tour leaders. Needless to say there was a wealth of knowledge aboard which proved invaluable for the exciting daily land excursions and absorbing evening lectures. This holiday comes highly recommended!
T.S. London

It was absolutely amazing. We boarded the 'Ortelius', a converted ice breaker, at Longyearbyen and spent the next 8 days exploring the west side, sometimes on the ship and sometimes being transported to land by zodiacs so that we could see the lovely alpine flowers and some of the history of the area. When we got into the ice we were all looking for Polar Bears, and certainly one of the highlights for me was seeing 3 adult males eating a seal. We managed to achieve 80 degrees 50.6 minutes before thick pack ice stopped us. Other highlights were seeing Blue Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox and the seabird colonies. The ship was very comfortable and the staff and leaders couldn't have been more helpful. It was without doubt, the holiday of a lifetime.
T.W. Merseyside

Everything ran like clockwork. We were kept well informed including any necessary changes brought about by the weather. Our accommodation on the MV Ortelius was perfectly adequate and comfortable. The food was excellent, matched by the range on offer. All the support staff were efficient, obliging and cheerful and made us feel valued. The expedition leaders were all experts in their own field and went out of their way to be helpful and pass on their knowledge and experience in a practical manner. Great emphasis was placed on safety, both on board ship and the zodiac craft used every day. All of the expedition staff were properly equipped to deal with intruding polar bears (of which there turned out to be none, fortunately) and sentries posted when required. The captain and expedition leaders worked very hard to give us good sightings of elusive creatures such as polar bears, walruses and arctic foxes; along with a good range of the native birdlife. A wonderful adventure, indeed.
H.H. Suffolk

We travelled into the pack-ice and saw four polar bears feeding on a ringed seal. We were able to watch the bears form the ship for over four hours. We also saw reindeer, an arctic fox with a dead guillemot, walruses on the ice and on land, thousands of Brunnich's guillemots nesting on cliffs, large numbers of little auks, and many more birds, seals and some whales. The scenery was truly stunning and the walks enabled us to experience the arctic tundra, flora and overall environment, with plenty of time to take photographs and enjoy the experience. The staff and experts on board were excellent, providing informative lectures and photographs, and always ready to answer our questions. The ship was comfortable, the food excellent and the staff friendly and efficient.
K.S. Kent

After boarding the ice-breaking ship Ortelius at Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen, we had daily doses of snow-capped mountains and glaciers, many up close and personal, even being allowed to touch one of the Hornsund area icebergs! One of the zodiac leisure landings was dedicated to the exploration of the many delicate tundra wildflowers. This educational exercise caused me to find more species later on my own. A slow walk on the Polar Desert revealed small arctic insect life, as well as an education about the multitude of mosses and lichens in this area. Of course the bird cliffs were overwhelming with the teaming avian colonies; we seemed like ants in the zodiacs slowing gliding below the towering rocky mountain sides. We viewed 8 Polar Bears, a number greater than I had imagined. But even more exciting were the 2 bears (each on different days) that suddenly appeared as dots in the distant surrounding pack ice, then gradually becoming larger as they slowly strolled right up to our anchored ship, circled around the vessel for half an hour, then continued on their way into the whiteness to resume their roaming life of solitude. This experience truly gave me a sense of the isolationist existence of these magnificent creatures. We also were able to enjoy a small herd of Walruses lazing on an isolated beach. Although this critter was my most wanted animal on the trip, even more satisfying was our 2-hour time spent on a bluff overlooking the Walruses, immersed in a landscape of water, snow-capped mountains, brilliantly blue skies, quiet, later topped with a small pod of Belugas gliding by! Except for the last 2 days, the weather was perfect! Thanks to Naturetrek's professional guidance, and of course all the scenery and wildlife, we came home with a lifetime of memories.
A.W. USA

Amazing holiday, exceeded our expectations. The journey out to the pack ice was an incredible experience, we went much further north than we expected to. The scenery and the wildlife in Svalbard was incredible, one of the highlights was the polar bears on a kill on an iceberg. The guides both Naturetrek and the ships were first class, helpful and very knowledgeable.
J.P. South Yorkshire, June 18

The Realm of the Polar Bear was an 8 day Naturetrek cruise aboard the Ortelius. The Naturetrek experts in birds, mammals and plants were supplemented by the expedition crew with their own expertise in Arctic wildlife, ice and polar bears. The itinerary was flexible according to weather and ice conditions and we went as far north as possible in search of polar bears, seeing 11, with wonderful views over drift ice, the third largest ice sheet in the world and stunning views of the Svalbard coast. Many glaciers are in retreat with global warming and the threat to wildlife and the planet was clear to all. With the expert help of our leaders we saw Blue whale, Humpback whale, walrus, arctic fox and numerous seabirds scarcely seen in the UK, and most days had at least one expedition ashore in zodiacs to search for wildlife and see the habitation left by hunters in the past. The food and comfort aboard the Ortelius was excellent, adding to a truly memorable experience. The information supplied in advance lived up to expectations in every way. The leaders were on hand at the airports to sort out ticketing and luggage issues, as well as providing daily briefings about wildlife seen and on hand on deck and on shore to help identify plants and birds and provide assistance when needed eg with life jackets etc. Expedition leaders in charge of the zodiacs ensured we were safe on shore as well as providing talks on board ship. Everything was well organised and smoothly run.
L.B. West Sussex

