Polar expedition training level 1
Highlights
- A group limited to 7 participants for a truly tailor-made experience
- An exciting adventure focused on gaining full autonomy in a winter polar environment, preparing for more demanding expedition projects
- Discovering the world of Spitsbergen at 78° north latitude
- Guidance provided by a highly experienced guide
- Garmin InReach and satellite phone included
- High-quality equipment specifically adapted to the polar environment
During this short experience, we are immersed in the world of polar expeditions, allowing us to live a first intense experience. After familiarization with our equipment in Longyearbyen, we leave in total autonomy on skis and pulka to the kingdom of the white bear with a French speaking polar guide. We cross a wild environment, ski manhauling, at a season when few venture there. The landscape is unspoiled. We bivouac in a pure polar atmosphere. Our guide teaches us how to manage the freezing cold, dressing techniques and the rituals of setting up camp. An ideal program to prepare for a more ambitious polar expedition in Greenland or the Arctic
Overview
Take a look at our web-conference on polar expeditions, hosted by Dixie Dansercoer.
Itinerary
DAY 1 : FLIGHT TO LONGYEARBYEN, SPITSBERGEN
Day 1
We set off for Longyearbyen, arriving on day 2. We are transferred to the guesthouse where we will spend the next night. Sometimes the flight time requires a stopover in Oslo, and we do not land in Longyearbyen until the following morning. In both cases, we meet up with an international group of participants who will accompany us on our expedition.
DAY 2 : EXPEDITION PREPARATION
Day 2
Our guide presents our expedition itinerary for the next 5 days, its characteristics and gives us a safety briefing. Together we check our personal equipment and gear (boots and snowshoes, pulkas, harnesses, tents, mattresses and cold-weather sleeping bags). We then go food shopping and learn how to pack our pulkas as efficiently as possible.
We may have time to do an initial test of our gear at Adventalen Fjord. We will set up our tents and learn how to organize ourselves inside them. So, an afternoon of preparation, which will end with dinner with the whole team. Overnight stay at the guesthouse.
DAYS 3 TO 7 : EXPEDITION IN A PURE POLAR ENVIRONMENT
Day 3
This morning, we pick up a bear deterrent weapon and fuel for our stoves, then set off.
For the next five days, we follow a route that we have marked on our map. We drag our pulkas over the ice in exceptional landscapes of mountains and icefields. Our daily effort does not exceed 6 hours' walking for a distance of around 15 kilometers. The pace is accessible, which means we can enjoy the surroundings, admire them, take photographs and so on. We get used to the cold, which can be biting, and begin to enjoy a pure polar environment.
DAY 8 : RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION TO LONGYEARBYEN
Day 8
Then comes the last day of our short expedition. We return to Longyearbyen, unload our gear from the pulkas, dry it and put it away. Next, we take our well-deserved shower! We have then dinner with our companions and we debrief the expedition.
DAY 9 : LONGYEARBYEN AND RETURN FLIGHT
Day 9
Today is departure day. We are taken to the airport in the morning for our return flight.
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Your expedition leader is a guide from the Expeditions Unlimited team, fluent in both French and English, with extensive experience in polar environments and group management.
He represents Expeditions Unlimited to the group, our partners, and the local authorities. He makes the decisions necessary for the smooth running of the expedition. His authority is paramount and must be respected. You are required to comply with his decisions, as well as those taken collectively.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Difficulty level
Level rated: challenging
This program is designed for participants who take part in a regular sports activity several times a week, including endurance activity.
This is a magnificent introduction to the Far North. No technical skills are required. The pulkas are not too heavy. Trekking times are not a problem. Only the weather conditions may require us to draw on our mental resources. As always in this type of project, the key to success is teamwork and team spirit.
Meeting point
We will meet you at Longyearbyen airport in Spitsbergen, where our teams will welcome you.
Given the diverse origins of the participants on this trip, international outward and return flights are not included in this package. In most cases, we book flights on your behalf to ensure that the whole group arrives at the destination at the same time. We do not charge any fees for these air bookings. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you book your own tickets, we will advise you on the ideal flight schedule to enable all participants to arrive within a reduced time frame. At the very least, you need tickets that can be modified.
Accommodations
As indicated in the program, in a hotel or guesthouse in a double room with bathroom (sometimes it is shared). Breakfast included. During the expedition, nights are spent in tents.
Meals
Meals are taken in small restaurants or at the guesthouse in Longyearbyen where only breakfast is included in the price of this package. During the expedition, meals are prepared in advance. They provide us with all the calories we need for the expedition, with the emphasis on balance, weight and ease of preparation.
