For majestic beauty and untamed wilderness, few places can rival the Svalbard Archipelago. The long days of summer allow for ample time to discover the abundant wildlife and stark natural beauty of the High Arctic as you explore by Zodiac and on foot,
Mike Messick
Cofounder & Expedition Leader
Mike was raised in Switzerland and began working in expedition travel during a summer break from college. He graduated in 1985 from Skidmore College with a degree in bio/psychology. One of the best expedition leaders in the business, Mike embarked on a full-time career in adventure travel shortly after graduation and has since visited more than 195 countries around the world. Mike has conducted research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in its onshore laboratory and aboard one of its research vessels. He is a member of The Explorers Club, holds a US Coast Guard captain's license, and has his scuba instructor certificate from NAUI. In 1990 Mike and five others founded Zegrahm Expeditions.
Mike's Blog Posts
Where in the World is Niuatoputapu?
All In for Subtropical Asia
Mike's Upcoming Expeditions
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Svalbard: A Polar Bear Quest
July 10 — July 23, 2018 -
Bay of Bengal: Chennai to Yangon
January 20 — February 5, 2019Join a brand-new expedition that offers the perfect mix of India's, Bangladesh's, and Myanmar's cultural and natural treasures. Highlights include spending two full days exploring the UNESCO World Biosphere-designated Sundarbans Reserve Forest, and visiting the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda.
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Iberian Peninsula
April 18 — May 3, 2019Join this brand-new itinerary highlighting the very best of the Iberian Peninsula’s diverse history, cultural traditions, and architectural wonders. Tour the Alhambra, visit the Sagrada Familia Church, stroll through the old town of Porto, and follow in the footsteps of ancient Christian pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.
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Wild & Ancient Britain with Ireland
May 3 — May 18, 2019Witness some of Europe's largest seabird colonies—puffins, gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, and more—on our return to the British Isles. Visit Giant’s Causeway, Neolithic monuments, and a variety of architectural wonders.
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Tahiti to Easter Island: Marquesas, Tuamotus & Pitcairns
October 10 — October 29, 2019Beyond the typical Polynesian paradise, one may delve deeper, to find aquamarine lagoons affording the world’s most dazzling snorkeling and diving, an intriguing Easter Island tour and the sky-piercing volcanoes of the Marquesas.