|
We spend one day in
Longyearbyen before we set out on a 4-day tour
across glaciers and frozen fjords, between
mountains and icebergs,
miles away from civilization. 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
marvelous 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!
Experience the magic of Arctic winter! Svalbard, an
Arctic Pearl in Northern Norway!
The Tour Itinerary
It is relatively easy, in principle, to drive a
snowmobile, but to set out on a long snowmobile tour
on Svalbard requires a great deal of planning and
experience, as well as familiarity with the Svalbard
landscapes - and mechanical expertise! Our permanent
tour leaders are among the most experienced in the
region. They take responsibility for every practical
detail of the tour, and ensure that it will be
conducted in a safe and suitable way.
The first morning, the tour
leader will meet the participants for breakfast and
give a short briefing. You will then be taken to our
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 marvelous 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.
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 at night when we arrive back to
our base where we can take advantage of our warm and
relaxed lodging. The program for the third day is
open, and we have several options. Most likely we’ll
head northwards, but the final route is based upon
the prevailing weather- and ice conditions. The
abandoned Russian settlement Pyramiden and the
magnificent Nordenskiöld glacier in Billefjorden are
among the alternatives. We will be out all day,
driving through fantastic scenery. Our guide will
prepare lunch en route. 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 plateau, 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 and
maybe a visit to the sauna, we will be ready for
dinner in the hotel restaurant.
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
license 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.
SPT
Itinerary and Price
Expedition
map
Equipment list
|
