Svalbard Arctic Expedition

July 16–26, 2026*
*This does not include pre/post-trip travel dates

Single Supplement

Please note that there is a single supplement of $12,000 USD.

If you are travelling solo and wish to be paired with another solo traveller, we will make every effort to do so. If we are unable to pair you with another traveller, you will be responsible for the full single supplement.

If you are travelling with a companion, that person must register separately. To do so, please direct them to visit the Svalbard Arctic Expedition Registration Form.

If you can respond yes to any of questions 3-9 below, please contact travel@pbears.org for next steps.

Your health and safety are of great importance to us while you travel with us to Svalbard. As you prepare for your upcoming voyage, please keep in mind that conventional medical facilities are relatively inaccessible from Svalbard and you may be 48 hours away from medical facilities while exploring the Svalbard archipelago. The deck/engine crew and expedition team on board are all trained in first aid, but there is no physician on board. As such, we ask that you take the time to complete this confidential medical report so that our expedition staff and crew may be prepared to offer medical assistance, should the need arise while on-board.

This expedition is for persons in reasonably good health. Passengers who are not fit for long trips for any reason, including disability, heart or other health conditions (that would entail an unreasonable risk to your health and to the enjoyment of other passengers onboard), are advised not to join the voyage. Should any condition become apparent, Natural World Safaris reserves the right to restrict you or any other passenger at any time during the voyage.

This expedition is for persons with good mobility who are able to safely and quickly navigate steep stairs and ladders and get onto zodiacs in possibly rough conditions in the event of an emergency evacuation of the ship. All passengers must have a high degree of self-sufficiency and should not require the use of walking aides while on board the ship. Decks can be wet, and surfaces may be slippery. There is no lift (elevator) on board the ship, and staircases on outer decks can be steep, so all passengers are required to have a good level of fitness in order to fully participate in this expedition. Land excursions may be (but are not limited to) walks on uneven ground and across beaches, hikes across the mossy/grassy tundra which is often wet and uneven terrain, hikes to the top of hills and lookout points and walks on a range of terrain – from deep snow to ice. It is important on small ship expeditions that all travelers are able to participate in scheduled excursions as a group.

Please note: the Captain and Expedition Leader have the right to refuse boarding to any passenger if it is clear at the time of embarkation that said passenger does not have the fitness or mobility level required to participate in the expedition and excursions. No refund will be provided in the event of passengers being denied boarding, and Natural World Safaris will not be liable for any additional costs incurred as a result of passengers being denied boarding of the vessel. For this reason, we ask that you carefully evaluate your fitness and mobility levels and answer all questions below fully and truthfully.

As you would normally do, you are encouraged to carry an additional supply of your own regular medications (including sea sickness medication), as they will not be available on board the vessel and may not be available in Longyearbyen prior to departure. 

Statement of Good Health

I attest that I am in good general health and capable of performing normal excursion activities which may require moderate exertion. I am aware that I must have a high degree of self-sufficiency. I understand that this expedition will take me far from the nearest hospital or fully equipped medical facility and I must be in good health. With that understanding, I certify that I have not been recently treated for, nor am I aware of, any physical, mental or other condition or disability that would create a hazard to myself or other members of the expedition and that to the best of my knowledge I am physically capable of participating in the programs as described in Natural World Safaris’ Confirmed Itinerary.

The Program Provider requires all participants to have travel insurance. There is a significant cost to emergency medical evacuation, treatment and repatriation coverage in remote, arctic locations. It is the Participant's responsibility to understand their private travel insurance. It is recommended that you confirm that your travel insurance includes evacuation coverage. Global Rescue offers short-term memberships. You can also click https://www.insuremytrip.com for information and to learn more about your options.

For the purpose of inducing the Program Provider (defined below) to accept the person named in this Acknowledgement, Waiver, Release and Indemnity (the “Participant”) into the program offered by the Program Provider and for which the Participant is registered (the “Program”) and in consideration of being provided access and use of the premises, facilities, and/or equipment owned by the Program Provider in connection with their acceptance into the Program, and the right to participate in the Program (whether as a guest, employee, consultant, contractor, scientist, tourist, volunteer, or invitee), the Participant covenants, acknowledges and agrees as follows:

A. The Participant is over 18 years of age, and, as the case may be, the Participant is capable of freely giving or withholding their consent.

