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Adventures in Spitsbergen

Adventures in Spitsbergen

Take a zodiac cruise to the Bird Mountain; hike up over a glacier; cruise down the fjord to Barentsburg; kayak on Adventurefjorden or trek over to Kap Linne from Longyearbyen, the jumping off point for some of the 19th c Arctic explorers.  The settlement’s 3 pubs, 1 shop and cinema that opens only on Sunday all add to the frontier feel in this remote Arctic region.

Spitsbergen is the largest of the Svalbard archipelago’s islands, whose capital, Longyearbyen, is the most northerly point in the world reachable by scheduled flight and where (between April 20th and August 22nd) the sun never sets.  The name means “land of the jagged peaks” and geologists estimate that millions of years ago the archipelago was at the equator, subsequently drifting north over millennia to produce a dramatic cornucopia of mountain rock formations; heat hardened sea beds now pointing skywards and glacier walls, some as long as 200 km.

The largest settlements are Longyearbyen, with a population of about 1400, the Russian mining town of Barentsburg that is frozen in time and Ny Ålesund from where Amundsen began his epic voyage across the North Pole by airship.  The old trappers’ huts, made from drift wood and logs carried down the Barents Sea, bear witness to the winter hardships still borne by a handful of hunters.

DAY 1: UK – OSLO

Scheduled SAS flight to Oslo.  Overnight Clarion Oslo Airport Hotel.

DAY 2: OSLO – SPITSBERGEN

Scheduled SAS flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen.  Self transfer to the Spitsbergen Hotel for 4 nights.

DAY 3 – 5: LONGYEARBYEN

Choice of optional excursions.

DAY 6: SPITSBERGEN – UK

Self transfer to Longyearbyen airport for your return SAS flight(s) via Oslo back to the UK.

Spitsbergen Hotel
Spitsbergen Hotel

With modern comfort in historic surroundings, Spitsbergen Hotel offers a unique Svalbard experience. Built on the "Hill" it has great views of Longyearbyen, Longyear glacier and the Lars glacier. Constructed in 1947, Spitsbergen Hotel has been extensively refurbished over the years.

Freshly baked Waffles are provided in the cosy lounge each afternoon. Sit in front of the fire with an arctic book from the library and make the journey back to the time of Nansen and Amundsen or just relax and while away the time.

The hotel has 88 rooms with 5 suites and 16 superior rooms. All rooms are of high standard and several of them are decorated using historic interiors, such as the Store Norske-suite and the Bergmester-suite. All rooms are non smoking.

Funktionaermessen Restaurant has a fantastic view of Longyear Glacier and Hiorthfjellet on the far side of the Adventfjord. The restaurant gets its inspiration from the French kitchen, and you will discover a carefully planned selection of wines and dishes that tempt you with both taste and appearance.

Boat Trip To Barentsburg and Esmark Glacier

Sail past the calving glacier Esmark, guided tour of the Russian mining town Barentsburg, photo safari by teeming bird cliffs. Lunch on board. 9/10 hours. Mon, Wed Fri & Sat at 08.30 hrs.

£145 pp
Boat Trip To Pyramiden and the Nordenskiold Glacier

Close view of the cathedral looking Tempelfjellet and the Nordenskiold glacier. Visit the closed Russian mining town Pyramiden.  Lunch on board. 9/10 hours. Tue, Thu & Sun at 08.30 hrs.  

£145 pp
Boat Trip To Templefjorden

Evening tour on Sassenfjorden with panoramic view of Tempelfjellet and the Tuna von Post glacier. Dinner on board.  6/7 hours.  Fri at 18.30hrs.

£110 pp
Hiking Towards Trollsteinen Via Larsbreen

A combined hiking and glacier walk. Packed lunch at 849m above sea level below Trollsteinen. Return via the Longyear glacier. Uneven and steep terrain, experience in walking on rugged surface is required. Mountain boots essential.  6 hours. Tue,Thu & Sat at 14.00 hrs.

£65 pp
Isfjord Safari To Fuglefjella and Hjorthamn

In an open Zodiac the tour heads for Fuglefjellet (the Bird Mountain) where thousands of nesting sea birds can be seen in June and July. Warm clothes necessary, protective clothing provided. 3 hours. Daily at 09.00 hrs.  

£70 pp