Isfjord Radio Station Dog Sledding Tour View Full Screen Itinerary

Today you will arrive at Longyearbyen Airport where your guide will be waiting to collect you in the small airport terminal. From here you are taken the short ten minute drive back to the city centre of Longyearbyen to check-in to your authentic, cosy hotel. Basecamp Hotel is situated right in the heart of Longyearbyen city centre and within a stones throw from the shops, restaurants and bars.

This afternoon around 4pm you will meet your dog mushing guide who will be with you at all times on the adventure which starts tomorrow across the magical frozen tundra. 

This evening you will be dining at the world famous 'Huset' restaurant which boasts northern Europe's largest wine cellar (20,000 bottles). After dinner we recommend getting an early night before tomorrow's dog sledding adventure begins. 

Meet your guide in the reception at Basecamp Hotel at 10 am. After checking that you have all equipment needed, you will head straight to a Trappers Station in Bolterdalen. It is here that you will first meet all our 80, very happy and excited Alaskan Huskies. The dogs will be aware they are set to depart on a new adventure and will be eager to get on their trip. The guide will show you how to personally harness dogs and how to mush your own team with a breif tutorial session in the dog yard. 

Everyone will take care of their own team with guidance from the guide. Throughout the journey, you will be responsible for your dogs, harnessing them, feeding and looking after them.

After harnessing the dogs the teams for the first time we will head out into Bolterdalen towards Isfjord Radio. Lunch will be enjoyed in the wilds today, your guide will find a suitable sheltered spot hopefully with a view of the dramatic scenery. Today you will mostly be driving your team through valleys and pass some majestic mountains in Bolterdalen. After a long first day of dog sledging, you will set camp approx. half way to Isfjord Radio.

When you have looked after your team and made sure they are happy, it is time to enjoy a nice meal in the tents and share stories.

Breakfast is served early for both the dog teams and people today. Then the preparations are made for a new fairy-tale day with the dogs in this incredible arctic environment.

The complete silence is only broken today by the panting of the dogs and the scraping of the sled runners against the snow. Dog sledging at Svalbard is an experience that touches your soul and stays with you for many years once you return home to 'normality'.

Lunch will be served out in the field again today similarly to the previous day. Your guide will try and find a sheltered spot with a view of the mountains or fjords. Today you will arrive at Spitsbergen's legendary Isfjord Radio Station, were the host will welcome you warmly ahead of a a fabulous 3-course dinner to be served later in the evening.

Today is based in and around the Isfjord Radio staion area, exploring the immediate landscape, learning about the fascinating history of the radio station and enjoying some for the wonderful food prepared in this utterly unique location. 

After a solid breakfast, you will prepare to go for a short dog sledge trip before returning to the station for a warming lunch. Your host at Isfjord Radio Station will then be delighted to give you a guided tour around the station area. For the really intredpid, how about a bath in the Arctic sea? 

This evening a sumptious 3-course dinner will be served and you will be invited to listen to some captivating stories from days gone by on the Svalbard islands.

After breakfast it is time for packing our expedition gear as today you are starting out on your return journey back to Longyearbyen. The dogs will be excited to see the harness coming out for the second half of the expedition. On the way back to civilisation you will enjoy some interesting stops, including areas of geological interest and historical trappers cabins. The conditions can be demanding today but the trip will give you a fantastic insight into the majestic Svalbard nature and a true appreication of the natural beauty to be found here. In the afternoon before the day starts to fade you will set up your camp and make dinner to both dogs and people before a well earned rest in your cosy tent.

The last day out in the wild. Today you rise as first light is breaking, this will mean you are able to make the most of the day. Today you are heading back to civilisation in Longyearbyen, and the dogs will happily run all the way back to the yard. By now you will have formed quite an attachment to your trusty team of dogs. 

Expedition lunch will be served on the way in a suitable spot. Back at Trapper’s Station dog yard as usual the first thing to do is to take care of the dogs – your new friends - who have earned a rest and some praise for their efforts. Once the dogs are taken care of you will be taken by private transfer the short drive back to Longyearbyen.

If your are set to depart from Longyearbyen this evening a day room can be prepared for you at Basecamp Hotel to freshen yourselves up before you are taken to the airport for your return flights home. Sandgrouse Travel would recommend an additional night however in Longyearbyen savouring this most location before departing the following day. Please speak to your Sandgrouse consultant for further suggestions and recommendations.