Winter in Svalbard
Northern Lights At the end of the World
3 nights at Funken Lodge with:
• Northern lights evening at Camp Barentz
• Snowcat Northern Lights Safari
According to Lonely Planet, “Svalbard is the Arctic North as you always dreamed it existed. This wondrous archipelago is a land of dramatic snow-drowned peaks and glaciers, of vast ice fields and forbidding icebergs, an elemental place where the seemingly endless Arctic night and the perpetual sunlight of summer carry a deeper kind of magic. One of Europe’s last great wildernesses, this is also the domain of more polar bears than people, a terrain rich in epic legends of polar exploration”.
| INCLUDED | ADDITIONAL EXTRAS |
|---|---|
| 3 nights in either the junior suite at Funken Lodge or standard room at Radisson Blu (extra bed) | Return Flights |
| Breakfast buffet | Extra nights |
| Transfers to/from activities & Clothing for activities | Extra activities |
| Northern Lights by Dog Sled | Meals not mentioned |
| Northern Lights by Snowmobile | |
| Ice Cave Tour by Snowshoe | |
| Airport Transfers |
Flights direct with SAS available from London Heathrow & other locations, Monday & Friday departures. Travel Period: December 2019 – March 2020.
Suitable for all ages, basic to medium fitness level.
NB: For bookings of more than 8 people please contact us via email
Packages with flights include departures from most UK airports. Only holidays booked in conjunction with flights are covered under our ATOL license. Through our membership with The Travel Vault, other packages are also financially protected in accordance with the EU Package Travel Regulations at no extra cost to customers.
Day 1: Arrive Longyearbyen
Arrival In Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Arrival at Svalbard Airport, Longyear Transfer and check in to your hotel in Longyearbyen where you spend the night.
Longyearbyen stretches over quite a distance, you might want to take a stroll around the town and take in the environment you have landed in, stunning Arctic landscapes dominated by tundra.
Enjoy dinner in town before heading back to your hotel.
Overnight in a standard room or junior suite at Radisson Blu, or junior suite at Funken Lodge.
Day 2: Northern Lights by Dog Sled
Day 2: Northern Lights by Dog Sled
After breakfast at your hotel, you will have some free time to relax and explore the town.
At 15:00 you will be picked up for today’s adventure, Northern Lights by Dog Sled!
This raw and real experience allows you to really connect with the wilderness. Let the dogs pull you through the Arctic landscape under the starry skies with dancing northern lights.
After swapping between testing your skills as a musher, and sitting in the sled, it is time to head back. Enjoy some hot drinks and biscuits before your return to town.
Enjoy dinner in town or at your hotel before
Day 3: A Full Day of Adventures
Day 3: A Full Day of Adventures
The day starts with a thrilling experience: Northern Lights by Snowmobile
Travel like the locals, on a snowmobile! This gives you the freedom of discovering large areas of Svalbard in a relatively short time. The experienced guides will give you a briefing and provide you with all the necessary safety equipment. A valid driving license is required to operate a snowmobile.
- Lunch at hotel or in town.
Today’s next adventure starts at 16:00: Ice Caves by Snowshoe
Enter the frozen, calm and silent world of Svalbard’s Ice Caves. The glacier formations constantly create new art pieces and the Ice caves are ever-changing. With an experienced guide by your side, a headlamp, crampons and a helmet on, you will be able to see the beautiful blue colours, icicles, and fascinating snow crystals.
Approximate arrival back in town will be around 21:00.
Day 4: Last Goodbyes to Svalbard
Last Goodbyes to Svalbard
After having breakfast and checking out of the hotel, get your last scenic photos and breaths of fresh Arctic air before your return. Flight departs from Longyearbyen
Svalbard
Funken Lodge
With modern comfort in historic surroundings, Funken Lodge offers Arctic luxury and adventure – a unique Svalbard experience. You stay at the top of “The Hill”, and have great views of Longyearbyen, the Lars- and Longyear glaciers. The hotel was built in 1947 and was totally refurbished last year, the perfect place to start your Arctic adventure!
