Sail through the icy hunting grounds of the king of the Arctic and see just why the spectacular archipelago of Svalbard is the jewel in the Arctic crown. Travel to Svalbard with the experts to discover it soul-stirring beauty and wilderness.

Why travel to Svalbard

This is a place where polar bears outnumber people, their presence taken so seriously that no-one is allowed to leave the town of Longyearbyen without a gun. Arctic fox, reindeer and various species of seal flourish here too, joined by whales, walrus and, come summer, some 230 species of bird, which flock here to breed.

For those seeking a luxury adventure, options abound, from hiking and snowshoeing to kayaking, skiing and snowmobiling. You will also discover ancient whaling stations, abandoned trappers’ huts and groovy lodges, such as the Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel, a former radio station that comes complete with a sauna on the edge of the tundra and uses local produce to create fabulous Arctic-inspired cuisine.

While it is possible to visit Svalbard at any time of the year, the most common time to explore Svalbard falls between May and September, when the archipelago becomes accessible to expedition ships and the famous midnight sun illuminates the landscape 24-hours a day.

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KEY FACTS

CURRENCY

Norwegian Krone

LANGUAGE

Norwegian

TIME ZONE

GMT +02:00

TIPPING

10-20%

PEAK TIME

May - September

USEFUL PHRASES

Hello - Hallo
Good morning - God morgen
Please - Vær så snill
Thank you - Takk
How are you? - Hvordan har du det?
I’m sorry - Beklager
Goodbye - Ha det

COLDEST MONTH

February
-12°C on average

HOTTEST MONTH

July
7°C on average

ITINERARIES

Inspirational trip ideas

These are simply suggestions for the kind of luxury tailor-made holiday you might have. Your custom travel itinerary will be
personalised, tweaked, and refined until it matches you completely.

Ideal Length: 13 days

Svalbard: An Arctic Wonderland Unveiled

A destination rich in adventure, exploration, and natural wonders, Svalbard is a place to see polar bears in their natural habitat, witness glaciers calve, behold dramatic fjords...

From £11,795pp From $14,000pp

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SUSTAINABILITY

We believe travel is precious

The world has transformed dramatically since cazenove+loyd was founded in 1993. On every trip we take, we wonder how that destination will look in another 30 years. We are passionate about our destinations and understand that it has become more important than ever to conserve their wildlife, habitats and communities for future generations.

Our highlights in Svalbard

Our Destination Expert’s top tip

Travel in June when mothers and cubs have just emerged from their dens.

Karen Chapman

Specialises in

Polar regions, Central + South America and The Caribbean
Polar bear on the ice svalbard
Local lowdown

You must carry a gun outside the settlements. In a 2012 law the Governor of Svalbard requires anyone travelling outside the settlements to have the means to scare off a polar bear. This means carrying a firearm is mandatory, and items like flare guns are also highly recommended.

Cultural insight

You cannot give birth on Svalbard. There’s no such thing as the circle of life this far north. When a pregnant women has a few weeks remaining before her due date, she must travel to the mainland to give birth.

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