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Will Copestake Arctic Trek Across Nordenskiold Land View Full Screen Itinerary

5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS, JOIN WILL COPESTAKE & HIKE EAST TO WEST ACROSS NORDENSKIOLD LAND, ARCTIC WILDLIFE, PROFESSIONAL GUIDING, 2 NIGHTS CAMPING AND 3 NIGHTS LUXURY LODGES

This is a short multi-day hike like few others. Join Will Copestake (Scotland and UK Adventurer of the Year 2015) over six days, complete with 24 hour daylight. Together with Will and your expert local Norwegian guides, you will trek from Svalbard's capital Longyearbyen across remote Nordenskiold Land to the Isfjord Radio Station situated on the western flanks of Spitsbergen. 

Book your hike-of-a-lifetime today and experience an adventure like no other in the high Arctic with the best professional guides.

Trekking with a qualified local guide you will be on hike-of-a-lifetime through what is one of the most pristine and scenically beautiful parts of the world. Your guide will be able to show you the native Arctic flora and fauna, educating you along the way. Discover this unique corner of the world on foot with your guide, from the geology to the human history with fascinating stories of trappers, explorers, miners and wartime heroes. 

Set date departure: August 17th to 22nd August 2018 (alternative dates available for private groups, minimum 6 people per group). 

ITINERARY HIGHTLIGHTS:

  • professional guiding throughout multi-day hike 
  • summer arctic scenery
  • summer arctic flora and wildlife viewing
  • 24 hours daylight 
  • VISIT A TRUE ARCTIC LOCATION AND WILDERNESS
  • DINNER AND STAY AT active russian mining town
  • luxury accommodation in a true wilderness at isfjord radio
  • visit longyearbyen a true frontier town in the arctic
  • open-boat journey through the arctic fjords
Day 1

Day 1: Arrive in Spitsbergen, Svalbard

On arrival into Longyearbyrn Airport you will be met by your private driver who will ferry you the short 10 minute drive from the airport back into Longyearbyen itself. Here they will drop you off at your town centre accommodation. Set in the heart of the small capital,...

On arrival into Longyearbyrn Airport you will be met by your private driver who will ferry you the short 10 minute drive from the airport back into Longyearbyen itself. Here they will drop you off at your town centre accommodation. Set in the heart of the small capital, you will be able to enjoy a wonder round the town and grab any last minute equipment in the many outdoor shops prior to tomorrow's departure. 

Enjoy a delicous dinner in a local restaurant of your choice, within walking distance of your comfy accommodation. 

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Day 2

Day 2: Setting off - leaving Bjorndalen

At 8 am you are picked up at your hotel and go by car to Bjorndalen right outside Longyearbyen. From here you go by foot following the valley and turning up Fuglefjellet, 500 m.a.s.l. Following the mountain westwards, you will have a great view over the fjord. You stop for expedition...

At 8 am you are picked up at your hotel and go by car to Bjorndalen right outside Longyearbyen. From here you go by foot following the valley and turning up Fuglefjellet, 500 m.a.s.l. Following the mountain westwards, you will have a great view over the fjord. You stop for expedition lunch on a suitable spot with a nice view.

After a long first day in field you stop for the evening and make first camp. You will participate in putting up the tents and preparing dinner. If you still have some energy left, you will go down to the old Russian settlement Grumant and have a look around. During the night one person has to be awake as a safety precaution against polar bears, you will take turns during the night - an experience not to be forgotten. 

Sleeping tonight is in your Hilleberg tents. 

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Day 3

Day 3: Onwards to sea level and Coles Bay

There is nothing better than starting the day with breakfast accompanied by a view like today's. During the day you descent to the coastline and Coles Bay, another part of the Russian history on Spitsbergen.

A lunch stop will be taken, complete with storytelling at Coles Bay. After...

There is nothing better than starting the day with breakfast accompanied by a view like today's. During the day you descent to the coastline and Coles Bay, another part of the Russian history on Spitsbergen.

A lunch stop will be taken, complete with storytelling at Coles Bay. After lunch you will cross the river in Coles Valley, this is an exhilerating expereince, remember to keep you backpack dry! After the crossing you walk a little further before making camp for the night. At the end of a long day it is nice to relax by the camp, maybe you can spot whales from the shore out in the bays?

Sleeping tonight is in your Hilleberg tents. 

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Day 4

Day 4: To Barentsburg, a Russian mining town.

This morning you will rise and decamp, packing the tents away for the final time. After a warming breakfast you continue as a group your course westwards heading out towards Isfjord.

