‘ Velkommen til Svalbard ‘

Are you ready for a new adventure? Do you see yourself on a polar expedition? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to venture into the wilderness where polar bears roam?

The Svalbard Archipelago is located halfway between North Cape, at the northern tip of mainland Norway, and the North Pole, and remains one of the most northerly inhabited areas on the planet. The archipelago is made up of 7 islands and we run our trips from the main island, Spitsbergen. Despite its rugged, isolated terrain, carved out by glaciers over millions of years, Svalbard has a history of exploration - from the whalers and trappers of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the mining corporations and researchers of the 20^th century to the more recent tourists and adventure seekers. With such a rich history, stunning scenery and a diverse range of wildlife, there is plenty to be discovered here, high in the Arctic Circle.

Our partner in Spitsbergen is 66°Nord, who have been operating here for over 15 years and who, as their name suggests, are experts in polar destinations. They are authorised by the government to set up camps at the foot of the glaciers and to explore throughout the National Park. We have worked with 66°Nord to create a range of adventures that will take you into the heart of this wilderness environment. And don’t think we’re just taking you on a trek. A whole range of exciting activities – sea-kayaking, snow-shoeing and skiing – will take you further than you could have imagined. We will provide all the specialist equipment that you need to venture into the arctic wilderness.

As with all our Kandoo adventures, our guides are the cornerstone of what we do and it is their expertise which will turn an ordinary trip into an amazing expedition. They will introduce you to a polar world that you never knew existed while keeping your safety a number one priority. You are playing in the polar bears’ back yard after all…

The Best Expeditions to Explore Svalbard

When we say adventure, we mean adventure. Plush hotels are all well and good, but wouldn’t you rather be camping in the wild, surrounded by the severe arctic beauty and a breath-taking view from your tent with barely another soul in sight? What else would you expect when you are living the life of a polar explorer? Now that’s what we call an adventure!

Spring: Snowshoeing and Nordic Skiing

Svalbard in spring is a playground for winter activities. As we move into March, Svalbard emerges from the polar night and through April and May the days become longer and lighter. Conditions are perfect for the most challenging winter activities that Svalbard has to offer, such as skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing. We use only the highest quality equipment on our expeditions to ensure that you are properly prepared for the adventure ahead. The climate in Spitsbergen can be very unpredictable, so we will even provide additional outer clothing layers to ensure you keep warm.

EAST COAST EXPEDITION

• Our most challenging skiing adventure, crossing on foot to the east coast of Spitsbergen
• A true polar exploration, nordic skiing for 12 days with only sled dogs for company
• Travel through remote glacial valleys to the pack ice of the east coast, the springtime home of polar bears

VON POST GLACIER

• Explore the arctic wilderness of the Adventdalen Valley and Tempelgjord
• Discover an unspoilt world of glacial passes and icy fjords
• Travel by ski or snowshoe, pulling your own pulk

Summer: Sea Kayaking and Trekking

Welcome to the land of the midnight sun. From mid-May to late September, the polar summer, the sun doesn't drop below the horizon, bathing the stunning scenery of Spitsbergen in a continuous but ever-changing light. After a long winter, the diversity of Arctic animal life is at a peak, with whales, seals and walruses attracted to the fjords, while migratory birds arrive here to nest. Hiking and sea kayaking are the perfect way to explore the arctic wilderness.

FIVE GLACIERS

• Explore some of Svalbard's finest fjords and five remarkable glaciers
• Kayak along the coast, among seals and sea birds
• Hike inland to discover Spitsbergen's mining history

KINGS BAY

• Discover a wild arctic environment with daily expeditions from our base camp in King's Bay
• Paddle among icebergs and basking marine life
• Hike rugged mountains for stunning views of the surrounding glaciers

TEXAS BAR

• Our longest Svalbard adventures - 17 full days of discovery by sea kayak in the north of the archipelago
• Explore untouched lands where few humans have ventured before and where reindeer and polar bears roam free
• Discover beaches, towering cliffs, vast flatlands, hot springs and the mighty Monaco glacier

Svalbard Facts

The Svalbard archipelago covers an area of 39,146 sq mi (around 63,000 km²). More than half of this land mass is taken up by the island of Spitsbergen.

The settlements of Spitsbergen are the most northerly permanently inhabited settlements on the planet. The total population is less than 2,700 inhabitants, so people are significantly out-numbered by polar bears!

During the summer it is always daylight, so our expeditions can be governed by weather conditions rather than time. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself hiking at night and sleeping during the day!