This Arctic expedition surpassed my expectations. This was in part due to the wonderful organisation and leadership of the expedition team. I felt completely confident in the team which allowed me to enjoy the wonderful and captivating scenery as well as the wildlife, which was a joy. The guides - both groups were helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I was so impressed with the whole venture. Thanks too to the wonderful crew and staff of the Ortelius.
B.D. Monmouthshire, June 18

Outings on the zodiacs were brilliant. It had a definite expedition feel about it - isolated from TV, mobile phone signal. Just alone in the Arctic. The expedition leaders were great, and the Naturetrek leaders complemented them by bringing expertise to the plant identification (Martin), bird finding (Peter), and Ed making sure that everyone saw everything that was found.
B.S. Cambridgeshire

The leaders were well organised, knowledgeable and extremely helpful.
C.S. Cheshire

The Ortelius crew were quite outstanding in every aspect. The meals were excellent. Zodiac trips were expertly managed. Very high level of commitment from all concerned. We particularly appreciated the lecture programmes by the on-board experts.
P.T. Devon

The zodiac trips and walks were particularly enjoyable. We were very lucky with the weather! The lectures about ice formation and glaciation were very interesting.
K.T. Devon

A fantastic trip. It was a real privilege to spend time in such a unique environment. Thanks are due to the tour leaders who organised everything so professionally, were eager to share their knowledge and created a really good atmosphere. A special mention also for the trip report - I don't think I've ever seen one as detailed and comprehensive.
D.J. Norfolk

Special mention goes to Sarah who made a special effort to make sure that everyone was seeing everything. But they were all very helpful and very pleasant people. The Captain of the ship needs a special mention too as he was so passionate about wildlife and also so welcoming on the bridge. I think that we went at the right time of year to see the nesting birds and of course the Polar Bears and the fact that so many travellers seemed to be doing this trip for a second time speaks volumes.
K.L. Fife

This is the second time we have been on this trip which in itself indicates how much we enjoyed it. Once again the Expedition guides were world class and blend perfectly with Naturetrek's own very experienced tour guides. Dr Ian Stirling is a leading expert in Polar Bears and along with tour leader Rinnie van Meurs, we were treated to a master-class in Polar Bear behaviour. As before, the organisation of the trip was carried out in a professional and efficient manner with Naturetrek staff ensuring thongs ran seamlessly. Well done!
T.M. Wiltshire

The leaders were very professional, knowledgeable and very approachable. Nothing was ever too much trouble. They worked tirelessly to find the animals. The Captain of the ship was so skilled at edging slowly towards the animal which enabled us to watch images of the Polar Bears devouring a Bearded Seal, the Arctic Fox eating a Guillemot, and the stunning scenery will stay with me forever.
K.M. Norfolk

Anyone, especially on a first trip to the polar regions, should be prepared to have their mind blown away with the experience! The stunning scenery, the light, the superb wildlife living at the edge of existence, all fabulous. I especially enjoyed the hours of interaction between the four bears on a seal kill, how they managed to 'share' rather than squabble, one crossing over a mile of pack ice and open leads to join the feast - absolutely fabulous. As a birder, the Phalaropes spinning in the water, the Ivory Gulls taking every opportunity to join in the 'Bear Feast' and the buzz of visiting the two big Auk colonies will live long in my memory.
S.M. Northumberland

The trip was brilliant overall. We got to see a large amount of wildlife thanks to great efforts from the crew. We saw 6 different Polar Bears; 5 on the same day. The tour leaders showed great knowledge of the wildlife and plant life in Spitsbergen. The food was also excellent.
D.P. South Wales

The whole tour was well planned. Accommodation in Oslo and Longyearbyen was very good. The ship was well appointed and very comfortable. The standard of food on board the ship could not be faulted. The same said about the staff and crew. The itinerary was well thought out. Flexibility was the key. The wildlife, the scenery and just being there is something that most people will never experience. It will stay with us forever.
D.R. Cheshire

The guides and all the staff on board were excellent! The organisation and content of the trip was first rate. The nature we encountered along the way was spectacular, particularly watching four Polar Bears at one site.
D.H. Surrey

