Overview:
A four night break at the Funken Lodge, Longyearbyen could be a perfect place to tick off some of your bucket list adventures. Located 78 degrees north of the equator, Longyearbyen is the most northerly settlement in the world. Due to the high latitude on the globe, the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon from 26th October until 15th February making this destination unique amongst the many that we offer. The Midnight Sun arrives on 19th April and stays until 25th August which means months of constant light. In the spring it’s possible to snowmobile under the midnight sun and see a huddle of Walrus sunning themselves.
The Funken Lodge is a 15 minute transfer from Longyearbyen Airport and is convenient for local restaurants and eateries. Accommodation includes standard and superior rooms as well as Junior Suites and Suites. Rooms include private facilities, Wi-Fi, TV and a tea and coffee facilities
Flights from Heathrow to Longyearbyen via Oslo. Services operate several times per week - please ask for details (other airports are available but may involve an overnight stay in Oslo).
Holiday price is from £1,695 per person based on availability and 2 people sharing a standard room. Single supplement upon request.
Departure Dates:
| SEASON |
DEPARTURE |
| November - May |
Daily |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Longyearbyen
On arrival at Longyearbyen Airport you will be transferred to the Funken Lodge by local bus. Transfer time is approximately 10 minutes.
Day 2: Northern Lights Snowmobile Hunt in Bolterdalen
After breakfast head over to the activity centre for a four hour snowmobile expedition into Adventdalen. You will be provided with a thermal overall, boots, gloves and safety helmet. The price is based on two people sharing an electric snowmobile (drivers must have a valid Driving Licence). If travelling from December to early February, the trip starts in the morning as it is possible to see the Northern Lighst throughout the day!
Camp Barentz Evening
Spend your evening at Camp Barentz learning about the 16th Century origins of Svalbard and how it has changed over the years. During your visit you will enjoy Reindeer Bidos followed by coffee and cakes. The ambience of the evening is enhanced by a massive open fire and the potential of Northern Lights during the evening. The visit includes shared transfers from your accommodation.
Day 3: Husky Sledding at Bolterdalen
You will be transferred to the Husky Kennels at the edge of Longyearbyen to take part in a four hour husky sledding adventure through the Bolterdale Valley. On arrival you will have a short briefing and be provided by thermal gear. Once you've had a short briefing you will go out to the kennels to be greeted by the deafening sound of excited Huskies. You will be able to help harness the dogs into sled teams before slipping off acrosss the tundra. The noise suddenly becomes silence as the dogs set about their task. On your return, you can help unharness the dogs and take a well deserved coffee break before returning to your hotel.
Day 4: Visit a Coal Mine
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit the famous Coal Mine Number 3.
Day 5: Departure from Longyearbyen
Breakfast at the hotel, and free time to explore Longyearbyen before return flight.
Package Includes:
- Flights from London Heathrow on SAS
- 1 piece of check-in luggage (23 kg)
- Airport transfers (shared)
- 4 nights in a standard room at the Funken Lodge
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 4 hr Electric Snowmobile Adventure*
- Northern Lights Evening at Camp Barentz*
- Dog Sledding in Bolterdalen Valley*
- Visit Coal Mine Number 3*
- 24-hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
*The package activities can be adjusted according to individual choice but we have included the ones listed above. Activities can vary according to season and daylight conditions - please check with your specialist for advice
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You'll see...
Can you guarantee the Northern Lights?
No one can guarantee seeing the Northern Lights as they are a natual phenomenon. However, due to Lonyearbyen's northerly position on the globe, nowhere else has the potential to see Auroras at almost any time of the day (Dec-Feb).
What about Polar Bears?
There is a small chance of Polar Bears wandering around Longyearbyen. On the rare ocassions they do stray into town, the local authorities will move them on or sedate them and then release them in the wilderness. The local attitude is that humans are in Polar Bear terrain and contact is to be avoided. For that reason, there are no organised tours to see Polar Bear although some of our guests have seen them from Wildlife Day Cruises during the Spring and Summer months.
Is warm kit provided?
During winter activities such as Husky Sledding and Snowmobiling, Thermal overalls, boots, gloves and neck buffs are provided. For snowmobiling, you will also be provided with a clean balaclava to keep the helmets clean and ready for the next person.
We recommend that you invest in some thermals and warm outerwear for the time that you are not doing an activity. Due to the Gulf Stream passing along the west of the Spitsbergen Archipelago, the temperature tends to be milder (-20c instead of -40c) than Northern Finland or Northern Sweden.
I heard that things are cheaper in Longyearbyen
Due to Longyearbyen's tax free status, most people notice that a visit to Longyearbyen is cheaper than mainland Norway.
Are there any direct flights?
Svalbard has no direct international flights. This is due to a historical agreement with Russia who administer Pyramiden and Barentzberg. Until the conflict in Ukraine began, these settlements could be visited from Longyearbyen but alas are emabargoed for most visitors.