Arrival to Longyearbyen

Today after arriving from the airport, you’ll be picked up and taken to your hotel.

After checking in, we recommend having a short walk in town, and maybe having a nice dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Walrus Safari (3 hours)

ATV Safari (3 hours)

More information about the daily tours:

Walrus Safari (3 hours)

Throughout history, the walruses on Svalbard have been subject to intense hunting. There were only a few hundred of them left in 1952, when they became a protected species. Since then, the population has recovered sharply, and the walrus is finally a common sight again. Join us on a trip to Borebukta bay, and pay a visit to these odd animals with long teeth! As with all wild animals, we cannot guarantee that we will see them, but the chances are good.

The "Kvitbjørn" Boat

We start the tour by crossing the majestic Ice Fjord with our brand-new closed hybrid boat «Kvitbjørn». This 14.9-meter-long boat is very comfortable, with a modern design and innovative hybrid engine. After approximately one hour we find ourselves in Borebukta. Here it is usually nice and quiet, and the sea is calm. In Borebukta, we will use the electric motor to get a completely silent propulsion. This gives us the unique opportunity to experience wildlife without disturbing.

Walrus - an interesting animal

Walruses can be seen all year round on Svalbard. They often rest on ice floes, but during the summer and autumn you can also see walrus colonies relaxing on beaches and small islets. They tend to stick to specific locations where access to food and resting places are conveniently combined. Walruses are extremely social animals and usually appear in groups. After hunting for food in the sea, they pull up on land or ice floes to rest together with the herd. Here they like to lie close together – or even on top of each other!

Included in the trip

Transport from/to the accommodation.

Boat driver and guide with necessary safety equipment

Hot drinks and buns fresh from the bakery (cinnamon bun, etc.)

ATV Safari (3 hours)

How about doing your sightseeing on a four-wheeler?

Welcome to the contrast-filled polar summer. In the spring, the birds occupy the area between SSU and the dog yard. Countless birds will nest here during the short, hectic summer, and it is also from here the guided tour with ATV starts. The midnight sun colors the mountains in beautiful, warm tones until mid-August, when autumn and the polar night gradually take over for the long, bright nights. In the autumn you get a completely different, but just as beautiful play of colors where the sunset paints the sky in beautiful pastels.

On the way into Adventdalen to Breinosa and mine 7, we stop at various cultural monuments that testify to a 100-year-long era of mining. Here you can also get acquainted with the Svalbard reindeer that often graze on the nutrient-rich soil in the swamp area along the road. The fox also sneaks in this area, hoping to find food among thousands of birds and eggs, and together this constitutes an important eco-community. Do not forget to look down, because even though Svalbard at first glance feels barren, the swamp area is often filled with beautiful, colorful, small plants.

Well up at the lookout point on Breinosa, we enjoy the view towards the Isfjord before we drive back towards the city. On the way home, we stop at Svalbard Husky to greet a group of energic and social sled dogs, who are happy to receive cuddles from their guests.

Wildlife and glacier with a catamaran boat (7 hours)

An evening with food, drinks, and polar bears conversation (3 hours)

More information about the daily tours:

Wildlife and glacier with a catamaran boat (7 hours)

Unique nature experiences

The conditions on Svalbard change a lot throughout the year, and a trip under the midnight sun in May will be different from when the polar night approaches in October. Regardless of the season, you can expect unique experiences in beautiful Svalbard nature. Early in the season, parts of the Billefjord may still be covered in ice. By the use of only the electric motor, we will then silently follow the ice edge where the opportunity to see wildlife is great! Here we will also enjoy the mesmerising glacier front of Nordenskiöldbreen. In addition, we will see the ghost town Pyramiden from a distance, and drive by the bay Skansbukta.

The catamaran's hybrid-electric engine and specially designed propellers minimize the noise and vibration. This not only takes you closer to nature; More importantly, the surrounding wildlife is less disturbed by our presence.

A more sustainable boat tour

MS Bard is a new and groundbreaking catamaran for day cruises, specially built to leave the smallest footprint possible in the vulnerable Arctic nature. When we approach glaciers, wildlife or settlements, it will run silently on electric propulsion. At higher speeds we use a hybrid solution, where we run both an electric motor and diesel engine at the same time. In that way, we get the speed up whilst reducing the diesel consumption.