It was extremely well organised and both the Naturetrek staff and the expedition staff were excellent. Everyone was well looked after and the way activities and meals ran meant that the entire group gelled really well. The expert knowledge displayed by all the staff was outstanding and really helped us to appreciate all the wildlife and the environment.
M.H. Surrey

The standard of accommodation and service on the MV Ortelius was outstanding, the devotion to searching out wildlife was excellent and the crew, staff and wildlife guides did everything possible to make our trip a success. The sightings were particularly good. One of the unexpected highlights was having the Polar Bear authority Ian Stirling on board. A memorable trip in every way.
Mr & Mrs B. Cumbria

Good mix of activities and lectures that broadened my knowledge. The combination of Naturetrek and the boat guides worked very well. The boat experts were excellent and I was blown away to be on the same boat as Ian Stirling - THE expert on Polar Bears!
D.C. Essex

I enjoyed seeing the Polar Bears and other wild animals and birds in their own environment. The fantastic colours and formations of the ice, is wonderful scenery. The 24 hours of daylight is an experience, not to miss a minute of it. This was my second visit to Spitsbergen, I look forward to visiting this magical, spectacular place again.
B.G. Glamorgan

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Mon 23rd Jun – Thu 3rd Jul 6 £8,695

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£7,995

Room sharing options:

If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.

Female sharing available

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Su Gough

Tour Leader: Su Gough

Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Fri 3rd Jul – Mon 13th Jul SPACES £8,995

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£8,245

Room sharing options:

If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.

Female sharing available

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Tim Melling

Tour Leader: Tim Melling

Tim has had a keen interest in all forms of natural history since childhood. A testament to his precocious knowledge is that he was overall runner-up in the first series of the Radio 4 natural history quiz 'Wild Brain'! From these auspicious beginnings, he went on to complete a degree in zoology, then a PhD in butterfly ecology. The entirety of his career was focused on nature conservation, with 30 years of it spent working as a conservation officer for the RSPB. He took an early retirement from full-time work in 2019.

His main interest is birds, although he has considerable expertise in mammals, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and wild flowers. He's also a skilled and prolific photographer, which is especially evident on his Flickr page! His passion for wildlife and skill at communication make him an eminently popular public speaker at events such as Birdfair, and our annual roadshow across the UK. He has a kind, generous personality, which combined with his encyclopaedic knowledge and broad skillset, make him an ideal tour leader.

Tim's led for us since the late 1990s, which has taken him to exciting destinations such as the Arctic, Antarctic, North and South America, Africa and both tropical and temperate Asia.

Please note that cabin grades are subject to availability. We recommend phoning the office before booking to confirm that your preference is available.

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            [path] => tour-focus/bears
            [title] => Bear Watching
            [alias] => bears
            [description] => Bear Watching Holidays – See Bears in their Wild Habitat
Bears are many people’s favourite mammal. They are immensely strong and have unpredictable temperaments, yet inspire great affection in most of us.
The Naturetrek programme includes a number of specially designed bear-watching holidays which employ local expertise to provide clients with wonderful opportunities to see their favourite mammals.
Naturetrek Bear-watching tours
Most species of bear are retiring in habit and rarely seen during the day. However, a prodigious appetite leads many species to gather seasonally in big numbers, which makes them far easier to watch!
Our bear tour groups are limited in size and accompanied by Naturetrek naturalist leaders, and also usually assisted by resident experts. Although focused on bear-watching, all Naturetrek bear tours offer many opportunities to observe the other wildlife of the area.
We also see bears on other Naturetrek tours such as Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on many European tours.
Where can I see bears?

Slovenia - Bears, Birds & Caves – a 6-day holiday to Slovenia, focusing on its Brown Bears, birdlife and other natural history highlights
Canada: The West – stay on a floating wilderness lodge and explore Vancouver Island in search of Grizzly Bears
Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear – a voyage into the high Arctic in search of Polar Bears and other wildlife (exclusive charter cruise)
Brown Bears in Finland – photograph bears from a hide on the Russian border
Romania – The Wildlife of Transylvania – go in search of foraging bears in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains

Is it possible to see bears on other Naturetrek tours?
Yes. While not specifically searching for bears, we regularly have sightings of Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on our Kamchatka cruise and many European tours.

Our specialist recommends...