B. The Participant agrees and understands that the decision to attend and participate in the Program is made on a purely voluntary basis, with knowledge of the existence of Risks (as defined below) and of the terms of this agreement. The Participant assumes all risks associated with attending and participating in the Program, including but not limited to the risks inherent in outdoor activities and travel in remote locations, including:

- mechanical breakdown of the vehicle(s), boat(s) or ship(s) operated in connection with the Program;

- becoming stranded in remote areas;

- being subjected to rugged terrain, dangerous sea and ocean conditions, sudden weather changes, and very harsh weather that can be extremely dangerous to the Participant and unpredictable; and

- encounters with wild animals, which may result in serious personal injury, including death (collectively, the “Risks”)

The Participant also knowingly and willingly agrees to cancelled or delayed travel to the location of the Program, which may result in failure of the Participant to participate in Program; and the Participant knowingly and willingly agrees to assume all Risks arising out of or in any way relating to their participation in the Program.

1. The Participant hereby covenants and agrees to take full responsibility for ensuring that they (i) follows all rules, guidelines, policies, regulations and recommendations (collectively, the “Rules”) made by the Program Provider, whether verbally or in writing, and (ii) travels safely and arrives on time to the location where the Program is being offered, to participate in the Program for the Program dates listed above.

2. In consideration for the Program Provider allowing the Participant to participate in the Program, the Participant, together with their respective heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, successors, legal personal representatives (including any attorney, public trustee, guardian or agent) and assigns, hereby releases, indemnifies and saves harmless the Program Provider from and against any actions, suits, proceedings, assessments, losses, claims, demands, damages, costs, liabilities of every nature and kind whatsoever in law or in equity, and expenses (including legal and other professional fees and disbursements, on a solicitor and own client basis) which the Participant may have had, may now have or may hereinafter have, in any way relating to (i) the Risks associated with participation in the Program, (ii) failure of the Participant to follow the Rules, (iii) injury, death or sickness suffered by the Participant in connection with participation in the Program, (iv) any losses from damage to property (including loss or theft of personal property) suffered by the Participant while in the Program or in the Program Provider’s vehicles or facilities, (v) the failure of the Participant to arrive on time in the location where the Program is being offered), such that the Participant is unable to (fully) participate in the Program, and/or (vi) any other matter arising between the Participant and the Program Provider (collectively, the “Claims”).

3. The Participant, together with their respective heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, successors, legal personal representatives (including any attorney, public trustee, guardian or agent) and assigns, for the consideration aforesaid, hereby covenants and agrees not to make any Claims or take any proceedings on account of said Claims against any person or persons, firm or other entity, who may claim contribution, indemnity or other relief from the Program Provider, and the Participant further covenants and agrees that they will at all times, hold harmless and indemnify the Program Provider (including reimbursement of all legal costs and disbursements, on a solicitor and own client basis) which may be made against the Program Provider by any such person for the purpose of enforcing any Claims, pursuant to the provisions of any law, statute, agreement or otherwise.

4. The term “Program Provider” expressly includes Polar Bears International (“PBI”), Polar Bears International (Canada) Inc. (“PBI Canada”) and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates, all of the field scientists, community members, employees, contractors and volunteers involved in the Program, and each of the Participating Organizations affiliated with PBI and/or PBI Canada in the provision of the Program, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, members, donors, partners, employees, staff, insurers, agents, representatives, local operators and volunteers, and all of their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and personal representatives. “Participating Organizations” means all of PBI's and PBI Canada’s associated national organizations, and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates, the sponsoring organization (if any) that selected the Participant for participation in the Program,  and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates, and any other persons or companies involved in providing the Program.

5. The Participant acknowledges that during the Program, their image, likeness and personality (the “Personal Images”), may be captured on photograph, video, sound recording, live streaming internet transmission and on other media, and that the Program Provider or a Participating Organization may wish to use these Personal Images for promotional and other business purposes. The Participant hereby relinquishes and forever waives all of their rights relating to the content of the Personal Images and their being captured, reproduced and used (whether or not for profit) on any such media form(s), including any privacy rights or rights to be compensated for the commercial use of the Personal Images that the Participant may otherwise have, and further relinquishes and waives any copyright, moral rights or any other rights that they may have in the content or use of the Personal Images.

6. The Participant agrees that this Acknowledgment, Waiver, Release and Indemnity (the "Indemnity”) shall be governed by the laws of the Nord-Troms District Court and Hålogaland Court of Appeal applicable therein. The Participant hereby irrevocably attorns to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, and all courts competent to hear appeals therefrom, in respect of any matter arising in connection with this Release and Indemnity.