The boat has a contemporary, Norwegian design that contributes to the serene experience on board. You are free to move on several outdoor decks or enjoy the views from inside, through massive panoramic windows. Comfortable lounges are available outside as well as indoors. On board you will find a café and bar with a diverse selection of snacks and drinks.

Included

Transfer to/from the harbor in Longyearbyen

Boat trip with guides on board

A light dish: Vegetarian lentil soup

All necessary safety equipment

An evening with food, drinks, and polar bears conversation (3 hours)

THE DISCOVERER OF SVALBARD

Camp Barentz boasts an amazing location at the foot of the mountain, Breinosa, right below Mine 7. One of the buildings at the camp, Barentz Hus, is a copy of the cabin that the discoverer of Svalbard, Willem Barentz, overwintered in on Novaya Zemlya in 1596. Here, far from town, you can take in the stunning Svalbard landscape. At Camp Barentz, we often see Svalbard reindeer, and even grouse and foxes if you are lucky. Our knowledgeable hosts are also on watch in case a polar bear should appear.

As we arrive at the cozy wooden cabins we will be met by the evening’s host. Good drinks and a delicious homemade reindeer bidos will be served, together with campfire coffee and dessert. Welcome to a real Svalbard meal!

LEARN ALL ABOUT THE POLAR BEAR

After your tasty dinner, it is time to learn more about the King of the Arctic. With everyone sitting around the open fire in the cabin, the host will share information and photos about our most famous residents. You are guaranteed to learn something new about polar bears, and you may also here a few tall tales. After the presentation there will be time to take photos of the stark landscape, before returning to civilization.

Blomsterdalen: Hike to the hill above the global seed vault (4 hours)

The captain's favorites (4 hours)

More information about the daily tours:

Blomsterdalen: Hike to the hill above the global seed vault (4 hours)

An exciting historical hike from the days of coal mining to The Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. On this adventure, we'll start with hiking to the summit of Blomsterdalshøgda at 320 meters above sea level. We're rewarded with a great view of the local area and Adventfjorden. Mine 3 can be seen from the summit, and the remains of the coal mining period. The days of coal mining are over at Mine 3, and today the entrance to The Global Seed Vault is in the mountain side. We'll pass by this exciting place on our way down from the mountain hike. 

Included

 transport to/from accommodation, snowshoe if needed, hot drink, biscuits.

The captain's favorites (4 hours)

Captain's choice

The excitement grows as we approach the harbour in Longyearbyen. The trip ahead of us has no fixed route or destination; We sail where the conditions are most favourable, based on weather conditions, waves, and recent observations of wildlife. In other words, the goal of the trip is to capture the best experiences the day has to offer.

Each month on Svalbard is unique. A trip under the midnight sun in May will be different than when the polar night approaches in October. Early in the season, the snow still lay on the mountains, and sea ice may still cover parts of the fjords. From June, the landscape changes color, from muted tones to contrasting shades of green and yellow. With a little luck, wildlife appears along the way. We might see reindeer, seals, whales and – with some extra luck – polar bears. We’ll pass cultural monuments and historical sites, and the guides will ensure an unforgettable experience for all senses.

About the boat

MS Bard is a new and groundbreaking catamaran for day cruises, specially built to leave the smallest footprint possible in the vulnerable Arctic nature. The hybrid-electric motor allows both guests and wildlife to relax, and glides quietly through the water where this matters most.

The boat has a contemporary, Norwegian design with spacious layout. You are free to move on several outdoor decks or enjoy the view from inside through massive panoramic windows. Comfortable lounges are available outside as well as indoors. There is plenty of space on board and everyone can enjoy Svalbard's endless and spectacular landscape without crowding. Inside the lounge you will find a café and bar with a varied selection of snacks and drinks.

Included

Transport to/from the port in Longyearbyen

Boat trip with guide on board

All necessary safety equipment

Visit to coal mine number 3 (3 hours)

Isfjord safari to Lundefuglene (3 hours)

More information about the daily tours:

Visit to coal mine number 3 (3 hours)

Step into the history of Longyearbyen and its extensive coal mining industry. During this tour you will experience the life of a miner and explore equipment and machinery from Gruve 3’s days of production.

