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Will Copestake Arctic Kayaking - Summer View Full Screen Itinerary

4 NIGHTS 5 DAYS, JOIN WILL COPESTAKE ON A BLUE-ICE SEA KAYAKING ADVENTURE, STAY AT THE WORLD'S MOST NORTHERN LUXURY CABIN, ULTIMATE ARCTIC WILDERNESS, TOP GUIDES, 24 HOURS DAYLIGHT & MIDNIGHT SUN

Join Will Copestake, UK & Scotland Adventurer of the Year 2015, on a kayaking adventure at the top of the world. With 4 days based in and around the waters of remote Arctic Svalbard you can expect to see unique marine Arctic wildlife and scenery that will simply blow you away.

You will be staying with Will and your local Norwegian guide at the world's most northern commercial cabin, a luxury lodge built for exclusive-use parties overlooking the majestic fjords, glaciers, icefloes and surrounding mountains. It is here that Will together with your local guide will brief and entertain you. In the evenings relax as the experts regale stories of bygone ages and adventures before. Will Copestake and your local guide will be providing first-class guiding across the blue-ice waters to distance shores and bays. Keep a look out for Polar bears, whales and Arctic fox! 

Paddle in one of the most beautiful places on earth and learn more about this sacred part of our planet. 

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS: 

  • LEAD BY UK & SCOTLAND ADVENTURER OF THE YEAR 2015 - WILL COPESTAKE
  • STAY IN THE WORLDS MOST NORTHERN COMMERCIAL CABIN
  • PROFESSIONAL GUIDING WITH NORWEGIAN POLAR EXPERTS 
  • REAL CHANCE TO SEE POLAR BEARS IN THE WILD
  • ARCTIC SUMMER WILDLIFE, VISITING MIGRANT SPECIES AND RARE FLORA
  • 24 HOURS DAYLIGHT PROVIDING UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVENTURE
  • LUXURY HOSTED ACCOMMODATION WITH SAUNA
  • BLUE ICE SEAS AND ICEFLOES, GLACIERS AND REMOTE BEACHES
  • WILD-SWIMMING & VISITS TO REMOTE GHOST TOWN SETTLEMENTS
Day 1

Day 1: Arrive in Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Today you will arrive at Longyearbyen Airport. Waiting in the small airport terminal is a Polar bear! You know you have arrived in the right place. Your driver who will ferry you the short 10 minutes into Longyearbyen town itself will also be waiting for you, look out for your...

Today you will arrive at Longyearbyen Airport. Waiting in the small airport terminal is a Polar bear! You know you have arrived in the right place. Your driver who will ferry you the short 10 minutes into Longyearbyen town itself will also be waiting for you, look out for your name on his/her paging board. Once at your hotel, check-in to your authentic trappers style room and make yourself at home. 

Once you have had the time to freshen up, why not explore the town centre and visit one of the museums, learn more about the islands truly interesting history through the centuries and pick up some last minute items you may require from the array of outdoor shops. 

Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant with your guilde Will Copestake. This will be a relaxed and informal dinner and great chance to get to know Will and the others in your group. After an early dinner it will be time to return to your room before a comfortable night in your hotel. Tomorrow is an early start...

 

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Day 2

Day 2: Travel to Nordenskiold Lodge

An early rise for a delicious breakfast - make sure you fuel up as you are heading out into the wilderness today. 

Meet up with both Will Copestake and your local Norwegian guide at 9am in your town centre hotel. At this point you will have a short...

An early rise for a delicious breakfast - make sure you fuel up as you are heading out into the wilderness today. 

Meet up with both Will Copestake and your local Norwegian guide at 9am in your town centre hotel. At this point you will have a short briefing about the coming trip and required equipment. Shortly after this you will be provided with dry rescue suits to put on, you will then head to the shore to board the boat. The journey out to Nordenskiold Lodge is effectively a boat safari. Travel towards Billefjorden and finally Nordenskiold Lodge and marvel at the views. On the way, you might see some arctic wildlife,  birds such as puffins and marine mammals such as seals or even belugas are not uncommon sightings.