Practical info

Language: the local language of Svalbard is Norwegian and any attempts to communicate in this dialect will be appreciated. However, most people on the island will also speak English.

Electrical sockets: electrical sockets in Svalbard are type F – standard European style with two round pins – and are 230v. However, for the majority of your trip you will be out in the wilderness where there is no electricity. We recommend you ensure everything is fully charged before leaving Longyearbyen and for the really essential equipment like your camera, make sure you have packed some spare batteries.

Currency: The Norwegian Krone can be purchased in advance, but many stores will also accept Euros, Sterling and US Dollars. If you want to change money on arrival, there is an ATM in Longyearbyen. International credit cards are widely accepted but will be subject to fees from your bank. If you are planning on using a credit or debit card, even if for emergency use, make sure that you tell your card issuer where you will be travelling. Otherwise you may find that it won’t work when you need it most.

Geography

The Svalbard islands are located between 74° and 81° north, the most northerly part of Europe extending well into the Arctic circle. This region comprises one of the largest deserts on earth, the Arctic polar desert. Despite not fitting into the traditional view of a desert (ie hot and sandy!) the low annual rainfall is low enough to class it as a desert.

Longyearbyen is the last populated settlement before Barneo Base and the North Pole.

This is a stark environment. Around 60% of Svalbard is covered in glacial ice and 30% is barren rock, with mountain peaks rising up to 1700 metres. Just 10% of the land is covered in vegetation.

Svalbard is a land of extremes. During the polar night, from November to February, it remains dark with only moonlight or the northern lights providing any light when the sky is clear. Then from mid April to mid August, the sun never drops below the horizon as Svalbard enjoys the midnight sun.

The arctic climate creates a harsh environment but it is also surprisingly fragile. It is vital that human activity does not have catastrophic effects on these remote areas which are so vulnerable to external influences. Kandoo have long been a supporter of Leave No Trace and we apply these principles in Svalbard as we do in all our destinations to ensure that we help to preserve these unique environments.

Customs and traditions

Unlike other Arctic lands, such as Greenland and Siberia, there is no indigenous population in Svalbard.

Often referred to as the land of polar bears, the presence of bears in Svalbard has a huge impact on daily life. While you may be lucky to see a bear on your expedition, the aim of our expeditions is not to go searching for polar bears; in fact we may even amend our itinerary to move away from an area if bears have been sighted. There are numerous safety rules in place should we encounter a polar bear. Our guides are licenced to carry an obligatory weapon out in the wilderness but this would only be used as a last resort.

Strict environmental regulations are in place to protect Svalbard’s vulnerable natural environment. Large areas of the islands are protected as nature reserves and the use of motorised vehicles and snow mobiles is restricted. All of our expeditions are registered with the Sysselmannen (Governor’s office) which controls access to the remote parts of Svalbard.

From April to August, the midnight sun brings constant daylight. Time loses much meaning and it is the weather that dictates people’s activities. If the ‘night’ is sunny, then it’s time to get out and explore. We can sleep when it’s cloudy!

Hot water and electricity in Longyearbyen are provided from the local coal mine, the last active mine remaining from Svalbard’s mining past.

It is tradition to remove your shoes when entering any buildings. This custom dates back to Svalbard’s mining history to avoid treading coal dust into homes, shops and offices. Don’t forget to bring some warm socks with you!

¼ of the population of Spitsbergen are students. The University Centre in Svalbard is the world’s most northerly higher education establishment.

Bank Holidays

March: Solfestuka
Every year around the 8th March a full week of games, outdoor activities, concerts and exhibitions is arranged to celebrate the return of the sun after the polar winter

June: The Spitsbergen Marathon
The Spitsbergen Marathon takes place every year at the beginning of June. At 78° North, this is the most northerly race in the world

April / May: Svalbard Skimaraton
The end of the ski season is marked by a spectacular cross-country ski marathon. Polar bear guards patrol the course!

Practical information

Luggage

You may bring a hold bag (up to 20kg) as well as a cabin bag.

For you hold luggage please bring a soft bag like a ruckack rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical when loading local buses and trailers. We also recommend that you pack your clothes in plastic bags inside your rucksack so that they stay dry in the event of bad weather.

Don't forget to bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the plane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag.

Medicine

Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. Please bring with you any personal medication that you may need such as inhalers, plasters and painkillers.

Healthcare in Norway can be extremely expensive, we strongly advice all of our clients to invest in insurance before travelling.

Passport

You will need a passport that is valid for at least three months after your return date.

Visa

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is a visa-free zone.

Mandatory Vaccines

There are no specific health risks.

