Join us on a winter adventure in the north where you will take part in exciting outdoor activities as well as stay in the northernmost cabin for commercial trips to Svalbard – Nordenskjöld cabin. The trip will take you over the frozen landscape, passing vast fjords, towering mountains and gigantic glaciers and if the conditions are right, visit the abandoned town Pyramiden – where you might get to meet one of the handful of locals that live there in complete isolation!
Day 1: Welcome to the Arctic!
Arrive at Longyear Airport in Svalbard followed by a shuttle transfer to your accommodation for the night. After check-in, the rest of your day is open to explore Longyearbyen as you wish, perhaps with a visit to the Svalbard Museum to learn more about the region´s history as a hunting and mining outpost.
After an energising breakfast at your hotel, meet with your tour leader to go over the details of the snowmobile safari and receive your loan of additional outerwear and equipment. Then, after a basic lesson on how to drive a snowmobile, the journey begins! The guide will choose the day's route depending on the weather and wind, but one thing is for sure—the journey will take you through pristine, unspoiled nature. Along the way you will stop to explore and also enjoy an expedition lunch in the wilderness.
The trip will take you over the frozen Tempelfjord before you continue further north towards the glaciers in Olav V's land. You will arrive at Nördenskjöld cabin in time for dinner, which you will help prepare before feasting with your fellow travellers.
Spend the night at Nordenskjöld cabin.
After a hearty breakfast it's time to get back on your snowmobile and head out into the beautiful scenery of Spitsbergen.
You will explore mountains, glaciers and frozen fjords, miles from civilisation. If the conditions are right, you will visit the abandoned Russian mining town, Pyramiden. In the old days before the evacuation, they had kindergartens, schools and even the world's northernmost swimming pool. The Russians took nothing with them when they abandoned the city in 1998 and almost everything sits as it was years ago. We will enjoy an expedition lunch on the way. During the afternoon, you will return to the cabin and after a long day on the scooter, we will fire up the sauna and enjoy a tasty dinner.
After a tasty breakfast, which will be served from 08:00, you will head into the beautiful wintry wonderland of Svalbard. Today, you will explore more of the striking nature around Spitsbergen. Based on the current weather forecast and recent snow conditions, the guide will pick the best route back. You will enjoy an expedition lunch on the way in the middle of the stark white landscape surrounded by arctic silence. If we are really lucky, we might catch a glimpse of the king of the arctic, a polar bear, before arriving to Longyearbyen in the afternoon.
Before departing this amazing place, the early part of your day is free for a stroll around Longyearbyen, a visit to the Svalbard Gallery, some last-minute souvenir shopping, or an optional dog-sledding tour. In the afternoon, take the shuttle bus to Longyear Airport for your return flight to Oslo, from where you will continue to your final destination.
Average temperatures in Svalbard between March and May are -3 to -12° Celsius but can reach as low as -30° Celsius.
Due to limited space on the snowmobile, travellers may only bring one small rucksack (preferably waterproof) of personal items on the snowmobile tours; the remaining luggage will be securely stored in Longyearbyen.
Daily driving times for the snowmobile tour are set to 7–9 hours per day. It is recommended that the participants upgrade to a solo snowmobile since driving is actually easier and more comfortable than being a passenger for several hours.
Norwegian traffic law also applies to snowmobiling in Svalbard, so drivers must carry a valid driver's license at all times.
Children under 18 not allowed on this tour.