Barentsburg snowmobile safari
Feb - May
9 hours
At the moment, this tour focuses mainly on nature experiences on the way to and around Barentsburg, and does not include a longer stay in the settlement. We reserve the right to change this with short notice.
Barentsburg. A little coal mining town by the fjord, surrounded by an incredible landscape with sharp peaks. This offers spectacular nature, unique culture - and maybe a reindeer or two.
A HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE
We take you on a tour to Barentsburg, the second largest settlement on Svalbard, situated West of Longyearbyen. The number of inhabitants varies between 400-500, depending on the season. It has a kindergarten, school, hospital and a small supermarket which receives fresh food just once per month. The mining operations is still active, which makes the town extra special and interesting.
Although the destination of the tour is Barentsburg, we will only drive through the settlement. We might do a short stop but we eat our own expedition lunch along the way, outside of town. Our own guide will tell you about the history and life in town.
BEAUTIFUL SVALBARD LANDSCAPE
The snowmobile tour from Longyearbyen is varied and exciting. Travelling through Todalen and then to the West, you will drive through fantastic landscapes. Whether you are driving through open valleys or narrow passages, you will be surrounded by Svalbard’s unique mountains. The route can be adjusted depending on the weather and snow conditions, but the general plan is to drive a circle route, and come back to Longyearbyen via the glacier ‘Longyearbreen’. With views over the whole town, you will take a last photo stop before heading "back to Norway" again.
Included
- Transfer from hotel/accommodation place in Longyearbyen
- Warm drinks and biscuits
- Expedition lunch outside
- Snowmobile suit, shoes, gloves and helmet to use during the tour
- Tour leader with weapons and safety sled
- Rescue insurance
Practical information
Drivers’ licence
A valid driver’s licence for car or motorbike is required to drive a snowmobile. Remember to take it with you on the tour.
Recommendations
We recommend that you dress in warm woollen underwear, warm outer pants and a solid woollen jumper under the snowmobile suits you will loan from us. We also recommend that our guests have extra clothes in a backpack, for example an extra jumper, woollen hat and mittens.
Pregnancy
Longyearbyen Hospital advises pregnant women to not participate in snowmobile and dog sledding tours, as a blow to the stomach or fall may pose a risk of injury to the mother or unborn child.
Possible changes
We reserve the right to change the route of the tour for safety reasons should the weather or snow conditions require it. This will not be grounds for a change in price. The participants agree to follow the tour leader’s directions and instructions. The tour leader will not drive with a passenger.
Alcohol
The ‘Veitrafikkloven’ or Road Traffic Act applies on Svalbard. Driving under the influence of alcohol is not permitted.
Language
Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give directions you understand. To participate on one of our excursions, it is required that you speak and understand English or one of the Scandinavian languages.
Safety
Your safety is our priority. Even if you have experience in winter sports, the Svalbard environment is different to that many might have been in before. Taking a tour with a guide who knows the local conditions is the safest way to explore the area outside of Longyearbyen. As a participant on a snowmobile tour, it is important that you follow the guide’s directions underway. This is both for your own safety, and that of the group. Weather and snow conditions are the big factors on Svalbard, and we reserve the right to change the route or destination to one that is safest for you and the group.
Hurtigruten Svalbard’s guides have different backgrounds and experience, but what they all have in common is that they come to work to ensure you will have the best and safest tour. Some have taken the Arctic Nature Guide study, others are certified mountain guides, glacier guides or authorised Svalbard guides who have taken the Svalbard Guide Opplæring (SGO - Svalbard guide training). SGO study includes fundamental requirements for safe travel on Svalbard, as well as education about tourism, field safety and an understanding of environmental and cultural values. In addition our guides take part in internal training and exercises through the year.
Facts
Difficulty
4 - Previous snowmobile experience recommended, long day trip
Age limit
14 years
Minimum number of participants
2 snow mobiles
Distance
130 km
Duration
9 hours