After a while you will arrive to the inner part of Billefjorden, where you will find the wonderful Nordenskiold Lodge in the middle of the glacier moraine. The lodge is right at the front of the mighty Nordenskiold glacier, sitting in a truly spectacular setting. This will be your basecamp for the next 3 days. On arrival you will settle into your rooms and enjoy a lunch on the terrace if the weather is good.

The afternoon will be used to familiarise yourselves with your equipment and learn more about the kayaking techniques you will need to employ over the coming days. 

This evening dinner is served accompanied by an array of exciting stories from your guides and cabin hosts. 

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Day 3

Day 3: Sea Kayaking Adventures

After the tasty breakfast, you will jump into the dry suits and pack your kayaks. Your aim is to paddle towards the north to Rundmosepynten, across Petunia bay and continue to the Russian mining town Pyramiden.

After stretching your legs at this remote old mining town and enjoying...

After the tasty breakfast, you will jump into the dry suits and pack your kayaks. Your aim is to paddle towards the north to Rundmosepynten, across Petunia bay and continue to the Russian mining town Pyramiden.

After stretching your legs at this remote old mining town and enjoying an expedition-style lunch in the ghost town (over which your guides will explain many stories), you will get back into your trusty kayaks and start the return trip back to Nordenskiold Lodge.

After a fresh day on the blue sea, a warm dinner will taste better than ever. You will be able to warm yourselves totally in the sauna in the evening and the most adventurous of you can try a quick swim in the ocean! Remember if is 24 hours daylight at this time of year so why not take the chance for a midnight dip?

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Day 4

Day 4: Kayak to Brucebyen, via the floating glacier

After breakfast this morning, you can warm your muscles before dressing again into the dry suits and heading back to the sea. Today is an exciting day, you paddle along the bright blue glacier front to the other side of Adolfbukta. This is truly a wonderful experience reserved only for...

After breakfast this morning, you can warm your muscles before dressing again into the dry suits and heading back to the sea. Today is an exciting day, you paddle along the bright blue glacier front to the other side of Adolfbukta. This is truly a wonderful experience reserved only for a few intrepid souls. Paddle along the floating glacier ice and marvel at 'the nature'. If you are lucky you might come across some seals lying on the ice and some curious individuals might even venture close to the kayaks to see who you are.

At Brucebyen, about 5 km from the Lodge, you get a chance to step out onto the shore, stretch your legs and enjoy an expedition-style lunch. Before the evening draws in, you and the group will return to the Nordenskiöld Lodge, once back in the warm you can relax by the fire or warm up the sauna and enjoy a tasty dinner and glass of fine wine. 

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Day 5

Day 5: Boat safari and return to Longyearbyen

Today is your last day in the wilderness on Spitsbergen.

In the morning after breakfast, you will head out to the sea for the last time by kayak. This morning will be like saying goodbye to this magical place, with this in mind all your senses are heightened. Your...

Today is your last day in the wilderness on Spitsbergen.

In the morning after breakfast, you will head out to the sea for the last time by kayak. This morning will be like saying goodbye to this magical place, with this in mind all your senses are heightened. Your guide will cut across the water with you on a short trip to the glacier front, this is a great chance for some photos. Keep a look out for seals or even some belugas.

You are back at the lodge for a final lunch and then it is time to pack your bags and head to the boat. The last boat safari towards Longyearbyen and civilization will be a fitting close to what has been some of the best days you have ever experienced in the wilderness. 

On arriving back in Longyearbyen you will either be taken by transfer vehicle to the airport for your return flight home or check-in for an additional night back in the town centre. Speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner to finalise your arrangements. 

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Basecamp Hotel

A MODERN DAY LUXURIOUS TRAPPER'S CABIN At the heart of Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world, lies the home of the...

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Nordenskiold Lodge

THE WORLD'S MOST NORTHERN COMMERCIAL CABIN   Nordenskiold Lodge is the northernmost commercial cabin in the world. With no running water or...

