Raid on the East coast of Spitsbergen
This out of the ordinary trip allows a complete immersion in the most beautiful winter landscapes of Spitzbergen.
You will cross distant lands where very few people venture through glacial valleys, from where reindeers shelters to the East coast where polar bears gather together in spring. This great crossing of Spitzbergen, linking Sassendalen to the East coast, joins the spirit of great polar expeditions due to its extreme aspect. 12 days raid in complete autonomy, nordic skiing or with a pulk.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Flight Paris - Longyearbyen
Welcoming at the Longyearbyen airport and transfer to our accommodation.
Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 2 Longyearbyen
Distribution, verification and familiarisation with the equipment before leaving tomorrow.
Small hike around the Longyearbyen to finalise a few adjustments and have a safety briefing.Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 3 Rabotbreen glacier
We load the equipment and leave in direction of the Rabotbreen glacier which is the starting point of our expedition, far from any civilisation.
Accommodation : Camp
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Days 4 to 5 Rabotbreen and Ulvebreen glaciers
The great crossing can finally start. Once our equipment is loaded on our pulkas, we leave the camp towards the East coast of the island covered with ice pack for a large part of the year. During two days, we'll evolve on the glaciers in an Arctic ambiance, immersed amongst infinite and clear landscapes.
Positive difference in altitude : around 300m | Negative difference in altitude : around 500m | Accommodation : Camp
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Days 6 to 10 East coast, roaming on the ice pack and bay of Ingelfield
The valley finally opens up on the iced sea, astonishing show of the ice pack covering the East coast of Spitzbergen. Depending on weather conditions, we'll evolve in the snow, sometimes on the ice pack, an opportunity to encounter seals basking in the sun.
Here, the white bear is on its territory. We might have the chance to see some in this area. Our progression on the ice pack is very enjoyable : it's an incredible sensation to be able to walk on this iced sea between icebergs captured by ice.
We arrive in the bay of Ingelfield where the impressive bluish ice edge large of 3km of the Nordsysselbreen glacier creates a very particular ambiance. We settle our camp near this ice giant.
- 50km browsed in 5 days.Positive difference in altitude : around 50m | Negative difference in altitude : around 50m | Accommodation : Camp
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Days 11 to 13 Crossing the glaciers to join the reindeer valley
We leave the ice pack to climb up the Nordsyssel glacier. We reach a pass at 230m high overcoming the surrounding valleys and offers a magnificent view on the area. Then, it will be time to descend in the valley of Kjellström to spend the night near an iced lake. Each valley crossed will be the opportunity to discover a unique world : Kjellström, Lundström, and Reindalen, territory where numerous reindeers spend winter.
- 70km browsed in 3 days.Positive difference in altitude : around 230m | Negative difference in altitude : around 370m | Accommodation : Camp
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Day 14 Reindalen - Longyearbyen
We finish our descent in the largest valley of Svalbard, which is 40km long. We settle our camp for one last night.
The carrier will join us to drive us to Longyearbyen where we'll regain the comfort of our guesthouse.
- 30km browsed in 2 days.Positive difference in altitude : around 660m | Negative difference in altitude : around 600m | Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 15 Spare day in Longyearbyen
Relaxing day with free time to visit Longyearbyen and its polar museum.
You can also practice some optional activities for the day such as dogsled, snowmobile or the exploration of ice caves (if there is availability).Departure for France in the night
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Day 16 Back to France
Flight back to France. Arrival scheduled in the middle of the afternoon. We'll say goodbye after a wonderful experience together !
Dates & prices
Departures for French-speaking groups:
No departure for now
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: 66ENSPSK2
Included
- All transfers as detailed in the itinerary
- Accommodation including three nights in a guesthouse in Longyearbyen
- Full supervision by an experienced professional guide
- Full board except for a last evening meal in Longyearbyen
- Cold weather 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
- The final evening meal in Longyearbyen (~ 30€)
- Svalbard museum: from €9
Notes
Level 5/5: Extreme
International flights
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
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
Tips
Supplied equipment
Group Equipment
- A 'Tepee' style mess tent with table, stools and cooking equipment
- A Sarsat beacon
- 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
- Cooking stove
- Thermos flasks
Individual Equipment
- A large warm down jacket for when you are not participating in activities
- Polar overalls
- 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)
Skiing Equipment
- Nordic cross country skis
- Ski poles
- Warm snow boots for walking around camp (Sorel)
- Pulks (mini sledges for carrying your gear)
Vital equipment
- Your travelling clothes
- A bathing suit
- A Long waterproof jacket (with a hood, Gore-Tex, Nikwax or equivilent)
- Waterproof trousers/salopettes (Gore-Tex, Nikwax or equivilent)
- A down jacket
- At least two pairs of good under gloves and over gloves
- Sunglasses (UV 400)
- A ski mask (mandatory)
- A thick 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
Helpful equipment
- Head torch and spare batteries (+ March)
- Toilet paper and a lighter
- Tissues
- Vaseline
- Your camera (with suitable protective case)
- Binoculars
- A comfortable evening outfit for Longyearbyen
- A small inflatable pillow
- A knife
- A notepad and pencil
- Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
- Handwarmers
Luggage
Medicine
- Personal medicine
- Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eyewash
- Light sleeping pills
- Earplugs
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Vitamins C
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.
Sustainable tourism
- Be prepared
- Stick to trails and camp overnight right
- Stash your trash and pick up waste
- Leave it as you find it
- Be careful with fire
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors