6 Days • 5 Nights
Svalbard Winter: Snowmobiling, Dog Sledding & Aurora
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Snowmobiling across frozen valleys and fjords to remote glaciers is the exhilarating heart of this winter adventure. In the Svalbard winter, the snowmobile is the key to the wilderness, and there is no more thrilling way to explore the frozen archipelago. Guided by expert outfitters, you ride across vast white valleys and frozen fjords, the peaks rising all around, deep into country no road could ever reach, to remote glaciers, ice-bound coasts and old trapper huts. The speed, the space, the crisp Arctic air and the endless white wilderness are exhilarating, and every ride is an expedition into the heart of Svalbard.
- Exploring a shimmering blue ice cave within a glacier is a magical highlight of this journey. Beneath the frozen surface of a Svalbard glacier lies one of the Arctic's most magical secrets, a glittering ice cave carved by meltwater and accessible only in the deep cold of winter. Guided by experts, you journey by snowmobile or dog sled to a glacier, then descend into a shimmering, sculpted world of blue and white ice, walls smooth and translucent, ceilings hung with frost crystals that sparkle in your headlamp, in profound, ancient silence. The beauty and strangeness are unforgettable.
- Dog sledding across the snowy tundra beneath the peaks is a wonderful, timeless highlight. There is no more classic Arctic experience than mushing a team of huskies across the frozen wilderness, and it is a highlight of any Svalbard winter. At a husky yard you meet your eager, friendly team, learn to drive the sled, and set off across the snowy tundra and frozen valleys beneath the mountains, the only sounds the hiss of the runners and the panting of the dogs. You bond with these remarkable animals and travel the way explorers have for centuries. The connection and beauty are wonderful.
- Hunting the Northern Lights across star-filled Arctic skies is a magical highlight of this journey. High above the Arctic Circle, in the long darkness of the polar winter, Svalbard is one of the finest places on Earth to witness the aurora borealis. On clear nights you head out from the light of town, guided by experts who know the best dark-sky spots, to watch for the Northern Lights as they ripple, curtain and dance in shimmering green, violet and white across skies crowded with stars, reflected on the snow. Uniquely, Svalbard can even show the aurora by day during the polar night.
- The frozen white wonderland of Longyearbyen and the bright Arctic winter is a beautiful highlight. In winter, Longyearbyen becomes a frozen white wonderland, its colourful houses half-buried in snow beneath the floodlit peaks, and simply being in the world's northernmost town at this magical time of year is a highlight in itself. You wander the snowy streets, warm up in cosy, surprisingly cosmopolitan restaurants over Arctic char and reindeer, explore the excellent Svalbard Museum, and experience the strange, beautiful rhythms of Arctic winter light, from the deep blue polar night to the golden returning sun. The atmosphere is enchanting.
- Above all, this journey offers the exhilaration and beauty of the Svalbard winter, an unforgettable Arctic adventure. In the bright winter and spring, Svalbard becomes a frozen white wonderland, and this adventure throws you into the very best of it. Over six days you snowmobile across frozen valleys to remote glaciers, explore a shimmering blue ice cave, mush a team of huskies across the snowy tundra, hunt the Northern Lights, and experience the enchanting white wonderland of the northernmost town on Earth, all with expert guides and full winter gear. The combination of thrilling activity, magical ice and light.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your Arctic winter adventure begins as your flight from Oslo or Tromso descends over snow-covered peaks and frozen fjords to land at Longyearbyen, the northernmost town on Earth, transformed into a frozen white wonderland, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Svalbard in winter is magical, its colourful houses half-buried in snow beneath the floodlit mountains. Spend the rest of the day settling in and being fitted for the warm expedition clothing and boots you will need, perhaps strolling the snowy streets or relaxing at your hotel. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the cosy, surprisingly cosmopolitan local cuisine and to the exhilarating adventures ahead. Depending on the season, you may already glimpse the deep blue polar light or the first stars and aurora. As you settle in, the magic of the Arctic winter takes hold. Rest well, ready for your first snowmobile safari tomorrow.
Today you set out on a full-day snowmobile safari deep into the frozen wilderness of Svalbard, the great winter adventure. After a safety briefing and kitting out in full winter gear, you ride your snowmobile, guided by expert outfitters, across vast white valleys and frozen fjords, the peaks rising all around, into country no road could ever reach. You journey to a remote glacier or ice-bound coast, stopping for hot drinks and to take in the immense, silent white landscape and, in season, the extraordinary Arctic light. The speed, space and crisp air are exhilarating, and every mile is an expedition into the heart of the archipelago. As the day ends, you ride back to Longyearbyen, exhilarated and glowing. This evening, warm up over a hearty dinner in a cosy restaurant. Rest well, for tomorrow you descend into a shimmering blue ice cave.
