How to do it

Basecamp Explorer (+47 79 024600, basecampexplorer.com) offers a five-day trip to the ship Noorderlicht between March and May at £1,840pp and a three-day skiddoo expedition with one night on the ship for £1,250. Flights are extra; all meals on the ship are included; accommodation in Longyearbyen is B&B. Its other northern trips include Spitsbergen at Christmas (from £359pp), dog sledding by moonlight (£510), greeting the return of the sun (£1,150) and summer hiking (£740).
Basecamp's UK partner is Activities Abroad (+44 (0)1670 789991, activitiesabroad.com). It also offers trips to Finland and Sweden.

How to get there

Return flights from Heathrow to Longyearbyen start at about £520 with Scandinavian Airlines (flysas.com).

Further information

Further information at Visit Norway (visitnorway.com/uk).