Svalbard Travel Guide

Svalbard

• Who are arctic adventures for?

  Anyone who is looking for their next challenge! Our travellers range from 16 to 80 years old and from weekend trekkers to experienced adventurers. Our trips are designed for people who want to become part of an arctic expedition and are willing to be part of the team, contributing to the running of the expedition.
  

• What kayaking experience is needed?

  There is a kayaking holiday for everyone, whether they are first-time kayakers or more experienced paddlers.
  

  We will provide the highest quality equipment that is suitable for arctic conditions. We use double sea kayaks which are incredibly stable, and our experienced guides will teach you the basic kayaking techniques that you need to fully enjoy the expedition. Whatever your previous experience, we will soon have you gliding through the water like a pro! On our kayaking trips you may be kayaking for between 20-30km in a day and then kayaking again the next day, and the next. Previous kayaking experience and a determined mindset are essential for you to get the most out of our kayaking trips.
  

• What animals can I hope to see?

  Svalbard is home to a huge variety of land and marine mammals, as well as migratory birds. Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, Ringed seals, bearded seals, beluga whales, minke whales, walrus,Ptarmigan, thick-billed guillemot, black guillemot, puffins, dovekies, fulmarine petrels, Arctic jaeger, large skua, Arctic tern, broad-billed phalarope, purple sandpipers, eider duck, barnacle geese, brant geese, black-legged kittiwake, glaucous gulls, ivory gulls The range of animals depends on the time of year and the area of the island you are exploring. 
  

• Will I be hungry?

  Yes! It is cold and you will be working hard but don't worry - we bring a lot of food with us! As part of the expedition team, you will be assisting the guide to prepare your meals. For breakfast you will receive a hearty continental breakfast with plenty of hot tea and coffee. Your guide will prepare filling salads or soups to take out with you for lunch. You will also have plenty of snacks to keep you fuelled throughout the day, along with thermos flasks of tea and coffee. Dinner will always be a three course meal: soup, a hot main course and a dessert. We try to use as much fresh produce as possible, but on the longer trips we will have to rely on more dried /tinned food.
  

• What can I expect in terms of accommodation?

  In the Arctic wilderness where we are headed the only option is to camp. We provide high quality sleeping tents that sleep two people, as well as a spacious mess tent where we will prepare our meals and gather together for our down time. Washing and toilet facilities are very 'back to nature' and there is definitely no electricity or wi-fi! But what our camps lack in facilities they make up for in location - stunning campsites on the edge of fjords with views of glaciers tumbling into the sea.
  

  At the beginning and end of your trip you will stay in the city of Longyearbyen. We use guesthouse accommodation which provides small comfortable twin rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The guesthouse is the perfect place to transition between the civilisation you are used to and the arctic wilderness you are about to enter. A buffet breakfast is served each morning, featuring Norwegian delicacies on your Svalbard expedition.
  

• Will I be cold, wet and uncomfortable?

  Absolutely not! There are plenty of materials designed for Arctic conditions which will ensure you are properly kitted out. Plus we will provide all  of the technical equipment you need which is tried and tested in this environment.  The climate is very dry which makes the cold weather in Spitsbergen more bearable than in other polar destinations. We will provide you with a full kit list before you arrive so that you are fully prepared with suitable clothing for your expedition. Sitting in your kayak for hours at a time can make you start to ache. It is really important to make sure that you spend time in a kayak before your trip to get used to it. If you have not kayaked before, it is a good idea to get some kayak coaching. 
  

• Will I see polar bears?

  Spitsbergen is currently home to more polar bears than people! All of our polar expeditions venture into their territory but we do not actively go looking for bears. In fact, for safety reasons we may have to amend our itineraries to avoid an area where bears have been sighted. The focus of our trips is to become fully immersed in this wild landscape; seeing a bear is a bonus but not an aim. A number of aspects of our trips may increase your chances of seeing polar bears. Our summer kayaking trips in the north, such as King's Bay or the Texas Bar, and our spring skiing expedition to the east coast all come with an increased chance of encountering bears. Any expeditions that include boat travel will also have more chances of seeing bears.
  

  You can expect to see the signs of bear activity such as tracks, but a sighting is a real privilege.
  

  
  

  All of our guides are well trained in dealing with bear encounters and we carry flare guns and a weapon on all our trips should a dangerous situation arise. All members of the expedition are responsible for providing night-time 'bear watch' at each campsite.
  

• How safe are your adventures in the wilderness of Svalbard?

  Our guides are from the area and have lived and guided in Svalbard for have many years. As long as you follow their example and heed their advice then you have no reason to be concerned about your safety while in Svalbard.
  

  When you arrive in Longyearbyen, your guide will give you a full safety brief and these rules must be followed at all times as the risk of polar bears is always present. You will be told not to wander out of sight of the group and will be directed to set up camp in a particular way. For every group that goes into the field we carry a VHF radio, a SARSAT beacon and a high calibre rifle.
  

  We also provide all the technical equipment necessary to keep you safe and warm during your activities, such as dry suits and additional warm clothing.