Today you journey to one of the Arctic's most magical secrets, a shimmering blue ice cave deep within a glacier. Guided by experts and travelling by snowmobile or, in the right conditions, dog sled across the frozen valleys, you reach a glacier and descend into its hidden interior, a glittering, sculpted world of blue and white ice, walls smooth and translucent, ceilings hung with sparkling frost crystals that glint in your headlamp, all in profound, ancient silence. You explore the frozen tunnels and chambers with your guide, marvelling at the strange beauty of a place formed over centuries and accessible only in the deep cold of winter. The wonder is unforgettable. As the day ends, you return across the snow to Longyearbyen. This evening, savour dinner and swap tales of the ice. Rest well, for tomorrow you mush your own team of huskies.
Today you enjoy the most classic of all Arctic adventures, dog sledding across the snowy wilderness of Svalbard. At a husky yard you meet your eager, friendly team of sled dogs, learn how to harness and drive the sled from the expert mushers, and then set off across the frozen tundra and valleys beneath the floodlit peaks, the only sounds the hiss of the runners and the panting of the dogs. You bond with these remarkable animals as you travel the way Arctic explorers have for centuries, pausing to take in the immense white silence and, in season, the magical Arctic light. Warming drinks and the affection of the huskies complete the experience. As the day ends, you return to Longyearbyen, exhilarated. This evening, relax over dinner in town. Rest well, and if skies are clear, keep watch for the Northern Lights.
Today you enjoy the quirky charms of Longyearbyen and, this evening, hunt the Northern Lights. By day you explore the world's northernmost town at a relaxed pace, wandering the snowy streets among the colourful houses, visiting the excellent Svalbard Museum with its superb displays on Arctic wildlife, exploration and coal-mining history, browsing the galleries and shops for Arctic crafts, and warming up in cosy, cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants. You might add an optional activity such as a snowshoe walk or a visit to the Global Seed Vault viewpoint. After dinner, weather permitting, you head out with an expert guide to a dark-sky spot to watch for the aurora rippling green and violet across star-filled skies, or, in the polar night, even by day. The wonder is profound. As the day ends, savour the magic of the Arctic sky. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.
After a final morning in the frozen white wonderland of Longyearbyen, perhaps a last stroll among the snow-buried houses or some souvenir shopping for Arctic crafts, you are transferred to the airport for your flight south to Oslo or Tromso and your onward journey. You leave having experienced the exhilaration and beauty of the Svalbard winter, the thrilling snowmobile safaris across frozen valleys, the shimmering blue ice cave deep within a glacier, the eager huskies and the timeless magic of dog sledding, the Northern Lights dancing across star-filled skies, and the enchanting white wonderland of the northernmost town on Earth. The images stay vivid long after you land, the endless snowy valleys, the glowing blue ice, the panting huskies, and the green aurora over the peaks. Svalbard offers exhilarating adventure and wild winter beauty in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to the frozen top of the world.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation in Longyearbyen hotels and expedition ship cabins with daily breakfast and a welcome dinner
- Zodiac landings, shore excursions and scenic cruising as per itinerary
- Guiding, wildlife spotting, lectures and briefings with an expert polar expedition team
- Airport and land transfers in Longyearbyen, plus loan of rubber boots and expedition gear for landings
- Return flights between Oslo or Tromso and Longyearbyen, a full-day glacier snowmobile safari, an ice-cave excursion, a dog-sledding trip, a Northern Lights or winter-light outing, a Svalbard Museum visit, and loan of full winter clothing and gear
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional extra winter excursions and activities
- Mandatory Arctic travel insurance with medical evacuation cover
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Svalbard sits under the unique Svalbard Treaty and is technically visa-free, open to all nationalities, but there is no direct international access, so you fly via mainland Norway, which is part of the Schengen Area; that means many travellers need onward and return transit through Schengen and must meet Norway's entry rules, and non-Schengen nationals may need a double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa. A passport valid for at least three months beyond travel is required, and we confirm the exact, current process for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK); Svalbard, like the mainland, is almost entirely cashless, and cards, contactless and mobile payments are accepted everywhere in Longyearbyen, from hotels and restaurants to shops and outfitters, so you rarely need cash. The far north is expensive, though Longyearbyen is a duty-free zone, which makes some goods cheaper; we advise budgeting for meals, drinks and optional excursions
- Best time to visit: June to September is the summer expedition-cruise season, with the midnight sun, open fjords, calving glaciers, huge seabird colonies and the best wildlife, and late summer opens the pack ice and the chance of a full circumnavigation; February to early May is the bright winter and spring season for snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice caves and the aurora, while the deep polar night from November to January is dark, cold and quiet
- Language & etiquette: Norwegian is the official language, but English is spoken universally and fluently, so communication is effortless. Longyearbyen is a small, tight-knit, international community with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere; it is a long-standing local custom to remove your shoes when entering homes, guesthouses, the museum and many public buildings, a tradition from the coal-mining days, and tipping is modest and not expected, though appreciated for good service
