Trip Report from Svalbard

Veronika’s trip to Svalbard

Veronika recently visited Tromso and Svalbard and shared her thoughts on what the region offered. You can read part one of her trip report from Tromso here

After Tromso, I travelled to Spitsbergen and checked in at the Radisson BLU hotel.

Later that same day I travelled to Huset where I got a chance to meet with some more activity providers. Svalbard Tourism provide a full adventure package where you can either go skiing, dog-sledding or snowmobiling in to various areas in Svalbard. Svalbard is an example of nature at its coldest and rawest, yet it still retains an awesome beauty to it and Svalbard Tourism offer a great selection of ways in which you can enjoy this wilderness. Svalbard Husky offer a true experience of the north on one of their fantastic husky tours. Poli Arctic offer specialised tours of Svalbard using a variety of travelling mechanisms such as skiing and rubber boating, they provide all the equipment and are very professional, perfect for the experienced adventurer. Henningsen Transport and Gliding provide further trips into Svalbard and are the owners of a fully equipped expedition vessel which is perfect for diving, filming and research purposes. Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions offer a chance to see some of the incredible and diverse wildlife in the arctic. Spitsbergen Travel offer skiing and sailing trips into Svalbard as well as a chance to go fossil hunting, they are a well-established and professional firm. Svalbard Booking provide trips into Svalbard via snowmobile and dogsled, however, they also offer French wine tasting and ice-caving adventures. Basecamp Spitsbergen provide tailor made adventures into the wilderness from their new basecamp, they offer trips to see the wildlife and more challenging adventures into the arctic. After dinner in Huset I transferred back to my hotel for a well-deserved rest!

On the Thursday after breakfast at the hotel I went on a snowmobile tour with Svalbard Booking. It gave me the chance to see the glaciers and fjords of the arctic, and they say that sometimes you can even catch sight of a polar bear. They place strong emphasis on customer service and environmental friendliness. In the afternoon I visited the Svalbard museum. They explain how they area was first explored and explain the whaling culture as well as looking at some of the natural wonders of the area both above and below water. They also have an amazing photo collection which you could compare some of your holiday pictures with to see how good a photographer you really are! In the afternoon I inspected some more hotels. The Basecamp Trapper’s Lodge provides a unique cultural experience with its wooden interior decorated with sealskins, driftwood and other local objects. The Spitsbergen Hotel is a more modern building providing a comfortable experience with fully-equipped warm rooms, whilst still being nicely decorated.

On the morning of my last day I went dog sledding with Svalbard Husky. I got to experience the real arctic one last time on this well lead tour. I could take in the local wildlife and spectacular scenery, they offer trips whatever the weather and they promise that they will always be fantastic. I left later that day and arrived back in England in the evening.

I would highly recommend this trip as – a brilliant opportunity for anyone wanting to experience this last wilderness. It doesn’t matter whether you are travelling as a family or as an adventurous explorer looking for something new. There is truly something for everyone.