FAQs
Svalbard Wilderness Adventure Camp
Travel
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Flights to Longyearbyen Airport run from Oslo Gardermoen. Once there, an airport shuttle will drop you at your guesthouse so you can check in and settle before meeting your group.
Flights to Longyearbyen Airport run from Oslo Gardermoen. Please book yourself in for Day 1 and fly out on the final day.
There's no group transfer, but the airport shuttle bus is timed to meet every flight. It'll drop you at the guesthouse on arrival and pick you up when it's time to leave.
Aim to arrive at the guesthouse by 7:30pm on Day 1, in time for the welcome dinner and to meet the group. On the final day, book any flight that suits you. There are no activities scheduled, so you're free to head off whenever.
Shuttle tickets cost around £8/€10 each way and aren't included in the trip price. For more information, including bus stop location, visit the website here: Airport Shuttle Bus.
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers delays, cancellations, and missed connections. Arctic weather can be unpredictable, and it's worth having that backup.
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Flights to Longyearbyen Airport run from Oslo Gardermoen. Please book yourself in for Day 1 and fly out on the final day.
There's no group transfer, but the airport shuttle bus is timed to meet every flight. It'll drop you at the guesthouse on arrival and pick you up when it's time to leave.
Aim to arrive at the guesthouse by 7:30pm on Day 1, in time for the welcome dinner and to meet the group. On the final day, book any flight that suits you. There are no activities scheduled, so you're free to head off whenever.
Shuttle tickets cost around £8/€10 each way and aren't included in the trip price. For more information, including bus stop location, visit the website here: Airport Shuttle Bus.
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers delays, cancellations, and missed connections. Arctic weather can be unpredictable, and it's worth having that backup.
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Take any flight that connects through Oslo to reach Longyearbyen in time for the start of the trip. The airport shuttle aligns with all flight arrival and departure times, so there is some flexibility if your flight is delayed.
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Once you join the trip WhatsApp group, you can discuss travel plans with other guests. Due to limited daily flights, you'll likely be on the same flight as your trip mates.
Accommodation & Food
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Our adventure is split between a comfortable guesthouse in Longyearbyen and an expedition-style base camp in the Arctic wilderness. In Longyearbyen, you’ll stay in a cosy, well-equipped guesthouse in a shared dorm. At base camp, you’ll sleep in high-quality tents that you’ll share with a fellow Gutsy Girl. A heated communal tent also provides a space to eat, chat, and warm up after a day of adventure.
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In Longyearbyen, yes. Once we’re in the wilderness, you’ll be completely off-grid—no signal, no distractions, just the raw beauty of the Arctic.
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Towels are available at the guesthouse in Longyearbyen, but you’ll need to bring a lightweight travel towel for base camp. Hairdryers are also available at the guesthouse but won’t be accessible at camp.
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Not during the expedition. A bit of travel wash should be enough if you need to freshen up your layers.
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Any luggage you don’t need for the adventure camp can be left behind in Longyearbyen. Storage areas are available at the hostel or at the guide’s secure warehouse.
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Expect hearty, warming meals designed to keep you fuelled for adventure. In Longyearbyen, we’ll enjoy fresh Arctic cuisine, while at camp, we’ll have expedition-style meals—nutritious, energy-packed, and ideal for the conditions. Hot drinks are always available to keep spirits high in the cold.
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Absolutely! Let us know in advance about any allergies or preferences, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.
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Yes, the tap water in Longyearbyen is safe to drink. And no need to worry about drinking water while at camp - there’s a fresh clean ice river which will be the main source for water.
Activities
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Duration: Prepare for extended days in the Arctic, with daily hikes, glacier hiking with crampons and harnesses, and kayak outings lasting up to 7-8 hours.
Distance: Expect to hike up to 12 km with elevation gains of up to 750 m on challenging terrain wearing a day pack. Kayak expeditions are likely to be around 5 - 10 km. Some days you will both kayak and hike in one day.
Terrain: The hikes take place in rugged terrain with a base of sand, loose stone, and uneven ground, often with inclines and snow patches, so sturdy boots and some hiking experience is essential. The glacier hike will require you to wear crampons and a harness to progress across the icy glacier. You should be comfortable hiking over rough surfaces wearing a day pack and keeping a steady pace.
Intensity: While no prior experience is required, we navigate diverse terrains on this trip using a mixture of kayaking, hiking and glacier hiking using safety equipment, with long days outdoors and camp chores in the evening and overnight. Having good stamina is essential for the journey.
Weather Conditions: The weather conditions in Svalbard can be challenging; so you’ll need to have a positive attitude to whatever conditions come your way!
Off Grid Camping: For 2 nights, anticipate off grid living in a remote, extreme environment with no running water or electricity. You’ll be sharing a tent with a fellow Gutsy Girl. There’ll be a heated communal tent for meals and a toilet tent.
