Svalbard Arctic Adventure - Sunny Winter

Free your inner adventurer in the Arctic tundra of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, as it glistens during the sunny winter season. Led by expert local guides, we enjoy the greatest experiences in the land of snow, exploring by husky dogsled, snowmobile and even going underground into an ice cave. We also spend one night in a remote wooden cabin, where we can gaze over mountains from the sauna – just one of many incredible experiences on this exceptional winter trip.

Day 1: Adventure starts in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Begin your adventure in Longyearbyen, the capital of the Svalbard archipelago, which lies on the island of Spitsbergen. Around 6pm, say hei to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Then enjoy a big Svalbard welcome with a group dinner at the stylish hotel restaurant, Nansen, which serves classic Nordic cuisine. Want more time in Longyearbyen? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Join friendly huskies for a dog-sled adventure • Arctic wilderness evening
Immerse yourself in the endless Arctic wilderness on one of the coolest tours in Svalbard. After a transfer (6mi/10km) out of town, we meet hundreds of friendly huskies all eager to join you on the adventure. Dressed in an exposure suit, boots and mittens, we’re pulled across the snow, following a riverbed that heads into Bolterdalen, a beautiful valley surrounded by mighty mountains. Keep an eye out for reindeer, ptarmigans and polar foxes! Returning to the kennels, where you’re invited in for waffles and a warm drink (plus a cuddle with the puppies), we head back to our hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax, wander around town or join optional activities. Also use this time to pack for our cabin stay on Day 3. This evening, we head even deeper into the Arctic, spending a wilderness evening at Camp Barentz at the foot of Breinosa mountain. Arriving at the welcoming wooden cabins, we are met by our host, enjoying good drinks and a delicious homemade reindeer bidos (stew), together with a coffee and dessert around the open fire inside the cabin. After dinner, we learn all about the highly protected polar bear population of Svalbard – the true kings of the Arctic. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel (or similar)
Day 3: Snowmobile adventure to the remote Juva Cabin
Embrace your inner Arctic explorer today, heading into the untouched wilderness on a snowmobile adventure and eating expedition-style dehydrated food for lunch! Travelling east, we ride for approximately 19mi (30km) out of town, heading to Juva Cabin, our home for tonight. Here, we leave our luggage before heading further north to mountainous areas between Adventfjorden and Tempelfjorden. Today’s destination is Fredheim, at the shoreline of Tempelfjorden, where we find the cabin of legendary trapper Hilmar Nøis – who we learn all about. Returning to Juva Cabin, we enjoy great local food and drinks, plus the outdoor sauna, in which we can gaze over the dark-blue night through the window. Accommodation: Juva Cabin (or similar)
Day 4: Continue our snowmobile adventure
After a traditional cabin breakfast, we’re back on the snowmobiles to head east, onto the glacier plateaus and down towards the sea ice at the east coast of Spitsbergen. Here, we stop to enjoy an expedition lunch, and to keep an eye out for polar bears through our binoculars. On our return, we stop at the cabin to pick up our luggage, before driving back to our hotel, arriving before the end of the afternoon. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel (or similar)
Day 5: Fun snowcat ride • Head underground to explore a sparkling ice cave
It’s our final day of the adventure, but that doesn’t mean the fun ends. Today, we head onto the Longyearbreen (Longyear Glacier). Stepping out onto the glacier, we don crampons and a powerful headlamp, before our guide takes us to a small opening in the ground and down into an ice cave. The lights illuminate icicles and ice crystals, while also highlighting the layering of the ice walls. Returning to daylight, we enjoy a blackcurrant toddy and a biscuit or two – a magical end to our adventure – before retuning to our hotel, where the trip ends. If you would like additional time in Longyearbyen speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.