10-day adventure
Kings Bay
Svalbard
- Kayaking
- Trekking & Hiking
- Polar
From $3,895
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our UK team
Our local team
Our base in Svalbard is located in the town of Longyearbyen. Our team of logisticians and guides will live there for several months each year to coordinate our expeditions. We offer a wide range of activities in this extreme environment including hiking, dog sledding, cross country skiing and kayaking. This is the most northerly archipelago in the world and in order to experience it safely, it is essential you have the correct equipment. To...
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Kandoo's view
Discover a remote universe of glaciers, icebergs and mountains where polar bears and walruses frequent. From base camps in one of the most beautiful fjords in Spitsbergen, as far north as you can get before the North Pole, this memorable trip is a chance to fully immerse yourself in a unique wilderness environment. Enjoy daily sea-kayaking and hiking adventures, uncover fascinating history and discover stunning landscapes - join us on a real wilderness adventure in the land of ice and polar bears.
Trip highlights
- Discover the wild arctic with daily expeditions from our base camps in King's Bay
- Paddle among icebergs and basking marine life
- Hike rugged mountains for stunning views of the surrounding glaciers
- Our qualified staff and state of the art equipment will keep you warm, safe and smiling
Experiences
-
Kayaking
Discover a different perspective as you journey and explore beautiful landscapes by kayak -
Trekking & Hiking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes -
Polar
Join us on a polar expedition
Gallery
Itinerary
-
Day 1
ARRIVE IN LONGYEARBYEN
Welcome to Svalbard. We will greet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation in the city. Don't worry if your flight arrives in the middle of the night, we provide 24 hour airport transfers.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
-
Day 2
LONGYEARBYEN – KINGS BAY
Today is a chance to meet everyone and prepare the equipment for our adventure, before taking a scenic boat trip to Saint Jean Fjord and Prins Karls Forland.
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Days 3 to 8
OUR ADVENTURE
Kings Bay makes an ideal spot for our base camps from which to explore this vast and wild arctic environment. It is surrounded by
rugged mountains and 4 huge glaciers which tumble into the sea. The icebergs here are among thelargest and most varied in Spitsbergen and they attract a whole variety of marine life like seals and birds who love to bask in the sun on the blocks of floating ice. It is also an area with a rich and interesting history - we will find traces of past polar expeditions, coal mining and old whaling stations. We can explore the site of the first air expedition to the North Pole and learn more about the northernmost community in the world and their fascinating polar research.
Each day brings a new adventure as we immerse ourselves in this arctic wilderness and take time to fully explore this remarkable location in a unique and intimate way. The sheltered waters of Kongfjorden are ideal for mastering tandem sea-kayaking techniques and we can enjoy a multitude of different adventures here. We can go hiking and climb various interesting peaks with fantastic views of the
surrounding glaciers and wilderness. We can paddle among icebergs, marine mammals and approach glacier fronts.
There are up to 27 different species of birds protected in these reserves and reindeer roam in the tundra. This area is the home to the walrus and of course, the king of these lands, the polar bear – we will have the chance to observe these animals throughout our stay in these remote arctic lands where few people venture.- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 9
NY ÅLESUND - LONGYEARBYEN
Today is a chance to visit the northern scientific research town Ny Ålesund and learn more about its remarkable history. This afternoon we take the boat back to Longyearbyen where warm showers await us in our comfortable guesthouse accommodation.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 10
DEPARTURE
Depending on your flight time, you should have a morning to relax and explore Longyearbyen with its edge-of-the-world atmosphere. We recommend visiting Svalbard museum and you can also choose from a variety of optional activities like summer dog-sledding or a cruise to the abandoned Russian city of Pyramiden (Additional charges apply).
Our team will transfer you to the airport for your return flight whenever required.- Meals included: Breakfast
- See more
Please note
Please
note that this itinerary, including distances and times, is indicative. Our
guides aim to provide the adventure that is best suited to the weather, your
interests and the demands of the group. Please be aware that in order to
achieve this, changes to the programme may be made.
Details
Trip information
Difficulty
You should be in good physical shape to join our more challenging adventures. You should have a sense of adventure, a positive attitude and be prepared for a full-on action packed programme including 6+ hours of activity per day. Please note that our difficulty ratings may vary depending on the weather conditions.
Food & drink
Besides one evening meal in Longyearbyen,
this trip includes full board. For your evening meal on the final day there are
shops and kitchen facilities available or local restaurants for you to sample -
we have lots of recommendations!
Despite the lack of fresh fruits and
vegetables in the arctic regions we are proud of the varied, fresh and frankly
delicious food we provide even when camping. Meals are based on a selection of
local products and you will have the opportunity to try several local
delicacies. Each day will start with a cold breakfast accompanied by plenty of
tea and coffee or hot chocolate. Then you will prepare your own picnic lunch
for the day from a buffet style array of options. Evening meals will include
three courses: soup/starter, a hot dish and a dessert. We try to offer fresh
fruit and vegetables every day but please be aware that this is not always
possible in an isolated arctic environment.
Your help in the kitchen is expected and
much appreciated, particularly in the evenings. We like when the whole group
work as a team to cook dinner, it creates a pleasant atmosphere as we reflect
on the day’s adventures together. We want you to be a member of our team;
not a sheep!
Please let us know about any dietary
requirements when you book the trip and we will work with you to cater for your
needs.
Accommodation
LONGYEARBYEN: warm
guesthouse accommodation in twin rooms. Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities with heating and hot water.