Transfers / Transport
Transfers from/to airport are collective and are ensured by buses or taxis.
Group size
The group consists of a maximum of 4 to 7 participants The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
The equipment provided includes tents, pulka sled, mattresses, stoves, kitchen equipment, etc.
A full list of personal equipment which is not provided is presented later in this document, part of which can also be rented to the participants. This list will be finalized and clarified while preparing your expedition with your guide.
Our commitments to sustainable development
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
And in 2022, we have set ourselves a carbon reduction target that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. By 2030, we aim to not exceed 2,160 tons of CO2. In 2024, all Secret Planet journeys emitted 2,064 tons, well below our maximum limit of 2,940 tons. The ceiling for 2025 is 2,800 tons, and in 2026 it will be further reduced to 2,660 tons. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 2 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €60 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €5,500 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Departures and pricing
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
No date works for me!
I initiate a new datePrice includes
- Hotel accommodation or in guesthouse in Longyearbyen (1 night on the way there and 1 night on the way back)
- Breakfasts in Longyearbyen
- All food during the expedition
- Expedition equipment : tents, stoves, cooking gear, fully equipped pulkas
- Pulkas and harnesses.
- Safety satellite phone (reserved for guide).
- Experimented polar guide
- Expedition permits
Price does not include
- International flights to Longyearbyen
- Any overnight stays in Oslo
- Lunches and dinners in Longyearbyen
- Personal equipment, including sleeping bag and sleeping mat, footwear, skis with skins, and poles (rental possible—please contact us)
Your private expedition, just for you!
Customized expedition
Bring your expedition to life—designed to match your ambition.
Does one of our existing expedition almost align with your objective? We can tailor it precisely: adjust the duration, refine the level of commitment, integrate specific goals (scientific, athletic, audiovisual production), adapt the logistics, or strengthen supervision and safety measures. This approach is built on proven terrain in order to create an expedition fully aligned with your goals.
Is your project unique and unlike anything that we currently offer? We design fully custom expeditions. This is no longer about adapting an existing program, but about building a complete project based on your constraints, your level of engagement, your objectives, and the realities of the field. Remote environments, extreme conditions, complex logistics, or specific projects (exploration, filming, scientific missions, personal challenges): every expedition is designed with precision and uncompromising standards.
For over 15 years, Expeditions Unlimited has been designing and operating expeditions worldwide—across all regions, environments, and activities—for individuals and corporate projects alike. Our field expertise ensures reliable systems, robust logistics, and controlled management of demanding environments.
Because every project is unique, our commitment is clear: to support you in designing and executing a safe, fully realized expedition that truly reflects your ambition.
Learn more about our custom expedition approach.
Tell us about your project
A few details are enough to get started. One of our experts will contact you within 48 hours to better understand your needs and propose a tailored approach.
Frequently asked questions
What level of physical fitness is required to take part in this winter expedition in Spitsbergen?
The programme is open to anyone with a regular sporting routine involving several sessions per week, including an endurance component. You do not need to be an elite athlete, but you should be comfortable with approximately 6-hour days of ski-pulka progression in extreme cold. The pulkas are loaded to remain manageable, and the daily distances (around 15 km) are not a challenge for someone who trains consistently.
Is prior experience in ski touring or polar expeditions required?
No prior technical skills are required. This programme is explicitly designed as a first polar expedition experience. All preparation takes place on site in Longyearbyen from day two, with a full safety briefing and hands-on practice with the equipment (pulkas, skins, stoves) on the Adventalen fjord. The guide adapts the pace and instruction to the group's level throughout the expedition.
What medical or registration requirements apply before joining the expedition?
The programme page does not specify a mandatory medical certificate or expedition CV at registration. It is nevertheless strongly advisable to consult a doctor before any extended stay in temperatures well below freezing. Adequate personal cold-weather gear is essential; if needed, sleeping bags and insulated suits can be rented directly through the organiser.
How does the five-day pulka traverse actually unfold day to day?
After two days of preparation in Longyearbyen (arrival, briefing, equipment testing on the fjord), the group sets off for five days of autonomous ski-pulka travel across the Arctic tundra. Daily progression lasts around 6 hours and covers approximately 15 km. Each night involves setting up a tented bivouac camp, managing the stoves and following polar camp routines. The exact route is adjusted by the guide based on weather conditions and the group's state.
How is polar bear safety managed during the days in the tundra?
