Day 1: Arrivals
On arrival you catch the shuttle bus from Longyearbyen Airport (costing approx £6) which takes you to the Basecamp hotel. Dinner isn’t included this evening but this gives you the chance to either eat at Basecamp or wander into Longyearbyen and try one of the restaurants.

Day 2: Husky safari to the ship frozen in the ice
At 10am you will meet your guides for a short introduction and briefing before packing for your wilderness adventure. It’s a 12km drive to the kennels where approximately 90 Alaskan huskies are waiting to meet you. The noise is deafening as they all want to be chosen for the trip.

Over the next few days, you will be responsible for the care of the huskies in your team so listen carefully to the advice and tips provided by your guide.

And off you go! The dogs will most likely set a blistering pace to begin with but they soon settle into a natural running rhythm as you cross the expanses of Spitsbergen.

Lunch will be eaten out on the trail and a long first day ends when you arrive at the Noorderlicht, a schooner frozen into the ice of Tempelfjord.

Despite its unlikely location, the ship has some welcome modern facilities such as warm showers and, after a three course dinner, you’ll be more than comfortable in your cabin. Don’t stray from the ship without an armed guard, polar bears may look friendly but looks can be deceiving!

Day 3: Husky safari
Once both you and your team are fuelled up you set off together to explore Tempelfjord and the surrounding area. Mushing here on the Svalbard Islands is an experience that touches the soul.

The panting of the dogs and the scraping of the sled’s runners against the snow are the only sounds to break the amazing silence. A full day safari includes lunch and sees you return to the ship in the late afternoon. You’ll doubtless be ready for a hearty dinner.

Day 4: Husky safari to Basecamp
An early start allows you to make the most of your last day dog sledding and you’ll arrive back at Basecamp late in the afternoon. It’s difficult to say goodbye to the huskies but perhaps the enticement of a few drinks with your trail partners will drag you away. Dinner is not included so you again have the choice of eating at Basecamp or in Longyearbyen.

Day 5: Depart or extend your stay
Today you will head back home. We can alternatively arrange for you to extend your stay and try some of the immensely popular snowmobile safaris.

Longyearbyen - Basecamp Hotel

You will feel like you are entering a trapper's cottage when you arrive at this hotel which was constructed using driftwood, slate and furs as materials.

It all sounds rather basic but nothing could be further from the truth. Each of the 16 bedrooms have their own bathroom and very comfortable beds. In the evenings you can enjoy good food and drink or a quiet conversation under the glass ceiling in the Loft Room.

Hopefully the Northern Lights will provide the evening's entertainment.

The Ship in the Ice

Frozen into the ice that covers Tempelfjord is the schooner Noorderlicht, one of the world's most unusual hotels. There are ten guest cabins with two beds in each. Bath and toilet facilities are shared.

Listen to the ice creak and scan the horizon for Polar Bears but do not leave the ship without an armed guard. Those bears are nowhere near as cuddly as they look!