This High Arctic wilderness dog sledding expedition in Spitsbergen takes you about as close to the North Pole as you would ever hope to get in the Winter and early Spring. You will follow in the footsteps of historic explores, mushing your own team of dogs just like Amundsen did when he reached the magnetic North Pole in 1904.
The experience starts in the northernmost city in the world (Longyearbyen) and takes you north east into spectacular scenery of the Svalbard mountains. Departures run from the end of March to mid April, so although the Northern Lights are not likely, by this time, there will be more daylight hours you have to enjoy some stunning Arctic landscapes and be on watch for polar bears, of which some two thousand or more are resident in Spitsbergen.
In Longyearbyen, you will be staying in a hotel designed in the form of an old trappers lodge. You will have a chance to see something of the town and become attuned to a quite different way of life from most peoples' temperate home.
The next day you will kick off your Arctic adventure with a briefing from your expert local guide; after which you will be taken to meet your team of working Alaskan huskies and shown how to harness and handle them before you set off. You will be responsible for your own pack of dogs throughout the expedition and will soon start to develop confidence in managing your own dog team. By the end of the week you should feel a bond with these incredibly resilient animals.
During the days you will spend away form the lights and bustle of Longyearbyen, you will be able to live and feel that arctic wilderness around you. You will spend two nights in a tent, which will give a true taste of what is was like for historic polar explorers. In contrast, the other nights will be spent in a modern luxury hotel, which was a former radio station. During the days, you will dog sled through beautiful snowy landscape, travelling beside glaciers and amidst ice covered mountains which dominate the landscape of Spitsbergen.
In the tented camp you will sleep in expedition tents with warm sleeping bags. As a guest you will join as an active participant, helping your dog sledge in deep snow or steep hills. You will also be engaged in helping to set up the camp, melting water and preparing dinner for guests and dogs. Your team of dogs will be your polar bear guards for the night. This tented camp will be your base for two nights (Day 2 and Day 6), in a scene reminiscent of legendary polar explorers like Captain Scott - who sat through the winter, waiting for their chance to set out for the poles. Here you will be able to absorb your surroundings in a land of complete silence, far from the trappings of modern daily life.
In stark contrast, your accommodation for the other nights will be in a boutique hotel and former radio station, which until a few years ago was an important telecommunications link between the Norwegian mainland and the inhabitants of Svalbard. You would hardly recognise the interior now however, which is newly renovated and tastefully decorated, facilities of which are to a very high standard.
This is a true Arctic wilderness experience which provides a complete dislocation from the modern world.
Taking part in this trip requires careful preparation. It is important that you are in good physical condition, as aside from walking and sledging, you will be required to perform a number of tasks on the trip (as mentioned above). You will also need to be prepared to take care of your own team of 6 huskies. This means feeding and harnessing the dogs, making peace if they argue, as well as helping the guide and other participants when it is time to set up or pack up the camp.
Itinerary
8 Day Sample Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive Longyearbyen
Please Contact Us to discuss a potential flight itinerary to suit.
Upon arrival into Longyearbyen, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in town. The hotel will be your basecamp in Longyearbyen, decorated in authentic trapper’s style down to the very last detail. You will have some time free to explore the town this afternoon.
This evening there will be a welcome meeting with your guide in the hotel.
Day 2: Meeting your dog team (B, L)
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you for an expedition briefing before heading out for your first dog sledding experience. Today is all about becoming familiar with your dog team, learning the rythym of the sled and understanding how to prepare for several days in the wild. You will head to the Trappers Station where 80 eager huskies await. After a test run on the sled, you will practice setting up camp and organising your sleds.
Returning to town, you will have time for any last-minute gear purchases before getting a good nights rest.
Day 3: Your Expedition begins (B, L, D)
After a hearty breakfast, you will meet your guide at 10am and drive out to the Trappers Station where you will harness your team of six dogs to your sled.
Once everyone is ready, you will head out into the white wilderness - aiming to cover around 50km through Arctic valleys and open plains before setting up camp. Along the way you will have some time to take photos, fuel up with snacks, bond with your dog team and enjoy the raw beauty of Svalbard.
As the day winds down, you will first take care of your dog team before setting up camp and preparing a warm, well-deserved dinner under the Arctic sky.
Day 4: Exploring the Arctic Wilderness (B, L, D)
Wake up in the Arctic wilderness and unzip your tent to reveal yet another breathtaking view – shaped by snow, light, and weather. Your huskies are already awake, tails wagging, ready to greet you with the same joy and energy that carried you through the day before. Once the dogs are cared for, you will gather around for a simple but satisfying breakfast, coffee in hand, before packing down your wilderness camp.
