Visit Longyearbyen on the Svalbard archipelago’s biggest island Spitsbergen, located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Experience the Midnight Sun during the Arctic summer. The tour includes a full-day boat tour to the Russian settlement Barentsburg.
Arrival in Longyearbyen according to your own itinerary. From the airport, you can either take the airport shuttle bus or a taxi to get to town (not included, takes about 10 minutes). Settle in at your hotel, and – depending on your arrival time - enjoy the rest of the day exploring Longyearbyen. Longyearbyen, the “capital” of Spitsbergen with about 2000 permanent residents, is a unique little town: it is dominated by its Arctic environment, but it is surprisingly cosmopolitan with art galleries, pubs, long wine lists at restaurants, stores and a mini-mall. It used to be an industrial town though, and reminders of its history and heritage, for example from the coal mining time, can be seen everywhere. We recommend a visit to Svalbard Church, the northernmost church in the world, and the interesting Svalbard Museum whose exhibits cover the history, climate, geology, wildlife and exploration of the archipelago.
Longyearbyen offers surprisingly many and diverse restaurants, for example the fine dining restaurant Huset or cosy Kroa. Accommodation in Longyearbyen.
Enjoy breakfast buffet at your hotel. At about 8am, you will be picked up for your full-day excursion to the Esmark glacier and Barentsburg and brought to the pier. On board the boat, you will receive a briefing and security instructions before heading out towards the western bank of the Isfjord. In front of the towering wall of the Esmark glacier you will be served a tasty lunch on board. Afterwards, you head to the Russian town of Barentsburg. From the pier, you need to climb about 200 stairs (a taxi transfer can be arranged instead by the guide) before the guide shows you around town. Barentsburg is Svalbard’s only Russian settlement after the two others were closed down. Mining used to be the main income, but tourism has gained in importance over the years for the 400 residents. Here you can explore the exotic collection of old Russian artefacts and architecture and soak up the real Russian atmosphere in the local pub.
On the return to Longyearbyen, you will pass Coles Bay and under the bird cliffs at Fuglefjella. On board the boat, there is a little kiosk selling beverages and snacks as well as toilet facilities. The boat has a heated indoor lounge and an outside viewing deck. Make sure to dress warmly in layers so that you can be outside. Return to Longyearbyen in the evening in time for dinner. Accommodation in Longyearbyen.
* It is possible to exchange the boat tour to the one to Pyramiden and the Nordenskiöld Glacier (same price), to one of the catamaran tours or the walruss tour (price on request).
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. This day is at your own leisure to discover more of Longyearbyen and its unique surroundings. Join for example an exciting tour by dog-pulled wagon, an ATV (quad bike) tour to a view point or visit a mine. Instead of dinner in town, you might want to join the wilderness evening in Camp Barents. Accommodation in Longyearbyen.
Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Departure from Longyearbyen according to your own itinerary. Or why not extend your stay by adding an extra night and more activities? Or combine the tour with a cruise along Spitsbergen or a tour starting in either Oslo or Tromsø?
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Accommodation at good tourist class hotels equal to 3 to 3+ stars according to Scandinavian standard.
Inside cabin included during overnight cruises.
Accommodation at 4 star hotels or at unique properties, like historic hotels or manor houses, selected for their atmosphere.
Outside (seaside) cabin included during overnight cruises.
