Norway’s Basecamp Explorer operates three small lodges across Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, offering access to one of the world’s most remote wilderness areas, where the environment is governed by polar light cycles, shifting ice and native wildlife.
New from Basecamp Explorer
The company has announced 10 expeditions for 2026, covering both summer and winter seasons. This new program represents a significant expansion in Arctic travel options, providing opportunities to explore Svalbard’s rugged landscapes, from dynamic ice formations to rare animal sightings.
Basecamp Explorer operates year-round, combining distinctive lodges with expedition-style accommodations and activities including snowmobiling, glacier kayaking and wildlife trekking. Sustainability is central to its approach, balancing exploration with conservation efforts to protect the delicate Arctic ecosystem while honoring the heritage of the island’s historic trappers.
The three lodges each offer unique experiences. Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen is open year-round with 16 rooms featuring trapper-style design and modern amenities, serving as the base for multi-day trips. Nordenskiold Lodge, open March-April and July-September, is the world’s northernmost commercial lodge, accessible only by boat or snowmobile. It has four rooms, no running water or electricity and is situated in a remote area inhabited only by seals, polar bears, ptarmigan and Arctic foxes. Isfjord Radio, open February through October, is a former radio station converted into a 22-room boutique hotel on the Arctic Ocean’s edge. Your clients can hike tundra, swim in Arctic waters and dine by fire while surrounded by polar bears, walruses and migratory seabirds.
Established in 1998 on Spitsbergen, the largest island in Svalbard, Basecamp Explorer’s first lodge was built using driftwood, tar paper and recycled materials, reflecting the trapper tradition. The company has since grown, creating destinations that immerse guests in the Arctic environment. Despite a history of coal mining and trapping, much of Spitsbergen remains pristine. Basecamp Explorer is committed to preserving this environment while offering sustainable Arctic experiences.
Spitsbergen offers different seasonal experiences. The winter season from February to May features activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding and skiing, with opportunities to explore ice caves and spot wildlife like seals, Arctic foxes and reindeer. The summer season from June to September reveals snow-melted landscapes, glaciers and abundant seabirds, with activities including boating, kayaking, glacier hikes and dog sledding on wheels. The polar night from October to February brings continuous darkness, ideal for viewing the Northern Lights, with activities like dog sledding and hiking.
The 2026 expeditions include dog sledding journeys such as the 5-day Trapper’s Trail and the 8-day Telegraph Route, snowmobiling and dog sledding combinations and summer hiking and kayaking trips. The Isfjord Radio Music Festival takes place September 4-6, offering an Arctic music experience in the wilderness. Polar night adventures include a 4-day Northern Lights trip featuring dog sledding and ice cave hikes.
For more information, visit basecampexplorer.com.
