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6 days - Independent adventure tour | True Arctic Wilderness.
Basecamp Nordenskiöld is the northernmost cabin for commercial trips on Svalbard. The cabin is located far away from any civilization and offers excellent possibilities for longer expeditions. It is situated in Billefjorden, right beside the mighty glacier Nordenskiöld. During summer you can reach the cabin by boat from Longyearbyen and during winter you can drive there with dog sledges or snowmobiles. No matter which season you pick it is certain to be an adventurous trip!
With no running water or electricity Basecamp Nordenskiöld is a true hunting cabin like those used by the trappers, but with modern comforts. We use wood for heating and get our drinking water from the melting glacier. There are 5 big bedrooms with fantastic arctic views, 11 comfortable beds, indoor toilet and a traditional sauna. The cabin is modern and comfortable with big windows giving away to the mighty glacier. Lying in the glacier moraine, the cabin is well hidden from any by passer-by.
This is a place where you are guaranteed privacy. You can enjoy your breakfast while looking right over to the magnificent Nordenskiöld glacier or relax in the sunny terrace with warm coffee while you watch polar bears hunt for seals on the sea ice.
If you are looking for a true arctic story with big glaciers, mighty mountains and rough moraine, this is the place to come!
Rib Boat transfer
Flight tickets to/from start and end points, any airport taxes, travel insurance, visas, gratitudes and any items of personal nature.
There is no alcohol included in this package price.
Arrive Longyearbyen and private transfer to your hotel. This small hotel, 5 kilometres from the airport, is centrally located, offering 24-hour reception, free WiFi, a terrace and modern rooms with a flat-screen TV. Once you have settled in, you will have a private tour of Longyearbyen. Enjoy the small township of Longyearbyen with its polar museum and church.
With no running water or electricity Nordenskiöld is a true hunting cabin like those used by the trappers, but with modern comforts. We use wood for heating and get our drinking water from the melting glacier. There are 5 big bedrooms with fantastic arctic views, 11 comfortable beds, indoor toilet and a traditional sauna. The cabin is modern and comfortable with big windows giving away to the mighty glacier. Lying in the glacier moraine, the cabin is well hidden from any by passer-by.
The guide will pick you up in the reception area of your hotel at 8am. You will have a quick look at the itinerary for the upcoming weekend. There will be time to make sure you have packed all of your travel essentials into a smaller bag (waterproof bags are recommended). Your excess baggage can be stored in the storage room at the hotel. You will be provided with all necessary equipment, such as survival suits, goggles, hats, boots and gloves.
Then head down to the harbour and get settled in open RIB-boats. Get ready for some fresh air, sea spray and close encounters with the Arctic wildlife of Svalbard. The fjords are teeming with Arctic birds, walruses, seals, and belugas this time of year. Enjoy a hot lunch once at Nordenskiöld Lodge, with a spectacular view of the Nordenskiöld glacier. You will explore the moraine landscape on foot and get to know the surrounding area. Your guide will be happy to share their knowledge of the area and of the glacier itself! Return to the cabin before nightfall, and you will have time to relax in the sauna before dinner is served.
The day begins with a solid breakfast, before leaving the comforts of the Nordenskiold Lodge. We zip up our dry suits and slide into the calm water in steady and reliable double kayaks. We paddle in pairs. Kayaking is the perfect way to get around in the Arctic and is probably the ultimate way to explore a calving glacier front and the arctic shorelines. Today’s destination will be determined by the weather and sea conditions, as well as your paddling skill level. We will paddle next to the magnificent glacier front among floating pieces of glacier ice, while being observed by the curious wildlife.
After a long day of paddling in a cold, arctic sea, the comforts of a warm sauna and a proper meal will seem very tempting.
Today we will head out to the majestic Nordenskiöld Glacier. After breakfast we will go through the basic guidelines and safety precautions associated with glacier hiking. We will set out to explore the heavily crevassed glacier that is situated only 300 meters from the cabin. We spend the day hiking up and down the glacier, staring down cracks and enjoying the shiny glacier surface. We will eat expedition lunch on the glacier. If the weather is nice, we will make a bonfire once back at the cabin, and simply cherish the view of the fjord.
After breakfast you have a chance for your last hike. You can have one last photo walk to the glacier front or hike to the moraine to take the last pictures of the wildlife and the shiny glacier. Enjoy lunch at the cabin before returning to the civilization. Make a stop in Pyramiden on the way back to Longyearbyen and get to see the Russian settlement up close. The settlement was closesd down in 1998, but has opened again for visitors. It is a fascinating place to visit.
Enjoy the last breakfast at Nordenskiöld Lodge this time. We suggest you take an extra cup of coffee and rest your eyes on the ice blue glacier. The boat back to town will pick you up at 10 o’clock.
We travel to Longyearbyen with Isfjord Ekspressen, and get some good experiences at sea on the way home.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs.
Please note this tour starts on a Wednesday from the beginning of July until the end of September.
It is recommended that you have to be in fairly good physical condition to be able to participate on the adventure week. The trip is not recommended for persons suffering from back pains. Over 15 years of age only.
We can help with your flights up to Longyearbyen. During summer, these flights can get busy.
Resident of Longyearbyen, our friend Maria Rossi shares with you her 'top ten things to see and do in Svalbard'. Regardless of season, the magnificent outdoors, high standard in hotels and fine dining options (along with the jolly old pub) will cater for all your requests.
Take a glimpse of some wildlife tours that we offer in the Nordic region. Which one are you most interested in – polar bears, brown bears, whales or puffins?
We wish to ensure that the Arctic wildlife stays unaffected by tourism and so we share these new AECO guidelines.
If you want to commit to a booking please use the Book Tour form below.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
