Basecamp Summer Circuit - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

About

Day 1
Meet us in your hotel reception at 8AM. Get to know your fellow explorers for the next days and place your excess baggage in the storage room at Basecamp Hotel. Prepare yourself for a true adventure as we head out on the fjord with Isfjord-Ekspressen. She will take us safely to our destination, Nordenskiöld Lodge in Adolfbukta. The fjord is teeming with birds, walruses, seals, and belugas in the summer, so you better keep your eyes open for the Arctic wildlife.

Well settled in at Nordenskiöld we’ll enjoy lunch with a spectacular view of the glacier. In the afternoon we explore the moraine landscape on foot and familiarise ourselves with the surrounding area. To ensure you have time to relax in the sauna before dinner we return to the lodge in the afternoon.

Day 2
Did you know that 60% of Spitsbergen’s surface is covered by glaciers? One of the most majestic glaciers, Nordenskiöldbreen, is lurking just outside your cabin door at Nordenskiöld Lodge. We will use the day to explore this icy terrain, and you can expect a view that is nothing short of spectacular.

You guide will teach you the basic safety rules and provide you with the necessary equipment for glacier hiking. We must cross a small river and a moraine to get to our starting point for the glacier hike. Keep your eyes open for polar bears, they might rest behind any corner. We hike up and down the glacier, crossing multiple smaller crevasses. There are few places that are more beautiful in the world to enjoy an outdoor expedition lunch in.

The day is topped off by a relaxing visit to the sauna, followed by a much-appreciated dinner.

Day 3
On this last day at Nordenskiöld Lodge, you may especially appreciate waking up to the sound of the glacier, which is constantly changing. And maybe there will be an extra cup of coffee after breakfast, to enjoy the sight of the mighty ice blue that we see from the cabin.
After breakfast it is time to pack before the boat that will take us back to Longyearbyen arrives. Few people want to leave this special place, but new adventures await at the far end of Kapp Linné.

On the way back to civilization, we keep a lookout for marine wildlife and the land areas we pass. For Arctic sea safaris, it is necessary to pay attention. Wildlife appears suddenly and can disappear just as quickly. We often encounter various whale species in Billefjorden, and our boat captains are well trained in keeping a lookout.

We make a short stop in Longyearbyen to pick up guests that will join us at Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel. You will be welcomed by the host at the wilderness hotel around 4 p.m.
After being assigned and shown your room, we invite you to a station tour where you will learn more about the fascinating history of the radio station from 1933. After the walk we recommend a visit to the hot sauna on the cliffs and enjoy the sea view. Who knows what kind of animal will swim past the sauna tonight?

At 20.00 there is dinner, one of the highlights of the stay at Isfjord Radio. The head chef puts together a tasty menu, based on local ingredients. We get a lot of exciting meat and fish from the trappers in Svalbard, so plenty of tastes to look forward to.

Day 4
8-10AM Breakfast

Embark on a whole day hike in Isfjord Radio together with your Isfjord Radio guide from 10AM-3PM. He/she will choose one of the popular tracks along the old radio poles of the station given three optional route and activity alternatives. The hike will be approximately 10-16 km long depending on the route. The different seasons with its flora and fauna define our trip underway, and the length of the canoe trip can vary due to the weather and experience of the participants. Lunch is included in the excursion.

At 8PM a 5-course dinner is served in the dining room.

Day 5
8-10AM Breakfast

This morning at 10AM we will dress warmly and hop on our Polarcirkel boat to explore more of the remote northern side of Isfjorden. Immerse yourself in the feeling of freedom as we raft across the fjord that opens at 78°N. See the distinct sailing mark Alkhornet straight ahead and experience the glaciers and characteristic mountains close up. The bird- and wildlife is conspicuous with great activity and traffic from nesting birds in the hillsides. The RIB boat safari lasts for five hours and an outdoor lunch is included.

We return to Isfjord Radio in the afternoon and continue to Longyearbyen with Isfjord-Ekspressen at 5PM.

Minimum number of participants: 4 persons

What's included?
- Activities and boat transport according to the program
- Accommodation in a shared room and meals according to the program
- Pick up at your hotel/guesthouse in Longyearbyen on day 1 and return on day 5
- You will be provided with necessary equipment for glacier hiking and outer clothing for the RIB boat safari. Contact us for recommended packing list.

Additional expenses:
Personal spendings, drinks with meals, optional single room in Isfjord Radio, private equipment and travel insurance. Flight tickets and airport transfer in Longyearbyen. CO2 and environmental investment of NOK 250 per guest.

Explore more: We recommend booking one or two overnights in Longyearbyen before and after this adventure. Please contact us at spitsbergen@basecampexplorer.com to book accommodation at our unique Basecamp Hotel.

More than travel:
As part of Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen’s efforts to be climate neutral, we add an additional CO2 and environmental investment of NOK 250 per guest. This is donated in its entirety to projects contributing to a sustainable future in our destinations.

Note:
The trip requires good physical condition. This trip is not suitable for persons suffering from back pains or pregnant women. Basecamp takes no responsibility to any health issues, due to neglecting this advice.

Language:
Safety is our top priority during our trips. It is necessary for you to be able to communicate in English or a Scandinavian language if you want to join our excursions. The tour language (English or a Scandinavian language) will be chosen based on the group's language skills

In Spitsbergen, weather conditions can change quickly. We can encounter heavy winds, snowstorms or thick fog, crevasses and lack of snow or ice. This means we might need to make changes to the planned route, and this might prevent us from arriving at the planned destination(s). It can also mean that we need to use a different mode of transportation or place of accommodation than what was described in the program. We will always do our outmost to give our guests a great experience in the Arctic, but we must be aware of the characteristics of the destination.

Can't find suitable dates or do you have special requests for your trip? Contact us at spitsbergen@basecampexplorer.com for alternative dates and tailor made adventures.