Day 1: Welcome to Svalbard
Arrival by flight from mainland Norway and accommodation at Basecamp HOtel. Today you can explore Longyearbyen, the northernmost permanent settlement in the World. Overnight at Basecamp Hotel.
Day 2: Snowmobile Expedition: Von Post Glacier & Nordenskiold Glacier
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel at 10am. You will have a short briefing about winter clothing, snowmobiling and the program for next few days. Based on current weather and snow conditions, your guide will select the best route for you. You will drive through unspoilt nature, do many exciting stops along the way and enjoy an expedition lunch on the way. In Tempelfjorden we will make a stop at the Von Post Glacier. After driving through valleys and over glaciers, you will arrive to Billefjorden, where your accommodation for the night, Nordenskiöld Lodge, is located just at the foot of the great Nordenskiöld Glacier. Here, hidden in the glacier moraine, we are going to have the base for our adventure, just like the hunters and explorers from the past had. The modern cabin gives us all the comfort needed for a good nights' sleep, but it still keeps up with the arctic style. Just have a look at the perfect view from the cabin windows, right towards the magnificent glacier. It will take your breath away! Tonight you will enjoy a tasty expedition dinner and stepping into the warm sauna will top off your adventurous day. Now its time to sit back and just enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. Lunch and Dinner included. Overnight at Nordenskiöld Lodge
Day 3: Pyramiden, Tempelfjorden & North Pole Camp
After a hearty breakfast, it is time to pack our bags and start our snowmobiles for another adventurous day in Spitsbergen. If the weather and ice conditions are favourable, we head out to the deserted Russian mining town of Pyramiden. The town was abandoned in more than fifteen years ago, in 1998. It is an amazing feeling to walk through deserted town, where rusted playgrounds and dusted pianos are still waiting for the residents to return. In the old days before the evacuation, they had kindergartens, schools and even the world's northernmost swimming pool. We will enjoy an expedition lunch on the way, before heading towards Tempelfjorden. In the afternoon we will arrive to our expedition camp. In heated tents with cots and warm sleeping bags, we will spend the night in tents which is used by modern day explorers in the Arctic wilderness. After settling in, our host invites you to the dining tent for a delicious dinner.
All meals included. Overnights at North Pole Camp
Day 4: Last Day in the Arcitc Wilderness
Waking up early while listening to the sounds from outside will give you that true arctic feeling. Breakfast is served before your last day in the Arctic Kingdom on the way back to civilization. Your guide will plan the day’s route depending on the weather and snow conditions. Enjoy the last days' experience of arctic landscape and vastness around you. On our lunch break, you can really feel the arctic silence surrounding you. Before the evening, we will arrive back to Longyearbyen for your last night in the northernmost permanent settlement in the World.
Breakfast & Lunch included. Overnightat Basecamp Hotel.
Day 5: Farewell Svalbard
Breakfast at your hotel and check-out in time for your return flights back to the UK.
Visas
For your holidays to Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Ukraine, you will not need a visa if you have a valid passport from any EU country, Australia, Canada, USA, Japan (there are more, so check with us to make sure). Please note that your passport should be valid for at least six months after the date of your return.
However, if you plan to travel to Russia, you will need a visa, which we can help organise for you.
Will I see the Northern Lights?
Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:
Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.
Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm.
In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.
Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.
The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.
As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.
Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:
Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.
Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.
Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.
Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.
Insurance
Travel insurance is required and also advisable. If you do not have a valid policy, please check our Insurance link on the bottom of our homepage or http://www.baltictravelcompany.com/insurance. We can offer quotes for all nationalities.
Our recommended partner is FS Ball who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Restaurants
Dining opportunities are plenty, from ethnic to exotic. We would suggest you to try some national dishes and get a real taste of the region. Note that most traditional dishes contain meat and are fairly heavy, but very tasty.
Reservations in advance are recommended for up-market restaurants, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tipping - many of the up-market establishments will let you know how good their service is by including it on the bill. Rounding up the bill is usually sufficient, unless you feel your server deserves an extra bit of recognition.
Internet Access
Internet access is available at Internet Cafés, which mostly are located in the central part of the city. Most hotels have internet access.
Mobile Phones
There are several mobile operators in each Baltic country, the Nordics ( Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland incl. Iceland and Greenland as well as Poland, Ukraine and Russia. If you have an international connection, there shouldn't be any problems with your incoming and outgoing calls.
In case your phone doesn't work, please check in the local mobilephone shops and you can buy Calling cards etc. or ask in your hotel, they should be able to advise you too.
Emergency Numbers
Emergency telephone number for the police, ambulance services or fire department in Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and Poland - 112.
Greenland uses 911 and for mobile phones only 112.