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    4 days - Out of this world 24-hour darkness, Arctic adventures and dogsledding

    This 4 day trip is designed to make it easy to discover the unique winter atmosphere of Svalbard, one of the planet’s last great frontiers. Spend your days thrill seeking in and around Longyearbyen, one of the world’s northernmost settlements, and enjoy Svalbard’s mystic and magic during the Polar Nights!

    Spitsbergen offers Arctic experiences on the edge of the inhabitable world, but it’s not as inaccessible as people might think. There are no roads beyond Longyearbyen. Here, you really are on the border of civilization. Outside the city only, the vast wilderness is waiting for you. Despite its history of coal mining and trapping, Spitsbergen is still mainly pristine wilderness. One of the most fragile ecosystems anywhere on Earth.

    Between October and April, the conditions vary drastically weather and daylight wise, from total darkness to wonderful spring sunlight. This program alters accordingly.

    Day 1
    Arrive Longyearbyen and explore this remote town
    Day 2
    Thrill of the Dogsledding
    Day 3
    Experience the darkness of the Polar night on this Snowmobile Safari
    Day 4
    Departure day
    Start/End Place
    Longyearbyen, Svalbard
    Country Visited
    Svalbard
    Duration
    4 Days
    Start Date
    Flexible
    Group Size
    1 - 6
    Travel Style
    Independent
    Suitability
    Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
    Code
    50DN0870

    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

    Bus transfers in Longyearbyen

    Included
    • Central, local accommodation in Longyearbyen including breakfast
    • We have included two activities in this program. Options available from Longyearbyen depending on the season include husky dog safaris, snowmobile safaris, ice cave tour and sightseeing in Longyearbyen. We can modify these according to your preferences and when you are travelling.
    • 24-hour emergency service
    • Taxes and service fees
    Not Included
    • International flights and taxes
    • Alcoholic and other beverages other than water
    • Gratuities and other items of personal nature
    • Warm winter clothing
    • Return flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen

    Itinerary

    Day 1 - Arrive Longyearbyen and explore this remote town

    Longyearbyen is 2.50 hr flight from Oslo or 1.35 hr flight from Tromsø and a scenic one as it skirts the long coast of Norway. On arrival, there will be a local airport bus waiting to take you into Longyearbyen, a short drive away.

    Check into the Basecamp Hotel and head off for stroll around the small township of Longyearbyen - enjoy the polar museum and church.

    Accommodation
    Basecamp Hotel

    Day 2 - Thrill of the Dogsledding

    You will be picked up at your hotel by our guide. Together with the guide and rest of the group, you go through today’s route and equipment. After a short car ride, you arrive to Trapper’s Station situated in Bolterdalen, where 90 friendly Alaskan huskies are eager to meet you.

    Our guide will introduce the principle of dogsledding and help you to harness your own team. On this trip, two persons share one dog team, and can take turns in driving. Head off mushing into Bolterdalen valley, and as you leave the Trapper’s station, enter the real wilderness of Spitsbergen. Take in the scenery around you and enjoy the arctic silence as your dog team does the work for you.

    Once back at the station, you will help to take care of your team, unharness them and give them a few pats and hugs. Before heading back to town, you have chance to look around at authentic Trapper’s Station with many interesting items from trapping time, enjoy warm drink and few biscuits and hear some stories from mushing at Spitsbergen. (4 hours in total).

    New for 2021 - why not head down to the floating sauna along the fjord for some icey swimming and warming up.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Basecamp Hotel

    Day 3 - Experience the darkness of the Polar night on this Snowmobile Safari

    Experience the darkness of the Polar night from a snowmobile, driving through valleys, getting out of town and into the arctic wilderness. The guide meets you at your hotel and as he/she escorts you to the snowmobiles, tells you more about the coming trip, safety rules and gives you a lesson in how to drive a snowmobile. You will get all the essential equipment you need to keep you warm for enjoying the day ahead. Snowmobiling into the darkness seems endless and the arctic silence is overpowering. The route is planned around the conditions. Experience the magic of the polar night, the excitement of snowmobile driving, hopefully see some wildlife, and find a nice spot with a view. You will stop during the trip to enjoy a hot drink and some biscuits.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Basecamp Hotel

    Day 4 - Departure day

    Transfer by bus to the Longyearbyen airport.

    Meals
    1 Breakfast
    Dates & Prices

    All prices listed twin share, per person. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs. For last minute bookings: prices are subject to availability.

    Dates
    Valid From
    Valid To
    From Price
    Status
    Accommodation
    22 Nov 2024
    9 Mar 2025
    22 Nov 2024
    9 Mar 2025
    USD 1,232
    On request
    Standard
    22 Nov 2024
    9 Mar 2025
    22 Nov 2024
    9 Mar 2025
    USD 379
    On request
    Extra for Single

    Important Information

    By the end of October the last rays of the sun disappear below the horizon, and Svalbard heads towards a period of darkness. For more than two months, between mid-November and the end of January, darkness prevails around the clock. During the darkest times there is no telling if it is noon or midnight. When the sky is clear, stars light up the sky. The Northern Lights and a full moon bounce their light from the snowcovered mountains, and suddenly the darkness doesn’t seem so overwhelming. By February, the light returns slowly. Light blue, pink, and purple colours light up the scenery. Finally, the sun hits the first mountain peaks.

    Please bring wool socks, wool mittens to wear under the scooter gloves, Inner layer: wool, Mid layer: Sweater and pants in fleece or wool for your snow activities. You will also need to bring your drivers licence for the snow mobile trip.

    Please note prices for goods in Svalbard are quite expensive, however, due to tax reasons, alcohol is comparatively cheap.

    You may like to add snowcat drives or ice cave exploring onto this itinerary.

    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.

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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.

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