Ride & Slide - 4 Days (Winter)
ABOUT THE TRIP
Unforgettable 4-Day Winter Adventure in Svalbard!
Get ready to feel the chill and thrill of Svalbard! This 4-day adventure is designed for travelers seeking a taste of the Arctic’s best, perfect for those looking to maximize a shorter stay. Svalbard in the winter is pure magic—icy landscapes, endless starry skies, and the unforgettable glow of the Northern Lights.
What Awaits You:
- Explore the Mystical Ice Caves: Embark on an incredible hike into the frozen heart of Svalbard, where you’ll walk through surreal ice caverns adorned with icy blue walls that seem straight out of a fantasy. This is a journey into nature’s frosty masterpiece!
- Snowmobile Expeditions: Feel the rush of freedom as we glide across vast snowy landscapes, surrounded by towering peaks and the Arctic wilderness. This exhilarating ride takes you to remote areas otherwise unreachable, adding an adrenaline-filled edge to the journey.
- Catch the Northern Lights: As night falls, witness one of nature’s most spellbinding shows—the aurora borealis! The vivid greens, purples, and pinks light up the night sky, casting a magical glow over the pristine snowfields.
- Unique Winter Wildlife: Even in winter, Svalbard’s wildlife is extraordinary. Keep an eye out for reindeer, Arctic foxes, and other hardy creatures, surviving in one of the Earth’s harshest climates.
Why Choose This Adventure?
This isn’t just a trip, it’s a journey into the heart of the Arctic winter. With only four days, you’ll experience Svalbard’s stunning landscapes, dive into true Arctic culture, and return with memories of an untamed land like no other. Feel the icy breeze, see the northern lights dance above, and enjoy a real Arctic escape.
Are you ready for the chill of a lifetime? Let’s make this winter adventure unforgettable!
Start Your Journey Here!
Reserve online
Schedule
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DAY 1 - Arriving in SvalbardList Item 1
You arrive in Svalbard! Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
After landing, you can take your time exploring the special town of Longyearbyen, taste the delicious food the town's restaurants offer, don't miss it!
After a good meal, take a stroll down the snowy lanes and enjoy Longyearbyen's fascinating mountains and the beautiful ocean near town.
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DAY 2 - Hike to the Ice Cave and a Northern Lights EveningList Item 2
Hike to the Ice Cave - Icy Adventure
The trek to the glacier and the entrance of the ice cave typically takes around two hours, encompassing an ascent of approximately 350 meters. Meandering through the snow-covered terrain, with the towering peaks of Svalbard's vast mountain landscape as our backdrop, offers a serene perspective of nature's grandeur. The tranquil expanse of pristine snow against the undulating slopes of the moraine is truly a sight to behold. But the real adventure lies ahead!
Upon reaching the glacier's entrance, your guide will equip you with a helmet, crampons to affix to your shoes, and a headlamp. The descent into the ice cave may vary each year, often beginning with narrow passageways. We proceed with caution, taking our time to navigate through this captivating underground realm adorned with shimmering ice formations, pristine snow, expansive chambers, and snug passages. It's fascinating to contemplate that we're traversing through meltwater channels sculpted by the previous summer's snow and ice melt.
Northern Lights Evening
A bus will collect you from your hotel. As we leave the town and drive through the expansive Adventdalen (the ‘Advent Valley’), anticipation builds. The towering mountains on either side of the valley are like looming giants, barely visible in the polar night. What awaits us at the end of the road?
After a 10-15 minute drive, we arrive at Camp Barentz, a small collection of cabins, including a replica of the cabin where Willem Barentz, the discoverer of Svalbard, spent the winter of 1596 on Novaya Zemlya. Our knowledgeable host for the evening, equipped with polar bear protection due to the cabin's location outside town, warmly greets us. Inside, around a large campfire, we are served drinks, a delicious homemade reindeer bidos, coffee, and dessert. Following the meal, our host will share information and photographs about the northern lights, explaining this amazing phenomenon as we sit around the fire.
At Camp Barentz, far from the artificial lights of town, conditions are ideal for viewing the northern lights. With some luck, we may conclude the evening by witnessing this spectacle firsthand in the sky outside. Then, the bus will pick us up for our return to Longyearbyen.
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DAY 3 - Global Seed Vault Hike and a Dog Sledding ExperienceList Item 3
Global Seed Vault Hike in Blomsterdalen
Our adventure begins with a pickup from your accommodation, setting the stage for an immersive experience ahead. As we set out on foot, our path leads us towards the summit of Blomsterdalshøgda, offering panoramic views of Adventfjorden and the surrounding landscape. Along the way, we encounter remnants of Svalbard's mining legacy, including the iconic cable car trestles and the historic Mine 3.
At the pinnacle of our journey stands the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, nestled deep within the mountain. While we won't venture inside on this tour, our guide will illuminate the significance of this extraordinary facility, which serves as a vital safeguard for the world's agricultural biodiversity.
Sledding tour - November and December
Your journey commences as your guide collects you from your hotel and escorts you to the kennel, nestled approximately 10 kilometers outside of town. Here, you'll be outfitted with warm attire, including overalls, boots, hats, gloves, and buffs, before being introduced to our exuberant furry companions. If snow blankets the ground, we'll embark on a thrilling sled ride into one of the nearby valleys. However, if snowfall is scarce, our adventure unfolds on wheeled carts amidst the majestic Adventdalen.
Spanning from November to January, the polar night casts an enchanting spell over Svalbard, providing an ideal backdrop for spotting the mesmerizing northern lights. During this period, Svalbard boasts a unique distinction as the only place on Earth where the auroras may grace the daytime skies. In the secluded valleys, shielded from urban light pollution, the odds of witnessing this celestial spectacle are heightened. Yet, whether or not the northern lights grace us with their presence, the huskies are elated to romp and roam the wilderness alongside you.
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DAY 4 - Departure from SvalbardList Item 4
You leave Svalbard after an unforgettable trip :)
After seeing the beautiful scenery of Svalbard, the unique wildlife and animals home to the archipelago (and hopefully a polar bear), you had back to the airport, with a smile full of experiences and a satisfied mind.
What's Included?
Included
- Transfer from/to accommodation in Longyearbyen
- A simple expedition lunch
- Hot drinks and biscuits
- Guide with all necessary safety equipment
- Search and rescue insurance
- Loan of flotation suit, life jacket and goggles (if needed)
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel Insurance
- Luggage handling