Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Svalbard
100% customisable for you
Your Svalbard adventure begins today. Head to the airport bright and early this morning and relax in the lounge before your two-hour flight. You’ll touch down mid-morning in the Norwegian capital and you’ll have time to grab a coffee and a bite to eat, but don’t get too comfortable, as you’ll shortly be departing on a connecting flight to Longyearbyen. Settle in for your three-hour journey over the Norwegian Sea as you head for the wilderness of Svalbard. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred via airport shuttle to your boutique hotel for the next four nights.
Make sure your cameras are charged, as you’re in for an adventure today. Step aboard a hybrid boat for a four-hour group tour around the second-largest fjord in the Svalbard archipelago, Isfjorden. Svalbard is the only place on earth with such a diversity of geological eras preserved in stone, so take in all you can of the 360-degree views of dramatic mountains and awe-inspiring glaciers. With any luck, you’ll encounter some wildlife while on board too, and the boat’s silent electric motor will ensure that no animal is frightened by your approach.
Once you’re back on dry land, make the most of the amenities in your hotel as you prepare for a group wilderness evening in a camp outside of town. Here, you’ll be greeted by your host for an evening spent in a cosy wood cabin. We hope you’ve worked up an appetite, as you’ll be treated to an authentic meal of reindeer bidos (local stew), along with campfire coffee and dessert. After dinner, your host will give you the low-down on Svalbard’s most famous residents: polar bears. Full of new facts and delicious food, it’s time to return to your hotel for the night.
Today, you’ll embark on your second adventure into the Arctic wilderness. Make sure you’ve got your hiking boots at the ready, as you’ll be walking from sea to summit, through the valley of Louisedalen towards Carolinedalen. Led by an experienced guide, this is a reasonably demanding seven-hour hike which covers six miles and 1,300ft of elevation. The terrain is relatively easy, however, so don’t panic if you’re not an experienced hiker. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by dramatic green valley slopes (which provide Svalbard reindeer with their meals). Once you’ve made it up onto Forkastningsfjellet (it’s worth it, we promise), you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the whole Isfjord, dotted with bays and glaciers. There’ll be no growling stomachs during your hike, as your trusty guide will bring along lunch and hot drinks. At the end of your hike, you'll be transferred back to your hotel to enjoy some well-earned rest and relaxation before your evening meal.
Tonight, you’re in for a gastronomic treat: a six-course Nordic tasting menu showcasing the best flavours from the Svalbard and Arctic region. This will certainly be a meal to remember, with local delicacies such as reindeer, ptarmigan and bearded seal. The restaurant is just a 20-minute walk away from where you’re staying, but your hotel will happily arrange a taxi if the hike has left your limbs aching – no judgement here.
Included in your itinerary today is a full-day group cruise aboard a sustainable hybrid-electric catamaran. You’ll pass magnificent landscapes en route to Billefjorden and the glacier front of Nordenskiöldbreen and will have the chance to get up close and personal with Svalbard’s abundant wildlife thanks to the boat’s silent electric motor. While onboard, you’ll be in expert hands with knowledgeable guides to help you spot local species such as the elusive arctic fox as well as reindeer, walrus and various whale and bird species. From a distance, you’ll see the abandoned mining town of Pyramiden and cruise past the imposing Skansbukta bay. On board the catamaran, make yourself comfortable in one of the contemporary lounges or brave the elements on one of the viewing decks for the best views of the polar panorama. Once you’re back in Longyearbyen, you’re free to spend the evening how you like. It’s your final night in Svalbard, so we recommend exploring the town and sampling more traditional Nordic fare (the restaurant in your hotel is also fantastic).
It’s your final day in Svalbard and we’ve left it free for you to spend it as you please. Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel or pick up any last-minute Arctic souvenirs in town. You’ll then be transferred by shuttle to the airport in plenty of time to catch your late afternoon flight to Oslo. When you arrive, you’ll have just under an hour to wait before your next flight departs, landing back in the UK later in the evening.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
