Svalbard Winter Safari

Svalbard is one and a half times the size of Denmark - and has no roads. The region is so large that the only reasonable way of getting around in the winter, is by snowmobile, which is generally accepted as the mean transport on Svalbard. It is a marvellous experience to set out on long trips through Svalbard’s magnificent scenery. And it is daylight around the clock in April and May. What a sense of freedom you will have when you drive across one gigantic, white glacier after another! And you can enjoy a hot drink out among the enormous icebergs on the east coast of Spitsbergen. With a bit of luck, you might spot a polar bear lurking behind an iceberg!

1. day:
Flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen (Spitzbergen) in the afternoon
Arrival late at night, Transfer to Spitsbergen Hotel

2. day:
The tour leader will meet the participants for breakfast and give a short briefing. You will then be taken to the tour production department, where all necessary clothes and equipment will be allocated to you. Snowmobiles, petrol and provisions have already been organized. Before setting out, the tour leader will give you a basic introduction to the driving technique. We start at a moderate speed so that everybody can get used to snowmobile driving. In order to drive the snowmobile, you need to be in good health (no bad back, neck, arms or wrists). It is also important with an adventurous mind.
This is not a tour for apprehensive people.

On the first day we drive to the Russian settlement on Svalbard, Barentsburg. We stop for lunch and leave some luggage behind before we head on towards Vårsolbukta, situated at the mouth of Van Mijenfjorden. On our way, we’ll cross the glacier Vestre Grønfjordbreen. When the weather is nice, we can enjoy a marvellous view over the western parts of Nordenskiöld land from the top of the glacier. In the afternoon we return to Barentsburg where we check in at the hotel and enjoy the benefits of the Russian hospitality.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Barentsburg

3. day:
After breakfast we pack our sledges and set off south, towards the spectacular glacier Fridtjovbreen, and Van Mijenfjorden. We drive along the fjord to the wide and open valley Reindalen. Then further on to our sheltered and pleasant Spitsbergen Expedition Lodge in Brentskardet. The lodge will now be our base. We’ll spend the next two nights here, and the route for each day will be planned from here. We will be out all day, and the tour leader will prepare lunch en route. Dinner will be at night when we arrive back to our base where we can take advantage of our warm and relaxed lodging.

4. day:
The program for the this day is open, and we have several options. Most likely we’ll head northwards towards the Templefjord, but the final route is based on the prevailing weather- and ice-conditions. We will be out all day, driving through fantastic scenery. Our guide will prepare lunch en route.
Dinner at the lodge in the evening.

5. day:
Weather permitting, we’ll finish our safari with a trip to the remote east coast of Spitsbergen. The sense of freedom you get when driving across the vast and endless white glacier plateaux, is truly unforgettable. If we are lucky, we may see polar bears on the pack ice.
We return to Longyearbyen Thursday evening. Check in at Spitsbergen Hotel, and after a hot shower we still might visit the sauna. We will be ready for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

6. day:
Airportbus from hotel to airport for departures to Oslo via Tromsö
Arrival in Oslo late in the afternoon.

The routing above is only an example. Plans for each particular tour are based on the prevailing ice-, weather- and snow-conditions, and are made at the start of the tour.
Changes in accommodation in the field do happen, due to different availability from one season to the other!

How demanding is the tour?
This tour is usually not particularly demanding, but you must be prepared to spend long days on the snowmobile. It is therefore important that all participants have good physical health (no bad back, neck, arms or wrists). This is not a tour for apprehensive people, but an expedition for the adventurous minds. The weather can change quickly, and at times the wind and the cold can be quite severe.

Before setting out, the tour leader will give you a basic introduction to the driving techniques. We start at a moderate speed so that everybody can get used to snowmobile driving.Even though all our snowmobiles can carry two persons, we strongly recommend that all members of the party drive their own snowmobile (driving licence required). After a while it can be very strenuous to be a passenger, and also to drive with a passenger behind you. The snowmobiles are very comfortable to drive, and the handlebar grips are heated. The snowmobile clothing will keep you warm, even in extreme weather conditions.

Dates:
  27.03. - 01.04.11
  03.04. - 08.04.11
  10.04. - 15.04.11
  24.04. - 29.04.11
  01.05. - 06.05.11

What is included:
- Airfare from Oslo to Longyearbyen (Economy)
- Transfer on scheduled arrival/departure
- accommodation in single or double room in Longyearbyen
- 1 night in double room in Barentsburg
- 2 nights in Spitsbergen Expedition Lodge
- Meals according to program
- Shared equipment, sleeping bag,
- snowmobile incl. equipment
- snowmobile clothing
- gas, oil
- very experienced English speaking guide(s) with own snowmobile
- all necessary safety equipment, etc.
- rescue insurance
- program as described


Not included:
- personal clothing and equipment
- beverages
- personal insurances.
- additional charges of airline for fuel or the like

Number of participants:
Minimum is 4, maximum is 10 persons

Prices:
Dbl. room/dbl. Snowmobile 2.965,- Euro;
Suppplement for Single room 186,- Euro
Supplement single snowmobile per person 335,- Euro


Extra Charges:
Additional nights in Hotel Longyearbyen
Double room 210,- Euro;
Single room 185,- Euro

Additional nights at Spitsbergen Guesthouse
Double room 110,-Euro;
Single room 75,- Euro;

If interested in this expedition, kindly