Day 1 — Arrival to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, you will be met at the airport by a member of the expedition team and transferred to your hotel (accommodation in Longyeabyen itself is at your expense and not included in the main expedition price). After settling in and free time to explore Longyearbyen, there will be a briefing in the Conference room at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel to answer any questions you might have. You will be updated on current camp conditions, expedition details, and your planned departure the following day to 89° north Barneo Ice Camp. This evening the group will get together for a welcome dinner. Day 2 — Barneo Ice Camp Accompanied by a member of the expedition team, we’ll transfer to the airport and board the special Antonov AN-74 aircraft for the approx. 2.5 hour flight to Barneo. One of the unique thrills of this expedition is landing on the ice runway at Barneo, a seasonal air strip constructed on the polar ice cap each year, and the only facility that allows external access to the base. Shortly after arriving at camp, we’ll have lunch and an introductory briefing will be conducted. Barneo is a functioning research base for scientists and adventurers from around the world, and it’s always a hive of activity. Fly to the North Pole! The excitement mounts as you prepare for your flight to the northernmost point on earth! At first chance the MI-8 helicopters will take you to the geographic North Pole (approximate flight time 40 minutes). Here there is only ice, and the Arctic Ocean is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) deep at this point. Weather conditions are closely monitored, and the flight will be scheduled accordingly. We’ll aim to land at 90° north. Once there, savor the moment – pose for pictures, walk around the world together, take it all in. You’ll spend about an hour here – walking, celebrating, and capturing those moments on camera – before the flight back to Barneo camp. Certificates of reaching the North Pole will be distributed at Barneo. Tonight, following dinner celebrations, you’ll rest up in your heated tent. Each co-ed tent houses 10-12 guests and is equipped with camp beds. Day 3 — Barneo Ice Camp and back to Longyearbyen An incomparable day at Barneo! You’ll have some time to wander around the camp and take in the last moments of your pristine surroundings and see the work of scientific expeditions at the ice camp, the process of diving under ice or daily life of the drifting station. We bid farewell to Barneo Ice Camp and return to Longyearbyen on the AN-74 (approximate flight time 2 hours 30 minutes). On arrival to Longyearbyen transfer to your hotel. Day 4 – Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Spare day (in case of delays). Free time. You have a chance to take part in Svalbard entertainment programs (for additional costs, advance booking required). Day 5 — Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Transfer to the airport for your flight home. IMPORTANT REMINDER: The itinerary outlined above is only a sample of a typical expedition to Barneo Ice Camp. Day-to-day activities may vary and are also weather dependent. Please note that all flights in the itinerary may be earlier or later than scheduled, depending on weather conditions. Dates of operation may be altered due to weather and ice conditions. Please bear this in mind when making international flight arrangements. You should purchasing flexible, changeable airline tickets, or booking a one-way flight home after completing the expedition, to help reduce ticket change fees. These delays may not be covered by travel insurance.