This Arctic adventure takes you far out into the wilderness of Svalbard. You can try riding a dog sled in Bolterdalen and join a snowmobile expedition along the east coast of Spitsbergen where you can experience reindeer, mountain foxes and maybe even a polar bear! Learn more about Norway on a2zdirectory.
Svalbard’s fantastic nature and winter landscape invites to exciting tours with dog sleds and snowmobiles, and in this travel proposal you get to experience the wilderness up close. After several months without light, the sun begins to form beautiful pastel-colored elements in the sky. The days are extended by about twenty minutes of sunlight each day and the animals come one by one out of their hibernation. The frozen fjords and the crackling snow make this the best time for dog sledding and snowmobile expeditions. Throughout your stay you have Longyearbyen as your base and after the fabulous tours in the wilderness you can enjoy the fantastic restaurants, taste the locally brewed beer, visit museums and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
The trip includes flights to and from Svalbard, 4 nights in Longyearbyen, a half-day trip on a dog sled in Bolterdalen and a full-day trip along the east coast of Spitsbergen on a snowmobile. It is possible to extend your stay on Svalbard if you want more days to, for example, go on an excursion to the mines, take a snowmobile trip to the Russian mining town of Barentsburg or the beautiful Tempelfjord, visit ice caves, hike in Blomsterdalen, or experience a wilderness evening at Campz Barentz .
Day 1: Departure Scandinavia and arrival in Svalbard
By plane you arrive at Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen, which is Svalbard’s largest island. Here you are picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day you have time to walk around on your own and discover this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum provide fascinating insights into Svalbard’s history and culture. If you need to supplement your equipment and clothes for upcoming day trips on scooters and dog sleds, there are plenty of cool and well-equipped outdoor shops in Longyearbyen. End the day with a tasty dinner at one of the city’s fantastic restaurants – if you want a truly outstanding gourmet experience, then book a table at the restaurants “Huset” or “Gruvelageret”.
Day 2: With dog team in Bolterdalen
Today, an exciting adventure awaits with a dog team in Bolterdalen. You are picked up at your hotel and driven to the dog farm out in Bolterdalen where the dogs are eagerly waiting to take a trip out into the Arctic wilderness. You can borrow a thermal overall, boots and gloves for the trip so that you do not freeze. Together with your guide, you prepare the sleds and dogs. It can be a bit chaotic for many before departure because the dogs have a hard time controlling their joy and therefore bark and howl, but when they finally get to leave, calm comes and you will only hear the sound of the sled sliding through the snow in the fantastic arctic landscape. The experienced guide takes you around the magnificent landscape in the Bolter Valley on a 3-4 hour tour where you can discover reindeer, grouse and mountain foxes. The weather in the Arctic wilderness can be varied and the route adapted to prevailing conditions. Back at the dog farm there will be hot drinks and some snacks before you drive back to Longyearbyen where you have the rest of the day on your own. (F )
Day 3: On a snowmobile to the east coast
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the starting point of the snowmobile expedition that will take you to the east coast of Spitsbergen. You will be provided with a thermal overall, gloves, boots and helmet. The excursion takes about 10 hours and you will travel over 190 km – a trip for those who really want an adventure in the Arctic wilderness. It is recommended that you have previous experience of driving a scooter and a B driving license is a requirement. If you think that this snowmobile ride is too extreme for you, there are plenty of different rides on a snowmobile with a shorter duration and distance and without the requirement that you have experience of driving a snowmobile. There will be an experienced guide throughout the tour and of course all the necessary safety equipment. The tour takes you east from Longyearbyen, through Eskerdalen and out into Sassendalen. From here, the journey continues east through glacier systems and deserted plains, before arriving at Mohnbukta on the east coast of Spitsbergen. Together with your guide, you explore the area and enjoy an expedition lunch at the foot of some of the area’s large glaciers. Several stops will be made along the way and plenty of time has been set aside to observe the wildlife that is discovered along the way, such as polar bears, reindeer, swallows and mountain foxes. Many people hope and dream of seeing polar bears – and the chances on the east coast are relatively good because there will be lower temperatures, which means more sea ice and thus provides better conditions for polar bears. Polar bears are always observed at a safe distance, so bring binoculars and remember the zoom lens of the camera! It is important to enjoy the excursion from start to finish, even if the King of the Arctic, the polar bear, would not show up. Enjoy being out in the vast Arctic desert, the silence and the impressive landscape – with or without a bear, this trip will be an experience you will never forget. (F , L )
Day 4: Return trip
Every adventure, no matter how magnificent, has an end. Full of memories of fantastic experiences, you will be driven to the airport in Longyearbyen and begin your journey home. It is possible to extend your stay on Svalbard if you want more days to, for example, go on an excursion to the mines, take a snowmobile trip to the Russian mining town of Barentsburg or the beautiful Tempelfjord, visit ice caves, hike in Blomsterdalen, or experience a wilderness evening at Campz Barentz . ( F )
Overnight stays
Three nights at Gjestehuset 102 in Longyearbyen
It is possible to upgrade the hotel in Longyearbyen to, for example, Radisson Polar Hotel or Funken Lodge.
