While we all love lounging on tropical beaches and returning to our favorite city for the tenth time, our passports often require an element of adventure travel. This challenging journey takes away both comfort and experience. But if you’re a little more daring, adventure travel is the perfect way to see everything the planet has to offer and push yourself physically too – not to mention bring back memories that will last a lifetime from your next wild party.
What is Svalbard?
Traveling to Svalbard for the first time can be intimidating for some. This Norwegian archipelago is halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, which is also a cold place. Also, the laws on Svalbard, or there aren’t many laws at all compared to the rest of the world, are a bit different.
Svalbard has three main islands: Spitsbergen, Edgeøya and Nordaustlandet. Almost all tourist activity takes place on Spitsbergen, mainly around Longyearbyen. Accommodation is limited, consisting mainly of traditional hotels, a few hostel rooms and self-catering apartments in Longyearbyen.
Best time to visit Svalbard
Spitsbergen, the capital of the Svalbard archipelago, lies just 1,300 kilometers (about 800 miles) from the North Pole, halfway between Norway and Greenland at the polar latitudes, and is shrouded in darkness for at least four months of the year during the polar night. The best time to visit Svalbard is from late May to September, the peak season for taking visitors on polar expeditions. Svalbard Tour These include tourist trips and when locals head to the seasonal Mount Sarothon and Mount Sobek.
As the ice melts, polar bears appear in large numbers and arrive to search for food. Dog sledding tours are available and there are daily flights, so it’s possible to visit Svalbard outside of winter. Spring in Svalbard offers unforgettable polar wildlife moments that should be considered when and how to visit Spitsbergen. You don’t have to worry about crowds when exploring Svalbard; you’ll never stay in a crowded port on an Arctic Norway polar expedition.
The best way to experience Svalbard
Best operated as expedition voyages by experienced polar operators to Norway’s unique archipelago of Svalbard, these cruises offer an exclusive experience that allows you to witness the raw beauty of Antarctica under the guidance of polar experts.
Your experience is enhanced by our state-of-the-art vessels and our knowledgeable recreational staff, including wildlife guides, glaciologists and ornithologists. Their combined expertise immerses you in the Svalbard environment and creates bespoke experiences that embody an unforgettable experience.
The best things to do in Svalbard
Chasing the Aurora
Characterized by ever-changing colors and moving waves, the Northern Lights are undoubtedly one of the most impressive things you’ll ever see. While many of us have seen them, for many tourists it’s a first. Still, minimal light pollution combined with gorgeously long winter nights makes Svalbard one of the best places to search for the Northern Lights. And when all the conditions sometimes come together, you don’t even have to leave Longyearbyen to see this incredible spectacle.
Take a dog sledding tour
When you think of life in the cold north, one of the first things that comes to mind is dog sledding, a sport that dates back to its Arctic origins in North America and has been practiced in Scandinavia for over a century, and there’s no better place to try it than Svalbard.
On the ice, you’ll be led by a lead and accompanied by an even cuter staff of guides as you gallop around snow-covered Spitsbergen (the only permanently inhabited island in the archipelago) pulled by non-human sled dogs. This is your chance to get up close and personal with these hardy animals, after which you’ll learn how to use them and guide them throughout the trip. Of course, you can kiss the dogs whenever you want.
Catch a glimpse of Arctic wildlife
Svalbard is one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth, with minimal human presence and a pristine environment that makes it a veritable haven for wildlife. Nature lovers won’t want to miss out on the Arctic animals, and here in Svalbard you’ll be lucky to see the most majestic creatures: polar bears.
The king of the Arctic, the Arctic fox, is elusive, even though they outnumber the humans who inhabit the archipelago. It’s just as difficult to spot when covered in snow, when their fur blends into the background. Venture into the water and you’re likely to encounter Svalbard’s marine life. At different times of the year, you might come across beluga whales, ringed seals, walruses and even narwhals.
Set off on an Arctic boat tour
If you’re visiting Svalbard in summer, don’t miss a boat trip. Imagine sailing along the jagged coastline and watching glaciers flow into the icy waters. It’s also one of the most amazing ways to spot the region’s wildlife, passing cliffs covered with seabirds. Think adorable puffins and noisy arctic terns.
If you’re lucky, you might spot walruses, turtles, or even whales. Of course, there’s a lot more to see than just wildlife. Many boat tours take you past Svalbard’s ghost towns, such as the abandoned Soviet village of Gurmant and the former mining town of Pyramiden.
Sleeping at the Edge of the World
Round out your trip to Svalbard with at least one night in a secluded lodge. For three nights or more, try the remote rock outcrop of Isfjord Radio in Kap Linnaeus, west of Longyearbyen. Even in winter, there’s no road to the hotel, so you can’t drive there from town. Instead, make a 90-km (56-mile) snowmobile trip. In summer, you can also take a boat trip.
Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel may look tough from the outside, but it offers warm hospitality (and other comforts) in an idyllic setting, with various points to explore the cultural sights of nearby villages, a traditional sauna and fine dining.
Conclusion
Svalbard offers unparalleled adventure to those exploring the world’s last wilderness. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, experiencing the thrill of dog sledding, spotting rare Arctic wildlife, taking a scenic boat tour or staying in a secluded lodge, Svalbard is the perfect destination for those looking to push their limits and create lifelong memories in a breathtaking, wild environment.
