Crossing Nordenskiöld Land on foot

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival and airport pick-up.

Preparation meeting with your guide.

Overnight at Basecamp Hotel, Longyearbyen.

Day 2-5

Five-day wilderness hike across varied Arctic terrain.

Tented camp each night.

Full expedition logistics.

Day 5

Arrival at Isfjord Radio.

Arctic SPA – sauna and a plunge in the fjord.

Arctic dinner.

Overnight at Isfjord Radio.

Day 6

Breakfast and lunch at Isfjord Radio.

Historical introduction to the radio station.

Boat return to Longyearbyen.

Overnight at Basecamp Hotel.

Day 7

Visit in Mine 3.

Airport transfer by guide.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN LONGYEARBYEN AND EXPEDITION PREPARATION

The journey begins now, welcome to the Arctic wilderness. You will be met at the airport by the guide who will accompany you on this fantastic expedition and transferred to Basecamp Hotel. In just one day, you’ll be far off the beaten path, surrounded by glaciers, silence, and raw, untouched nature. But first, we gather.

Meet your guide in the reception at Basecamp Hotel at 3:00 PM.
Here you’ll connect with your fellow explorers and go through the details of the upcoming adventure. Your guide will walk you through the itinerary, equipment, and final preparations. If you’ve forgotten anything, Longyearbyen’s outdoor gear shops are open until 6:00 PM for any last-minute essentials.

Each participant will carry an 80-liter backpack, including personal gear and a share of the group’s expedition equipment. Please check our recommended packing list to ensure you’re fully ready for what lies ahead. This is not just a trip. It’s an expedition. And it starts now.

DAY 2 – DEPARTURE FOR THE ARCTIC ADVENTURE

Hope you slept well under the midnight sun! Start the day by fueling up with the best breakfast in town before we drive to Bjørndalen. From here, we leave civilization behind for five days of true Arctic adventure. With anticipation high and packs on our backs, we begin the trek westward.

After a few hours of hiking, we pause at a stunning viewpoint to enjoy lunch before continuing over the highlands, our first overnight stop. Here we set up camp and prepare for a night that never grows dark beneath the midnight sun. There’s nothing quite like crawling into your sleeping bag after a rewarding day on the trail.

DAY 3 – HEADING TO COLES BAY

After breakfast with a panoramic view of the Arctic fjords, it’s time to lace up our boots and continue the journey on foot. We descend from the highlands and make our way toward the rugged coastline, eventually reaching Coles Bay, a hauntingly beautiful site steeped in Russian mining history. Here, we pause for lunch by the sea, with relics of the past scattered among the wild landscape.

From the bay, we cross the river that winds through Coles Valley, before continuing our hike to tonight’s campsite. As the evening sets in, we settle in beneath the wide Arctic sky, cook a hearty meal, and enjoy the calm, crackling silence of the wilderness. Before turning in, we gather to set the polar bear watch rotation, a timeless ritual of Arctic expeditions, and a reminder that out here, we are truly guests in the kingdom of wildlife.

DAY 4 – HEADING TO ISFJORD RADIO

After breakfast and breaking camp, we set our sights westward, toward the final leg of our journey to Isfjord Radio. Today’s hike covers a bit more distance than previous days, but the terrain is gentler and more forgiving, allowing for a steady pace across the Arctic landscape.

We’ll stop along the way for a warm expedition-style lunch, taking time to soak in the silence and scenery. As we continue, we’ll catch a distant glimpse of Barentsburg, the last remaining Russian settlement on Svalbard. With around 400 residents and one well-known cat, it stands as a curious contrast to the isolation we’ve experienced so far. A bit further on, we’ll pitch camp for the final night under open sky. After several days in the wild, this last evening is something special, a moment to reflect, recharge, and enjoy the camaraderie of life far beyond the beaten path.

DAY 5 – ARRIVAL AT ISFJORD RADIO

After breakfast, we break camp and begin the final chapter of our expedition. A short boat ride across the fjord brings us to the site of the old Russian water station, a fittingly remote and rugged place to lace up our boots for the last stretch on foot. Depending on the weather and conditions, we’ll follow either the inland trail or the dramatic coastal route as we make our way toward the legendary Isfjord Radio.

Upon arrival, our gracious hosts greet us with warm drinks and genuine Arctic hospitality. After days in the wild, stepping inside this beautifully repurposed radio station feels like entering another world. In the evening, we gather for the renowned Isfjord Radio dinner, a multi-course Arctic tasting experience you won’t soon forget.

DAY 6 – FINAL DAY AT ISFJORD RADIO

Savor your final day at Isfjord Radio. After breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy the station and its serene surroundings. Warm up in the seaside sauna, take a bold dip in the Arctic ocean, or simply relax with a book and a view. If you’re feeling curious, dive into the fascinating history of this former radio station, which once served as a vital link to the outside world.

At 5 PM, it’s time to return to civilization. Our boat will take you back to Longyearbyen, crossing the fjord with the day’s last light on the horizon.

Back at your home away from home, Basecamp Hotel, you rest in a room inspired by the trapper cabins you have passed along the route to Isfjord Radio. We are more than happy to suggest a restaurant for you last dinner in Svalbard

DAY 7 – DEPARTURE FROM SVALBARD

Today you wake up to your final day in the Arctic for now. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a last stroll through town, a visit to a local attraction, or perhaps picking up a few souvenirs to take home.

When it’s time to depart, we’ll drive you to the airport and send you off with priceless memories of one of our most beautiful journeys.