- Luxurious lobby with fireplace
- Renowned Funktionærmessen Restaurant
- One of Northern Europe’s most impressive wine cellars
- Cozy lounge with a large selection of books
- Historic photographs, maps and newspaper articles
- Free Wi-Fi
Funktionærmessen Restaurant
- Newly renovated
- World-class dining experience
- Longyearbyen’s best view
On the second floor at Funken Lodge, you will find Funktionærmessen Restaurant. Inspired by international cuisine and using only the best ingredients, the restaurant offers a dining experience like no other in Longyearbyen. The menu is based on a “sharing” concept and consists of generous portions that can be split between friends.
King crab from Finnmark, dry-aged meat and reindeer from the neighborhood are among the culinary delights. The grill is a key element in the preparation of the meal, and after tasting the food you will think the chef has been practicing a little bit of magic in the kitchen. Combine it with the stunning panoramic views of the city, the Longyear glacier, and the Hiorth mountain, and you have an award-winning dining experience.
A restaurant that aims to be the best in Longyearbyen needs to have a good selection of wines. We are proud to say that the restaurant’s wine list boasts over 300 types of wine, and the wine cellar contains some very good vintage bottles – especially from well-known Bourdeaux producers. We have over 15,000 bottles available and can also tempt with over 70 varieties of champagne, some of which are of the very rare variety.
Funktionærmessen Restaurant has a renowned history, and the place as always been associated with high quality. It was here that the mining company’s functionaries had their meals, enjoying the panoramic views. The restaurant has a new menu and interior, but the history, the view and the good quality is the same.
Northern Lights Activities
Evening at Camp Barentz
Enjoy an evening at Camp Barentz, with dinner, drinks and the presentation of the Northern Lights in a cabin in the wilderness.
The northern lights can be seen 24 hours a day during the Polar Night. Increase your chances by getting away from the lights of town, and learn more about this fascinating display while enjoying a hearty dinner!
The Aurora Borealis is a magical light show created by the sun, and while it occurs all year round, the Polar Night gives us the opportunity to see it at any time of day. Our northern lights base is located about 10 km from Longyearbyen at Camp Barentz, well away from the light pollution of the town, giving you an even greater chance of seeing this amazing display.
During this all-inclusive evening, you will enjoy a fascinating presentation on these Polar “fireworks”, as well as a delicious dinner and drinks.
This is an indoor activity, however, we recommend comfortable outdoor clothing and warm shoes, as you may wish to spend time outdoors looking at the northern lights!
Information
Meeting point: In front of your hotel where you will be picked up. This tour includes transport to/from hotels/guesthouses, dinner, drinks, and presentation.
Snow Cat Safari
Join our snowcat adventure and stay warm while you search for the Aurora off-road!
You won`t miss the big red snowcat when it arrives to pick you up! The guides will greet you at the doorstep of your hotel or guesthouse before you head out of town, into the darkness and over the frozen Advent Valley.
The guides will make several stops underway to look for the aurora borealis and will choose the route into the Advent Valley based on the weather and conditions on the day. As you experience being in the dark in the Arctic, the guide will explain how the aurora is formed, and serve hot drinks and share stories about the area, while you keep your eyes to the sky.
While the sun is hidden under the horizon, Longyearbyen becomes a magical place lit only by street lamps, the northern lights and the moon which glitters in the snow. The atmosphere is completely unique, and as you soak in the mystical darkness you will know you are a long way from the beaten track. Don`t forget that during the Polar Night you have double the chance of seeing the Northern Lights!
In Svalbard, due to the Polar Night, we can see Northern Lights that occur during the day! Typical features of the dayside aurora are that they are less intense than nighttime aurora. This is because the particles that enter directly are slow and have less energy than those coming in from the nighttime. The daytime aurora appears green to the naked eye, but in reality, it is red. However, the human eye is less sensitive to red than green light, so seeing the red light with the naked eye is very rare. Cameras, on the other hand, can capture it!
Information
This is an excellent excursion for those who wish to come out of town in the safety and comfort of a warm vehicle. Experience the feeling of standing in the impressive darkness, and enjoy the lights in the sky, and those of Longyearbyen.
Meeting point: In front of the main entrance where you will be picked up. This tour includes transport to/from accommodation, warm drinks, biscuits and tour leaders with all necessary safety equipment.
