Svalbard

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Lots of crazy Norwegians of either sex. Endless forests. coast lines, fjords, mountains, the odd glacier, a few Stave churches to show we were in about the same mental state 1000 years ago, rivers, fisheries, a few cities, flowers, etc. etc. And don't forget SNOW.  In summary probably enough to keep you happy for a few days.

[elsa hoffmann]

One sex is fine - I dont need either sex
We shall have a good discussion about it soon
Glaciers and snow....mmm
edit - OOOPS men. not woman   

[Tersn]

Svalbard is on my list of travel goals too. My preference would be an expedition on land traveling by snow scooters  and sleeping in tents. Among other things one must bring approved weapons as a protection against ice bears.

[elsa hoffmann]

here we go again. Just when I think the trip is off the charts - you want to go also and I want to go again.

[Jan Anne]

here we go again. Just when I think the trip is off the charts - you want to go also and I want to go again.

My guess is that the over land expeditions are a lot cheaper than the naval expeditions, might be worth checking

[Asle F]

here we go again. Just when I think the trip is off the charts - you want to go also and I want to go again.

My guess is that the over land expeditions are a lot cheaper than the naval expeditions, might be worth checking

Over land expeditions are for the winter. Or by foot, but then you will not come very long. Naval expeditions are for the sumer, and is the way to come around everywhere.

[Tersn]

Snow scooter/snowmobile expeditions are arranged from february to mid May.
Here is one link out of many:
http://www.polar-travel.com/english/more_destinations/svalbard_extreme/00039.htm

[elsa hoffmann]

Terns - I am too scared to enquire about the price on the 17 day strip... and I think by day 17 you will have a perfectly preserved 14 day old corpse to photograph.

[Tersn]

Elsa:
They do have shorter trips, like 5 days, too (price about 1600 euro):

http://www.polar-travel.com/english/more_destinations/svalbard_winter_safari/00038.htm

There also exists short two days trips (some $350)

Of course, the 17 days extreme trip is only for those few who already have got some experience with arctic expeditions.

[Anthony]

Bear in mind that daylight hours in winter are limited.

[elsa hoffmann]

a 5 day trip sounds more affordable - but it comes with its own set of limitations - winter.

Perhaps if one has a get together somewhere - we can go on a 2 or 5 day trip before or after

BUT  being on land - how much chance of getting close enough to DA BEARS ??

[Asle F]

Bear in mind that daylight hours in winter are limited.

Not in april and may. There is midnight sun in Longyearbyen (at 78°N) from 20.april.

[elsa hoffmann]

when I looked at tours (by ship/boat/water) they all booked around June  - august and some as late as September. One friend told me she thought  September  might be a bit late. She only saw 5 PB

whats the viewing chances in May? I think the state of the ice is crucial for the moving about?

[Anthony]

You are unlikely to get close to a polar bear on a land trip.  If you do, then there is a good chance that you or the bear will die.

May is too early - probably too much ice for a ship to get very far.  September is a bit late, but possible.  Five polar bears is a good result - finding bears is not at all like finding lions in Africa. 

This website gives some useful information on timing  http://www.spitsbergentravel.com/Start/About-Svalbard/info/faqs/

[elsa hoffmann]

thanks for the link -

so we are kind of back to a ship - or not