Exped Polar First Step

from

£7,000

Spitsbergen is the gateway to the North Pole. It’s difficult to reach, cold and spends 4 months of the year in complete darkness. These conditions make it a perfect spot for an exped! Challenge yourself and discover terrains and views few get to see. Pull your own pulk with supplies and tents and experience the arctic circle up close.

A 10-day winter expedition, you will feel the awe of the Northern Lights as you traverse mountains, cross frozen lakes, and experience a snapshot of survival in the Arctic.

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0/5
Style Type
- Cross-country-skiing
- Expedition
- Polar
Arctic, Trekking
Level Moderate
3/8
Group Size Medium Group
12

All about the Exped Polar First Step.

Spitsbergen, the gateway to the North Pole. It’s difficult to reach, cold and spends 4 months of the year in complete darkness. Perfect conditions for an Exped! Challenge yourself and discover terrains and views few get to see. Pulling your own pulk with tents and enough stores for the duration of the exped you will experience what it is like to explore within the Arctic Circle.

We have configured Polar First Step to suit any experience level – so that you gain the absolute most out of your trip. We cover all the basics and provide kit, equipment and an experienced guide. If you are a more seasoned adventurer, no problem, we can orientate the trip to suit. If you have never set foot on snow, no problem, we guide and teach you the basics so that you have a sound understanding of your next Polar expedition.

Season: Mid November through to the beginning of March.

Travel Advice Summary

Norway travel advice
by GOV.UK on 05/09/2024 at 12:22 pm
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

We have put this tour together with all accomodation and meals included, but please be aware that at the time of booking variations may occur.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
All accommodation including snow shelter that you make yourself
All transportation including taxis and coaches
Tour and trekking guide for entire journey

What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

We do require that you have your own travel insurance and can arrange visa’s and clearing fee’s when required. Filming and video production can be arranged through our partners and if this is of interest, please do get in touch.

Travel insurance and other emergencies
Visa fees and entry clearing fees
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Photography accessories
Filming services

Day 1 Arrive Spitsbergen
After checking into the hotel in Longyearbyen, there will be a couple of hours before the evening meal and the expedition welcome briefing. After a beer or two around the fire, we head to bed for an early start.
Day 2 Kit and Equipment Issue
After breakfast we head across to the hanger and you will be issued your kit and equipment. After making sure everything fits, we test and adjust and head out to the local area to get to grips with your pulk, snow shoes, tents, sleeping systems and cooking equipment.
After a demonstration on how to use the safety stores, we head back to the hotel and grab a bite to eat before heading out into the white stuff.
In the afternoon we begin our expedition and we head out across the frozen Adventalen fjord.
Day 3 On the ice
We will cover a distance of approximately 15km per day and the daily ski will will last around 6 hours. This gives us enough time to carry out personal and group administration, kit and equipment checks and get the most important kettle on the go.
Day 4 On the ice
We will cover a distance of approximately 15km per day and the daily ski will will last around 6 hours. This gives us enough time to carry out personal and group administration, kit and equipment checks and get the most important kettle on the go.
Day 5 On the ice
We will cover a distance of approximately 15km per day and the daily ski will will last around 6 hours. This gives us enough time to carry out personal and group administration, kit and equipment checks and get the most important kettle on the go.
Day 6 Snow Shelter Ex
We set up camp shortly after lunch and begin to build our snow shelters for the evening. With a backdrop of the northern lights, a warm snow shelter and some impeccable food, we settle in for the night reflecting on the expedition so far.
Day 7 Husky Extraction
After breakfast we rendezvous with our extraction team, a crack pack of husky dogs who will run us back to town. Once all kit and equipment is back in, we head back to the hotel. Time is your own and you can head into town to explore and buy souvenirs. We gather in the evening for a meal and awards will be presented for completing Polar First Step.
Day 8 Depart Spitsbergen
A midday flight back to Oslo and then onwards to your destination.

Credit: Dixie Dansercoer

Credit: Dixie Dansercoer

Credit: Dixie Dansercoer

Accomodation

Oslo Airport

A mix of hotels, lodges, tents and the humble snow shelter. One thing is for sure though…you won’t be cold, snow shelters are surprisingly warm!

Hotel Spitsbergen

You need a really good pair of winter boots, thermally insulated and waterproof. Large enough to be able to wear thick winter walking socks. Any guidance that you need on boots, please feel free to give the team a call, we’d be happy to advise.

You will need to bring your own cold weather clothing and thermals. Make sure you have have plenty of layers and go for loose fitting rather than tight fitting items.

Temperatures average around -20 degrees in winter which is cold enough when your standing still.

We run our first step programs from mid November through to the beginning of March.

Visas

If the UK leaves with a deal, travel to the EU will remain the same as now until at least 31 December 2020. You will not need to apply for a visa to travel or work in the EU during this time.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the rules for travelling or working in Europe will change.

The European Commission has proposed that in a no deal situation, if you’re a British Citizen, you would not need a visa for short stays in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU. You would be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visits to the Schengen area within the previous 180 days before your date of travel will count against the 90-day limit.

If you’re intending to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days, or your stay would take you over the 90 days in the 180-day limit, you may need to get a visa before you travel.

Travel to EU countries currently outside the Schengen area (Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus) would not count towards the 90-day total.

On arrival in the Schengen Area, you may be asked to confirm that you have sufficient funds available for the duration of your stay. As non-EEA nationals, different border control checks will apply, and you may also be asked to show a return or onward ticket. UK nationals would not have an ongoing right to use the separate lanes provided for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals.

The 90-day visa-free period does not entitle you to work in the Schengen area. Most countries will require a visa and work permit.

You should check with the Norwegian Embassy what type of visa, if any, you will need.

If you’re planning to stay longer than 3 months, see our Living in Norwayguide and contact the Norwegian Embassy if you have further questions.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, the rules for travel to most countries in Europe will change. If your adult passport was issued over 9 years ago, you may be affected. You should use this tool to check your passport is still valid for your trip before booking travel.

Adult and child passports should have at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your date of travel. If you renewed your passport early, extra months would have been added to your new passport. Any extra months on an adult passport will not count towards the validity requirement, so some passport holders will need to have more than 6 months remaining in order to travel.

You can check your passport here.

You’ll need your passport with you to enter Svalbard.