The coal mining industry laid the foundations for settling at such high latitudes and eventually allowed Longyearbyen grow into the colorful town it is today.

Sharpen your ears and prepare for a historical and exciting tour into one of Longyearbyen’s coal mines.

Isfjord safari to Lundefuglene (3 hours)

An exciting trip to see the Arctic's own parrot: the Atlantic Puffin. From May to the beginning of August, Svalbard is a bustling bird paradise, as birds from all corners of the world migrate here. Here in Svalbard, there are thousands of puffins, and they are one of the few seabirds that thrive so well here that the population is increasing. On this 4-hour tour, you will see and learn a lot about Svalbard and the unique geographical landscape together with a local guide.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to our expedition center. Here you will get to borrow a flotation suit and goggles before we drive down to the harbor and out on the fjord.

We head out onto Isfjorden and drive east, towards Diabasodden. The unique geographical landscape in the area makes this a perfect home for many of the birds that visit Svalbard in the summer. In the mountain walls, we can observe many nesting puffins and a large number of Brünnich’s Guillemot. Here you’ll really get to experience a varied bird life up close, from the water. Maybe we'll even get a visit from a whale by the boat!

Included:

- Transport to and from accommodation in Longyearbyen

- Exposure suit for the duration of the tour

- Warm drinks/biscuits

- Guide with all necessary safety equipment

- Search and rescue insurance

Dog sled tour on wheels (4 hours)

Dinner cruise under the midnight sun (3 hours)

More information about the daily tours:

Dog sled tour on wheels (4 hours)

Dogsledding in the Advent Valley

You will be collected from your hotel and taken out to the Bolter Valley where the dog yard is situated, and where the dogs are eagerly waiting for your arrival. You'll help the guide to harness the dogs who'll be pulling your sledge-on wheel. The barking and howling may seem somewhat chaotic, but suddenly everything changes. In an instant, as the dogs start to run, they become completely silent. Fully focused on the task at hand, the dogs pull the sledge-on-wheels ahead, so that you can focus on enjoying the fantastic landscape around the Advent Valley.

Close to wildlife

Keep your eyes open - wildlife is often seen in this area! On this trip you may spot Svalbard reindeer, polar foxes and Svalbard grouse. Birdlife is also very common, including little auks, Arctic terns and Arctic skuas. We will travel a good distance from the town, and the beauty of the Advent Valley is mesmerizing. You gain an understanding of how small we really are in the mighty Svalbard landscape. After about one and a half hours of dog sledding, we will head back to the kennel. Here we can relax with a hot drink in the cozy log cabin at the yards and enjoy some cuddles with the newest litter of puppies.

Included

Transfer to and from accommodation in Longyearbyen

Hot drinks and biscuits

Warm exposure suit

Dinner cruise under the midnight sun (3 hours)

Midnight sun and silent cruising

Between April and August, Svalbard is immersed in sunlight around the clock. The sun shines bright both during day and night, which is a very odd feeling! On this evening tour, we sail out on Isfjorden and cruise along the never-ending mountain landscapes. In addition to enjoying a delicious dinner in majestic surroundings, there are good chances that you will spot some wildlife. The fjords are normally full of sea birds, and with some luck we might spot a whale or two.

You will travel with the hybrid electric catamaran MS Bard. The engine and propellers are specially designed to minimize the noise and vibration. This not only takes you closer to nature; More importantly, the surrounding wildlife is less disturbed by our presence.

Enjoy a 3 course dinner

During the cruise you will get served a three-course dinner. The dinner is served inside, where you have a fantastic view through massive panoramic windows. Throughout the tour you are free to move on several outdoor decks as well, where you also can find comfortable seating areas.

Menu

• Carrot soup

• Svalbard cod with ratatouille and mashed potatoes

• Chocolate mousse with caramelized white chocolate

Drinks are available for purchase on board.

