High Arctic Geography University Tour to Svalbard
Example study tour
Created for The University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire required a group travel package, where their undergraduate students could study glaciers in the High Arctic.
StudyLink created an 11-day study tour package to Svalbard (Spitsbergen), enabling students to use a variety of techniques to study glaciers, and their melt water production, in response to global warming.
Take a look at all our Geography College & University Trips.
Group travel services provided by StudyLink
- Flights from Heathrow International Airport (including separate flights for accompanying faculty staff)
- 2 nights’ B&B accommodation at the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport Hotel West (on days 1 and 10)
- Flights from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to Svalbard
- Airport transfers in Svalbard
- 8 nights’ B&B accommodation at Coal Miners Cabins
- Fieldwork activities including: River Gauging & project work in Longyearbyen, boat excursion to Vonpostbreen & Tunabreen, hiking & project work in Foxfonna, boat excusion to Tryghamna and Protektor Glacier
- Services of a highly experienced guide throughout the tour to support visit programme
- All necessary safety equipment for each activity
- Extensive group travel insurance
- 24/7 on-call service
- Services of a dedicated Account Executive
- Bespoke itinerary planning service
- Online trip organiser & travel app
- Risk management services
Custom-made 11-day itinerary to Svalbard
Day 1 - Flight from Heathrow International Airport
After boarding an early evening flight from Heathrow International Airport, the group arrived in Oslo and made their way to the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport Hotel West, where they would stay for one night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 – Arrive in Svalbard
Continental breakfast served at the hotel. The group then checked in for their onward flight to Svalbard.
After arrival at Svalbard Airport, the group were met by coach and transferred to the Coal Miners Cabins where they spent the next 8 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
The group had free time for the rest of the day.
Day 3 – River Gauging in Longyearbyen
Continental breakfast served at the hotel.
After breakfast, the group met their guide at their accommodation and walked to Longyearbyen where they undertook river gauging in the forefield and then conducted experiments on the lower ice surface.
After their fieldwork, the group had the rest of the day free for their own arrangements.
Day 4 – Boat trip to Vonpostbreen & Tunabreen
Continental breakfast served at the accommodation.
The group then met their guide for their boat excursion to Vonpostbreen and Tunabreen. Both areas are renowned for their beautiful blue ice glaciers. After undertaking their fieldwork, the group travelled back to their hotel and had the rest of their day free for their own arrangements.
Day 5 – Fieldwork on Foxfonna
Continental breakfast served at the accommodation.
The group met their guide to take part in a hike and fieldwork on Foxfonna lower ice area, where they monitored glacial meltwater and glacier hydrology.
The group then had free time scheduled for their own arrangements.
Day 6 – Fieldwork on Longyearbyen
Continental breakfast served at the accommodation.
The group met their guide and walked into Longyearbyen to continue to undertake experiments on the ice surface.
The group then had the rest of the day free.
Day 7 – Boat excursion to Tryghamna & Protektor Glacier
Continental breakfast served at the accommodation.
The group met their guide and took a boat trip to Tryghamna fjord and to continue their investigations, covering arctic glacier dynamics and basic hydrochemistry.
After returning from their fieldwork by boat, the group had the evening free for their own arrangements.
Day 8 – Mine 7 and Foxfonna
Continental breakfast served at the accommodation.
The group met their guide, taking a Maxi Taxi to mine 7 and continuing their fieldwork on Foxfonna lower ice area.
The group had an expedition lunch with snacks and hot drinks. Upon returning to their accommodation, the group had the rest of the evening free.
Day 9 – Group-planned activities
Continental breakfast served at the hotel
The group had the day free to arrange their own activities.
Day 10 – Depart from Svalbard
Continental breakfast served at the hotel.
After breakfast, the group checked out of the accommodation.
Early afternoon, the group met their coach driver and were transported to Svalbard Airport for their flight to Oslo.
After arriving at Oslo Airport, the group made their way to Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport Hotel West where they checked in. The spent one night at the hotel with bed and breakfast accommodation.
Day 11 – Return to Heathrow International Airport
Continental breakfast served at the hotel.
After breakfast the group checked out of the hotel and made their way to the airport terminal, to check in for their late-morning flight to Heathrow International Airport.
Upon arriving back in the UK, the group made their own transfer arrangements to return home.
