This High Arctic wilderness dog sledding and snowmobile experience in Spitsbergen takes you about as close to the North Pole as you would ever hope to get in the Winter and early Spring.
The experience starts in the northernmost city in the world (Longyearbyen) and take you 100 miles north east into spectacular scenery of the Svalbard mountains. Early in March there will be opportunities to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis). Departures run until late April and the later you go, the 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 stay 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 an exhilarating full day Dog Sledding journey for a truly authentic introduction to Arctic Spitsbergen. You will be taken to meet your team of working Alaskan huskies and shown how to harness, handle and drive them before you set off. You will be responsible for your own pack of dogs and will soon start to develop confidence in managing your own dog team and by the end of the day you should feel a bond with these incredibly resilient animals.
After another night spent in Longyearbyen, and following a full safety briefing, your snowmobile adventure will commence.
Your expedition target is a remote wilderness lodge, located deep inside Spitsbergen at the foot of Nordenskiöld glacier. This is one of the northernmost wilderness cabins in the world. To reach the glacier, you will take to your snowmobiles (skidoo) across snow covered lands and frozen seas, travelling beside glaciers and amongst ice covered mountains which dominate the landscape of Spitsbergen.
This modern yet basic wilderness cabin will be your base for two nights, 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.
Your third day will be spent exploring your magical surroundings as you take to your snowmobiles again. You will take your lunch in the field but you will retreat back to the cosy confines of your cabin for dinner and to relax in the traditional wood sauna. Polar bears sometimes wander close to the cabin, so you can never wander by yourself across the ice.
This is a true Arctic wilderness experience which provides a complete dislocation from the modern world.
Itinerary
Sample 6 Day Itinerary
Please note that this itinerary can be shortened, lengthened and changed to suit your timings, budget and interests.
Day 1: Arrive Longyearbyen
Please contact us to discuss a potential flight itinerary to suit.
An airport shuttle will be there to meet your flight and take you to your hotel - an Arctic lodge built largely from drift wood in the style of a trappers cabin, where you will spend the next 2 nights.
In the afternoon you are free to explore Longyearbyen.
Day 2: Dog Sledding Day trip (B, L)
Meet your guide at the hotel reception at 9AM.
From Longyearbyen you continue to Basecamp expedition centre, for practical information and options to borrow warm winter clothing for the trip. The huskies live at Basecamp Trapper’s Station, a 10-15-minute drive from Longyearbyen. Here awaits about 100 huskies who eager to meet you. After an introduction to the equipment and dog sledding technique, you and your fellow explorer will harness your own team of dogs for the adventure.
The exact route you will follow today will be dependent on weather conditions and avalanche danger.
Weather Conditions in Svalbard
In Svalbard, weather conditions can change quickly. It is not unusual to meet heavy winds, snowstorms or thick fog, crevasses and lack of snow or ice. This means your guides might need to make changes to the planned route, and this might result in changes in the adventure program. They will always do their upmost to give guests a great experience in the Arctic, but you must be aware of the weather risks in this destination.
You can expect to be be back in Longyearbyen around 3PM, after the huskies are well settled in their houses after the trip.
Day 3: Your Snowmobiling Expedition begins (B, L, D)
After breakfast you will meet your guide in your hotel's reception at 10am, who will brief you about riding / driving a snowmobile (skidoo). You will then head out across snow and sea ice over the frozen Templefjorden and towards the magnificent Nordenskiöld Glacier. En route you will detour to see some interesting sights along the way. Based on current weather and snow conditions, the guide will pick the best route. You will drive through unspoiled nature and do many exciting stops along the way. You will enjoy expedition lunch on the way. You will cross the frozen Tempelfjorden and pass the mighty Temple Mountain. You will then drive further north towards the glaciers in Olav V land.
After crossing snowscapes and sea ice, past glaciers and mountains, you will arrive at your base for the next 2 nights - a remote wilderness cabin where you feel like an historic polar explorer. Though basic the cabin provides all of the comfort you need and above all the most magnificent glacial views form the cabin windows that are likely to take your breath away!
Accommodation in wilderness cabin.
Day 4: Exploring the Arctic Wilderness (B, L, D)
After a tasty breakfast it’s time to plan for today’s adventure and with your guide head out into the beautiful scenery of Spitsbergen. You will explore glaciers, mountains and frozen fjords, miles from civilization in a landscape of white and blue colours. The guides have plenty of stories from the adventurous trapper history at Spitsbergen, and will also share their knowledge of geology, wildlife and habitat along the route. You will for sure increase your understanding of the amazing landscapes that you are exploring. You will enjoy an expedition lunch on the way. During the afternoon, you will return back to the cabin.
When you arrive back at the cabin you will get a chance to relax in the traditional wood sauna and enjoy a delicious meal.
Accommodation in wilderness cabin.
Day 5: Snowmobile back to Longyearbyen (B, L, D)
After an early start you will enjoy an 08:00 breakfast, before setting off for the final time on your snowmobiles and start heading back to civilization.
Based on current weather forecast and resent snow conditions, your guide will pick the best route back. You will enjoy expedition lunch on the way in the middle of the white landscape surrounded by arctic silence.
Accommodation in Longyearbyen.
Day 6: Depart Longyearbyen (B)
If you are taking the 14:45 flight you will have plenty of time to relax and see some more of the most northerly town in Europe.
Dates
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passenger Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passenger Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passengers Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passengers Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passengers Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passengers Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
Driver Price: £3,360 per person
Passengers Price: £2,690 per person
Single Supplement: £390 per person*
*Single Supplement is based on a single room in Longyearbyen on Day 1 & Day 5. Accommodation Day 2 - Day 4 is in shared accommodation within a 4 bedroom wilderness lodge.
You will need to arrive into Longyearbyen at least by the Wednesday before the start of the trip (Wednesday night included in trip price)
Individuals & Groups: If the departure dates above does not suit your itinerary, we can set up a private group for you and your fellow passengers with additional supplement for private guide
Price (based on two people sharing)
Driver: £3,360*
Passenger: £2,690
Single Supplement: £390 (for a single room in Longyearbyen Hotel only) or zero if sharing with someone of the same gender can be arranged
*If travelling solo, you will automatically be booked as a 'driver'. Drivers must hold a valid drivers' licence.
All drivers of snowmobiles on Svalbard must be able to present driving licenses for passenger cars/class B, and the driving licenses must be issued in a country that is a party to the Geneva Convention of 1949 or the Vienna Convention of 1968 on road traffic. The driver’s license must be valid in the issuing country. Your driver’s license must be presented before the tour starts.
Price includes
All accommodation and meals as per itinerary
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Expert polar guide
Snowmobile instruction, support & fuel
Polar wilderness safety equipment
Rental of snowmobile suit, shoes, gloves, balaclava, goggles
Snowmobile insurance
CO2 and environmental investment of NOK 250 per guest
Price excludes
International flights (but we can arrange these from UK if you wish)
Insurance
Tips
Items of a personal nature
Airport bus transfers (approximately £5 each way)
Minimum group size 4
Minimum age 18 years
Equipment needed
International car driving or motorcycle license for those driving a skidoo
Non-essential for the skidoo journey can be left in Longyearbyen.
Rucksack
Breathable wind proof and waterproof jacket and trouser
2 pairs of woolen finger gloves
1 pair of windproof gloves
2 pairs woolen under layers
2 woolen sweaters
Wool or fleece trousers
3 pairs woolen socks
Toiletries
Sunglasses with glare protection and secure bindings
Sunscreen
High UV factor lip balm
Binoculars and camera