Basecamp Summer Circuit

Meet us in your hotel reception at 8:00 AM — your gateway to one of the Arctic’s most exclusive experiences.
After meeting your guide and fellow explorers, you may store any excess luggage at Basecamp Hotel. Lace up your hiking boots — you’re about to leave the everyday far behind.

We begin this once-in-a-lifetime journey by crossing the Isfjord in one of our closed Arctic boats, slicing through polar waters en route to a place few ever get to see: the legendary Nordenskiöld Lodge. Tucked away beneath the towering Nordenskiöld Glacier, this remote lodge is the northernmost commercial cabin in the world — and arguably the wildest.

On the boat ride, keep your camera ready — the fjord teems with Arctic wildlife: belugas, walruses, seals, and seabirds may all make an appearance.

Once we arrive, you’ll settle into the unrivaled silence and raw beauty of your surroundings. Enjoy lunch overlooking the glacier wall, then set out with your guide for an afternoon hike through the dramatic moraine landscape. This is your first real taste of the wilderness that will be your home for the next days.

By late afternoon, we return to the lodge — your intimate Arctic base, with just a few cozy rooms, no phone signal, and front-row views to a glacier that never sleeps. There’s time to enjoy the wood-fired sauna before gathering for a chef-prepared dinner inspired by the surrounding nature.

Please inform us of any dietary needs or allergies in advance, so we can prepare accordingly.

Did you know that over 60% of Spitsbergen is covered by glaciers?
Today, you’re not just looking at one — you’re walking on it. Just steps from your cabin at Nordenskiöld Lodge, one of the island’s most breathtaking glaciers awaits your footprints.

Your expert Arctic guide will begin with a glacier safety briefing and provide the gear needed for this unforgettable journey. To reach the ice, we’ll cross a glacial river and navigate the rugged moraine, where every step is a reminder of nature’s raw power. Keep your eyes open — in this remote wilderness, even polar bears might be nearby.

As we step onto the ancient ice, we’ll hike up and over the glacier’s rolling blue surface, weaving around crevasses and marveling at the silence and scale. At midday, we pause for an expedition-style lunch — with a glacier wall for a backdrop and the Arctic wind as your only soundtrack.

Back at the lodge, the day winds down in true Nordenskiöld style: a wood-fired sauna, glacier views, and a hearty Arctic dinner shared with fellow explorers.

This is the Arctic — vast, humbling, and absolutely unforgettable.

After breakfast, take a final moment to soak in the extraordinary landscape surrounding Nordenskiöld Lodge.
A short walk offers one last chance to capture a photo with the mighty glacier as your backdrop — a memory you’ll carry long after you return to civilization.

Once packed and ready, we board our closed expedition boat for a scenic boat safari across Billefjorden, with eyes peeled for Arctic wildlife. Keep your camera ready — seals bask, seabirds dive for fish, and if luck is on your side, a curious whale may escort us part of the way.

Heading westward, we make a brief stop in Longyearbyen to welcome new fellow explorers before continuing to our second iconic outpost: Isfjord Radio. Nestled at the edge of the world, this historic station offers an unforgettable mix of wilderness, comfort, and culture. You’ll be warmly greeted by your hosts around 4 PM.

From 5:00 to 6:30 PM, enjoy a guided walk of the station, where fascinating tales of Arctic telecommunication, trapper life, and polar expeditions bring the history of Isfjord Radio to life.

Then it’s time to unwind — perhaps in the cliffside sauna, where the view over the open sea is nothing short of cinematic. You never know what might swim by while you’re relaxing in the warmth.

At 8:00 PM, we gather in the dining room for a 4-course Arctic dinner, artfully prepared and served in surroundings where the wild is always just outside the window.

From 8:00 to 10:00 AM, start your day with a generous breakfast — the perfect fuel for the adventure ahead.

At 10:00 AM, set out on a full-day hike led by your knowledgeable Isfjord Radio guide. You’ll explore one of several handpicked routes in the dramatic surroundings of the station, weaving through the historic landscape where old radio poles still stand. Covering approximately 10–16 km, the exact route will be tailored to the weather conditions, seasonal wildlife, terrain, and the group’s preferences and experience level.

Expect a variety of Arctic terrain, all accompanied by sweeping views and wild silence. A packed expedition lunch will be enjoyed en route — the kind of meal that tastes best with a glacier in view and the wind in your hair.

Upon returning to Isfjord Radio around 4:00 PM, take time to relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Whether you choose to curl up with a book in one of our two cozy Arctic libraries, enjoy a drink on the deck, warm up in the cliffside sauna, or simply gaze out at the ever-changing Arctic horizon — this is your time to unwind.

The day concludes with a well-earned 3-course dinner at 8:00 PM, where Arctic flavors and stories are shared around the table.

From 8:00 to 10:00 AM, enjoy a final breakfast at Isfjord Radio — a last slow moment before the day’s grand finale begins.

At 10:00 AM, bundle up and prepare for an unforgettable Polarcircle boat safari. This 5-hour expedition takes you across the north side of Isfjorden, deep into the heart of the Arctic wilderness. As we cruise through icy waters at 78°N, keep your eyes open for glaciers, towering bird cliffs, and iconic landmarks like the majestic Alkhornet.

Expect stunning close-up views of glacial fronts, sculpted coastlines, and a rich display of Arctic wildlife — from nesting seabirds to the occasional seal or whale. Midway through the journey, we’ll stop for a hearty outdoor lunch, surrounded by nothing but sea, silence, and Arctic air.

In the afternoon, we return to Isfjord Radio to collect our gear and reflect on the journey. At 5:00 PM, our closed boat will carry you back to Longyearbyen, marking the end of your Summer Circuit adventure — an Arctic experience few will ever have.

If you need help with accommodation in Longyearbyen, we’d be happy to assist. To complete your journey in true Basecamp style, we highly recommend a night at the cozy and characterful Basecamp Hotel, in the heart of town.