Spitsbergen Off The Beaten Track Adventure

The day starts early at 08:00 am, when you will meet your guide at your hotel in Longyearbyen. You will be required to arrive in Longyearbyen a day before your tour commences to meet your guides and go through the program and equipment.

After changing into our snow suits we will head to the harbour to board our open safari boat to Nordenskiöld Lodge. We will travel all the way to the Billefjorden and Adolfbukta. There is plenty of wildlife around the fjords at this time of the year, so we have good changes to see some arctic birds, walruses, belugas or even the polar bear. Once at Nordenskiöld Lodge we will enjoy outdoor lunch and get familiar with the cabin and the surroundings. After lunch it is time to head out into the arctic nature and explore the beauty around us. Before the evening we will return to the cabin, prepare a delicious dinner and warm up a sauna. Accommodation for the next 4 nights in double rooms on a full board basis.

We start the day with hearty breakfast and if the weather is good we can spend the morning learning how to paddle a kayak. Steady and reliable double kayaks are available so we all can paddle in pairs. Kayaking is a perfect way to get around in the arctic and a very traditional way to explore the arctic shorelines. After the learning period we will set out for daytrip to Brucebyen. We will paddle across the magnificent glacier front surrounded by icebergs and arctic wildlife. On the other side of the fjord lies Brucebyen. The small settlement consists of huts that where build 100 years ago by a Scottish geologist. The guide will tell you about the fascinating story surrounding this area. After a long day in the cold arctic sea, we will return to the lodge for a wonderful spot of relaxation in the sauna and a delicious dinner.

Today we will head out to the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier. After breakfast we go through the basic guidelines for glacier walking and climbing including all safety issues. We will then explore the glacier that lies just 300 meters away from the lodge. We spend the day on the glacier walking up and down in the glacier cracks and enjoying the wonderment surrounding us. Expedition lunch will be provided during the day. In the evening we will make a bonfire and enjoy the view over the fjord.

Today we put on our hiking boots and head to the near-by mountains peaks. We will explore the beautiful arctic land, glacier moraines and small flowers surviving in the rash environment. The day will be spent hiking through this beautiful area and expedition lunch will be provided. In the late afternoon we will return back to the cabin to warm up in the sauna and prepare for dinner.

After breakfast we have the chance to take a final hike to the glacier to capture that last wildlife picture or to simply soak up the memories of the thrilling past few days. We will enjoy lunch at the lodge before starting our journey back to the civilization of Longyearbyen. We will make a stop in Pyramiden on the way to get to see this fascinating Russian settlement up close. The settlement was closed down in 1998, but has recently re-opened for visitors. We return to Longyearbyen by safari boat and arrive during the afternoon or early evening.