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Longyearbyen under the midnight sun - Snowcat wilderness safari with Hurtigruten Svalbard
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Wilderness Safari with snowcat under the midnight sun

Difficulty level
1 /5
Suitable for everyone
Duration
2 hours
Age limit
2 years
Period
Apr - May
Do you dream of experiencing Svalbard’s magnificent wilderness without having to get on a snowmobile or head out on foot? Then this is the perfect trip for you. Join us on a beautiful wilderness safari with snowcat into Adventdalen – Longyearbyen’s very own backyard. From 19 April, the midnight sun returns to Svalbard – a unique phenomenon that can only be experienced in a handful of places in the world. Even though this is an evening excursion, the sun will remain above the horizon, and if the weather is kind to us, the low arctic sunlight will cast a warm, golden glow across the landscape.

Included in the tour

  • Transfer from/to Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen

  • Hot drinks and biscuits

  • Guide with all necessary safety equipment

The snowcat will pick you up outside Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. The drive itself is an experience for many, with its characteristic rumbling and the way it moves confidently across snow-covered terrain. Although you sit indoors, Svalbard’s weather is always fresh, and we spend a lot of time outside, so we recommend dressing warmly.

Wildlife in Adventdalen
Adventdalen is a haven for many of Svalbard’s iconic species. This is home to the Svalbard reindeer, a subspecies found only on the archipelago. It is small, compact, and perfectly adapted to the harsh Arctic conditions. We often see them in small groups, and during winter they use their powerful hooves to dig through the snow in search of grass and moss.

The Svalbard ptarmigan also thrives here. It is a year-round resident and changes into its characteristic white winter plumage when the dark season begins. Ptarmigans can be difficult to spot, but they are often heard – soft clucking sounds or a sudden flutter of wings breaking the silence.

See Longyearbyen from a new perspective
During this tour, we drive towards the area around Mälardalen and Moskuslaguna. Here the landscape opens up, and Longyearbyen fades into the distance behind us. From this vantage point, it becomes clear just how remote – and incredibly beautiful – our little Arctic town really is. It’s fascinating to reflect on how much life, culture and history exist in this isolated corner of the world.

A landscape rich in history
Adventdalen is not only scenic; it is also an important historical area. Before the airport was completed in 1975, it was here in the valley that the first aircraft landed on the winter ice. For a long period, Adventdalen was Longyearbyen’s only air connection to mainland Norway and the rest of the world.
Traces of early mining activity still remain in the terrain, and your guide will share stories from a time when life here was far tougher than today.

A tour for everyone – an experience to remember
A wilderness safari by snowcat is ideal for anyone looking for a comfortable and safe way to explore Svalbard’s nature and history. Dress warmly, bring your camera, and join us out into the Arctic wilderness.