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Trip details | Dates & prices | Itinerary | Arctic | Spitsbergen |
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| Ship Locked in Ice Snowmobile Expedition | ||
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At the end of February, the sun just starts to rise above the horizon. This brings a great sense of rejuvenation and hope, yet opportunities to see the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) remains very high. The adventure makes use of skidoos (motorbikes on skis) to reach a 100 year old sailing ship locked for the winter in sea ice. This stunning twin masted schooner, which we use throughout the summer for natural history sailing expeditions in Spitsbergen, has been specially ice strengthened to enable it to withstand the pressures of being locked in sea ice.
The journey to the ship takes us across 70 km of snow covered wilderness and frozen Arctic seas to the stunning Tempel Fjord. Along the way you will see some impressive Arctic mountains and glacier scenery. We make best use of daylight hours by using fast moving skidoos, which provide an exhilarating journey. Whilst we wrap up warm to fend of the elements, the centrally heated ship provides a warm welcome, great food and an ideal base from which to stare up at the night sky. The 'ship in the ice' will then become your base for the night, in a scene reminiscent of those in which explorers sat through the winter, waiting for their chance to set out for the poles. Here you will be able to absorb your surroundings in a land of complete silence, far from the trappings of modern daily life. As the morning light returns, views from the ship are stunning, with the Von Post glacier in view. This is the land of the polar bear, so if we are lucky we may see one wandering across the frozen landscape. As the sun begins to rise we will return to the skidoos and across a landscape which looks as though it is in sunrise and sunset all at the same time. You will be returning to Norway's northernmost town of Longyearbyen, staying in a hotel designed in the form of an old trappers lodge. Whilst the year's first journey to the ship in the ice is by skidoo, subsequent journeys from 1st March - mid May are by a choice of skidoo or dog sled. For details about the dog sledding option please Click Here. If you would like to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, then it is a good idea to stay a night or two longer in Longyearbyen. You can make use of this time by learning how to mush your own team of huskies. For further information, please click on the Dates & prices tab. Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell, Erik Rodesjö & Jan Belgers Spitsbergen - Greenland - Iceland - Polar Wildlife Voyages & expedition cruise holidays - Noorderlicht basecamp - Arctic camp & kayak - Rainforest4Climate - Longyearbyen flights hotels & acommodation |
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