By afternoon, a different kind of luxury awaits: Isfjord Radio – your remote and refined base at the edge of the world. Once a cold war-era radio station, now transformed into a boutique wilderness hotel, this is where comfort meets isolation in the best possible way. After settling your dogs on their night lines and checking into your room, you’ll have time to unwind – explore the Arctic library, sip something warm in the lounge, or relax in the sauna with a view of sea and sky. Enjoy a well-deserved dinner in the restaurant here.
Day 5: Sledging & Exploring (B, L, D)
This day is yours to fully absorb the magic of Isfjord Radio and the surrounding wilderness of Kapp Linné. After a leisurely breakfast, your host will take you on a guided tour of the station – once a vital link in Arctic communication, now a remote boutique hotel like no other.
During your stay, you will help care for the huskies alongside your guide and fellow adventurers. They have carried you far – now it’s your turn to give back with food, affection, and a clean, cozy camp. Make time to dive into the Arctic library, enjoy the stillness in the lounge, or step into the sauna overlooking the sea. Watch the waves – you never know what kind of wildlife might pass by. As evening settles in, a new Arctic-inspired menu is served – rich in taste, storytelling, and the essence of Svalbard.
Day 6: Immersed in Nature (B, L, D)
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to pack up and begin the two-day journey back to Longyearbyen. By now, you’ve found your rhythm – confident in your sled, connected with your dog team, and fully immersed in the flow of Arctic expedition life.
As you leave Isfjord Radio behind, the landscape opens up in all its wild and dramatic beauty. With around 50 km ahead, the day offers time to take in the surroundings – wide valleys, frozen coastlines, and the silence only Svalbard can deliver. In the afternoon, you will set up your final tent camp and settle in for one last night under Arctic skies – a moment to reflect, rest, and savour the experience before returning to civilization.
Day 7: Jouney Back to Longyearbyen (B, L, D)
Today you complete your return to the Trappers Station and eventually back to Longyearbyen. After five days of pure wilderness, teamwork, and life on the trail, one thing is certain – tonight, you’ll sleep like never before.
Dog sledding across Svalbard is no ordinary journey. It demands presence, determination, and sometimes a bit of muscle – whether you’re helping your team up snowy hills or guiding the sled through deep drifts. But every challenge met brings with it a deep sense of achievement. You will have covered 200 kilometers through Arctic wilderness, led your own dog team, and lived life like a true polar explorer.
Once the sleds are unpacked and the huskies are settled back into their homes, your guide will drive you to Basecamp Hotel – with a head full of memories and a heart full of stories. Your adventure will end with a celebration dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8: Depart Longyearbyen (B)
This day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Take time to explore Longyearbyen’s unique culture and stories. We recommend a visit to the Svalbard Museum — each offering insight into life at the top of the world. Or simply wander the streets, stop by local shops, and pick up a souvenir or two from your time in the North. You will be transferred back to the airport for your flight back to Oslo.
Dates
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen (8 Days)
From price based on twin share room
Single supplement: £465
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen (8 Days)
From price based on twin share room
Single supplement: £465
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen (8 Days)
From price based on twin share room
Single supplement: £465
Single Supplement: £465
Price Includes:
- 5 day dogsledding adventure with Arctic nature guide
- 2 hotel nights in Longyearbyen
- 2 nights camping in the wilderness
- All meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Standard airport transfers
- Warm thermo-suit, winter boots, balaclava, hat, gloves and googles
- All camping equipment, thermos, cup and cutlery, sleeping bag and sleeping mat
- CO2 and environmental investment of NOK 250 per person
Price excludes
- International flights (but we can arrange these from UK if you wish)
- Insurance
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature
- Drinks with meals
- Single supplement (if applicable)
Minimum group size: 2
Equipment needed
- Base layer: Woollen underwear as the base layer
- Mid layer: Thick woollen trousers and sweater (wool or fleece)
- Two sets of layers of socks (thin & thick woolen socks)
- Wind- and waterproof pants and jacket
- Extra insulated jacket to wear during breaks and in camp (down or primaloft)
- Woollen gloves with wind and waterproof outer gloves
- A pair of working gloves or mittens to have when handling the dogs
- Warm and windproof hat
- Two warm woollen neck gaiters
- Personal toiletries
- Sunglasses min. category 3
- Skiing goggles if you prefer to use your own
- Contact lenses (for those using glasses)
- Sunscreen factor 50 (not water-based)
- Binoculars
- Camera and extra battery/power bank for charging
- Waterproof pack for personal equipment (40-60 ltr)
Pack all your personal equipment in a couple of small waterproof bags, rather than one big one due to the slim size of the sled. Do note that you need to pack some of the common equipment’s to your sledge as well, and space is quite limited.
You can store other luggage at your Hotel in Longyearbyen during the trip.
