Ultimate Svalbard Dog Sledding Safari - 3 Days - $2,195
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- Fully immersive and hands-on with 'your dogs'
- Weekly departures from 1st March to mid May
- Starts & finishes in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- 2 nights camping out in special heated tents with cot beds
- Full outer thermal clothing including boots is provided
- It's not strenuous, but reasonable fitness levels are required
Start from Longyearbyen and end at Longyearbyen
Landmarks potentially visited on Ultimate Svalbard Dog Sledding Safari
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Embark from Longyearbyen
With less equipment, and a different goal than Amundsen, you leave Longyearbyen, and head east. Travelling with a team of dogs is a fantastic way to travel. The silence, with only the panting of the dogs gives you the chance to really enjoy the landscape. Your guide will show you how to harness the dogs and how to mush your own team.
Everyone will look after your own dog team throughout the trip, and help with the feeding. You travel over vast valleys and through the white landscape to Sassen valley and Tempelfjorden. Towards midday, stop for expedition lunch and let the dogs rest for a while. You arrive to the new expedition campsite, North Pole Basecamp during the evening. Here you have warm tents with comfortable beds and warm sleeping bags waiting for you.
Day 2: Wildlife in the Wilderness
In the morning, you feed the dogs before enjoying your own breakfast with fresh bread and warm coffee. You harness the dogs and head out in the beautiful landscape. Today you mush on the frozen sea ice, where you can see seals laying on the ice enjoying the warm sun, and if you are lucky you might even see a polar bear hunting.
The majestic Tuna Glacier is one of the highlights of the day. Expedition lunch will be served on the way. You will return to the camp later in the afternoon for some well-deserved drinks. After the dinner, you can have an evening walk to stretch your legs and greet your dog team before heading to the heated tent and warm sleeping bag.
Day 3: Return to Longyearbyen
This is the last day of dog sledding so get up early to make the most of the day. You feed the dogs and yourself before harnessing the dog teams one more time before heading back towards Longyearbyen. Enjoy the view while travelling through the vast valleys. Half way you stop for expedition lunch.
Although you have not reached the North Pole on your trip, you have travelled in the spirit of the famous explorers; Amundsen, Nansen, Wisting and Nobile. You will arrive to Trappers Station later in the afternoon and take care of the tired dogs. Say farewell to your friends, who have been pulling your sled for more than 120 km during the past three days.
NOTE: Please be aware that this itinerary is for guidance only and that a flexible approach is required due to local weather and/ or ice conditions.
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on a group of 4 people.
Additional Notes
In Spitsbergen, weather conditions can change quickly and the trp may be faced with heavy winds, snowstorms, thick fog, crevasses and lack of snow or ice. This means changes to the planned route may be necessary, and could lead to you not arriving to the planned destination. It could also mean that a different transportation style or accommodation may be necessary.
All activities and accommodations outside Longyearbyen needs to be approved by the local authority on yearly basis. We will get the final approval on all expeditions and camps for the coming year during the autumn time. This program is based on the assumption that the local authority approves setup and location of the excursion.
Includes
- All activities as described in the itinerary
- Warm thermos-suit, winter boots, balaclava, hat, gloves and goggles on loan
- Accommodation and meals on full board basis, as according to the program
- Search and rescue insurance
Excludes
- International flights to & from start/finish points
- Items of a personal nature: laundry, alcoholic beverages, equipment, etc
- Any additional services before & after your trip
- CO2 investment in NOK250
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
