Discover the Polar Summer on Spitsbergen
Hurtigruten Svalbard
Experience the magic of the polar summer at 78 degrees north on Spitsbergen!
Embark on an extraordinary journey to Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen, the quintessential bucket list destination.
This Arctic wonderland invites you to revel in the Polar summer, a season where the sun never sets, and the possibilities for exploration are endless.
In the heart of the High Arctic, day and night merge, bathing the landscape in perpetual light and creating a surreal atmosphere that has to be seen to be believed.
Period: Polar summer (17th of May – 30th of Sept)
Day 1:
Welcome to Longyearyben!
Our team will welcome you at the airport and you will be transfer to our boutique Funken Lodge. Check in. Time to acclimatize.
Funken Lodge is a boutique hotel in Longyearbyen, just a short walk from the town centre. Formerly the reception centre for a local mining company, the hotel is situated on a hill in 'Haugen' and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Hiorthfjellet and Longyearbyen from both the restaurant and the rooms. Recently renovated, the hotel has well-equipped rooms, inviting public areas such as a library and salon, a training room and two saunas. At all of our hotels we follow the Longyearbyen tradition of removing our shoes when coming inside, and guests are welcome to borrow slippers which can be found at the entrance to the buildings.
PM Arctic Wilderness Evening - Dinner and polar bear (Duration: 3 hours)
Experience the magic of being in the wilderness at 78 degrees north and learn all about the polar bear!
Camp Barentz boasts an amazing location at the foot of the mountain, Breinosa, right below Mine 7. One of the buildings at the camp, Barentz Hus, is a copy of the cabin that the discoverer of Svalbard, Willem Barentz, overwintered in on Novaya Zemlya in 1596. Here, far from town, you can take in the stunning Svalbard landscape.
As we arrive at the cozy wooden cabins we will be met by the evening’s host. Good drinks and a delicious homemade reindeer soup will be served, together with campfire coffee and dessert.
After your tasty dinner, it is time to learn more about the King of the Arctic. With everyone sitting around the open fire in the cabin, the host will share information and photos about our most famous residents.
Overnight at Funken Lodge
Day 2:
Buffet Breakfast
AM Wildlife and glacier cruise with the hybrid electric catamaran MS Bard – Light lunch included (Duration: 7 hours)
The trip takes you through magnificent landscapes, to Billefjorden and the glacier front of Nordenskiöldbreen. The conditions on Svalbard change a lot throughout the year, and a trip under the midnight sun in May will be different from when the polar night approaches in October.
Early in the season, parts of the Billefjord may still be covered in ice. By the use of only the electric motor, we will then silently follow the ice edge where the opportunity to see wildlife is great!
Here we will also enjoy the mesmerizing glacier front of Nordenskiöldbreen. In addition, we will see the ghost town Pyramiden from a distance, and drive by the bay Skansbukta. The catamaran's hybrid-electric engine and specially designed propellers minimize the noise and vibration.
Our suggestion: Champagne Tasting at Funken Lodge (Duration: 45 minutes)
The world’s northernmost wine cellar is located in the cellars of Funken Lodge, in the historical alcohol store ‘Nordpolet’. Our selection of Champagne is of the highest quality with many rare vintages. You will get to try 3 different Champagnes, accompanied by 3 elegant canapés. This intimate tasting is held by one of our sommeliers, who will also share some unique stories about life on
Svalbard.
Our suggestion: Dinner at Funktionærmessen Restaurant (Funken Lodge)
Funktionærmessen Restaurant, voted Longyearbyen's best restaurant, serves a menu of the finest Norwegian produce, available as sharing platters or as part of the chef's 6-course tasting menu.
Overnight at Funken Lodge
Day 3:
Buffet Breakfast
AM Dogsledding on wheels (Duration: 4 hours)
Many associate dog sledding with winter and freezing temperatures, but the dogs need exercise during the summer months as well, and our custom-built dog sledge on wheels is a perfect way for both two- and fourlegged to get out and enjoy the beautiful Svalbard scenery.
