Telegraph Route - 8-day Dog Sledding Expedition to Isfjord Radio - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

About

Now you have the opportunity to join a truly special overnight trip and experience the Arctic wilderness from a dog sled. You will drive your own dog team through the majestic landscape and spend nights outdoors in the realm of the polar bear on this eight-day adventure. After two eventful days out in the field, a stay at Isfjord Radio will recharge your batteries before we turn our noses toward new adventures on the journey back to Longyearbyen.

Day 1
Welcome to Longyearbyen.
You will be picked up at the airport by your guide and driven to Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen for check-in.
Then the guide will take you on a tour around Longyearbyen before everyone enjoys dinner together at Basecamp Hotel.

Day 2
After a good breakfast, you will be picked up by the guide.
Today all preparations for the expedition will be made, and you will receive an introduction to both dog sledding and camp life.
This is also your first meeting with the dogs who will be your best partners in the coming days.
You will learn to harness your own dog team and take a test run in Bolterdalen.
We practice setting up camp and pack all sleds for tomorrow’s trip.
This training day ensures the best possible preparation for the upcoming expedition.
Back in Longyearbyen, you will have dinner on your own at a local restaurant.

Day 3
Meet in the reception at Basecamp Hotel at 10:00.
We provide warm outer clothing and then drive to the dog yard.
Here your new expedition friends are waiting to head out.
We harness the team, make final adjustments, and then head into the wilderness.
The first day we will mostly stay in the valleys.
We set up camp about halfway to our destination.
In the tent, we enjoy a hot meal before crawling into our sleeping bags.

Day 4
Breakfast for dogs and humans and preparations for another exciting day.
The silence is complete, broken only by the dogs’ panting and the scraping of sled runners against the snow.
Lunch is eaten outdoors.
Today we drive the final stretch toward Isfjord Radio, where the hosts welcome us and share more about the station’s fascinating history.
The kitchen invites us to a delicious dinner in the evening.

Day 5
Today we take a shorter dog sled trip after breakfast.
We have lunch and enjoy the afternoon at the station.
The hosts will give you a tour of the station area, and for those who wish, a dip in the Arctic Ocean followed by a sauna is encouraged.
Dinner is served in the evening.

Day 6
The last breakfast at Isfjord Radio before another day with the dogs!
We head back toward civilization and make many interesting stops along the way.
If weather and conditions allow, we will choose an alternative route back.
Some areas may be challenging, but the trip will give you a fantastic experience of Svalbard’s majestic nature.
About halfway, we set up a tent camp and provide food for both dogs and humans.

Day 7
Today we head back to Longyearbyen.
Now it’s time to enjoy the last hours on the sled!
Late in the afternoon, we arrive at the Trapper’s Station and dog yard, where we unharness the team and thank the dogs for the journey.
We promise a special bond forms between two- and four-legged companions after an experience like this.
Back at Basecamp Hotel, a shower will feel great before dinner at Gruvelageret together with the guide and fellow travelers.

Day 8
We bet you slept well after the days and nights in the wilderness.
Enjoy the generous breakfast at the hotel.
Perhaps take a stroll in Longyearbyen before it’s time to head to the airport.
We say goodbye, and you return home with plenty of experience and wonderful memories in your luggage.

Included:
Activities, accommodation, and meals according to the program.

Additional costs:
Personal expenses and equipment, as well as personal travel insurance.

More than a journey:
As part of Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen’s efforts to be climate neutral, we include an additional CO₂ and environmental investment of NOK 250 per guest.
This is fully donated to projects that contribute to a sustainable future at our destinations.
This is included in the price.

Physical requirements:
The main activity, dog sledding, is the core element of this trip.
You do not need prior knowledge of dog handling, but you need suitable personal gear, generally good physical condition, determination, and a sense of adventure.
Parts of the trip can be demanding due to weather, wind, and low temperatures, as well as heavy snow or ice and physical challenges such as steep climbs and loose snow.
Dog sledding trips are not suitable for people with back problems or for pregnant women, and Basecamp Explorer cannot take responsibility for health issues arising from neglecting this advice.

Prior experience:
Previous winter camping experience is not required, but it is expected that you actively contribute to the tasks required on such a trip and that you are willing to learn, helpful, and cooperative.

Language:
Safety is always our highest priority, and it is important that our guide can give instructions and be understood.
Therefore, it is mandatory to understand and speak English or one of the Scandinavian languages to participate in our tours.
The tour will be conducted in English or a Scandinavian language depending on the group’s language skills.

Weather conditions in Svalbard:
Weather conditions in Svalbard change quickly.
We may encounter strong winds, snowstorms, or thick fog, crevasses, and lack of snow or ice.
This means that in some cases we must make changes to the planned route, which may result in not reaching destinations as described.
It may also mean that we need to use a different mode of transport or accommodation than stated in the program.
We will always do our utmost to give you a memorable Arctic experience, but we must be mindful of the destination’s characteristics.

For booking, please contact us by email at: spitsbergen@basecampexplorer.com