UNDISCOVERED SVALBARD

Snowmobile Safari - 8 Days

Program duration: 8 days / 7 nights Total distance on snowmobile: around 1000 kms

Requirements: good level of fitness and valid Full driving license (Learners and Provisional licences not accepted)

Age Limit: 18 Years of age

Journey to the Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic, in a

spring expedition of spectacular Spitsbergen island

by snowmobile.  Svalbard’s pristine Arctic landscape

and its stunning wildlife is a photographer’s dream

and during the day the polar spring light is like a

constant sunset . Guests will experience a true arctic

adventure on a snowmobile safari passing through

Spitsbergen’s epic valleys and canyons. In spring, the

archipelago is an emerging wildlife wonderland with

reindeer grazing in spectacular valleys, seals and

walruses basking on the ice oes and the iconic polar

bear reigning over this pristine wilderness.

This expedition is designed for true explorers. Over 8

days, guests will journey by snowmobile around the

island and through the stunning bays and fjords of

Spitsbergen. Following the paths of Arctic explorers,

we take a fascinating journey through Svalbard’s

Soviet ghost towns and abandoned settlements with

comfortable hotel-style accommodation and

delicious full board catering.

All the highlights of Svalbard in a breath-taking snowmobile

adventure

Majestic glaciers of Nordenskjøld, Fridtjovbreen and

Paulabreen

Spectacular fjords and mountains of Svalbard: Grønfjord, Van

Mijenfjord, Olafberget.

The Isfjord radio weather station and the ghost town

Pyramiden

Abundant wildlife on the wild East coast – Polar bears, seals,

Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer

Arrive in Longyearbyen. Transfer from the

airport to Longyearbyen for a tour

brieng on our itinerary, equipment,

safety and all-weather clothing. After

lunch, we change to winter overalls and

start the Arctic adventure by

snowmobiling from Longyearbyen to

Colesdalen through magnicent mountain

landscapes, passing by abandoned

hunting cabins to Grøndalen before

arriving in Barentsburg.

Guests will have time to explore the small

Russian community of Barentsburg

including the scientic research center,

the meteorological observatory and the

cosmic rays research station. Your guide

will take you through the local explorers

museum, with its exhibitions of 17th

century hunting, arctic ora and fauna.

In the evening guests will enjoy Dinner

and stay overnight in the Hotel

Barentsburg.

Snowmobiling distance approx. 70 km, (3 - 4 hours)

Please Note:  This journey may be uncomfortable for guests suffering from back pain.

Longyearbyen – Todalen – Colesdalen –

Grøndalen - Barentsburg

Day 1

After breakfast, guests head off for a day of

exploration in the wilderness of Svalbard. Leaving

Barentsburg we follow the coastline of Grønfjord.

The snowmobile allows us to travel long distances

in the immensity of the Arctic wilderness and

reach otherwise inaccessible places.

We drive up to the Grønfjord glacier and across

wide canyons further to Orustdalen valley, amidst

high cliffs. Continuing along the Nordenskjøld

coast to the Greenland sea, we will stop for a

delicious lunch at Isfjord radio, a mythic coast

radio and weather station founded in the

beginning of the 20th century at Kapp Linné.

In the afternoon we make a short stop at Cape

Starostin and have a look around a restoration of

Starostin’s hut where  Ivan Starostin, a Pomor

trapper, managed to spend 39 Svalbard winters,

including 15 in a row.

Returning to Barentsburg in the evening, there’s

time for a visit to the Arctic Art Gallery and see its

displays about Svalbard’s history of Arctic

discovery and its collections of 16th and 17th

century hunters.

Dinner will be a traditional Russian feast featuring

local fish. Night in Barentsburg.

Snowmobiling distance 95-120 kms, (8 - 10 hours)

Isfjord Radio Station and Pomor trapper’s hut:

Barentsburg – Grønfjord – Isfjord Radio –

Starostin Cape – Barentsburg

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on the ice and snow conditions, today’s itinerary runs past Paulabreen glacier

and Fridtjovbreen glacier.  Afterwards we travel to the Sveagruve mine and then along the ice of Reid Bay to the

enormous Paulabreen glacier, 15 km wide, considered as the most picturesque and romantic in the world. This is

the region of Svalbard famous for frequent encounters with polar bears. We pass through the Reindalen valley,

one of the biggest and most impressive valleys in Svalbard. It is a good option when there is no wind and good

visibility.

