PROGRAM IN DETAIL

DAY 1     Arrival, sightseeing & northern-light-excursion

Welcome to Longyearbyen! From November to January we have polar night. Only the moon and the stars illuminate the snow covered landscape. Thanks to the everlasting darkness, we have the chance to witness the northern lights also during daytime. Europe’s northernmost archipelago is home to more polar bears than humans. Reindeer and arctic foxes roam the snowy landscape and snowmobiles, ski and snowshoes are the favoured means of transportation. Nevertheless, Longyearbyen is a vivid town with an international flair. After your arrival in Longyearbyen, I (Marcel Schütz) welcome you at the airport and accompany you to your accommodation, the private Polar Bear Lodge, in the centre of Longyearbyen. After a good lunch we learn about the diversity of the northernmost town in the world on a guided tour. You can feel the special atmosphere of the place, discover the treasures of the local museum and art gallery, take a deep breath of the clear arctic air and enjoy the peace and calmness of the everlasting darkness. In the evening, after a good dinner, I will be ready with a van, to take you out of the settlement as soon as there are any signs for northern light. Outside the lights of town you get a better view of the dancing lights in the sky. Overnight in the Polar Bear Lodge in Longyearbyen.

DAY 2   Dogsledding through the polar night

We spend the day with our four-legged friends, the huskies. We get to know the life of the mushers and go out into Adventdalen on dog sleds. Dog feeding and petting included for all who want to. Hopefully we’ll see the magical northern lights dancing on the sky while sledding through the darkness. Lunch in the field, dinner in Longyearbyen and overnight in the Polar Bear Lodge.

DAY 3   Snowscooter-safari into the dark wilderness

Today we leave the busy town behind and explore a piece of the Arctic by snowmobile in complete darkness. Only with moonlight and the stars in the sky illuminate the snowy landscape. In the middle of the day! We start after a good breakfast, equipped with Arctic thermo-suits, boots, mittens and all other gear to stay warm and comfortable on our first trip into the nature. We pack our bags and our photo equipment and after a detailed instruction on how drive your snowmobile, we head out. Depending on the weather and snow conditions, we drive far out into the darkness to watch the great landscapes only illuminated by the moon or the northern lights. After lunch and some hot drinks, we slowly return towards Longyearbyen. Dinner and overnight in Longyearbyen.

DAY 4   Snowscooter-northern-light safari

After a good breakfast, we head out again with our snowscooters and photo equipment. We spend another full day in the dark wilderness and focus on landscape photography, long exposure time settings and hopefully northern lights. After lunch and hot drinks, we slowly return to the settlement. Dinner and overnight in Longyearbyen.

DAY 5   Snowshoe hike to a beautiful ice-cave

Our highlight today is a snowshoe hike up on a glacier. I decide on a daily basis, depending on snow and weather conditions, which route to take. If the conditions allow, we visit an ice cave along the way and go deep down into a bizarre world of ice and sparkling crystals in the heart of the glacier. Back on the surface, we enjoy the view on Longyearbyen with hot drinks and a small lunch before slowly heading back to town. Farewell – gala dinner in the Roald Amundsen restaurant and overnight in the Polar Bear Lodge.

DAY 6     Travel-day back home

After breakfast there will be time for your own leisure in Longyearbyen. Depending on your flight schedule I will offer a private transfer to the airport and wave goodbye. Flight back home.