Communal Living: Embrace the camaraderie! There are no private quarters; you'll bunk with fellow Gutsy Girls. You will take part in daily camp chores such as setting up tents, polar bear watch, helping to cook, fetching water and washing dishes.
Polar Bear Watch: To ensure safety, you will take turns on night-time polar bear watch; so expect some disturbed sleep.
Consecutive Activity: Five consecutive days of activity in such conditions can be taxing. Gear up for intense, rewarding adventure days.
Mindset: A proactive and positive approach will enhance the experience. When challenges arise, dig deep and lean on the group spirit.
* Please note that the July 23–29 trip itinerary may vary slightly in terms of day allocation. -
This trip is rated challenging. No experience with glaciers or kayaking is required but a high fitness level is essential.
Activities include full-day hiking excursions, glacier hiking with crampons and harnesses and kayaking.
You will be expected to take part in daily camp chores such as polar bear watch, helping to cook, fetching water and washing dishes.
Participants should anticipate variable weather conditions and be equipped for the challenges of Arctic travel.
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Svalbard’s summer is a season of extremes—temperatures hover between 0–10°C, with 24-hour daylight. Conditions can change rapidly, with wind, snow, and sunshine all possible in a single day. Layering is key to staying comfortable.
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Dry suit
Buoyancy aid
Set of base layers (top and bottom - synthetic, wool or silk. Not cotton)
Thin fleece mid layer
1-2 pairs of socks
Neoprene boots
Gloves
We will supply the drysuit, neoprene boots, gloves and buoyancy aid.
Whilst kayaking, we recommend wearing a set of wool (particularly merino wool) base layers, with a thin fleece or similar underneath your dry suit to prevent getting too hot and then chilled whilst on the water. Dry suits are not very breathable and can cause you to get very warm during exercise.
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Yes! You can find it here.
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Yes, a 25-litre daypack is ideal for carrying essentials like extra layers, snacks, water, and a camera.
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Pyramiden and Barentsburg are both owned and operated by the Russian state-owned Trust Arktikugol. By visiting these settlements, it also supports a Russian state-owned company. We and our provider strongly distance ourselves from the invasion and war in Ukraine, therefore we will not visit these locations.
Safety & Polar Bears
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While we can’t guarantee a sighting, we’ll be in prime polar bear territory. Safety is paramount for both our guests and the bears and our guides are highly experienced in managing arctic wildlife.
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Svalbard is home to one of the world’s largest populations of polar bears, and safety is our top priority. We take the following precautions:
24-hour watch: At camp, we take turns keeping watch for any wildlife activity.
Expert guidance: Our guides are highly trained in polar bear safety and carry deterrents, including flares and rifles (only for emergency use). The guides have been operating tours for 25 years and have never had an incident with polar bears, so we are in good hands.
Strict food storage: We follow strict protocols to avoid attracting bears to camp.
No approaching wildlife: We observe from a safe distance and never seek out or disturb polar bears.
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Yes, absolutely. Polar bears are fully protected under the Svalbard Environmental Act, which prohibits luring, pursuing, or actively seeking them out. All encounters must be passive, ensuring we do not disturb their natural behaviour.
Environmental Responsibility
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The Arctic is one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, and we take every measure to leave it as we found it. Our approach includes:
Leave No Trace principles – We carry out all waste and leave campsites exactly as we found them.
Wildlife respect – We observe from a distance, never interfering with natural behaviours.
Eco-conscious travel – We use human-powered transport where possible, such as kayaking and hiking, to minimise our footprint.
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Exploring the Arctic is a privilege, and we all have a role in protecting it. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Stick to marked routes where possible to avoid damaging delicate tundra vegetation.
Never leave litter – even biodegradable waste can harm the ecosystem.
Do not pick plants or disturb wildlife – everything in the Arctic has a role to play in its delicate balance.
Respect local communities – Longyearbyen is a unique and remote town; follow local guidelines and be mindful of its residents and culture.
Be prepared for change – Arctic conditions shift rapidly, so adaptability is key.
Other
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Cards are widely accepted in Longyearbyen, but it’s useful to have a small amount of Norwegian Kroner for any personal expenses.
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Never! Our trips welcome adventurous women of all ages, from 18 to 70+. Most guests are in their 30s and 40s, but it’s your mindset—not your birth year—that matters.
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Of course! Most of our guests come alone. You’ll arrive as a solo traveller but leave with a group of like-minded, adventure-loving friends.
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We work with the best guides available—male or female. While we champion women in the industry, Arctic guiding is highly specialised, and our priority is ensuring the safest and most enriching experience for our guests.
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Our hosts are volunteers who are passionate about our mission and want to help more women get outdoors. They're not professionals in the sports or from the countries the trips are based in. Instead, they are there for you. Our guides on the other hand are employed by our local partners in-country and are there to teach you epic activities, lead your sessions and answer all your questions.
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Tipping is not compulsory on our adventures, but if you've had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated. We recommend giving €20-€30, or whatever you can or feel is the right amount.