In combination with our small ship Arctic Voyages and Natural History Sailing expeditions, we also offer single day trips within Spitsbergen which you can add before or after a voyage. A longer trek to a glacier or mountain, dog sledding, fossil hunting and sea kayaking are all ways in which you can enhance your experience of the Arctic and Spitsbergen's dramatic landscapes and scenery. Day trips sometimes combine certain elements of each. These are all led by expert guides, fully versed in polar activities and travel.

To see how a particular voyage can be enhanced, or discuss whether there is any need to consider doing so, give one of our polar experts a call on 0844 412 0848 or +44 (0)1428 620012, or complete an enquiry form by clicking HERE.

Dog Sledding

Mushing a pack of huskies is culture in the Arctic and something which our Norwegian leaders can teach you the principles of in a relatively short time. With some simple instruction, you will soon find yourself skimming across the High Arctic where home bred explorers like Roald Amundsen have made Norway's polar explorers legendary.

Dog sledding is available on wheels in the summer months and on the snow from late October (usually) through to mid May. For the opportunity to combine a polar voyage with sledding in the snow, our October South Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages are ideal. These also provide some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis).

We can run dog sledding day trips at any time with a minimum of two people.

Trekking - Glaciers & Mountains

Whilst all of our polar voyages incorporate daily landings and opportunities to hike, our one day trekking experiences can provide a longer distance walking. Spitsbergen literally means 'jagged peaks' - a name given to the archipelago's main island by the Dutch explorer Willem Barents. As the name suggests, there are many coastal peaks which can provide an exhilarating day trek, as well as the island's many dramatic glaciers.

A wonderful 5 - 7 hour trek can incorporate the 849 metre peak of Trollsteinen, which has dramatic views across Spitsbergen's mountains and fjord lands. A trek here can include a visit to the Lars Glacier.  For details please Click Here.

Day treks are different every day so please contact us to discuss options to fit in with your voyage.

Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking is an activity which some of our voyages can incorporate. For those which don't, we may be able to arrange sea kayaking for you before or after your voyage. Seasons play an important part in this because this is very much a mid summer activity when sea ice has receded from areas around Longyearbyen.

For an introduction to polar sea kayaking please Click HERE.

Geology & Fossils

Spitsbergen is an excellent place to go fossil hunting. One location to search  is the foot of the Longyearbreen glacier where fossilized plants, some 40 - 60 million years old, can be found in the moraine.

On a trip to Isfjord, we can take a rigid inflatable boat and pay a visit to a Natural History Museum of Oslo excavation site. Here palaentologists can show you where they are unearthing two fossilized Plesiosaurs and one Ichthyosaur fossil. This is usually a bumpy boat ride but it will take you past the impressive Diabas cliffs where there is an abundance of Atlantic puffins and Brünnich's guillemots.

Northern Lights

Spitsbergen's far northern latitude make it an ideal location from which to try to see the Northern Lights. One way to do this is by taking up accommodation with us in a trapper's lodge styled hotel in Longyearbyen, where you will be awoken if the Northern Lights are spotted. You can opt to be taken to an ideal viewing spot away from artificial light which can otherwise obscure your sightings.

We generally recommend that you try to see the Northern Lights whilst experiencing more of the High Arctic. Our October South Spitsbergen Voyages provide good opportunities, as do our Spitsbergen to Greenland and dedicated Greenland voyages. Our November Lofoten Islands voyages can be even better, with many anchorages available far from light pollution.

Another option is from the Ship in the Ice, which from the end of February we get to by snowmobile (skidoo). From the beginning of March to mid May we get you there by dog sledding across the Arctic wilderness.

For information about what to see in the capital of Spitsbergen, Longyearbyen, please Click HERE.