OZBUW11
AN 8-DAY ARCTIC EXPEDITION BY SNOWMOBILE FOR TRUE EXPLORERS ( Was $4400 - NOW ONLY $3960 for all bookings made by February 2nd, 2019).
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 floes 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.
Tour duration: 8 days / 7 nights. Start point: Longyearbyen. End point: Longyearbyen
Total distance on snowmobile: Around 1000 kms
Requirements: Reasonable level of fitness and valid full driving license (Learners and Provisional licences not accepted)
Age Limit: 18 Years of age minimum
All the highlights of Svalbard in a breathtaking 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 of Pyramiden
Abundant wildlife on the wild East coast – polar bears, seals, arctic foxes, and Svalbard reindeer
DOWNLOAD THE FULL ITINERARY AT:
https://undiscovered.world/destinations/travel-svalbard/sval…
Day 1. Longyearbyen – Todalen – Colesdalen – Grøndalen - Barentsburg
Arrive in Longyearbyen. Transfer from the airport to Longyearbyen for a tour briefing 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 magnificent 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 scientific 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 flora and fauna.
In the evening guests will enjoy Dinner and stay overnight in the Hotel Barentsburg.
Snowmobiling distance approx. 70 km, (3 - 4 hours)
Day 2. Isfjord Radio Station and Pomor trapper’s hut: Barentsburg – Grønfjord – Isfjord Radio – Starostin Cape – Barentsburg
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)
Day 3. Glaciers and Fjords: Barentsburg – Grøndalen – Reindalen – Sveagruve – Van Mijenfjord - Paulabreen Glacier – Barentsburg
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)
Day 4. Barentsburg & local tour options
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.
Day 5. Glaciers and the ghost settlement: Barentsburg – Colesdalen – Fardalen - Longyearbyen – Sassendalen - Nordenskiøld Glacier – Petuniabukta - Pyramiden
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.
Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km, (9 - 10 hours)
Day 6. Pyramiden ghost town and wildlife observation.
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 magnificent 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.
Snowmobiling distance approx. 80 kms, (4 - 6 hours)
Day 7. Pyramiden – Nordenskiøld Glacier – Lomonosov plain - Eastern Coast – Sassendalen – Longyearbyen
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. Snowmobiling distance approx. 180 kms, (approx 8-9 hours)
Day 8. Longyearbyen and Departure
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.
INCLUSIONS:
— 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 search and rescue (Svalbard only), evacuation costs in case of emergency.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
— Flights to/from Longyearbyen
— Optional day in Longyearbyen
— Optional activities in Barentsburg
— Alcohol drinks and dishes/drinks beyond set-menu
— Tips for the guide
—- Travel insurance
2019 TRAVEL DATES:
February 18th - 25th
March 11th - 18th
April 1st - 8th
April 22nd - 29th
February 25th - March 4th
March 18th - 25th
April 8th - 15th
April 29th - May 6th
March 4th - 11th
March 25th - April 1st
April 15th - 22nd
Op, you do realise this is OzBargain ? Most people wouldn't be familiar with Svalbard Archipelago up the top of Norway, nor would they know how to get to Longyearbyen. Maybe mention Norway in the title & toward the top of the description.
Maybe also suggest some prices for flights from Oz.
Also is the pricing in $AU or $US?
But it does look fun!