Post on 06-Jul-2020
Program duration: 8 days / 7 nights Total distance on snowmobile: around 1000 kms
Requirements: good level of fitness and valid Full driving license (Learners and Provisional licences not accepted)
Age Limit: 18 Years of age
Journey to the Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic, in a
spring expedition of spectacular Spitsbergen island
by snowmobile. Svalbard’s pristine Arctic landscape
and its stunning wildlife is a photographer’s dream
and during the day the polar spring light is like a
constant sunset . Guests will experience a true arctic
adventure on a snowmobile safari passing through
Spitsbergen’s epic valleys and canyons. In spring, the
archipelago is an emerging wildlife wonderland with
reindeer grazing in spectacular valleys, seals and
walruses basking on the ice oes and the iconic polar
bear reigning over this pristine wilderness.
This expedition is designed for true explorers. Over 8
days, guests will journey by snowmobile around the
island and through the stunning bays and fjords of
Spitsbergen. Following the paths of Arctic explorers,
we take a fascinating journey through Svalbard’s
Soviet ghost towns and abandoned settlements with
comfortable hotel-style accommodation and
delicious full board catering.
All the highlights of Svalbard in a breath-taking snowmobile
adventure
Majestic glaciers of Nordenskjøld, Fridtjovbreen and
Paulabreen
Spectacular fjords and mountains of Svalbard: Grønfjord, Van
Mijenfjord, Olafberget.
The Isfjord radio weather station and the ghost town
Pyramiden
Abundant wildlife on the wild East coast – Polar bears, seals,
Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer
Arrive in Longyearbyen. Transfer from the
airport to Longyearbyen for a tour
brieng on our itinerary, equipment,
safety and all-weather clothing. After
lunch, we change to winter overalls and
start the Arctic adventure by
snowmobiling from Longyearbyen to
Colesdalen through magnicent mountain
landscapes, passing by abandoned
hunting cabins to Grøndalen before
arriving in Barentsburg.
Guests will have time to explore the small
Russian community of Barentsburg
including the scientic research center,
the meteorological observatory and the
cosmic rays research station. Your guide
will take you through the local explorers
museum, with its exhibitions of 17th
century hunting, arctic ora and fauna.
In the evening guests will enjoy Dinner
and stay overnight in the Hotel
Barentsburg.
Snowmobiling distance approx. 70 km, (3 - 4 hours)
Please Note: This journey may be uncomfortable for guests suffering from back pain.
Longyearbyen – Todalen – Colesdalen –
Grøndalen - Barentsburg
Day 1
After breakfast, guests head off for a day of
exploration in the wilderness of Svalbard. Leaving
Barentsburg we follow the coastline of Grønfjord.
The snowmobile allows us to travel long distances
in the immensity of the Arctic wilderness and
reach otherwise inaccessible places.
We drive up to the Grønfjord glacier and across
wide canyons further to Orustdalen valley, amidst
high cliffs. Continuing along the Nordenskjøld
coast to the Greenland sea, we will stop for a
delicious lunch at Isfjord radio, a mythic coast
radio and weather station founded in the
beginning of the 20th century at Kapp Linné.
In the afternoon we make a short stop at Cape
Starostin and have a look around a restoration of
Starostin’s hut where Ivan Starostin, a Pomor
trapper, managed to spend 39 Svalbard winters,
including 15 in a row.
Returning to Barentsburg in the evening, there’s
time for a visit to the Arctic Art Gallery and see its
displays about Svalbard’s history of Arctic
discovery and its collections of 16th and 17th
century hunters.
Dinner will be a traditional Russian feast featuring
local fish. Night in Barentsburg.
Snowmobiling distance 95-120 kms, (8 - 10 hours)
Isfjord Radio Station and Pomor trapper’s hut:
Barentsburg – Grønfjord – Isfjord Radio –
Starostin Cape – Barentsburg
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on the ice and snow conditions, today’s itinerary runs past Paulabreen glacier
and Fridtjovbreen glacier. Afterwards we travel to the Sveagruve mine and then along the ice of Reid Bay to the
enormous Paulabreen glacier, 15 km wide, considered as the most picturesque and romantic in the world. This is
the region of Svalbard famous for frequent encounters with polar bears. We pass through the Reindalen valley,
one of the biggest and most impressive valleys in Svalbard. It is a good option when there is no wind and good
visibility.
