Pole Trance

Depending on your areas of interest. Photo Tour is for you if you are an avid photographer who would appreciate our skipper's advice and instruction. If not, sign up for a group tour where the trip's main focus isn't photography. Lastly, if you must travel on a date and in a manner of your choosing, we may customize a holiday for you.

There are various equipments one may carry for this tour. We will share a tour advice closer to the tour departure which lists the suggested equipments one should carry for this tour.

Absolutely! This Tour is meant for fledgling as well as experienced photographers. Beginners get all the advantages of learning on and off the field from Toehold’s eminent Skippers. In fact if you are a newbie, you should jump on this terrific learning opportunity and sign up right away! However, in order to make the most of the Tour photographically, we recommend that you be familiar with photography fundamentals. If you’re not, we suggest you join an Art and Science of Photography Workshop before the Tour.

A visa may be required depending on your destination country and your nationality. Please speak with us for detailed information and support in obtaining the required visa for your tour. We do provide assistance with the visa application process and offer guidance on the necessary steps.

Ofcourse, yes. Please talk to our capable Camera Rent team or mention what gear you’d like to hire while registering for the tour. Guess what? We offer you a 10% off on camera rent while on the tour.

Yes, definitely! We can accommodate vegetarian and vegan meal plans. Please inform us about your dietary requirements in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements throughout your tour.

Yes, we do provide assistance in booking road transfers to help you reach your destination. We do not book air transfers, however, we can suggest the best possible flights you can take to reach your destination. It is advisable to discuss your travel plans with us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements and help provide you with detailed information.

Absolutely everything! From booking the travel tickets and arranging for a comfortable stay to suggested itineraries and planning places of interest, Toehold takes care of all the details of your vacation.

You may certainly take your young child, but we don’t recommend taking infants and very small children on safari. Please talk to us for more information.

In Svalbard, the weather is variable, but the average hovers between a few degrees below freezing at the minimum and around 2°C as the maximum. There will be considerable wind chill on the deck. Sea conditions may get occasionally rough, but the rugged construction of the ship usually ensures a largely smooth ride. You are advised to carry requisite medication if you suffer from seasickness.

Depending on the Svalbard photography tour you choose, there will be about 11 to 12 participants along with a Toehold skipper. This group size ensures a comfortable experience and ample of opportunities to photograph the wildlife.

In Svalbard and all our other tours, your safety is of paramount importance to us and every aspect of this expedition has been designed to the highest safety standards. Our cruise ship exceeds all the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements and features state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment. There are comfortably excess life vests, high-grade immersion suits and lifeboats on board the cruise, and lifejackets will be compulsorily worn during all the Zodiac rides. You are in very capable hands as the Tour Skippers have between them a total experience of 15 expeditions to Svalbard, and are well assisted by an expert crew who are consummate with local conditions. Together they will constantly monitor weather conditions and take suitable decisions to ensure a safe and enjoyable Tour for everyone.

The best time to visit Svalbard is during the summer months from June to August, when the weather is milder, and the midnight sun allows for extended daylight hours. This period offers the best opportunities for wildlife viewing, outdoor activities, and expedition cruises around the archipelago.

In Svalbard, you can see and photograph a variety of Arctic wildlife, including Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, Reindeer, Walrus, and various bird species such as Puffins and Guillemots. Additionally, the stunning Arctic landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, and icy tundras, provide endless opportunities for landscape photography. Adventurous travelers can capture the unique experience of the midnight sun or witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights during the winter months.

The primary way to reach Svalbard is by flying into Longyearbyen Airport (LYR), the main airport serving the archipelago. Longyearbyen Airport has regular flights from Oslo, Norway, operated by Norwegian and SAS airlines.

Although Svalbard is not a very physically intensive Tour, some basic amount of physical fitness is required, chiefly to withstand the cold, climb up and down the steep staircase between the hull of the ship and the Zodiac board, and to undertake short walks exploring the islets on foot. If you suffer from known illnesses, please consult your physician before signing up for the Tour.

In Svalbard, as you will be on a cruise there will be no network or WiFi available. Some parts of Longyearbyen may have limited mobile connectivity. Please talk to us to know more.

The main difference between Pole Trance and Classic Svalbard tours is the number of days on the tour and the difference in the type of cruise you will be on. Please talk to us to know more.