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Important Notes

Participants must have normal physical condition. All participants must be able to hike 5 -10 km in uneven backcountry terrain with a small backpack. This trip is not recommended if you suffer from back pain. Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions local partners provide kayaks, paddles, dry suits, spray decks, neoprene shoes and gloves.

In Spitsbergen, weather conditions can change quickly. We can meet heavy winds, snowstorms, thick fog, crevasses and lack of snow or ice. This means we might need to make changes to the planned route and this might lead up us 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. 

Wildlife

"These things must seem wonderful to all who may hear of them, both what is told about the fishes and that about the monsters which are said to exist in those waters." - King's Mirror, Unknown Author, 13th Century Norway.  

Items to pack

You need to present your passport before entering Spitsbergen

Woollen underwear - One base layer of woollen underwear next to your skin. Bring one extra set in case the one you are wearing get wet.

Woollen midlayer - Thicker mid layer underneath the overall keeps you warm

Two layers of woollen socks - One thin and one thick pair of socks keep your feet warm and dry. Bring extra pairs.

Jacket and Trousers -  Windproof & water proof jacket and trousers for rainy or windy days

Hiking boots - Good hiking boots with high angle keeps your feet dry and comfortable. Please make sure these are well broken-in prior to the start of your trip. 

Inner gloves, and mittens - Thinner gloves for eating your lunch, mittens to keep your hands warm

Extra layers - For colder days and evenings in camp. Please pack a down jacket, these are light to carry and warm!

Personal hygine - Toothbrush and paste for the minimum and any medicines you might need

Backpack - A backpack adjusted to you which is easy to carry.

Camera & Binoculars - To capture the arctic memories. 

Sunglasses and Suncreams - The sun is out 24 hours until August 23rd.

Waterbottle - To keep you hydrated please bring a good waterbottle.

Departure Dates are on request

Minimum Group Size and Age Restrictions - 4 persons & 15 years old

What's Included:

The price includes activities, equipment, accommodation, and meals according to the program.

Not Included:

International flights, airport shuttles, drinks with meals, accommodation in Longyearbyen after the trip. 

More about Will Copestake:

Will Copestake is one of Scotland and the UK's leading young adventurers. An impressive title for anyone, even more so as Will is at the start of his career and has already achieved some extraordinary things!

Prepare yourself to be embarking on a great adventure with a great guide. Will is not only extremely capable in the field but also an all round good guy. Qualities that go very far on expedition and whilst leading. Throughout a trip with Will, Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions clients will feel in the safest of hands and also have a lot of fun which is what it is all about at the end of the day. 

Will has rather impressively featured a number of times in one of the UK's leading Adventure publications, Sidetracked Magazine

As well as ‘Tramping’ the Great Walks of New Zealand, Crossing Iceland on Foot and Kayaking Patagonian fjords Will was named both Scottish and UK Adventurer of the year (2015) for his 364 day solo circumnavigation of Scotland followed by a continuous ascent of all 282 winter munro mountains. To read more about Will's adventures have a look at his blog here: Will Copestake Blog.

Will continues his adventures and sharing a passion in the wet and wild by working on trips like this, sharing his wealth of experience and expertise to clients. 

Will's Guiding Qualifications: 

Kayak Guiding: Will is a BCU 5* sea kayaker with his 1* coach and has a wealth of experience paddling and leading trips at home and abroad.

Hill Guiding: Will is a Summer Mountain Leader aspiring to Winter this year. Pick any hill in Scotland and we can arrange for Will to take you there.

Photography Workshops: To remember a trip is the greatest reward, to capture it forever also fun. Will offers photography workshops around the hills and sea of his hometown in Ullapool in the North West Highlands. Will can also offer these services on expedition to clients with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions. 

Will Copestake on Expedition(Will Copestake, UK & Scotland Adventurer of the Year photographed with his Hilleberg Tent in Patagonia, South America). 

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