North Pole Ski the Last Degree
Turn a dream into reality and go where few have been before, joining an exclusive North Pole Expedition. Strap on your skis and encounter extraordinary scenery as you make your way across the ice to the Geographic North Pole. You will literally be on top of the world!
Your journey starts in the remote village of Longyearben in Arctic Norway, where the Northern Lights can be seen glowing in the sky. After some time to acclimatise to the high Arctic setting, you will fly by helicopter or small plane to 89° North where you will strap on your skis and head True North to the Pole. For the next 5 days you will be an integral member of the expedition team as you face the challenges of circumnavigating thin ice, open water and drifting ice sheets. This is the expedition of a lifetime and the journey has attracted many explorers over the years. North Pole expeditions are a combination of mental attitude, physical stamina and skills, however, despite all the hard work, an expedition to the top of the world is an incredible experience.
Celebrate your achievements on reaching your goal, the North Geographic Pole, and spend a night sleeping on your ice bed but don't be surprised to find you have moved overnight!
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MT-6777-P) |
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Bed & Breakfast |
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Training and sledge hauling techniques |
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Flight to "Borneo ice base" |
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North Pole Expedition |
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Helicopter flight back to "Borneo" |
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Jet flight Borneo to Longyearbyen |
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Price Excludes |
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Additional nights and/or meals caused by adverse weather or Ice conditions.
International flights,
Accommodation in Longyearbyen or Oslo,
Transfers,
Insurance or
Kit Hire |
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Activities Included |
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Exploring, dog sledding |
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Suitability / Level |
Strenous |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Day 1 From Oslo (Norway) to Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen, Norway) via Tromso.
Arriving late in the evening, you will be met and taken directly to your hotel accommodation in Longyearbyen.
Day 2
This is a relaxed morning, after the previous day's flying, acclimatising to this dramatic high Arctic setting, with opportunities to visit the many special attractions of this historic mining town. After lunch, preparations are made for a short training journey in the immediate hinterland of Longyearbyen. This presents opportunities to fit and modify personal clothing and equipment, familiarise with the basic techniques of sledge-hauling, and practise camp and safety routines. Your guides will be dedicated throughout to ensuring you get the most from your experience in the far North, and they are available at all times to answer any questions you have about the main expedition. Back to the hotel.
Day 3
The morning will see more training with the sledge and you will return back to the hotel in the afternoon, enabling final preparations to be made for the Pole expedition over the rest of the day. Despite its geographic isolation Longyearbyen has several excellent outdoor and camping shops, so last minute kit purchases can be made at this stage, if necessary.
Day 4
Depending on weather conditions, you will fly to the seasonally erected sea ice base, 'Borneo', on the Arctic Ocean. If Borneo has drifted substantially away from latitude 89° North, then you will transfer to the MI-8 helicopter based at Borneo for a 'drop-off' at 89° North. The sledge-hauling expedition then sets off on skis, heading True North to the Pole.
Days 5-10
The expedition team continues towards the Pole over ice pans, pressure ridges and ice rubble fields, while circumnavigating thin ice and open water ('leads').
Day 11
The goal attained the team finally reaches the North Geographic Pole!
The tent is pitched and, after celebrations, the team sleeps overnight at the Pole, floating on the ice about 4 km above the seabed!
Day 12
The next morning the MI-8 helicopter comes for the 'pick up' and the team returns to Borneo. The jet plane then arrives at Borneo, subject to weather, to return the team to Longyearbyen. Depending on your arrival time, there may be opportunities to dog-sled or to snowmobile. Accommodation is on Spitsbergen where the celebrations may continue!
Day 13
A sad good bye from the arctic as the team flies home via Tromso and Oslo.
*It is important to recognise and accept that this itinerary may be subject to delays or revision due to the effects of the prevailing weather and ice conditions. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Accommodation is included throughout the trip please contact us for further details. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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