Svalbard Expedition Centre
When joining selected outdoor adventures with Hurtigruten Svalbard, guests will begin their experience at our Expedition Centre, located centrally in Longyearbyen. This is where preparation meets excitement, and where safety and comfort are prioritized before heading out into the Arctic wilderness.
The Expedition Centre serves as the meeting point before certain trips and is a dedicated facility where guests are welcomed and equipped before participating in specific guided activities.
Please note that this is not applicable for all activities. Equipment for dog sledding and other selected excursions is handed out directly at the starting point of those tours.
Clothing and Equipment
Depending on the activity, season and weather conditions, guests are provided with high-quality technical equipment and safety gear.
Briefing and Safety
Upon arrival at the Expedition Centre, guests are greeted by the activity guides, who provide a detailed safety briefing tailored to the activity and explains the program of the day.
IGP Gear Shop
We have an extensive gear shop (IGP) in the first floor where guests and locals can buy equipment such as gloves, googles, and other gear for their own Arctic adventures.
Clothing and Equipment
Depending on the activity, season and weather conditions, guests are provided with high-quality technical equipment, such as insulated flotation suites, lifejackets, boots, snowmobile suites, gloves, googles, helmets, drysuits or wetsuits and other safety gear as needed.
All equipment is fitted at the Expedition Centre, and our experienced team ensures everything is correctly worn and suited to the day’s conditions before guests embark on their adventure.
Before Departure
After check-in and gear-up, guests can leave their own clothes at the centre before they are transported by minibus or walk with the guide to the activity location. Guests are advised to arrive a few minutes early and wear base layers appropriate for the day’s weather. Everything else will be provided or supplemented on-site.
After the Activity
Once the activity is completed, guests return to the Expedition Center to return gear and debrief if necessary. The staff takes care of cleaning and drying equipment, while guests are free to ask questions, review the day’s experience, or head back into Longyearbyen to continue their Arctic journey.
Briefing and Safety
Whether you're gliding past glaciers in our Polarcircle boat or standing on ancient Arctic ice, the Hurtigruten Svalbard Expedition Centre ensures you're well-prepared, safe, and ready for adventure.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the activity guides, who provide a detailed safety briefing tailored to the activity. This includes an overview of the trip and destination, specific safety procedures and emergency protocols, clothing check and fitting of technical gear, weather updates and what to expect during the activity.
All briefings are clear, hands-on, and delivered by experienced Arctic guides who prioritize both safety and enjoyment. We have two briefing rooms with capacities of 20 and 40 people. For larger groups, we conduct multiple briefing sessions.
Our Gear Shop
Our gear shop Ingeniør G. Paulsen (IGP) on the first floor is well-stocked with snowmobiles (Yamaha and Polaris), ATVs, boats, boat trailers, generators, chainsaws and more. We also have a large selection of snowmobile clothing, tour gear, tools and spare parts.
Since 1961
Did you know that our gear shop IGP can trace their roots back to 1961, when Gunnar Paulsen became the first person to bring a snowmobile to Svalbard?