Von Post Glacier
Itinerary
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Day 1 Evening flight to Longyearbyen
Welcome to Longyearbyen, we will greet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation in the city.
Transport: Private vehicle and aeroplane
Accommodation: Guesthouse -
Day 2 Into the wilderness
After a hearty breakfast it is time to prepare for our expedition - this afternoon we start our adventure with a short leg of the journey to get accustomed to our attire. Skis/snowshoes on, pulks loaded and hearts full we depart via the beautiful Adventdalen valley. Tonight we will set up our first camp and join together in our warm communal mess tent for dinner.
Activities: Skiing/snowshoeing
Accommodation: Camping -
Days 3 to 6 Longyearbyen - Tempelfjord
Over the next few days we will explore the summits and highlights surrounding Tempelfjord & Fredheim, our progress will revolve around the weather and ice conditions. There are so many things to see in this remarkable area... We can follow the small valley of De Geerdalen to the beautiful Krekling Pass (250m). We can explore the simply stunning Flowerscaret pass (750m) and Flowerbreen Glacier. We can discover Sassenfjorden and the wonderful mountains surrounding it. We can descend the beautiful Flowerdalen valley to the frozen coast. These few days are a chance to forget the stresses of modern day life and immerse ourselves in this silent, magical artic world.
Activities: Skiing/snowshoeing
Accommodation: Camping -
Day 7 Back to Longyearbyen
Today we head back to Longyearbyen in Swedish army tanks. After unpacking and storing our equipment we will settle back into our guesthouse accommodation and enjoy a hearty dinner all together reflecting on our adventure.
Transport: Swedish army tank (~3 hours)
Accommodation: Guesthouse -
Day 8 Longyearbyen
Today is a day to relax and enjoy the highlights of the Northernmost city in the world, Longyearbyen. We recommend visiting Svalbard museum and you can choose from a variety of optional activities like snowmobiling or dog-sledding... Today also acts as a safety day to accommodate for any potential delays in our journey.
Activities: Various optional activities
Transport: Evening flight home
Accommodation: Not included -
Day 9 Arrive home
Farewell Spitsbergen, transfer to the airport for your flights home
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Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: ENSPSK1A
Included
- Airport transfers
- Two nights guesthouse accommodation in Longyearbyen
- Full supervision by an experienced professional guide
- Full board except for a last evening meal in Longyearbyen
- All technical equipment - please see 'trip details' for more information about the high quality equipment we provide on this trip ('practical info' / 'equipment')
Not included
- Registration fee: €18 per person (free for under 12s)
- Flights
- Evening meal on day 8 in Longyearbyen (kitchen facilities/restaurant options available)
Additional Activities
- Meal in a local restaurant: from €30
- Svalbard museum: from €9
- Half day dog-sledding excursion: from €130
- A snowmobiling adventure: from €200 (for 3 hours)
- Exploring the ice caves: from €90 (for 3 hours)
Notes
Comfort 1/5: Camping
Level 4/5: Demanding
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
- Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Practical info
Staff
Food
Accommodation
Transportation
Budget & exchange
- Any additional activities
- Drinks and personal expenses
- One evening meal in Longyearbyen, kitchen facilities, shops and restaurants available*
- Food and perhaps accommodation during your transfer in Oslo
Supplied equipment
Group Equipment
- A 'Tepee' style mess tent with table, stools and cooking equipment
- A Sarsat beason
- A VHF radio
- A heavy caliber rifle
- An alarm gun
- Mini-flares and penjectors for each group member
- A copy of Spitsbergens animal records
- A first aid kit
- Books about local flora and fauna
Individual Equipment
- A large warm down jacket for when you are not participating in activities
- A suitable tent per two people (a 3 man dome tent for maximum space and comfort)
- A self-inflating sleeping mat
- A suitable synthetic sleeping bag ( -25°C)
- Cooking stove
- A thermos flask
- 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 equipment
- Waterproof jacket (with a hood)
- Waterproof trousers/salopettes
- At least two pairs of good gloves
- Sunglasses (UV 400)
- A ski mask
- A 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
- Sun cream and protective lipsal (not water-based - water freezes)
- Any personal medication
- Mini toiletary kit and toilet roll
- A thermos flask
- Head torch & spare batteries
Material
Our advice for keeping warm
- No cotton
- Bring dry spares of everything, including underwear and gloves
- Wear multiple layers including:
- A warm breathable base layer
- A second thermal layer
- Wind and waterproof protective out layers
Helpful equipment
- Your camera (with suitable protective case)
- Binoculars
- A comfortable evening outfit for Longyearbyen
- A small inflatable pillow
- Insect repellant
- A knife
- A notepad and pencil
- Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
Luggage
Medicine
Passport
Visa
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
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
Local time
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.