Trappers Trail - 5-day dog sledding expedition into the Arctic wilderness - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

About

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.
In the afternoon, participants and the guide meet at the hotel to review the upcoming expedition days.
The guide will also go through the equipment list to ensure everyone has what they need for the days in the field.
Dinner is served at the hotel.

Day 2
The guide meets you in the hotel reception at 10:00, and together you drive to the Trapper’s Station.
The dog yard is located in Bolterdalen, about 10 km outside Longyearbyen. Here you will meet 70 eager huskies and find your new four-legged travel companions. Pay close attention to the guide’s introduction to dog sledding, and you will be well prepared for the adventure ahead.

We take breaks along the way and enjoy an expedition lunch during the day. In the afternoon, we find a suitable spot to set up camp.
After dinner, you can enjoy the colors of the evening light and the drowsy feeling after a long day on the frozen, snow-covered tundra.

Day 3
Daily routines on an overnight dog sledding trip include caring for the dogs before breakfast. We spend the day exploring the area by dog sled.
We travel through varied terrain, and in some cases, you will need to help the huskies by pushing the sled uphill or through deep snow.
An expedition lunch is enjoyed outdoors like true Svalbardians, and we find a new campsite during the afternoon.

Day 4
The final expedition day has arrived. We pack the sleds and clean up before heading south, back to the dog yard and the Trapper’s Station.
By the afternoon, the huskies are back in their kennels, and you have time for a last farewell before returning to Longyearbyen.
Check in at Basecamp Hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5
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.

What’s included?
All accommodations, equipment, and activities according to the program
- Outerwear: You will be provided with a warm thermal suit, winter boots, balaclava, hat, warm mittens, and ski goggles
- Equipment: Dog sledding gear, thermos, cup and cutlery, sleeping bag

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.

Expedition clothing for Svalbard:
- Wool base layer against the skin
- Warm wool or fleece pants and sweater
- Two sets of wool socks (thin and thick)
- Windproof and waterproof pants and jacket. We recommend roomy clothing because air is the best insulation
- Wool mittens with windproof and waterproof outer layer
- A pair of work gloves suitable for handling dogs
- Warm and windproof hat
- Two warm buffs made of natural material
- Toiletries
- Sunglasses minimum category 3
- Ski goggles if you prefer to use your own
- Contact lenses (for those who wear glasses)
- Sunscreen SPF 50 (not water-based)
- Binoculars
- Camera and extra battery/power bank for charging
- Waterproof packing bags for personal gear (40–60 liters)
Pack all personal gear in a couple of small waterproof bags instead of one large one, due to the narrow size of the sled. Note that you will also need to carry some shared equipment on your sled, and space is limited. The rest of your luggage brought to Svalbard can be stored at Basecamp Hotel during the trip.

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.