"In Europe one of the most reliable places to see the European Brown Bear is northern Finland, where it is possible to get very close views from hides. Watching Grizzly Bears catching Salmon in western Canada is undoubtedly one of the greatest of natural history thrills. But for the ultimate bear-watching experience, and my personal favourite, it has to be a trip to the Arctic to see Polar Bears." 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager

 
All Bear Watching Tours
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            [title] => Wildlife Cruise
            [alias] => wildlife-cruises
            [description] => Wildlife Cruise Holidays
The oceans are one of the last great wilderness areas left on our planet.  Travelling by sea on a nature cruise represents the best way to see many of the world’s wildlife spectacles, as there are still wildlife paradises that are accessible by sea but cannot yet be reached by air. 
Naturetrek wildlife cruises offer:

A range of cruising experiences, from exclusively chartered 50-berth expedition ships to smaller motor yachts & schooners
Arctic & Antarctic nature cruises in ships with specially strengthened hulls
Each voyage is accompanied by expert naturalists
Wide range of wildlife cruises from five continents

We have been running wildlife cruises for over 30 years and if your image of cruising is endless deck quoits or bingo, think again! A life on the ocean waves can be a permit to witness scenes of natural splendour that most people will only ever see on their television screens.
A selection of our most popular wildlife cruises:

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands – Unique 2-week Galapagos nature cruise aboard a 16-berth schooner in search of the confiding birds, mammals & reptiles that inhabit these islands made so famous by Darwin
The Sub-Antartic Islands of New Zealand – Penguins, marine mammals & seabirds (Tailormade) 
Spitsbergen - Realm of the Polar Bear – Polar Bears, Walruses & seabirds
Baja California – Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, thousands of dolphins & other marine life, plus San Ignacio’s friendly Grey Whales
Kamchatka Peninsula – Pacific Ocean seabird colonies, spectacular volcanic scenery & over a dozen species of auks, plus Steller’s Sea Eagle, Siberian Rubythroats & much more (Tailormade)
Brahmaputra Cruise, India – Unique nature cruise visiting Kaziranga & other National Parks


Our specialist recommends...




"If you love whales and dolphins I’d recommend our Baja & Sea of Cortez nature cruise. The world’s largest concentration of cetaceans is found here, but book early as this tour sells out fast. I’d also suggest ‘Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear’ for a spectacular combination of wildlife and scenery.” 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager 

All Wildlife Cruises
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            [title] => Mammal Watching
            [alias] => mammals
            [description] => Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:

India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears 
A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert

Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.

Our specialist recommends...




"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager

  
All Mammal Watching Tours
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            [title] => Arctic
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            [description] => Arctic Wildlife Holidays – Specialist Tours and Cruises in the Arctic
The Arctic is special. Bathed in a surfeit of light and pale blue skies during summer, then plunged into constant darkness during the winter, the seasonal contrasts in scenery, light and wildlife at the poles compared with the rest of the planet are stark. Still visited only by the lucky few, the Arctic has for centuries held an irresistible magnetism for explorers.
For the wildlife enthusiast and the adventurous-spirited, the Arctic has a bewitching appeal and well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s top wildlife destinations. Naturetrek Arctic expeditions are special in that we usually charter an entire ship (30 to 80 berth), and operate our Arctic holidays as dedicated wildlife cruises, focusing solely on the region’s wildlife and visiting the very best wildlife sites. All our Arctic holidays are also accompanied by expert naturalist guides.
Here are some of the reasons why Naturetrek’s Arctic holidays are so successful:

Our cruises focus solely on the Arctic’s spectacular wildlife.
We only charter small ships ranging in size from 30 - 80 berths.
All operate at the best times of year for wildlife.
Flexible itineraries to ensure the best wildlife sightings.
We use a team of hand-picked & experienced expedition staff.
Led by naturalist guides with expert knowledge of the Arctic region.
We offer a wide range of tours both above and below the arctic circle.
Cruises include daily zodiac excursions, accompanied by naturalist guides.
Daily briefings & recaps held.

Wildlife seen on a Naturetrek Arctic holiday:

Look for Polar Bears, Walrus, Arctic Fox & seals in Spitsbergen
See the Northern Lights, spectacular fjords & snowy mountains
Glaciers, icebergs, pack-ice, taiga forests and Arctic tundra Experience 24-hour daylight
Humpback, Fin & Sperm Whales
Little Auks, Grey Phalaropes, Ivory Gull & Long-tailed Skua in Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land
Steller’s & King Eiders plus Gyr Falcon in Iceland
Bears, Wolves & owls in sub-arctic Finland, Sweden & Norway
Colourful tundra flora


Our specialist recommends...


"The Arctic is like nowhere else on the planet – and once you’ve been, you will be hooked (I was!). Spitsbergen is the ultimate Arctic destination and one of the best places to look for Polar Bears. Our 11-day Spitsbergen Wildlife Cruise offers a spectacular supporting cast of Walrus, dramatic scenery and huge seabird colonies. If you’re looking for a short break, or a taste of the Arctic, try one of our Bear-watching or owl-focused holidays in Finland or Sweden.” 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager

  
All Arctic Tours
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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

Enquire

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Tour Reports

Tour report - June 2017

Tour report - June 2015

Tour report - June 2014

Tour report - July 2013

Tour report - July 2011

Tour report - June 2010

Tour report - July 2009

Tour report - June 2008

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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