Health information & recommendations

Please be aware that your guide will be carrying a gun along with other safety equipment to alarm/repel any Polar Bears.

Healthcare in Norway can be extremely expensive, we strongly advice all of our clients to invest in insurance before travelling.

Weather

• The weather in the Svalbard archipelago is very changeable.
• The average annual rainfall in Longyearbyen is only 200mm (7.87 inches), in London, England, the annual average is 594mm (23.4 inches) - Spitsbergen is a cold desert!
• Average temperatures in Longyearbyen range from -16°C to -9°C (3.2°F - 15.8°F) in April and - 3°C to -7°C (26.6°F - 19.4°F) in May.
• Strong katabatic winds can occur here, particularly near to high glaciers but winds can generally be described as moderate and localised.
• Dark polar nights occur from 14th November to 29th January, the full moon shines across the  snow creating a beautiful gliterring winter landscape. Then, from 19th April to 23rd August, the sun shines constantly, uninterrupted, high in the sky.

Electricity

In Spitsbergen the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs is used, 230V with a frequency of 50hz

Local time

Svalbard uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +1 hour and Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed here.

Topography

• The Norweigian Svalbard archipelago is the closest territory to the North Pole; Spitsbergen is the name of the largest island.
• Svalbard covers an area of around 39146 square miles (63000km2) and two thirds of this polar world are constantly covered by ice.
• The archipelago was deserted by human civilisation for a very long time but today has over 2600 inhabitants.
• The archipelago has 3 National Parks, 3 Nature Reserves, 15 Ornithological Reserves (bird reserves) and 3 Botanical Reserves.

Your Guide Is In Charge

Your guide has the full command of the group during the whole length of your expedition. Having the knowledge of the land, he is the one and only able to make decisions and his word is final.

Hostile And Fragile Polar Environment

Our trips take place in polar environments and in isolated regions that can be hostile and also extremely fragile. On site, your guide will detail the security procedures that you will have to adhere to not only when progressing with the expedition but also at the basecamps. He will also give you guidance for the day-to-day cold and comfort that you have to follow.

Polar Bears

There are many security procedures to avoid polar bears getting close to the group. This will be detailed by your guide. Your guide will carry an alarm gun and a rifle. He will use this as a last resort however since we have been in operation, we never had to use this. Every “night”, all members of the expedition will take part in night shifts to guard the camp. This is also a privileged moment to enjoy the calm of the wide Arctic landscape.

Emergency Communications

Our groups are equipped with a SARSAT communication system in case of emergency. This sends a signal to satellites that pass approximately every 30 minutes which can then locate the group within a range of 100 meters. Our guides also carry satellite phones and if needed can be in contact with our logistics in Longyearbyen.

Sustainable Tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously. We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

In the Polar Regions the ecological balance is delicate so we ask that you are particularly careful regarding the conservation of the sites we explore. We aim to leave our camping spots even cleaner than when we arrived and, as a company, we participate in the Clean Up Svalbard programme. We support the laws, advice and recommendations which aid the conservation and protection of this unique arctic paradise. This is reflected in our trips, for example, we do not visit Ornithological Reserves during nesting season and never remove historical remains or whales bones from the beaches. We hope that all of our clients will respect our philosophies and embrace these attitudes.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...

1. Be prepared
2. Stick to trails and camp overnight right
3. Stash your trash and pick up waste
4. Leave it as you find it
5. Be careful with fire
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.

Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.

We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.

SUMMER EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT

SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT

We will provide you with all of the technical equipment you will need for this adventure - all you need to bring are your hiking boots.

Group Supplied Equipment

We will provide the group with...

• A 'Tepee' style mess tent with table, stools and cooking equipment
• A cooking camp stove
• 'Ortlieb' water belts
• A Sarsat beacon
• A VHF radio
• A heavy caliber rifle
• An alarm gun
• A first aid kit

Individual Supplied Equipment

We will supply you with...

• A tent per two people (a 3 man dome tent for maximum space and comfort)
• A self-inflating sleeping mat
• A suitable synthetic sleeping bag ( -6°C) with a dry bag
• A dry bag 22 litre for personal use
• An aluminium thermos flask per 2 people
• Helly Hansen fleece lined salopettes for kayaking and when ashore
• Sea-kayaking equipment:
• A tandem sea kayak with directional rudder (1 per 2 people)
• A Gore-tex dry suit with integrated warm fleece liner
• A pair of kayak pogies
• A spray deck
• A life jacket with two pockets
• A neoprene balaclava
• 1 pair of 'croc' style shoes/sandals

Our sea kayaks were chosen for their stability and comfortable, they are suitable for first time kayakers. Average speed 2-3 miles per hour, up to 6 miles per hour. Suitable for all sea conditions and in the unlikely event of capsize they are surprisingly easy to right, even at sea you would be back on board and paddling in no time.