The guide carries a polar bear deterrent at all times, a legal requirement for any expedition leaving Longyearbyen in Svalbard. The safety briefing on day two covers the protocols to follow in the event of a polar bear encounter. A GPS tracking beacon and a satellite phone complete the safety kit, ensuring continuous contact with ground logistics support.
How does Arctic winter weather affect the programme's schedule and route?
Svalbard in winter presents characteristic polar conditions: near-permanent darkness, temperatures that can drop to very low values and winds that significantly increase the cold feel. Weather routing is built into the programme, enabling the guide to adjust the itinerary or daily start times accordingly. The guide holds full authority over route and safety decisions based on real-time conditions.
What makes a winter ski-pulka traverse in Spitsbergen different from other introductory polar expeditions?
Spitsbergen (78° north latitude) offers authentic polar immersion in real winter conditions, including near-total darkness depending on the timing, unlike more accessible Arctic destinations or spring programmes. Hauling your own pulka across the tundra is a direct introduction to the techniques used on major polar expeditions (Greenland traverses, pole expeditions), within a geographically contained and guided environment.
What type of terrain and snow conditions should participants expect on this route?
The itinerary crosses the Arctic tundra of Spitsbergen on Nordic skis with a pulka. The terrain is predominantly flat to gently rolling, with no technical alpine sections. The main challenge is managing effort and body heat in extreme cold, not navigating difficult relief. Participants learn to read the Arctic environment (snow, ice, wind) and to regulate their pace and thermal management accordingly.
Could storms or icy conditions block progression during the traverse?
Arctic winter conditions are unpredictable: blizzards and strong winds can occur. The programme is built with flexibility: the guide adjusts the route in real time. The group is equipped with expedition-grade tents capable of withstanding severe polar conditions, and weather routing helps identify favourable windows. If conditions make forward movement impossible, a stationary bivouac is a contingency built into the programme logistics.
What is the guide-to-participant ratio on this programme, and how is leadership structured?
The programme takes a maximum of 4 to 7 participants with one experienced polar guide, fluent in both French and English. The ratio therefore ranges from 1:4 to 1:7 depending on group size. The guide handles navigation, polar bear safety, bivouac management and skills coaching throughout. For a private booking based on 2 participants, the ratio drops to 1:2.
What medical and logistical support is in place during the days of autonomous travel in the tundra?
A 24-hour medical helpline is available for the full duration of the expedition. The guide carries a satellite phone and a Garmin InReach beacon to maintain continuous contact with ground logistics support. No on-site doctor or hyperbaric chamber is mentioned (irrelevant at these altitudes). In the event of a serious medical emergency, evacuation from Svalbard is possible through the Norwegian rescue services.
What collective equipment is provided, and what must participants bring themselves?
Provided collective equipment includes extreme-cold tents, pulka sleds, expedition sleeping mats, stoves and cooking gear, a polar bear deterrent, a satellite phone and a Garmin InReach beacon. Each participant must bring their own personal cold-weather kit: a sleeping bag rated to at least minus 30°C, a down jacket and salopettes, and a full ski kit (skis, climbing skins, poles, boots). Rental is available directly: sleeping bag between €150 and €200, jacket and salopettes between €110 and €140.
Which meals, accommodation and transfers are included in the price?
The price includes two nights in a hotel or guesthouse in Longyearbyen on a twin-share basis with breakfast, as well as all meals during the five days of autonomous expedition travel. Evening meals in Longyearbyen (beyond breakfast) and international flights remain at the participants' expense. Scheduled in-programme transfers are included. The expedition permit, mandatory for leaving Longyearbyen, is also covered.
How does this expedition differ from a standard tourist trip to Spitsbergen?
A standard tourist trip to Spitsbergen typically consists of guided day excursions from Longyearbyen, with no real autonomy, no bivouac and none of the physical and logistical demands of a pulka traverse. This programme places participants in a genuine expedition situation from the outset: camp planning, cold management, food rationing, polar bivouac rituals. It is an operational initiation, not a guided discovery from a comfortable hotel.
What more demanding programmes does this expedition naturally lead to?
This programme is explicitly presented as a first step towards more ambitious polar projects. The skills acquired (winter bivouac management, pulka handling, cold-weather autonomy) transfer directly to larger-scale expeditions: Greenland traverses, expeditions to the geographic poles, or multi-week winter polar programmes. It is the natural entry point for anyone looking to engage seriously with polar exploration.
Explore all our polar expeditions in Greenland and the high-Arctic
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