CAMPING: We provide a 3 man dome tent per 2 people, for our expeditions we use light
equipment which is appropriate for Svalbard’s winter conditions. We will also
provide a spacious mess tent for meal times, fully equipped with kitchen
equipment. Please be aware that our expeditions in Svalbard involve full participation, we expect all travelers to assist with
setting up and packing down our camps, preparing meals etc. This is a team effort!
Your guide
You will be welcomed at the airport
by a representative from our friendly team and accompanied for the duration of
your holiday. Armed with an abundance of experience and a wealth of knowledge
our professional Svalbard team are experts in polar environments. All
activities are lead by our qualified guides who are all English speaking
outdoor practitioners with a passion for everything arctic.
Please note that this adventure
takes place in an isolated, polar environment where around 2500 polar bears
live - your guide will explain the safety rules which must be followed at your expedition briefing
.
Luggage
You may bring a hold bag (up to 20kg) as
well as a cabin bag. Your possessions
will have to fit into your kayak during
the expedition so please do not over pack. For your hold luggage please bring a
soft bag like a rucksack rather than a 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.
Your main luggage will remain in Longyearbyen during the trip. We will provide
you with 2 dry bags to safely store the sleeping bag and your personal clothes.
Please note that the bag for your personal clothes does not exceed 22 litres
Please 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.
How do I get there?
To reach Longyearbyen, there are direct flights from Oslo provided by SAS and Norwegian Airlines. Direct flights do not operate every day of the week so you may need to spend a night in Oslo before continuing your journey the next day.
To reach Oslo from the UK, there are direct flights with British Airways from Heathrow and Norwegian Airlines have direct flights from Gatwick and Edinburgh. SAS have direct flights from Manchester.
If you are travelling from the US, SAS operate direct flights to Oslo from New York. From the west coast there are good flight options with Air France, KLM and Lufthansa.
Budget & change
The currency in Svalbard is the Norwegian Krona (NOK).
Please be aware that Svalbard is nearly cash free due to the absence of banks. Payments are made with credit or debit cards so it is important you take a card with you for any incidental purchases. Please inform your card provider that you intend to travel to Svalbard (Norway) before departure, this will ensure that your card continues to work properly while overseas.
The the latest exchange rates please visit www.xe.com
Tips
Tipping is always appreciated. it
is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual.
If
you are satisfied with your guide’s services we recommend a tip between 350-450
NOK per person (equivalent to £30-40 per person)
Formalities & health
Passport
Most travellers require a passport that is valid for at least six months after the return date. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required. You can check your requirements on the website provided by the Norwegian government
Visa
Travelling to Norway is visa free for up to 90 days, for UK and US citizens
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Medication
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, prescription medicine, plasters and painkillers.
Equipment & clothing
Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures
We
will provide you with all of the technical equipment you will need for this
amazing adventure. Our
tandem sea kayaks were chosen for their stability and comfortable, they are
suitable for first time kayakers and have plenty of storage capacity for our
expedition gear. They are suitable for the changeable 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.
GROUP EQUIPMENT
- 'Tepee'
style mess tent with table, stools & cooking equipment
- 'Ortlieb'
water belts
- Sarsat
beacon
- VHF
radio
- Heavy
calibre rifle
- Alarm
gun
- Mini-flares
and penjectors
for each group member
- First
aid kit
INDIVIDUAL
EQUIPMENT
- Suitable
tent per 2 people (3 man dome tent for maximum space & comfort)
- Self-inflating
sleeping mat
- Suitable
synthetic sleeping bag ( -6°C)
- Aluminium
thermos flask per 2 people
- Helly
Hansen fleece lined salopettes
for kayaking and ashore
- Tandem
sea kayak with directional rudder (per 2 people)
- Gore-tex
dry suit with integrated warm fleece liner
- Pair
of kayak pogies
- Spray
deck
- Life
jacket with two pockets
- Neoprene
balaclava
- Pair
of ‘croc’ style shoes/sandals
Clothing to bring
- Walking
boots
- Waterproof
jacket (with a hood, Gore-Tex/Nikwax or equivalent)
- Waterproof
trousers (Gore-Tex/Nikwax or equivalent)
- Warm
gloves and a hat
- Thermals
– long sleeved top & long johns
- 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)
IN LONGYEARBYEN
- Your swimming stuff (for the pool or sauna options)
- Clothes
for travelling in (these can stay here when you are on the expedition part of
this adventure)
- Small
towel and your personal toiletries
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag liner
- Mini
toiletry kit and toilet roll
- Any
personal medication
- Water
bottle/flask
- Small
rucksack to use as a day bag
- Head
torch & spare batteries (although it is nearly always light in the
summer)
Dates & prices
| From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/07/2023 | 25/07/2023 | $3,895 £2,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 06/08/2023 | 15/08/2023 | $3,895 £2,999 |
Sold out
|
Sold out | Enquire now |
| 14/07/2024 | 23/07/2024 | $4,545 £3,499 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 28/07/2024 | 06/08/2024 | $4,545 £3,499 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 11/08/2024 | 20/08/2024 | $4,545 £3,499 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- All
transfers detailed in the itinerary
- Accommodation including two nights in a
guesthouse in Longyearbyen
- Free
walking tour of Longyearbyen
- All
technical camping gear
- All
sea-kayaking equipment
- Full
supervision by an experienced professional guide
- Full
board except for a last evening meal in Longyearbyen (day 10)
- Return
boat trip Longyearbyen – Kings Bay
Price does not include
- Flights
to Longyearbyen
- Travel
insurance
- Your
personal trekking gear
- Your
personal medication
- Final
evening meal in Longyearbyen (approx. £25)
- Activities
not mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation
on day 10 as midnight departure for the airport is required
Options
- Additional nights in Longyearbyen before or after your trip
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