As we nudge into October, it’s already dark in the evenings and there is noticeably less daylight each day. The dark season in Svalbard is known as the Polar Night, from mid-November to late January, when it’s dark 24/7. The only light sources outside the settlements are the moon, the stars and the Northern Lights. The unique thing about Svalbard is that you can experience the Northern Lights around the clock with the right conditions. Your tour arrangments include accommodation, transfers and guided excursions from Longyearbyen.
Itinerary
Day 1 Longyearbyen Arrival and Northern Lights Hunt
On arrival in Longyearbyen, transfer to Funken Lodge - a boutique hotel with unique views over Longyearbyen and the nearby glaciers. Here you can unwind after thrilling nature experiences, in a relaxed and luxurious atmosphere. Time to explore the town - perhaps visit the Svalbard Museum, the North Pole Expedition Museum and the Svalbard Kirke, or browse the shops for a unique souvenir. Wilderness Evening excursion at Camp Barentz. Drive into the Advent Valley, where the mountains on either side loom over us like giants, bathed in the glow of the short night. 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. At Camp Barentz, we often see Svalbard reindeer, grouse and foxes. Our knowledgeable hosts are also on watch in case a polar bear should appear. Taste a real Svalbard stew in a cosy wooden cabin around the campfire. Here, far from town, you have the perfect conditions for hunting the Northern Lights.
Day 2 Follow a Trapper's Footprints
Guided tour on foot from Adventdalen into the wilderness. Learn about the history of trappers and hunters as you walk through the Arctic tundra. Gain a better understanding of this life, and to appreciate how it was to live this far north in this season. Enjoy hot drinks and snacks around a campfire.
Day 3 Dog Sledding
Your guided Dog Sledding tour today will vary according to the month of booking and weather conditions. October: Dog Sledding on Wheels; November-December: Dogs in the Polar Night; December-February: Dog Sledding Hunt for the Northern Lights.
Enjoy dinner this evening at Funktionærmessen Resturant, Funken Lodge.
Day 4 Longyearbyen Departure
Transfer to Longyearbyen airport and end of arrangements.
2023 - 2024 Departures: daily October - January
Notes:
The order of excursions may vary according to your dates of travel
