A true Polar experience in Europe's most northerly outpost

Spitzbergen is the king of Arctic destinations - nowhere else in Europe is so far north, so rugged and so spectacularly remote. On this very special trip we travel by snowmobile and dogsled to explore this fascinating wilderness. We spend 2 nights on a 'frozen-in ship' for a unique 'Shackleton-style' experience - from February to June the MV Noorderlicht is locked into the pack-ice of Templefjord. Polar bear sightings are not uncommon near the boat, and at all times we need to keep our eyes peeled for these magnificent but potentially dangerous animals. Spitzbergen is also an excellent place to see the Northern Lights at their most spectacular.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Longyearbyen. 2 After an easy start we transfer (12kms) to the husky kennels, home to around 70 Alaskan Huskies. We will help harness these friendly dogs ready for our half-day excursion. We share one sled between two, taking the driving in turns. This is an area where snowmobile driving is banned, so we can enjoy the journey in relative silence. In the late afternoon we return to the capital and take to our snowmobiles for the journey to our frozen-in-ship. Our route takes us east out of the capital through the broad Advent valley and on to Templefjord. Travelling by snowmobile means we can cover a greater distance than by dogsled and the guides have the flexibility to add in interesting detours and viewpoints, depending on the weather, snow and ice conditions. The arrival at the ship is spectacular, and the two nights spent on board are a true highlight of this visit to the Arctic regions. As the daylight hours here are long, we can make use of the long evening to reach our destination. Accommodation: S/V Noorderlicht3 Full day snowmobile expedition from the ship, looking for Polar Bears and exploring the magnificent scenery. Possible routes include a visit to Von Post Glacier or the remote east coast. We spend a second night on the ship. S/V Norderlicht4 The return journey to the capital is usually by a different route (normally the inland route) and this will include a great variety of landscapes and terrain, including glaciers, deep valleys and coastal plains. Finally, it's back to relative civilization and our comfortable hotel. Overnight.5 If there is free time before the flight, a visit to the city museum is recommended. End Longyearbyen.

Mode of travel: An active and remote trip for Polar enthusiasts. Expect cold temperatures and potentially challenging conditions. Grade challenging.
Group size: min. 4, max. 12. Min age 18 yrs.
Accommodation: 2 nights guesthouse, 2 nights frozen-in ship. Our base in the capital is a lovely guesthouse styled on a 'Trapper's Lodge' built from drift wood and with plenty of atmosphere. Here we stay in comfortable twin and triple rooms with private bathrooms. Our night on the 'frozen-in ship' is a truly unique experience. The MV Noorderlicht has 10 guest cabins with 2 beds each and shared facilities.
Food: All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $590.00
Trip Reference: CNZ
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.