Otherwise we offer another option – a route to Fridtjovbreen. This itinerary runs closer to Barentsburg and is

noted for dramatic and variable landscapes and frequent wild animals. The Fridtjovbreen glacier has a length of

about 14 kilometers and its name stems from a hunting vessel used during the Torell expedition to Spitsbergen.

The route is approx. 100-140 km and takes up to 6-8 hrs. An expedition lunch will be served to guests along the

way.

Returning to Barentsburg guests will enjoy a delicious Russian dinner at the hotel.

Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km (8 - 10 hours)

Glaciers and Fjords: Barentsburg – Grøndalen – Reindalen – Sveagruve

– Van Mijenfjord - Paulabreen Glacier – Barentsburg

Day 3

Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km (8 - 10 hours)

Today guests will explore the local surroundings with a range of optional activities available:

A morning underground tour of Barentburg’s working coal mine to experience the daily life of an Arctic miner.

You will be provided with miner’s clothing and a safety helmet and sign yourself in, like all miners starting their

shift.  As you approach the entrance of the mine and light from the outside fades away, you will embark on a

fascinating underground journey into the depths of Spitsbergen.

Visit our classes in traditional Pomor handicrafts and make a unique souvenir of your own.

Take a photographic trip on snowmobiles to a nearby glacier to capture the picturesque surroundings and

experience local wildlife encounters.

Guests will be served Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Barentsburg hotel restaurant.

Barentsburg & local tour options

Day 4

Snowmobiling distance approx. 200 km, (9 - 10 hours)

After an early breakfast, we check-out and depart

on a long journey that takes in the beauty and

diversity of Svalbard’s epic landscapes and

wildlife. We pass Cape Heer and Colesdalen on the

way to Longyearbyen where we stop for lunch in

our Expedition Centre ‘Russki Dom’. After lunch

we continue over shiny glaciers and sharp

mountains into the valley of Sassendalen . Along

the way we are likely to encounter walrus. About

100 miles northeast of Longyearbyen we will

reach the mighty glacier Nordenskiöld and the

nearby ghost town of Pyramiden, our destination.

Virtually abandoned except for a small Soviet-

style hotel, guests will check-in to their rooms and

later enjoy a hearty dinner. 

Glaciers and the ghost settlement: Barentsburg

– Colesdalen – Fardalen - Longyearbyen –

Sassendalen - Nordenskiøld Glacier –

Petuniabukta - Pyramiden

Day 5

Snowmobiling distance approx. 80 kms, (4 - 6 hours)

After breakfast, we enjoy a guided introduction

tour around the settlement which retains its

Soviet ambience. The town was a showcase to the

West exhibiting to the world the excellence of the

communist system. In the late nineties, Pyramiden

was closed and remained virtually abandoned with

all its infrastructure preserved intact. All of the

buildings are in excellent condition and although

the hotel is inhabited, silence reigns over

Pyramiden since the settlement remains virtually

empty and abandoned.

Pyramiden is located in the heart of the Arctic

wilderness. Exploring the surroundings we will

encounter polar foxes, reindeer as well as seals

and walruses at the nearby glacier

Nordenskiøldbreen which is just a few hundred

metres away from the abandoned settlement.

Polar bear encounters are also likely and if we use

our binoculars and lenses we might have an

opportunity to view and film this majestic creature

from a safe distance.

Depending on the weather and snow conditions

we will consult with our guests about the most

suitable and appealing itinerary: Perhaps a short

trip to picturesque Skanskabukta with the

magnicent frozen waterfall Ebbadalen, or a

wildlife photo expedition into the nearby

mountains. Guests will be served an expedition

lunch along the way.

Return to Pyramiden in the evening. Dinner and

overnight stay at the Soviet-style Pyramiden hotel.

The ghost settlement Pyramiden and wildlife

observations

Day 6

Snowmobiling distance approx. 80 kms, (approx 4-6 (hours)

After breakfast, guests will join a guided walk around the city of Longyearbyen. We will visit the Svalbard Museum to learn about the history of the archipelago as well as the local flora and fauna. We may also stop by Svalbard Gallery which exhibits original pieces by local artists. A tour to the nearby so-called ‘doomsday seed vault’ is also possible and makes a great location for a selfie. Afternoon transfer to the airport of Longyearbyen.

