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5 days - Independent adventure tour | True Arctic Wilderness.

Basecamp Nordenskiöld is the northernmost cabin for commercial trips on Svalbard. The cabin is located far away from any civilization and offers excellent possibilities for longer expeditions. It is situated in Billefjorden, right beside the mighty glacier Nordenskiöld. During summer you can reach the cabin by boat from Longyearbyen and during winter you can drive there with dog sledges or snowmobiles. No matter which season you pick it is certain to be an adventurous trip!

With no running water or electricity Basecamp Nordenskiöld is a true hunting cabin like those used by the trappers, but with modern comforts. We use wood for heating and get our drinking water from the melting glacier. There are 5 big bedrooms with fantastic arctic views, 11 comfortable beds, indoor toilet and a traditional sauna. The cabin is modern and comfortable with big windows giving away to the mighty glacier. Lying in the glacier moraine, the cabin is well hidden from any by passer-by.

This is a place where you are guaranteed privacy. You can enjoy your breakfast while looking right over to the magnificent Nordenskiöld glacier or relax in the sunny terrace with warm coffee while you watch polar bears hunt for seals on the sea ice.

If you are looking for a true arctic story with big glaciers, mighty mountains and rough moraine, this is the place to come!

Highlights include

  • Have you heard the sounds of a calving glacier? Listen to them for four nights
  • Explore beautiful Arctic land, glacier moraines and climb to mountain peaks
  • Stay the farthest you can reach by motorized vehicle in Spitsbergen, and the base for expeditions to the blue glacier
  • Warm yourself up in the sauna after a long day’s exploring
  • With no running water or electricity, Nordenskiöld is a true expedition lodge in the middle of the Arctic.
Day 1
Arrive Longyearbyen - explore this 'wild west town'
Day 2
Transfer to Basecamp Nordenskiöld by rib boat
Day 3
Kayaking on the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier
Day 4
Glacier Hiking on the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier
Day 5
Departure day
Start/End Place
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Country Visited
Svalbard
Duration
5 Days
Start Date
Scheduled
Group Size
4
Travel Style
Independent
Suitability
Active independent tour suitable for singles, couples & groups
Code
50DN0110

As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.

The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.

Details

Transportation

Rib Boat transfer

Included
  • 1 night in lodge/hotel in Longyearbyen including breakfast
  • 3 nights at Basecamp Nordenskiöld on full board
  • Airport shuttle on arrival
  • Return transfers to Basecamp Nordenskiöld
  • Activities and necessary equipment at Basecamp Nordenskiöld including rescue suite, hat, gloves & goggles
  • Search and rescue insurance
  • Service of experienced English-speaking guides & service staff during Basecamp Nordenskiöld
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • Taxes and service fees
Not Included

Flight tickets to/from start and end points, any airport taxes, travel insurance, visas, gratitudes and any items of personal nature.

There is no alcohol included in this package price.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Longyearbyen - explore this 'wild west town'

Arrive Longyearbyen and transfer by shuttle to your hotel. This small hotel, 5 kilometres from the airport, is centrally located, offering 24-hour reception, free WiFi, a terrace and modern rooms with a flat-screen TV.

Accommodation
Basecamp Hotel or similar
Restaurants
Karlsberger Pub, Longyearbyen

Day 2 - Transfer to Basecamp Nordenskiöld by rib boat

With no running water or electricity Nordenskiöld is a true hunting cabin like those used by the trappers, but with modern comforts. We use wood for heating and get our drinking water from the melting glacier. There are 5 big bedrooms with fantastic arctic views, 11 comfortable beds, indoor toilet and a traditional sauna. The cabin is modern and comfortable with big windows giving away to the mighty glacier. Lying in the glacier moraine, the cabin is well hidden from any by passer-by.

The guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8 AM. We will go through today’s program and give you an important safety briefing before we start making our way to the expedition base and afterwards to the harbour. We recommend that you only bring one bag on the trip, as the storage space on the boat is limited. Other luggage can be stored at your hotel in Longyearbyen.
The Isfjord Ekspressen will take us to Billefjorden and Adolfbukta. Isfjord Ekspressen is a closed boat, for your comfort.

During summer, the fjords will be teeming with wildlife, and you will most likely encounter the devoted boat-followers known as northern fulmars, as well as the occasional puffin. You might also get to see walruses, belugas or even a polar bear! Once at Nordenskiöld cabin we will enjoy an outdoor lunch and get familiar with the cabin and the surroundings.

After lunch, it is time to head out into the arctic nature and explore the beauty of the isolated outpost. We return to the cabin in the evening, where you will be served a delicious dinner and get to enjoy a pre-heated sauna. Accommodation in double rooms.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Basecamp Nordenskiöld. Accommodation in double rooms.

Day 3 - Kayaking on the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier

The day begins with a solid breakfast, before leaving the comforts of the Nordenskiold Lodge. We zip up our dry suits and slide into the calm water in steady and reliable double kayaks. We paddle in pairs. Kayaking is the perfect way to get around in the Arctic and is probably the ultimate way to explore the Arctic shorelines. Today’s destination will be determined by the weather and sea conditions, as well as your paddling skill level. We will paddle next to the magnificent glacier front among floating pieces of glacier ice while being observed by the curious wildlife.

After a long day of paddling in a cold, arctic sea, the comforts of a warm sauna and a proper meal will seem very tempting.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Basecamp Nordenskiöld

Day 4 - Glacier Hiking on the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier

Today we will head out to the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier. After breakfast, we will go through the basic guidelines and safety precautions associated with glacier hiking. We will set out to explore the heavily crevassed glacier that is situated only 1,5 kilometres from the cabin. We spend the day hiking up and down the glacier, exploring the ice formations and enjoying the magnificent view. We will eat an expedition lunch on the glacier. If the weather is nice, we will make a bonfire once back at the cabin, and cherish the view of the fjord.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner

Day 5 - Departure day

Enjoy the last breakfast at Nordenskiöld Lodge this time. We suggest you take an extra cup of coffee and rest your eyes on the ice blue glacier. The boat back to town will pick you up at 10 o’clock.

We travel to Longyearbyen with Isfjord Ekspressen, and get some good experiences at sea on the way home.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Dates & Prices

All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs.

Dates
Valid From
Valid To
From Price
Status
Accommodation
1 Jul 2024
26 Sep 2024
1 Jul 2024
26 Sep 2024
AUD 5,625
On request
Standard
1 Jul 2025
17 Sep 2025
1 Jul 2025
17 Sep 2025
AUD 6,075
On request
Standard

Important Information

Please note this tour starts on a Sunday from the beginning of July until the end of September.

It is recommended that you have to be in fairly good physical condition to be able to participate on the adventure week. The trip is not recommended for persons suffering from back pains. Over 15 years of age only.

We can help with your flights up to Longyearbyen. During summer, these flights can get busy.

Interactive Tour Map

Inspiration

10 Things to see and do in Svalbard

Resident of Longyearbyen, our friend Maria Rossi shares with you her 'top ten things to see and do in Svalbard'. Regardless of season, the magnificent outdoors, high standard in hotels and fine dining options (along with the jolly old pub) will cater for all your requests.

Read Article

Wildlife tours in the Nordic region – Encounter rare species in the wild

Take a glimpse of some wildlife tours that we offer in the Nordic region. Which one are you most interested in – polar bears, brown bears, whales or puffins?

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Jonathon Pie

Guidelines for viewing Arctic Wildlife

We wish to ensure that the Arctic wildlife stays unaffected by tourism and so we share these new AECO guidelines.

Read Article
View all Inspiration

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