You will be collected from your hotel, and taken out to the Bolter Valley where the dog yard is situated, and where the dogs are eagerly waiting for your arrival. Keep your eyes open - wildlife is often seen in this area! On this trip you may spot Svalbard reindeer, polar foxes and Svalbard grouse. At the end of the tour, we can relax with a hot drink in the cozy log cabin at the yards, and enjoy some cuddles with the newest litter of puppies.
PM Sightseeing with electrical bike (Duration: 3 hours)
Combine comfort and efficiency on our electric bike tour, enabling you to see a range of Longyearbyen´s sights
while getting close to nature. The birdlife is at its best during the summer months, and silently moving through the wilderness will bring you close to the action. Electric bicycles are the perfect way to explore the sealed and unsealed roads around Longyearbyen.
We use solid electric bicycles which are perfect for the rough and loose terrain, giving you the perfect combination of grip, comfort and stability.
PM Brewery visit and beer tasting (Duration: 1.5 hours)
Join us for a visit at Svalbard Brewery and taste different types of beer. Get insight into the fascinating story of how the world's northernmost brewery got started.
Svalbard Brewery was established in 2011 and tapped its first beer in August 2015. Six years of efforts went into changing the law from 1928 which banned the manufacture of alcohol on Svalbard.
Robert Johansen, founder of Svalbard Brewery, has been the most important factor for the establishment of a brewery at 78 degrees north.
Now you can get the full story and taste the locally produced beer containing 2000 year old glacial water from the Boge glacier on Svalbard.
Overnight at Funken Lodge
Day 4:
Buffet Breakfast
Day at leisure! Today you have the opportunity to choose an excursion according to your preferences.
Optional tour: AM Walrus safari to Borebukta with the hybrid speedboat Kvitbjørn (Duration: 4 hours)
Join us on a trip to the Borebukta bay, and pay a visit to these odd animals with long teeth!
We start the tour by crossing the majestic Ice Fjord with our brand-new closed hybrid boat «Kvitbjørn». This 14.9- meter-long boat is very comfortable, with a modern design and innovative hybrid engine. After approximately one
hour we find ourselves in Borebukta. Here it is usually nice and quiet, and the sea is calm. In Borebukta, we will use the electric motor to get a completely silent propulsion. This gives us the unique opportunity to experience wildlife
without disturbing. Walruses can be seen all year round on Svalbard. They often rest on ice floes, but during the summer and autumn you can also see walrus colonies relaxing on beaches and small islets. Walruses are extremely social animals and usually appear in groups.
Optional tour: AM Hike to Sarkofagen (Duration: 6 hours)
One of the unique sights that meet you when you first arrive in Longyearbyen is the mountain ranges which cover large parts of Svalbard. The hike begins in Nybyen, at the highest point in Longyearbyen. The route takes us through the valley towards the glacier. From here we cross the glacier and head up a stony ridge to Sarkofagen. The glacier crossing is a simple one, as it is a stable glacier, and we will not need to use ropes. The guide will go first and lead the way and you can concentrate on enjoying the spectacular nature.
Farewell dinner at Huset restaurant – The Artic Experience (around 3 hours)
Huset or “The House” in English, is the one of the most important historical places in Longyearbyen. It has been especially significant as a meeting place, where the miners could dine and socialise over the past century.
Our tasting menu is a journey across Svalbard. We tell a story through different servings, which we adapt seasonally, depending on what mother nature has to offer us. We work in collaboration with local trappers, fishers, and foragers
to provide ingredients from Svalbard and the Arctic such as seal, reindeer, rock ptarmigan and mushrooms.
Overnight at Funken Lodge
Day 5:
Buffet Breakfast
Transfers to the airport - We look forward to welcome you back to Svalbard!
Lufthansa City Center