7. The Participant agrees that if any provision of this Indemnity is to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

8. This Indemnity shall be binding on the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and personal representatives. This Indemnity shall be deemed to be executed and delivered as an instrument under seal, reflecting the intention of the Participant to be irrevocably bound hereby.

9. The Program Provider requires any donors, content creators or camp attendees (traveling from outside Svalbard to attend) to have travel insurance. For anyone outside of these categories, while travel insurance is not required, travel insurance is highly recommend. There may be a significant cost to emergency medical treatment in remote and northern locations and it is the Participant's responsibility to understand their private travel insurance. It is recommended that the Participant confirms that their travel insurance includes evacuation coverage. If the Participant would like to purchase travel insurance please visit http://www.insuremytrip.com for information and to learn more about their options. The Participant indemnifies and saves harmless the Program Provider from all costs associated with emergency medical treatment. 

10. All completed forms, including any health information, are securely stored using JotForm's encryptedservers. JotForm uses industry-standar encryption (AES-256) and maintains data redundancy acrossmultiple geographic locations to ensure your information is safe and not lost. The Program Provider willonly access health or emergency contact information contained in this form as reasonably necessary inthe event of a health or medical issue.

11. The Participant acknowledges that they have read this Indemnity carefully before signing it, and understand all of the provisions contained in it and have had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in respect thereto or have voluntarily waived that right. The Participant confirms that the Participant is executing this Indemnity freely, voluntarily and without duress.

12. Authorization to Treat

I hereby authorize the Program Provider's staff/volunteers/contractors to treat the Participant for scrapes and cuts and minor conditions.
In an emergency, I authorize the Program Provider's staff/volunteers/contractors to transport me and/or obtain medical services.

You are entering polar bear country. Successful polar bear conservation requires your cooperation. In the changing Arctic, the number of interactions between bears and humans is rising. Encounters are common, both within communities and out on the land. While negative encounters are rare, they can pose significant risks to both humans and polar bears. Always be “bear aware” as polar bears can be encountered anywhere in their range and at any time of year. Treat all bears as potentially dangerous animals.

Safety

• Educate yourself.
• Remain alert and look for signs of recent bear activity.
• Carry deterrents. Practice with them beforehand. Know how they work. Ask for training.
• Look for and obey all posted warnings in the communities you are visiting and seek current, accurate information from local sources.
• In Svalbard, it is preferred that you are accompanied by a local guide with a firearm when leaving the settlements.
• It is a criminal act to hunt, lure, pursue, feed or disturb a polar bear. At all times a Participant must follow the directions of the Program and the Rules.

Encounters
Situations vary, but here are some general rules of thumb if you encounter a polar bear: 

• Ready your deterrent and be prepared to defend yourself.
• STAY CALM.
• DO NOT RUN.
• Do not play dead.
• If in a group—STAY TOGETHER.
• Keep the bear in sight until you are in a safe place or at a safe distance.

If a bear charges:

• Use your deterrent and prepare any potential weapons.
• Stand your ground and be prepared to fight.
• Shout at the bear and yell for help.
• Stay together.
• Report all bear attacks to local authorities regardless of outcome.

Polar Plunge Activity Waiver (Optional)

There are several well-accepted risks with cold water immersion and therefore it is important to follow safety protocol when implementing the ‘polar plunge’. These risks include, but are not limited to, drowning, hypothermia, and cold-water shock severe enough to cause cardiac arrest in some people. The risk of bodily injury, including permanent injury, paralysis or death exists and can be caused by my own action or inaction, as well as by the conditions in which the activity takes place.

Whilst considering joining the activity, I can confirm that I understand the associated risks, that I am qualified in good health and in good physical condition to participate. I also acknowledge that if, at any time, I believe I am at risk or deem the activity unsafe for me I will discontinue with my participation in the activity.

I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I incur because of my participation in the activity.

I hereby release Natural World Safaris, its servants and agents, officers, and employees from all liability for a failure to comply with any express or implied warranty or guarantee that the services will be provided with reasonable care and skill, and from all claims, demands, losses or damages on my account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the releases. I further agree that if, despite the release, waiver of liability, and assumption of risk, I, or anyone on my behalf makes a claim against any of the releases, I will indemnify, save, and hold harmless each of the releases from any loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.

I declare that I have read this release and waiver of liability, assumption of risk and indemnity, and that I fully understood its content and I accept to be bound by its terms.