Icebound Odyssey | Alta & Svalbard Expedition

The journey begins in Alta, a gateway to Norway’s Arctic wilderness. After a scenic transfer from the airport, settle into the warm embrace of Trasti & Trine Boutique Hotel, where rustic elegance meets contemporary comfort. Enjoy a three-course dinner crafted from fresh, local ingredients. The evening is yours to slow down, breathe in the crisp northern air, and begin to attune to the rhythms of Arctic life. 

Few adventures capture the Arctic spirit like a day on the sled. After meeting and harnessing your eager husky team, set off across frozen plateaus and through hushed birch forests, the only sound the panting of dogs and the soft swish of the runners on snow. A campfire lunch in the wilderness offers warmth and camaraderie, with local flavours shared under an open sky. Return to the hotel for an extraordinary five-course Arctic tasting menu.

The day begins with a transfer to Glød Explorer’s Basecamp, where your Aurora Canvas Dome awaits—luxurious yet close to nature, with heated floors and sweeping skyward views. Later, strap on snowshoes to wander through pine forests, pausing at frozen lakes to try ice fishing for Arctic char. Around a fire in a lavvu tent, stories and warmth replace the chill. After dinner, the night holds promise: a northern lights chase with expert guides, who help you capture not just the aurora’s beauty, but the memory of standing beneath its glow. 

Today’s adventure swaps sleds for wheels, as you mount a fat-bike designed to glide effortlessly across snowy trails. Guided through the Alta Valley’s forests and ridges, each turn reveals landscapes sculpted by winter: sparkling trees, wide-open vistas, and the crisp clarity of Arctic air. The ride is equal parts exhilaration and meditation, a unique way to experience the north at your own rhythm. Back at base, your final dinner at Glød showcases the Arctic’s bounty—perhaps reindeer, moose, or king crab, each bite rich with regional tradition. 

From mainland Norway, the adventure shifts higher still. A short flight delivers you to Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, where colourful houses stand resilient against the stark Arctic backdrop. After checking in to Basecamp Longyearbyen, the day is yours to explore. Wander its streets, peek into polar history at the local museum, or simply absorb the frontier atmosphere of this remote settlement, poised between modern life and untamed wilderness. In the evening, settle into the lodge’s warm, wood-clad comfort, preparing for the expedition to come. 

The next chapter is a true polar journey: a three-day snowmobile expedition to the remote Isfjord Radio Adventure Lodge. Each day carries you across frozen fjords and over glacier-carved valleys, with pauses for expedition lunches and stories of Arctic survival. Nights bring a welcome contrast—comfort, gourmet meals, and perhaps a wood-fired sauna with the sea ice at your doorstep. From the lodge, ventures into the backcountry offer encounters with raw, untouched wilderness. Keep watch for Arctic foxes, reindeer, and - always - a cautious eye for polar bears. 

After a hearty breakfast, gear up for another thrilling day in Spitsbergen’s wild Arctic landscape. Guided by the day’s weather, you’ll trace snow-covered routes towards icy glaciers and endless horizons. Keep watch — with luck, a polar bear may appear on the sea ice. Lunch is enjoyed in the open wilderness, surrounded by silence and snow. Returning to Isfjord Radio, unwind with warmth and comfort before a well-earned dinner celebrating the adventure, stillness, and beauty of the Arctic.

Your final morning at Isfjord Radio begins with a hearty breakfast and endless Arctic views. After suiting up, begin the return journey to Longyearbyen, following a route shaped by the day’s weather and snow. Ride along dramatic coastlines, across glaciers, and between jagged peaks, pausing to uncover stories of Svalbard’s wildlife, geology, and polar past. Lunch is enjoyed in the open wilderness, surrounded by silence and snow. By afternoon, you’ll return to Longyearbyen - where warmth, comfort, and civilisation await once more.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Longyearbyen Airport for your onward flight. As you leave the Arctic behind, take with you the memories of its quiet, rugged beauty — snow-covered fjords, glistening glaciers, and the trails you’ve explored by snowmobile or sled. Remember the shared meals in remote lodges, the stillness of the endless white landscapes, and the fleeting moments of wildlife or northern lights. These are the experiences that stay with you long after the journey ends.