Day 1: Fly to Oslo | Oslo Radisson Blu Airport Hotel
Fly London Heathrow to Oslo (to be quoted separately). On arrival, check-in at the Oslo Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, situated a few steps from the main terminal.
Evening at leisure.
Day 2: Fly to Longyearbyen | Miners’ Cabins (B)
Morning at leisure. Your flight to Longyearbyen leaves early this afternoon. You might like to spend the morning in Oslo city centre (approx 20 minutes by train from the airport, with departures every 10 minutes starting from 5:30 in the morning), or simply relax at the hotel.
Arrive Longyearbyen at 14:00, and meet with your guide and driver for the short (15 mins) transfer to the Miners’ Cabins, your home for the next three nights. There will be time to check in to your room and unpack before you embark on a short guided tour of Longyearbyen.
The tour is a chance to learn more about life in this most remote northern outpost, visiting the old mines, church and global seed vault, among other markers of Longyearbyen’s development and history. The sightseeing around town is mostly by bus, so you needn’t get out the polar gear just yet! With luck, you might also be able to see the Northern Lights this evening.
On your return to the Miners’ Cabins, you will be briefed about tomorrow’s dog sledding expedition and ice cave visit. There will also be time to go through your arctic equipment and ask any questions you may have about your kit or tomorrow’s activities. Then you are free to head out for dinner. There is a cosy bar and restaurant area at the Miners’ Cabins, or you may prefer to stroll into town and dine at one of Longyearbyen’s restaurants.
Please note that lunch and dinner are not included and are to be paid direct by you.
Day 3: Longyear Glacier, Ice Cave & Dog Sledding | Miners’ Cabins (B, L)
You will be collected from the Miners’ Cabins shortly after breakfast and driven to the dog kennels, situated 12km from Longyearbyen. Once there you will be fitted with outer thermal clothes for the tour and given an introduction to dog sledding. Each sled will take two people, giving you the opportunity to ride passenger and also try mushing for yourself.
During the ride you’ll stop at an ice cave within the glacier, taking an hour to explore the interior while the dogs rest. In the summer, the ice cave becomes a bubbling meltwater river, but in the winter it is completely frozen over, revealing beautiful ice formations.
After exploring the cave, enjoy a light lunch. Depending on the weather, lunch may be served inside a heated tent until the dogs are ready to move again. After lunch, the dogs should be well-rested, and eager to head back down towards the dog yard! The return journey is mostly downhill, but you will keep to a steady pace, allowing you time to enjoy the splendid Arctic scenery.
Return to the Miners’ Cabins. In the evening, there will be a clothing and kit check in preparation for tomorrow’s snowmobile expedition. Dinner in town to your own account.
Day 4: Snowmobile Expedition | Miners’ Cabins (B)
Breakfast at the hotel, then meet outside for the start of your snowmobile expedition. There will be a short briefing before you head out, during which time you’ll also be fitted for polar clothing. When ready, board your snowmobile and depart for Templefjord, travelling via the beautiful valleys of Eskerdalen and Adventdalen.
Upon reaching Templefjorden, continue towards the shattered glacier fronts of the Tuna and Von Post glaciers, which are permanently frozen into the sea ice. During the trip, a packed lunch and warm drinks will be provided. If the weather permits, we will take a different route on the return trip.
Return to the Miners’ Cabin late afternoon, as it begins to get dark.
The full-day snowmobile expedition will last approx. 8 hours. A half-day expedition is also possible, if you want to allow more time to explore Longyearbyen in the afternoon.
NB. to drive you should have a valid car or motorcycle driver’s licence, and this must be kept on you during the trip. One person to each snowmobile.
Day 5: Departure
Breakfast at the Miners’ Cabins. The rest of the morning is free to explore the town, do some last minute shopping, or simply relax at the Cabins.
At midday, we rendezvous for the transfer to the airport and the early afternoon flight to Oslo, with onward connection to London.
Arctic Weekend
4-night/5-day short-haul adventure holiday to Arctic Spitsbergen
Arctic Weekend
Explore a frozen ice cave, ride a snowmobile, and go mushing with huskies on this classic short break itinerary in Arctic Svalbard. Intended for families and small groups, this adventurous 5-day break can also be adapted to suit couples and solo travellers.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
The price shown is based on a group size of 4 and subject to availability at the time of booking. This is a private itinerary and can be tailored to your interests, and priced for families or larger group sizes.
Pricing
5 days from £1800pp
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The local staff were exceptional - knowledgeable, welcoming, kind, great sense of humour - it made the trip!
