The Trapper's Trail - 2-days dog sledding adventure to an expedition cabin - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

About

Day 1
Your guide will pick you up in the hotel reception at 10 am, and together you will drive to the Trapper’s Station. The dog yard is situated in Bolterdalen, about 10 km outside of Longyearbyen. You will be greeted by 80 excited Alaskan Huskies, some of which will be a part of your hard-working team of huskies on your 2-day adventure. Listen carefully to the dog sledding lesson given to you by the guide. When you are ready, it is time to mush our teams of dogs across the white and open landscape of Adventdalen.

The goal for the day is the expedition cabin. During the trip we will find a nice spot to enjoy an outdoor lunch. When we arrive at the cabin in the afternoon, your first mission will be to organize a night camp for the dogs. Your guide will be there to assist you. Our four-legged friends will sleep outside while we will have the luxury of a comfortable bed inside the cabin. We will prepare dinner together and sit down for a well-deserved meal after a long day on the frozen tundra.

Day 2
Morning routines on a dog sledding adventure involves making sure the dogs are cared for before you can enjoy your morning coffee and breakfast. When we have finished packing and the cabin looks clean and tidy, it’s time for new day of exploring the snow-covered valleys.

Today’s route will go southwards through a varied landscape where you might have to assist the dogs through heavy snow or uphills. We arrive at Basecamp Trapper’s Station in the afternoon. The huskies will return to their doghouse and you will have time to enjoy the last minutes of a day filled with impressions before heading back to Longyearbyen.

What's included?
- 2-day dog sledding adventure with an Arctic nature guide
- Shared accommodation in an expedition cabin.
- Meals according to the program.
- Clothes: You will be provided with a warm thermos-suit, winter boots, balaclava, hat, gloves and googles.
- Equipment: Dog sled equipment, thermos, cup and cutlery, sleeping bag.

Additional charges: Personal spendings, equipment and travel insurance.​​​ ​​​​Airport transport and accommodation in Longyearbyen.

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 do good projects contributing to a sustainable future in our destinations.

Mandatory clothing on expeditions in Svalbard
- Woollen underwear as the base layer
- Warm wool or flees trousers & sweater on the top
- Two sets of layers of socks (thin & thick woollen socks)
- Wind- and waterproof pants and jacket. We recommend spacious clothing because air is the best insulation.
- Woollen gloves with wind and waterproof outer gloves
- A pair of working gloves or mittens to have when handling the dogs
- Warm and windproof hat
- Two warm buffs of natural material
- Toilet articles
- Sunglasses min. category 3
- Skiing goggles if you prefer to use your own
- Contact lenses (for those using glasses)
- Sunscreen factor 50 (not based on water)
- Binoculars
- Camera and extra battery/power bank for charging
- Waterproof pack for personal equipment (40-60 ltr)

Pack all your personal equipment in a couple of small waterproof bags, rather than one big one due to the slim size of the sled. Do note that you need to pack some of the common equipment’s to your sledge as well, and space is quite limited.

Other luggage can be stores at Basecamp Hotel during the trip.

Note
The physical activity, dog sledding, is the main element of this trip. You do not need prior knowledge of the activity, but appropriate personal equipment, general good physical fitness, courage and adventure spirit. Parts of the trip can be demanding due to weather, wind and low temperatures, as well as rough terrain without roads or trails. Other factors that may challenging you is the length and duration of the trip, as well as a steep climb or when you must assist the huskies by pushing the sled in deep snow.

It is not required to have experience in outdoor tenting to join this trip, but you must be willing to learn and actively participate in the tasks required. As part of the expedition, you will participate in feeding and taking care of the dogs, help with collecting and melting snow to get water for cooking and drinking, set up/taking down the camp each day and prepare meals together. Always with supervising from your guide.

It is required to understand English and follow the guide information. If they cross the limits from the guide, we will return to Longyearbyen. This is of security reasons when operating in the Arctic.

Snowmobiling, dogsledding adventures and open RIB safaris are not suitable for persons suffering from back pains. Pregnant women cannot participate on any of the mentioned trips arranged by Basecamp Spitsbergen. Basecamp takes no responsibility to any health issues, due to neglecting this advice.

In Spitsbergen, weather conditions can change quickly. We can meet 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 result in not arriving to the planned destination. It can also mean that we need to use a different transportation style or 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 that characteristics of the destination.

Minimum age for participation: 16 years

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.