Otherwise we offer another option – a route to Fridtjovbreen. This itinerary runs closer to Barentsburg and is
noted for dramatic and variable landscapes and frequent wild animals. The Fridtjovbreen glacier has a length of
about 14 kilometers and its name stems from a hunting vessel used during the Torell expedition to Spitsbergen.
The route is approx. 100-140 km and takes up to 6-8 hrs. An expedition lunch will be served to guests along the
way.
Returning to Barentsburg guests will enjoy a delicious Russian dinner at the hotel.
Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km (8 - 10 hours)
Glaciers and Fjords: Barentsburg – Grøndalen – Reindalen – Sveagruve
– Van Mijenfjord - Paulabreen Glacier – Barentsburg
Day 3
Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km (8 - 10 hours)
Today guests will explore the local surroundings with a range of optional activities available:
A morning underground tour of Barentburg’s working coal mine to experience the daily life of an Arctic miner.
You will be provided with miner’s clothing and a safety helmet and sign yourself in, like all miners starting their
shift. As you approach the entrance of the mine and light from the outside fades away, you will embark on a
fascinating underground journey into the depths of Spitsbergen.
Visit our classes in traditional Pomor handicrafts and make a unique souvenir of your own.
Take a photographic trip on snowmobiles to a nearby glacier to capture the picturesque surroundings and
experience local wildlife encounters.
Guests will be served Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Barentsburg hotel restaurant.
Barentsburg & local tour options
Day 4
Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km, (9 - 10 hours)
After an early breakfast, we check-out and depart
on a long journey that takes in the beauty and
diversity of Svalbard’s epic landscapes and
wildlife. We pass Cape Heer and Colesdalen on the
way to Longyearbyen where we stop for lunch in
our Expedition Centre ‘Russki Dom’. After lunch
we continue over shiny glaciers and sharp
mountains into the valley of Sassendalen . Along
the way we are likely to encounter walrus. About
100 miles northeast of Longyearbyen we will
reach the mighty glacier Nordenskiöld and the
nearby ghost town of Pyramiden, our destination.
Virtually abandoned except for a small Soviet-
style hotel, guests will check-in to their rooms and
later enjoy a hearty dinner.
Glaciers and the ghost settlement: Barentsburg
– Colesdalen – Fardalen - Longyearbyen –
Sassendalen - Nordenskiøld Glacier –
Petuniabukta - Pyramiden
Day 5
Snowmobiling distance approx. 80 kms, (4 - 6 hours)
After breakfast, we enjoy a guided introduction
tour around the settlement which retains its
Soviet ambience. The town was a showcase to the
West exhibiting to the world the excellence of the
communist system. In the late nineties, Pyramiden
was closed and remained virtually abandoned with
all its infrastructure preserved intact. All of the
buildings are in excellent condition and although
the hotel is inhabited, silence reigns over
Pyramiden since the settlement remains virtually
empty and abandoned.
Pyramiden is located in the heart of the Arctic
wilderness. Exploring the surroundings we will
encounter polar foxes, reindeer as well as seals
and walruses at the nearby glacier
Nordenskiøldbreen which is just a few hundred
metres away from the abandoned settlement.
Polar bear encounters are also likely and if we use
our binoculars and lenses we might have an
opportunity to view and film this majestic creature
from a safe distance.
Depending on the weather and snow conditions
we will consult with our guests about the most
suitable and appealing itinerary: Perhaps a short
trip to picturesque Skanskabukta with the
magnicent frozen waterfall Ebbadalen, or a
wildlife photo expedition into the nearby
mountains. Guests will be served an expedition
lunch along the way.
Return to Pyramiden in the evening. Dinner and
overnight stay at the Soviet-style Pyramiden hotel.