Vital Personal Equipment

FOR LONGYEARBYEN

• Clothes for travelling in (these can stay here when you are on the expedition part of this adventure)
• A small towel and your personal toiletries

FOR THE EXPEDITION

• A sleeping bag liner - fleece lined for extra warmth
• Your waterproof  walking boots
• Rubber (wellington) boots with tread
• Waterproof, windproof jacket (with a hood)
• Waterproof trousers (breathable)
• Warm gloves and hat
• Neck gaiter
• Thermals - top & long johns
• A fleece/jumper
• Suitable underwear, t-shirts and walking trousers
• Thin socks and thick socks (we recommend bringing 3-4 pairs of thick socks)
• Sunhat and sun cream
• Sunglasses (UV 400)
• A small towel, your personal toiletries and toilet roll
• Any personal medication
• A water bottle/flask
• A small rucksack to use as a day bag
• Head torch & spare batteries (although it is nearly always light in the summer months)
• Clothes for travelling in

Our advice for keeping warm

It can be humid and cold in Spitsbergen, please think carefully about what clothes you pack. We will provide warm outer layers but the layers you wear next to your skin can make the biggest difference. We recommend:

• No cotton
• Bring dry spares of everything, including underwear and gloves
• Wear multiple layers including:

1. A warm breathable base layer
2. A second thermal layer
3. Wind and waterproof protective out layers

We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry
fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool.

The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.

Helpful Equipment

You may also consider packing

• Your camera (and suitable protective waterproof case) and spare batteries
• Binoculars
• A comfortable evening outfit
• A comfortable pair of shoes for the evenings
• Walking poles
• Inflatable pillow
• Insect repellent
• A knife
• A notepad and pencil
• Dry bag / Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
• Your swimming gear- optional for use in Longyearbyen
• Power bank 

SPRING EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT

SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT

We will provide you with all of the technical equipment you will need for this adventure - all you need to bring are your hiking boots.

Group Supplied Equipment

We will provide the group with...

• A 'Tepee' style mess tent with table, stools and cooking equipment
• A Sarsat beason
• A VHF radio
• A heavy caliber rifle
• An alarm gun
• A copy of Spitsbergen animal records
• Cooking Stove
• Thermos Flasks
• A first aid kit
• Books about local flora and fauna

Individual Supplied Equipment

We will supply you with...

• A large warm down jacket for when you are not participating in activities
• Polar overalls
• A suitable tent per 2 people (3 man dome tent for maximum space & comfort)
• A self-inflating sleeping mat
• A suitable synthetic sleeping bag ( -25°C) and dry bag
• Nordic cross country skis and/or snowshoes
• Ski poles
• Warm snow boots for walking around camp (Sorel)
• Pulks (mini sledges for carrying your gear)

Vital Personal Equipment

FOR LONGYEARBYEN

• Clothes for travelling in (these can stay here when you are on the expedition part of this adventure)
• A small towel and your personal toiletries

FOR THE EXPEDITION

• Long waterproof jacket (with a hood, Gore-Tex/Nikwax or equivalent)
• Waterproof trousers/salopettes (Gore-Tex/Nikwax or equivalent)
• A down jacket
• At least two pairs of good under gloves and over gloves
• Sunglasses (UV 400)
• A ski mask (mandatory)
• A thick balaclava (fleece)
• Appropriate warm neck wear
• A warm hat (wool)
• A warm jacket (synthetic down)
• Several sets of warm thermal underwear (long johns & long sleeved tops)
• Thin socks and 3 or 4 pairs of thick socks
• Pair of warm mittens
• Sun cream and protective lipsalve (not water-based - water freezes)
• Sleeping bag liner- fleece lined 
• Any personal medication
• Mini toiletry kit and toilet roll
• A thermos flask
• Head torch & spare batteries

Our advice for keeping warm

It can be humid and cold in Spitsbergen, please think carefully about what clothes you pack especially for our spring trips. We will provide warm outer layers but the layers you wear next to your skin can make the biggest difference. We recommend:

• No cotton
• Bring dry spares of everything, including underwear and gloves
• Wear multiple layers including:

1. A warm breathable base layer
2. A second thermal layer
3. Wind and waterproof protective out layers

We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry
fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool.

The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.