As much as we love lazing away on some tropical beach or returning to a favorite city for the tenth time, our passport often requires something more of an adventure travel nature. This challenging trip takes us out of both comfort and experience. If you’re a little more daring, however, adventure travel is the perfect way to both see all there is to offer of this planet and push yourself physically — not forgetting to come back home with stories a lifetime long for your next raucous party.
What Is Svalbard?
Some might find your inaugural trip to Svalbard intimidating. This Norwegian archipelago lies halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, another chilly destination. And the laws in Svalbard—or lack of them compared to the rest of the world—can be a bit different.
The archipelago of Svalbard includes three major islands: Spitsbergen, Edgeøya, and Nordaustlandet. Almost all the tourist activity occurs on Spitsbergen, mainly around Longyearbyen. There is only limited accommodation: primarily traditional hotels, fewer hostel rooms, and self-catering apartments in Longyearbyen.
The Best Time to Travel to Svalbard
Spitsbergen, the heart of Svalbard, is situated just 1,300 kilometers (roughly 800 miles) from the North Pole and halfway between Norway and Greenland in extreme Arctic latitudes, where it’s dark for at least four months a year during the Polar Night. The best time to visit Svalbard is from late May to September, the peak season for polar expeditions that take visitors on Svalbard tours and sightseeing excursions, and when locals head into the Seasonal Salothorn and Sebek Mountains.
There are a lot of polar bears around when the pack’s ice melts, and they come looking for food. Tours with dog sleds are also possible then, and daily flights make it feasible to visit Svalbard during months other than winter. Spring in Svalbard provides unforgettable polar wildlife moments as you consider when and how to visit Spitsbergen. You do not have to suffer through crowds while exploring Svalbard. You’ll never be in a crowded port on your Arctic Norway polar expedition.
The Best Way to Experience Svalbard
A veteran polar operator best undertakes a cruise to the unique Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard as an expedition voyage. These cruises provide an exceptional experience of witnessing Antarctica’s raw beauty under experts’ tutelage in polar regions.
Adding state-of-the-art ships with knowledgeable recreational staff, such as wildlife guides, glaciologists, and ornithologists, will enhance your experience. Their collective expertise means that you can immerse yourself in the environment of Svalbard and create bespoke experiences that embody an unforgettable experience.
Best Things to Do in Svalbard
Chase the Northern Lights
The northern lights, with all their incessantly changing colors and moving waves, are for sure one of the most impressive things you will ever see! While many of us will have seen the northern lights before, for many tourists, it is their first time. Even so, the combination of minimal light pollution and some wonderfully long winter nights means that Svalbard is also one of the best places to go in search of them. And, when all circumstances collide occasionally, you STILL don’t have to leave Longyearbyen to witness this magnificent sight.
Go on a Dog Sledding Tour
When we think about life in the cold North, dog sledding is most likely one of the first things that comes to mind. Dating back to the native Arctic of North America, mushing is a discipline that has been utilized in Northern Europe for more than a century. There’s no better place to give it a shot than Svalbard.
On the ice, you will be pulled by a leash link to much cuter guide staff—you’ll zip around snowy Spitsbergen (the archipelago’s sole island with full-time residents) on a mushing trip behind some nonhuman sled dogs. There is an undeniable opportunity to familiarize yourself with these hardy creatures when you are here. Then, you will learn to use the dogs and guide them during your trip. Not to mention, you can always give them a few kisses as well.
Glimpse Arctic Wildlife
Svalbard is one of the last great wildernesses on Earth, a veritable haven for wildlife thanks to its minimal human presence and undisturbed environment. You do not want to miss seeing some Arctic animals if you love nature. You must be fortunate to see the most majestic creatures here in Svalbard—the polar bear.
Even though they outnumber people on the archipelago, these kings of the Arctic remain elusive. Arctic foxes are similarly hard to spot when snow blends their coats into the background. Head into the sea, and you might even come across some of Svalbard’s nautical wildlife. During different times of the year, you may see beluga whales, ringed seals, walruses, or even narwhals!
Embark on an Arctic Boat Tour
If you visit Svalbard in summer, remember a boat trip. Imagine gliding along the jagged coastline, gazing at glaciers hitting an ice-cold sea. It is also one of the most fantastic ways to come across the wildlife in this region. You will pass cliffs covered in seabirds—imagine adorable puffins and raucous Arctic terns.
If you are lucky—walruses, turtles, and even whales. Of course, there is more to see than just the wildlife. Many boat trips will take you past the ghost towns of Svalbard, including the ruins of Grumant, a Soviet village that has been abandoned, and Pyramiden, a ghost town once used for mining.
Sleep on the Edge of the World
Spend at least one night in a remote lodge for the grand finale of your Svalbard visit. If you take three nights or more, try the seriously remote outcropping at Isfjord Radio, on Kapp Linné, west of Longyearbyen. Even in winter, you won’t drive from town because there are no roads to the hotel—instead, take a 90km (56 mi) snowmobile journey. In the summer, you can take your boat.
The Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel may appear tough on the outside, but it offers a warm welcome (as well as other comforts). In idyllic surroundings, you will explore the cultural sights of nearby villages—at various points; we also use a traditional sauna. There are also fine-dining restaurants as well.
The Bottom Line
Svalbard offers an unparalleled adventure for those exploring one of the world’s last great wildernesses. From chasing the Northern Lights to experiencing the thrill of dog sledding, spotting elusive Arctic wildlife, taking scenic boat tours, and staying in remote lodges, Svalbard is the perfect destination for those looking to push their limits and create lifelong memories in a breathtakingly wild environment.