The ghost settlement Pyramiden and wildlife
observations
Day 6
Snowmobiling distance approx. 80 kms, (approx 4-6 (hours)
After breakfast, guests will join a guided walk around the city of Longyearbyen. We will visit the Svalbard Museum to learn about the history of the archipelago as well as the local flora and fauna. We may also stop by Svalbard Gallery which exhibits original pieces by local artists. A tour to the nearby so-called ‘doomsday seed vault’ is also possible and makes a great location for a selfie. Afternoon transfer to the airport of Longyearbyen.
Snowmobiling distance approx. 180 kms, (approx 8-9 hours)
After a delicious breakfast, guests will check-out
and embark on a final wildlife snowmobile safari –
this time we will explore the east coast of
Spitzbergen. Our journey takes us through valleys
to the great Nordenskjøld glacier and past the
pink shade mountains to the middle of the
massive Lomonosov plain where the full beauty of
this Arctic kingdom is on display. We continue our
journey passing majestic glaciers and breathtaking
scenery. Unaffected by the warm Gulf Stream,
Spitsbergen’s eastern coast boasts lower
temperatures and more austere conditions, as
well as abundant ice. Polar bears live on the ice
hunting the seals, and it is here that we can have
the best opportunity to spot this mighty animal
and observe from a safe distance.
Guests will be served with an expedition lunch
along the way. Depending on the weather and
snow conditions, the tour guide may change the
exact route of the journey.
In the evening we arrive in Longyearbyen, where
guests will check-in to the Arctic Travel Centre
Guest House. Dinner will be served in the local
restaurant Kroa ‘On the edge of the world’.
Overnight in Longyearbyen.
Pyramiden – Nordenskiøld Glacier – Lomonosov
plain - Eastern Coast – Sassendalen –
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen and Departure
Day 7
Day 8
The Barentsburg Hotel is a newly built 4-level hotel
facing the Olaf mountain. Has 43 European style
rooms,from single and twin rooms to luxury suites.The Hotel features a restaurant
with spectacular views of Grønfjord Bay. Each oor
has its own drying room for guests outdoor clothing
and boots.
The Pyramiden Hotel is located near the impressive
Nordenskiöld glacier. Featuring 23 Twin/Double rooms, in both European and ‘Soviet’ style rooms.
European style rooms are each equipped with toilet and shower. Soviet style rooms have a toilet and a sink with shared shower
facilities on each oor. The hotel has a Restaurant and
a souvenir shop.
Grumant Hostel in Longyearbyen is a new and modern 2-level Chalet style
building located on the shore of the Adventfjorden.
12 people can be accommodated in 3 basic rooms with partly shared facilities that offer terric
value for money. There is a large breakfast room with a
good kitchen and Wi-Fi throughout.
Barentsburg’s Pomor Hostel is modern 2-level
budget hotel style accommodation with views to Mount Olaf and beautiful
Grønfjord Bay. Has 30 refurbished rooms, incl. double rooms and triple
rooms with shared facilities on each floor. Each floor has a fully equipped kitchen and
there is Wi-Fi access throughout the building.
All Accommodation and Meals;
Full board;
Transfer airport-Longyearbyen-airport;
Activities according to the itinerary;
Snowmobile rental (Model: Ski-doo Expedition 600 or Yamaha Ventura or Yamaha Viking), fuel;
Rental of winter overalls, boots, gloves and a helmet;
English-speaking guide;
Insurance covering research and rescue (Svalbard only), evacuation costs in case of emergency.
Flight to/from Longyearbyen
Optional day in Longyearbyen
Optional activities in
Barentsburg
Alcohol drinks and dishes/
drinks beyond menu
Tips for the guide
From $4,400 AUD / 2
persons sharing
snowmobile.
$6,000 AUD / For solo only
use of snowmobile.
Single room supplement
450 AUD
Guaranteed Departures.
.
.
Barentsburg
Longyearbern
Pyramiden
Barentsøya
Inclusions
Extra nights in Longyearbyen Guest House AUD 190 per night
Please note all prices are subject to currency fluctuations
TOUR PRICE
The Price does not include
(We will match solo travellers or offer free single use of snowmobile)