The distance today is a bit longer than the last 2 days, but terrain is more flat....

This morning you will rise and decamp, packing the tents away for the final time. After a warming breakfast you continue as a group your course westwards heading out towards Isfjord.

The distance today is a bit longer than the last 2 days, but terrain is more flat. You will be able to enjoy an expedition lunch on the way marvelling at the Arctic scenery all around.

During the afternoon you will contine, eventually arriving at Barentsburg. Barentsburg is an active Russian mining town. Here you check into your rooms and head for a traditional Russian dinner in the evening. 

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Day 5

Day 5: Arrival at Isfjord Radio Station - Dinner and overnight

Breakfast is taken in Barentsburg and a new day beckons. You will start the day with a boat transport across Gronfjorden to the Russian water post. From here the last kilometres towards Isfjord Radio lay ahead. Your group follows either the inland route or the coastal route depending on weather conditions and the...
Breakfast is taken in Barentsburg and a new day beckons. You will start the day with a boat transport across Gronfjorden to the Russian water post. From here the last kilometres towards Isfjord Radio lay ahead. Your group follows either the inland route or the coastal route depending on weather conditions and the general thoughts of the group collectively.
 
Upon arrival at the wonderful Isfjord Radio you are welcomed by your dedicated hosts. Here it is recommended to take a bracing swim in the Arctic ocean followed by piping hot sauna - although this is only for the brave!
 
This evening you will all be treated to a fanastic 3-course dinner and of course accommodation in a double room at Isfjord Radio.
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Day 6

Day 6: Transport back to Longyearbyen

Enjoy a relaxed morning with a late breakfast at the brilliant Isfjord Radio Station. After this it is time to pack up your gear again and head back to Longyearbyen.

You will be travelling with open boat giving you ultimate views of the distant scenary. You will recognise much of...

Enjoy a relaxed morning with a late breakfast at the brilliant Isfjord Radio Station. After this it is time to pack up your gear again and head back to Longyearbyen.

You will be travelling with open boat giving you ultimate views of the distant scenary. You will recognise much of the wonderful landscapes as you would have just passed through on foot a few days before. The boat journey is a wonderful chance to take some photos and enjoy a unique perspective of the land you have just expereince. Before lunchtime you are back in Longyearbyen.

From here you are able to collect anything you have left at your Longyearbyen accommodation before a final walk around the town for souvenirs. A transfer vehicle will be waiting to take you back to the airport for your flights home. 

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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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Isfjord Radio

A HOTEL AT THE END OF THE WORLD After a gratifying day of gliding over the glaciers, mountains, and frozen fjords...

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Arctic Summer Camping

DISCOVER AN ARCTIC PARADISE ON FOOT Sleeping in Arctic Svalbard during the 'warmer' summer months offers a unqiue experience. With 24...

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General Weather in Summer

Summer is a great time of year to be in Arctic Svalbard, the average temperature may seem cool at 5'C however temperatures below freezing are very rare at sea level. Between June to mid August temperatures below 2'C are as rare as those above 10'C so visitors can be quite certain of what to expect. For the hiker, a very pleasant feeling of summer heat (relatively) can be experienced locally on calm and sunny days. 

Wildlife in Summer

At this time of year the wildlife on Svalbard is at its most active, with migratory birds on the archipelago in abundance, you can also expect to see cunning Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, various seal species, walruses and even Polar bears. Animals take full advantage of the warmer weather and are very active, breeding and feeding. This is the time of year to fatten up and enjoy the rich food banks on offer. There is a high chance of some very special wildlife viewing on land and at sea. In the bays it is not uncommon to be able to watch whales of various species.

Good to know

In Longyearbyen city area, you can walk around on your own without polar bear protection. On both sides of the settlement there are polar bear signs marking the city border and reminding everyone to carry a rifle when entering the wilderness. Do not wander past those signs without an experienced guide and proper safety equipment. On all Sandgrouse Travel & Expedition trips to Svalbard, our guides have the proper safety equipment including a rifle. We will take care of your safety; you can just relax and enjoy the adventure.

Minimum group size:

6 persons

Minimum age:

15 years old

What's included:

The price includes accommodation, meals and activities according to program. Your trip guides provide tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, cooking equipment and safety equipment.

Not included:

International flights, airport shuttle, drinks with meals, accommodation before or after in Longyearbyen. Please speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner to arrange additional nights and services. 

(Stay in Longyearbyen at one of our luxury accommodation options). 

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.

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 Hiking Adventures

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