Price information
What’s included?
5-day dogsledding adventure with Arctic nature guide.
Accommodation in shared room and tent.
Meals according to the program.
You will be provided with a warm thermo suit, winter boots, balaclava, hat, gloves and googles.
All camping equipment, thermos, cup and cutlery, sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES
Personal spendings, drinks with meals, private equipment and travel insurance
Single room supplement at Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel
Accommodation in Longyearbyen before and after the expedition
MORE THAN TRAVEL
As part of Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen’s efforts to be climate neutral, we add an additional CO2 and enviromental investment of NOK 250 per guest. This is donated in its entirety to do good projects contributing to a sustainable future in our destinations.
Clothing and equipment
MANDATORY CLOTHING on expeditions in SVALBARD
Base layer: Woollen underwear as the base layer
Mid layer: Thick woollen trousers and sweater (wool or fleece)
Two sets of layers of socks (thin & thick woolen socks)
Wind- and waterproof pants and jacket. We recommend spacious clothing because air is the best insulation.
Extra insulated jacket to wear during breaks and in camp (down or primaloft)
Woollen glowes 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 woollen neck gaiters
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 to your sled as well, and space is quite limited.
You can store other luggage at Basecamp Hotel during the trip.
You can find more information on what to pack here:
Note
Physical requirements
The physical activity, dog sledding, is the main element of this trip. You do not need prior knowledge of the activity, but you are responsible to dress properly for the trip, bring appropriate personal equipment, have general good physical fitness, courage and adventure spirit.
The guide is the main responsible for guests and security on each trip. If the guide consider that a participant does not have proper clothes or physical fitness level for the activity, he or she can decide that the participant cannot take part in the trip due to security reasons. 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 be challenging to 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.
Dogsledding adventures 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.
experience requirements
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.
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.
weather conditions in svalbard
In Svalbard, 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.