- Getting around: There are only about fifty kilometres of road around Longyearbyen and no roads between settlements, so travel is by expedition ship and Zodiac in summer, and by snowmobile, dog sled or boat in winter and spring; nearly all trips beyond town are guided. Flights arrive at Longyearbyen airport via Oslo or Tromso, and we arrange all transfers, connections and the seamless logistics of your Arctic journey
- Health & safety: Svalbard is remote, wild and one of the safest communities anywhere in terms of crime, but the environment demands respect; polar bears range across the entire archipelago, so anyone leaving the Longyearbyen settlement must travel with an armed, trained guide, and our expeditions always do. The cold is extreme, weather changes fast, and there is limited medical care, so we insist on comprehensive travel and evacuation insurance and provide expert guides and specialist gear
- Culture & environment: Svalbard is a pristine, strictly protected Arctic wilderness, and roughly two-thirds of it is national park or nature reserve; you must never disturb wildlife, pick plants, or remove anything, even fossils, bones or historic artefacts, all of which are protected by law. Longyearbyen blends its coal-mining heritage with modern research and a warm, quirky community spirit, and respecting the fragile land, wildlife and cultural remains is central to every visit
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with European two-pin type C and F plugs, so bring an adapter; connectivity in Longyearbyen is excellent, but there is little or no signal once you sail into the fjords and pack ice, which is part of the magic. Dress in warm layers year-round, bring windproof and waterproof outerwear, hats, gloves and sturdy boots, and we advise on and provide the specialist clothing needed for landings and winter activities
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the winter season, and will I see the Northern Lights?
The Svalbard winter-activity season runs roughly from late December to early May. The deep polar night, when the sun never rises and the aurora can even appear by day, lasts until mid-February, followed by the beautiful returning twilight and then the bright, sunny spring, ideal for snowmobiling and dog sledding on firm snow. The Northern Lights are possible on clear, dark nights through much of this season and best in the darkest months, though as a natural phenomenon they can never be guaranteed. We choose the timing and outings to give you the best possible chance.
Do I need experience to snowmobile or dog sled, and is warm gear provided?
No experience is needed. Expert outfitters give full safety briefings and instruction, and both snowmobiling and dog sledding are accessible to beginners of reasonable fitness, with guides leading every trip. Snowmobiles are easy to operate once shown, and you can often ride two to a machine if you prefer. All the specialist winter clothing you need, warm suits, boots, gloves, hats, goggles and balaclavas, is provided on loan, worn over your own warm base layers. We advise in detail on what to bring, so you stay warm, safe and comfortable throughout your Arctic winter adventure.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included on land in Longyearbyen, and expedition voyages are full board, with all meals, snacks and hot drinks served aboard the ship, from hearty breakfasts before landings to three-course dinners as the ship cruises the fjords. Svalbard's kitchens make the most of Arctic and Nordic produce, from Arctic char and reindeer to cloudberries and freshly baked bread, and where meals in Longyearbyen are left free we recommend the town's excellent, surprisingly cosmopolitan restaurants.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Expedition cruises are small-group by nature, sailing with a limited number of guests and an expert team of guides, naturalists and lecturers, which is what makes the landings, Zodiac cruises and wildlife spotting so rich; land-based activities in Longyearbyen run as small guided groups, and private guides, charters and tailor-made arrangements can be organised throughout. Every guide is trained, armed for polar-bear safety and passionate about the Arctic, bringing its wildlife, glaciers and history vividly to life.
Do I need a visa for Svalbard?
Svalbard itself is visa-free under the Svalbard Treaty and open to all nationalities, but because you can only reach it by flying through mainland Norway, which is in the Schengen Area, your Schengen transit rules apply; some nationalities travel freely, while others need a double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa to return through the mainland. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality and help arrange everything so your journey is seamless.
Is Svalbard safe to visit?
Svalbard is extremely safe in terms of crime, and our expeditions are run by seasoned polar professionals to the highest safety standards. The real considerations are the wilderness itself: polar bears roam the whole archipelago, so all trips outside Longyearbyen travel with armed, trained guides; the cold is extreme and the weather changeable; and the region is remote. We provide expert guiding, thorough briefings, specialist gear and careful planning, and require comprehensive travel and evacuation insurance, so you can enjoy the Arctic safely.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on what you want. June to September is the summer cruise season, with the midnight sun, open fjords, calving glaciers, vast seabird cliffs and the best wildlife, and late summer offers the pack ice and a chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen. February to early May is the bright winter and spring season for snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice caves and the Northern Lights, while the deep polar night is dark and quiet. We advise on the ideal timing for your interests.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the length and style of your voyage, combine an expedition cruise with days in Longyearbyen, add a winter programme of dog sledding, snowmobiling and aurora hunting, arrange photography-focused departures, sea kayaking or luxury cabins, and tailor the balance of wildlife, glaciers, history and adventure. Ships, cabins and departures vary by season and sell out early, so we plan well ahead. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal Arctic journey through Svalbard.
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