Snowmobiling distance approx. 180 kms, (approx 8-9 hours)

After a delicious breakfast, guests will check-out

and embark on a final wildlife snowmobile safari –

this time we will explore the east coast of

Spitzbergen.  Our journey takes us through valleys

to the great Nordenskjøld glacier and past the

pink shade mountains to the middle of the

massive Lomonosov plain where the full beauty of

this Arctic kingdom is on display. We continue our

journey passing majestic glaciers and breathtaking

scenery. Unaffected  by the warm Gulf Stream,

Spitsbergen’s eastern coast boasts lower

temperatures and more austere conditions, as

well as abundant ice. Polar bears live on the ice

hunting the seals, and it is here that we can have

the best opportunity to spot this mighty animal

and observe from a safe distance.

Guests will be served with an expedition lunch

along the way. Depending on the weather and

snow conditions, the tour guide may change the

exact route of the journey.

In the evening we arrive in Longyearbyen, where

guests will check-in to the Arctic Travel Centre

Guest House. Dinner will be served in the local

restaurant Kroa ‘On the edge of the world’.

Overnight in Longyearbyen.

Pyramiden – Nordenskiøld Glacier – Lomonosov

plain - Eastern Coast – Sassendalen –

Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen and Departure

Day 7

Day 8

The Barentsburg Hotel is a newly built 4-level hotel

facing the Olaf mountain. Has 43 European style

rooms,from single and twin rooms to luxury suites.The Hotel features a restaurant

with spectacular views of Grønfjord Bay. Each oor

has its own drying room for guests outdoor clothing

and boots.

The Pyramiden Hotel is located near the impressive

Nordenskiöld glacier. Featuring 23 Twin/Double rooms, in both European and ‘Soviet’ style rooms.

European style rooms are each equipped with toilet and shower. Soviet style rooms have a toilet and a sink with shared shower

facilities on each oor. The hotel has a Restaurant and

a souvenir shop.

Grumant Hostel in Longyearbyen is a new and modern 2-level Chalet style

building located on the shore of the Adventfjorden.

12 people can be accommodated in 3 basic rooms with partly shared facilities that offer terric

value for money. There is a large breakfast room with a

good kitchen and Wi-Fi throughout.

Barentsburg’s Pomor Hostel is modern 2-level

budget hotel style accommodation with views to Mount Olaf and beautiful

Grønfjord Bay. Has 30 refurbished rooms, incl. double rooms and triple

rooms with shared facilities on each floor. Each floor has a fully equipped kitchen and

there is Wi-Fi access throughout the building.

 All Accommodation and Meals;

 Full board;

 Transfer airport-Longyearbyen-airport;

Activities according to the itinerary;

Snowmobile rental (Model: Ski-doo Expedition 600 or Yamaha Ventura or Yamaha Viking), fuel;

Rental of winter overalls, boots, gloves and a helmet;

English-speaking guide;

Insurance covering research and rescue (Svalbard only), evacuation costs in case of emergency.

 Flight to/from Longyearbyen

Optional day in Longyearbyen

Optional activities in

Barentsburg

Alcohol drinks and dishes/

drinks beyond menu 

Tips for the guide

From $4,400 AUD / 2

persons sharing

snowmobile.

$6,000 AUD / For solo only

use of snowmobile.

Single room supplement

450 AUD

Guaranteed Departures.

.

.

Barentsburg

Longyearbern

Pyramiden

Barentsøya

Inclusions

Extra nights in Longyearbyen Guest House AUD 190 per night

Please note all prices are subject to currency fluctuations  

TOUR PRICE

The Price does not include

(We will match solo travellers or offer free single use of snowmobile)

DATES 2019

MARCH4 -11

11 - 18 18 - 25

APRIL1 - 8 8 - 15

15 - 22 22 - 29

info@undiscovered.world

(+61) 1300 161 333 Australia

(+1) 650 45 70413 USA

(+44) 203 6565710 UK

Contact & Bookingwww.undiscovered.world

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