Svalbard Pre-Embarkation Tour

Extend Your Svalbard Adventure on Land a Few Days before Embarkation

Before your polar voyage even sets sail, your Arctic story begins on land, deep in the heart of Svalbard. Imagine days filled with rugged beauty and nights warmed by exquisite Nordic cuisine. From glacier hikes and walrus encounters to roaring ATVs, husky teams, and a taste of Longyearbyen’s frontier charm, this immersive pre-program is the perfect prologue to your Arctic epic. Lace up your boots, breathe in the crisp polar air, and get ready: adventure begins the moment you arrive.

Offered on selected Svalbard: North to the Midnight Sun and Svalbard Circumnavigation: The Ultimate Arctic Quest departures.

Program Highlights

See walruses in their natural habitat—on the ice, in the water, and on land
Fossil hike to Longyear Glacier to find 40-60 million-year-old fossils
ATV adventure through Svalbard’s landscape with a local guide
Dog team driving experience in Adventdalen
Speciality four-course dinner with wine pairing

Itinerary

Inclusions

Photo Gallery

tourists-walking-along-road-ongyearbyen-short

Day 1: Arrival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Your adventure begins at the Svalbard Hotell Polfareren, a cozy boutique hotel centrally located in Longyearbyen. Reflecting Svalbard’s unique charm, the hotel exudes a rustic and informal atmosphere. Spend your afternoon settling in before indulging in a two-course dinner at the Polfareren Restaurant. Inspired by Nordic cuisine and named after polar explorer Eivind Astrup, the menu is crafted from the season’s finest ingredients, offering a refreshing take on Arctic food culture.

Walrus-Safari-Jan-Christoph-Elle-Svalbard-5

Day 2: RIB Boat Tour

Start your day with a thrilling RIB boat tour to Borebukta, where you’ll have the chance to see walruses in their natural habitat—on the ice, in the water, and on land. Marvel at the impressive glacier fronts and the striking fjord and mountain scenery. A lunch will be provided during the excursion. In the afternoon, explore charming Longyearbyen at your leisure; hunt for locally made souvenirs, take in a gallery, or simply soak up the town’s unique atmosphere. We recommend visiting the Svalbard Museum, NORDOVER Gallery, Cafe Huskies, Fruene Cafe, and the various locally owned stores in the town centre. In the evening, you’ll be picked up for a delightful four-course dinner with wine pairing at the charming Restaurant Gruvelageret. Transportation back to the hotel is included.

Day 3: Northeast Svalbard

In the morning, the expedition enters the icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard, a stark polar desert shaped by the absence of warming ocean currents. Here, vast glaciers descend into ice-choked waters, surrounding rugged landscapes which appear barren, yet teem with life. Arctic foxes prowl the chilly shores, while hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs above. These cold coastal waters are rich in shellfish, attracting the walrus, which are common in the area. Our exploration plans depend on rapidly changing sea, wind, and ice conditions, embodying the dynamic and unpredictable essence of true polar adventure.

Dogs-on-wheels-Huskies_janchristophelle_11-Svalbard-2

Day 4: Dogs on Wheels Excursion

On your final day on land, prepare for an exhilarating experience driving your own dog team. Navigate the majestic Adventdalen with a sturdy cart and 4-6 hardworking dogs – the original and most traditional way to explore the Arctic! Enjoying the unique Arctic landscape before embarking your waiting expedition vessel M/V Ocean Albatros in the afternoon for a thrilling polar adventure. Transportation to the vessel is included.