We know...
Now here's something you don't do every weekend. Drive a team of huskies across the wilds of Spitsbergen and sleep on board a ship which has frozen into the ice. Truly a once in a lifetime holiday.
Spitsbergen is one of the Svalbard Islands located halfway between Norway and The North Pole. About 60% of the land mass is made up of glaciers and a meagre 6-7% is covered by vegetation. The islands offer untouched Arctic wilderness with vast mountainous areas and magnificent glaciers.
This is a nature lover’s paradise. Some of the largest concentrations of birds in the North Atlantic region can be found here. Other animals include Svalbard reindeer, Arctic fox and polar bears. That’s why the guides carry rifles!
You know...
“Just thought I’d drop you a line about how fabulous our Husky Safari in Svalbard was. It was a magical experience. The people were great, the scenery breathtaking and most of all the dogs were tremendous. Very hard to say goodbye to them.” Sue and Andy Sykes - April 2010
Suitable for
Anybody aged 18 or over.
Day 1: Arrivals
On arrival you catch the shuttle bus from Longyearbyen Airport (costing approx £6) which takes you to the Basecamp hotel. Dinner isn’t included this evening but this gives you the chance to either eat at Basecamp or wander into Longyearbyen and try one of the restaurants.
Day 2: Husky safari to the ship frozen in the ice
At 10am you will meet your guides for a short introduction and briefing before packing for your wilderness adventure. It’s a 12km drive to the kennels where approximately 90 Alaskan huskies are waiting to meet you. The noise is deafening as they all want to be chosen for the trip.
Over the next few days, you will be responsible for the care of the huskies in your team so listen carefully to the advice and tips provided by your guide.
And off you go! The dogs will most likely set a blistering pace to begin with but they soon settle into a natural running rhythm as you cross the expanses of Spitsbergen.
Lunch will be eaten out on the trail and a long first day ends when you arrive at the Noorderlicht, a schooner frozen into the ice of Tempelfjord.
Despite its unlikely location, the ship has some welcome modern facilities such as warm showers and, after a three course dinner, you’ll be more than comfortable in your cabin. Don’t stray from the ship without an armed guard, polar bears may look friendly but looks can be deceiving!
Day 3: Husky safari
Once both you and your team are fuelled up you set off together to explore Tempelfjord and the surrounding area. Mushing here on the Svalbard Islands is an experience that touches the soul.
The panting of the dogs and the scraping of the sled’s runners against the snow are the only sounds to break the amazing silence. A full day safari includes lunch and sees you return to the ship in the late afternoon. You’ll doubtless be ready for a hearty dinner.
Day 4: Husky safari to Basecamp
An early start allows you to make the most of your last day dog sledding and you’ll arrive back at Basecamp late in the afternoon. It’s difficult to say goodbye to the huskies but perhaps the enticement of a few drinks with your trail partners will drag you away. Dinner is not included so you again have the choice of eating at Basecamp or in Longyearbyen.
Day 5: Depart or extend your stay
Today you will head back home. We can alternatively arrange for you to extend your stay and try some of the immensely popular snowmobile safaris.
Available
Limited places
On request
Price per person based on 2 adults
|
Departure dates between |
Adult |
Availability |
|
22 Feb and 14 Mar 12 |
£1965 |
|
|
15 Mar and 07 May 12 |
£1995 |
|
Supplements :
| Name |
Adult |
|
Single Supplement (22 Feb - 14 Mar 2012) (Basecamp Hotel only) |
£125 |
|
Single supplement (15 Mar - 07 May 2012) (Basecamp Hotel only) |
£175 |
N.B. Prices in brackets denote a price deduction.
Pricing Notes
CO2 Tax
As a step towards becoming climate neutral, all price calculations from Basecamp Spitsbergen include a climate investment of NOK250 per guest (approx £27).
The full sum is invested in the Basecamp Foundation’s forestry project in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The trees bind CO2 and contribute to reducing the effects of emissions associated with travel.
Getting there
Flights and Transfers
Flights and transfers are not included in the prices above. Many of our clients choose to spend time in Oslo or extend their stay in Spitsbergen so we will be delighted to source flights which tie in with your preferred travel plans. Please be aware that flights to Longyearbyen are very limited. Please call us to discuss your options.
A shuttle bus meets every arrival at Longyearbyen Airport. The first stop is at your accommodation. The cost in 2010 was NOK50 each way so you will require a small amount of Norwegian currency on arrival.
Spitsbergen is the main island in the Svalbad archipelago and at around 78 degrees North destinations do not come much more untouched.
With the end of whaling and major mining works on the island, tourism is a major source of employment and income to the inhabitants of Spitsbergen as well as a major driving force behind the Island's protection. There are almost as many polar bears here as there are people and these magnificent creatures are in need of protection. This glacial region is also being found to exhibit the effects of global warming and therefore any tourism here must be as environmentally sound as possible. We also fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect.
Our suppliers fully believe that ecological based tourism must contribute to the preservation of the unique natural areas of the world such as Spitsbergen and that the interaction between the local people, guests and nature will result in the most positive effects. We encourage this interaction, especially cultural, by encouraging all clients to learn a few important words such: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc and get involved with the local culture and community whilst maintaining the utmost respect for their traditions.
Our suppliers in Spitsbergen have three core values:
- Interaction with nature and local cultures
- Integration of the intellect and emotions
- Innovative and secure internal culture
They also follow main strategies:
- All business activities shall be based on an environmental management policy.
- The Modus Operandi of each Meeting Place shall be developed and undertaken in cooperation with the local community as well as in accordance with defined overall principals
- Offering jobs and business opportunities within the local community shall be of high priority.
- Each Meeting Place shall be managed in a way that results in minimal impact on its natural environment and shall stimulate local culture and pride.
- Each Meeting Place shall have an intimate and open atmosphere, to provide an arena for learning, sharing and participation.
They strive to:
- Develop a model project for a tourist venture where concerns for conservation issues and local cultures are fully integrated.
- Strive to make a lasting and deeply felt impression on the visitor, and by that encourage deeper respect for nature and culture.
- Seek a fair distribution of outcome/benefits to employees, owners and the local community.
Our suppliers are also striving to become carbon neutral and all of the prices include a £25 climate investment charge. The guest invests in their Basecamp Foundation's tree planting schemes in the Masai Mara in Kenya. This helps reduce the impacts of the emissions generated by their and our operations and your travels.