Svalbard Multi Activity

Overview

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Ice Caves, Nordic Skiing and Dog Sledding on the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard

Introduction

Come with us to Svalbard, located at 78 degrees north on the northern fringes of Europe, to experience untouched arctic wilderness where the polar bear is king. Longyearbyen, one of the world's most northerly settlements, offers the jumping off point for a wide variety of options for exploring the polar regions 'close up'.

This short trip is purposely designed in this way, to give an action-packed adventure in a short period of time, but beware - it's still long enough to be 'bitten' by the polar bug, leaving you with a lifetime desire to want to come back for more!

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Experience Required

No previous cross country skiing or camping experience necessary to join this trip. You need to be reasonably fit (for example, a regular hillwalker able to carry a day rucksack for approximately 5-6 hours). Endurance exercise is generally better preparation than one hour in the gym-type of training. The fitter you are the more you are likely to get out of the trip.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
2027 dates to be announced — Please register your interest

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Norway/Svalbard on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return flight from UK to Longyearbeyn (unless joining 'Land Only').
• UK airport taxes.
• 1 nights' hotel accommodation in Oslo on the inbound journey (Unless joining 'Land Only').
• All activities listed (except Day 5 afternoon, which we can arrange for you).
• 4 nights' B&B accommodation in Longyearbyen on a twin sharing basis.
• *Safety clothing for dog-sledding and transport to/from the kennels on the edge of town.
• *Any transportation to/from the ski day using bespoke taxi.
• All common equipment - sledges, harness, group tent, stove burners & fuel, shovel etc.
• Medical and repair equipment.
• Use of skis, poles, boots (or snowshoes as an alternative, if preferred).
• Expedition meal on the full ski day.
• SAR insurance for the group, and permits when 'out of town'.
• GPS, satellite phone, emergency beacon, weapons (polar bear protection).
• 1 experienced polar guide per 8 participants.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• *Airport bus transfer Longyearbyen airport – guesthouse in Longyearbyen (return ticket costs approx 220nok).
• Food and drink whilst in Longyearbyen (3 lunches and 4 evening meals).
• Costs of changing the air ticket due to late return to Longyearbyen.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Personal clothing and equipment.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1:	Flight from UK to Oslo Overnight hotel at Oslo airport is included in the 'With Flights' package from the UK. If you are joining on a 'Land Only' basis, services start in Longyearbyen on Day 2.
Day 2:	Flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen Morning flight from Oslo - Longyearbyen - the only settlement permanently inhabited all year round on Svalbard. It's a short bus ride from the airport to our accommodation, where the road ends and the glacier begins. Itinerary briefing and introduction to the use of personal clothing/avoiding cold weather injuries. Overnight at the guesthouse in Longyearbyen opposite our equipment storeroom.
Day 3:	Sarkofargen mountain and Ice Cave We awake to the smell of fresh waffles drifting through the guesthouse - a great way to start the day! After breakfast at the guesthouse, we hike to the top of Sarkofargen - the peak that dominates the end of town where we are staying. Fantastic views looking down on the glacier and town below us. On the way back down, we'll explore inside a glacier cave. Overnight at the guesthouse in Longyearbyen.
Day 4:	Nordic Ski Day: Full day's ski journey up the main Adventdalen** A full day of activities awaits - learning some of the skills required for polar travel. We set off on cross-country skis (or snowshoes, if preferred) pulling sledges with everything we need for the day - group tent, shovels, stove burners to melt snow for our expedition lunch. We assume that everyone is a beginner regarding all of these skills. Overnight at the guesthouse in Longyearbyen. **The 'next step' on from this trip would be our Polar Expedition Training course in Norway, to learn more comprehensively the skills of cross-country skiing, with a pulk and winter camping. This trip is not designed to be a 'short cut' to taking part in longer ski trips in Svalbard.
Day 5:	Dog Sled day. Afternoon in Longyearbyen Our 'new-found ski muscles' can take a break this morning as we take part in a half day's dog-sledding - the dogs will be eager to pull the sleds for us! This afternoon is a chance to 'catch our (polar) breath' and spend a few hours in town. Maybe a dip in the polar fjord followed by a warming sauna, or a more relaxing time at the polar museum over a coffee? Evening: Time to celebrate our week of polar fun!
Day 6:	Fly home

PLEASE NOTE:Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but this is Adventure Travel in the High Arctic where the weather can change rapidly. The Trip Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but you need to be flexible when travelling in this kind of 'extreme' environment. An easy-going and understanding nature will be an asset!

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