About the boat

MS Bard is a new and groundbreaking catamaran for day cruises, specially built to leave the smallest footprint possible in the vulnerable Arctic nature. When we approach glaciers, wildlife or settlements, it runs silently on electric propulsion. At higher speeds we use a hybrid solution, where both an electric motor and diesel engine run at the same time. In that way, we get the speed up whilst reducing the diesel consumption.

The boat has a contemporary, Norwegian design that contributes to the serene experience on board. In addition to several in- and outdoor decks, you will find a café and bar with a diverse selection of snacks and drinks.

Isfjord safari to Fuglefjella and Hiorthhamn (3 hours)

Glacier safari towards Tempelfjorden (4 hours)

More information about the daily tours:

Isfjord safari to Fuglefjella and Hiorthhamn (3 hours)

VARIED WILDLIFE AND EXCITING CULTURAL HISTORY

Have you ever felt like you are an extra in a film? On the way to Fuglefjella, ‘The Bird Mountain’, you can easily be mistaken for feeling that you are on the way into a scene from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. You know that the bright green mountainsides are home to thousands of birds, but are you sure there isn’t a dragon or two there also? The mountain tops which are hiding in a spot of cloud 500 meters above you could hide just about anything.

THE BIRD MOUNTAIN

During the tour, the guide will eagerly tell you all about the birds of Svalbard. While there are fewer species on Svalbard than in more southerly destinations, they come here in their thousands. One of the most populous, the Brunnich’s Guillemot, nests around the archipelago in several colonies of over 100 000 pairs. In the bird cliffs, the close symbiosis between life on land and at sea becomes more obvious, as you see bird after bird return home to their chicks with small fish and shellfish. The climate changes on Svalbard have caused even more activity in the sea, and we will also keep an eye out for seals and whales on this tour.

Historical mining town

After a stop under ‘Fuglefjella’ we will continue on towards the abandoned Russian mining town, Grumant, which has been empty since 1961-2. It is nearly inconceivable to think that the few remaining houses which sit on the steep mountainside here were once part of the largest settlement on Svalbard. The story of the town, and its current appearance are quite fascinating, and after hearing it we will continue to Hiorthhamn, directly over the Adventfjord from Longyearbyen.

Hiorthhamn is another abandoned mining town, which once boasted a barracks, blacksmith, stores, kitchen, sawmill, hospital, housing, offices and a range of mining installations. If you use your fantasy a little, you can imagine the bustling settlement which once was here. Dependent on the time and weather, we may make a stop on land, before heading back to Longyearbyen.

Included

Transport to and from accommodation place in Longyearbyen

Exposure suit for the duration of the tour

Warm drinks/biscuits

Tour leader/captain with safety equipment

Search and rescue insurance 

Glacier safari towards Tempelfjorden (4 hours)

Silent with "Kvitbjørn" boat

The trip starts by rounding Revneset outside Longyearbyen, to then head east towards Tempelfjorden. We travel with our brand-new closed hybrid boat «Kvitbjørn». This 14.9-meter-long boat is very comfortable, with a modern design and innovative hybrid engine. After approximately one hour we find ourselves in the Tempelfjord where we approach the glacier. At the glacier, we will use the boat's electric motor to get a completely silent propulsion. This gives us the unique opportunity to experience the nature and wildlife without disturbing.

A powerful experience at Tunabreen

Tunabreen has an incredibly beautiful glacier front that takes the breath away from many. The beautiful blue color is a contrast to the otherwise brown landscape and mountains. The Tunabreen glacier is one of the glaciers on Svalbard that are in surge, so if you are lucky, you can witness large masses of ice that detach from the glacier and fall into the sea. Followed by a big bang and a few waves, this is a powerful nature experience. If the glacier has calved a lot in the last 24 hours, there will also be a lot of ice in the water in front of the glacier. From them we can hear pop sounds from thousand-year-old air bubbles bursting.

Included in the trip

• Transport from/to accommodation

• Boat driver and guide with necessary safety equipment

• Hot drinks and buns fresh from the bakery (cinnamon bun, etc.)

Departure from Longyearbyen

Every good thing must come to an end, but we hope it is not your last time visiting Svalbard. Today, you’ll be picked up from your hotel to the airport and start your journey back home.