The Arctic Invitational
Svalbard, June 14th - 24th, 2026
Venture to one of the most remote and captivating places on Earth aboard an intimate luxury ship with the Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway. This unforgettable journey takes you deep into the realm of polar bears, towering glaciers, and endless Arctic light. Over ten days, you will explore Spitsbergen’s pristine fjords, witness incredible wildlife in its natural habitat, and experience the raw beauty of the High Arctic under the glow of the Midnight Sun. From immersive off-ship adventures to expert-led exploration, every moment is designed to connect you with the wonders of this extraordinary region.
What to expect:
Ten days exploring Spitsbergen’s wild diversity
Abundant Arctic wildlife encounters
Experience the Midnight Sun’s continuous daylight
Explore dramatic Arctic landscapes
Flexible route based on conditions
Convenient transfers and travel package
This is NOT a workshop. This is a shared photography experience where like-minded creatives can embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the high Arctic. That being said, there will be a lot to learn and experience with the incredible expedition team from Quark Expeditions. You’ll enrich your experience with wildlife interpretation, geology, history, and photography guidance so every moment is both inspiring and informative
Key Details
This isn't your typical cruise. Yes, you'll be on a beautiful ship with great food and cozy amenities, but the focus is on exploring. These are small vessels (120-140 people), and the experience revolves around daily excursions—mostly two per day—where you get up close with the Arctic environment, by boat or on land. The landscapes are unreal, and seeing a polar bear in the wild is truly something else.
Ship: Ultramarine
Start Location: Helsinki, Finland
End Location: Helsinki, Finland
Dates: June 14-24, 2026
Duration: 11 days
Price: Starting at $6,892 USD per person
Experience: Open to any level of photographer
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Equipment: Bring your camera, spotting scopes available on ship
Spots for this voyage are limited, and the opportunity to explore Svalbard in such depth comes only once in a lifetime. If you have ever dreamed of standing on the deck as the Midnight Sun lights up a glacier or potentially photographing a polar bear in the wild, this is your chance to make it a reality.
About the Gajan Balan
As you already know, my name is Gajan Balan. I’m a photographer and director based in Toronto. My visuals are an exercise in world building that moves across portraiture, fashion, street, and documentary. My work has garnered multiple awards, publications, and galleries but my primary focus remains on highlighting humanistic stories from around the world. Namely those that draw inspiration from my culture and heritage. My goal is to develop compelling stories that can inspire the next generation of creatives.
In 2024, I traveled to Svalbard with Quark Expeditions, and it truly changed my life. The ship was immaculate, the excursions were unforgettable, and the expedition team was second to none. I've been wanting to go back ever since but this time, with a group of fellow photographers. Especially those of you with red dots on your cameras.