Summer in Arctic Svalbard, Norway

Upon arrival in Oslo take the airport train into town and check into your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Norway’s capital city. Oslo is a nature centric city, with greenery and wooded areas never far away. Besides enjoying these spaces, it is recommended to perhaps take the ferry down to the island Bygdøy to see the many museums there including the Viking Ship Museum. Another suggestion is a stroll through Vigelandsparken, the largest single artist sculpture garden in the world. Overnight in Oslo

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, located on the island of Spitsbergen, transfer by bus to your hotel. This afternoon, take a tour of the city to learn about the area and its history. Overnight in Longyearbyen

Today’s tour will take you through the Isfjord and near one of two glaciers. You will also visit and learn about the past and present life of towns in the area.. Overnight in Longyearbyen

Excursion options today:

• Boat to Barentsburg and Esmark Glacier – Travel through Isfjord towards a towering wall of ice. On board you will enjoy a wonderful lunch before visiting the Russian town of Barentsburg. In Barentsburg you will have a guided tour of the city with highlights, history, and souvenir shopping. On the return, the boat will sail past Cole’s Bay and under the bird cliffs of Fuglefjella.
• Pyramiden and Nordensiold Glacier – Travel through Isfjord and onto Billefjord, towards Nordensjold Glacier. Lunch is provided along the way. Once reaching Pyramiden, a Russian mining town abandoned in 1998, you will see some of the Soviet era buildings. Throughout the journey you will learn about local geography, history, and wildlife.

Spend the day exploring more of the wonders of Svalbard and visiting the animals that call it home. The balance of the day and evening is yours to enjoy the midnight sun of the Arctic summer. You may wish to visit the Svalbard museum, the local brewery, or both!Overnight in Longyearbyen

• Kayak Aventfjord – Paddle from Longyearbyen through Aventfjord and toward the ghost town of Hiorthhamn. As you go, you and your guide will be on the lookout for wildlife. Over 1000 species of migratory birds make Aventfjord their home over the summer. A curious seal can occasionally make an appearance as well. Across the fjord you will stop on the beach for lunch and a walk around the ghost own before returning back to Longyearbyen.
• Isfjord Safari – This tour focusses on wildlife in the Isfjord area. Earlier in the season there is rich bird life on the mountains. Other common animals to see are seals and whales. Your guide is well versed in the diversity of animal and marine life and the effects of global warming on the animals and their habitats as well.
• Dog Sledding Along the Arctic Coast by Dog Wagon – Transfer to the coast, where the dogs enthusiastically await your arrival. Help harness the dogs to the wagon, which seats up to eight people. The tour starts along the coast to Bjørndalen. There is a lot of wildlife to see along the way, such as reindeer, Arctic fox, seals ptarmigans and other birds. After exploring the coastline, you will take the dogs back to the yard and greet their puppies before returning back to Longyearbyen.

It’s time to bid farewell to the beautiful Svalbard archipelago. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Oslo and return to Norway’s capital city. The remainder of the day is available to visit the sights or do some final shopping. Overnight in Oslo

The morning is at your leisure. Transfer by train to the airport in conjunction with your return flight home – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!