Experience Arctic Nature at its Rawest and Most Powerful
The Arctic archipelago of Svalbard lies within the Arctic circle and contains some of the most majestic and untouched beauty on the planet, effortlessly offering pictures of a lifetime.
Safaris
There are no roads connecting the settlements in Svalbard, but there are still plenty of ways to travel. Longyearbyen is the northernmost city in the world and is located on the main island of Spitsbergen. On Spitsbergen snowmobiles, helicopters and even dog-sledding are all unique and exhilarating ways to see Svalbard. Pick your own adventure; day time snowmobile safaris to more extreme weeklong expeditions are among the many options available.
While low in species diversity, the animals in Svalbard are highly abundant, especially during the short summer season. From polar bears, caribou, reindeer, polar foxes, walruses, seals, beluga whales to the extreme variety of birds, the opportunities to encounter Arctic wildlife on wildlife expeditions abound. The incredible terrain and the harshness of the environment require safety precautions to be taken and special permits are occasionally required to explore the northern and eastern parts of Spitsbergen, but these permits can easily be obtained with the assistance of local businesses like us.
Summer in the Land of the Midnight Sun
June is the best time to visit for wildlife expeditions. From April to August Svalbard has 24 hours of daylight, making it the land of the midnight sun. Kayak or canoe through the ancient and rugged fjords to glimpse the variety of birds along the bird cliffs. With luck you can see polar bears feasting on the carcass of a whale or a walrus. Take a whale watching cruise to see beluga and humpback whales swim among the thousands of seals moulting on the ice floes or experience the world’s northernmost hike in the mountains north of Longyearbyen. Delicate flowers bloom across the tundra in the milder parts of Svalbard during the brief summer providing an ideal location for the thousands of migrating birds returning. Along the coastlines Puffins, Arctic Terns, and Arctic Fulmar, among many others, can be spotted.
Even in the summer the conditions can be extreme and safety precautions are required. Stay safe as you travel Svalbard and be sure to obtain any permits needed to experience the Arctic. Pre-organized activities with professional guides are a necessity for most visitors due to the harsh conditions. We at ShutterBird Production can assist in obtaining any permits needed as well as provide assistance with logistics.
Winter Activities
From the craggy mountains to the pristine glaciers that cover 60% of Svalbard, there is much to see in Svalbard during the winter. Between November to February there is 24 hours of darkness and that means the beautiful northern lights can be seen at any hour. Exclusive wilderness adventures can be had dog-sledding, ice caving or on long skiing expeditions to Spitsbergen’s highest mountain and northernmost point. Splendid photos of the rugged beauty of the Arctic are waiting to be captured.
Svalbard’s visitors are rewarded no matter what season they come with unforgettable memories. No matter what your desired level of adventure there are expeditions and guided tours of everyone. The wildlife encounters and the incredible terrain provides excellent opportunities for adventure in this gateway to the Arctic.
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