Dark and Magical Spitsbergen

Svalbard Northern Lights Short Break

The departure of the sun below the horizon marks the beginning of winter and the Polar Night, or Northern Lights season in Svalbard - Norway’s remote island archipelago high in the Arctic Sea. The landscape is filtered by a twilight blue and changing skies - from dense stars in a blanket of darkness to Aurora greens and purples. Between the months of October and February, the Polar Night offers a magical time to visit and experience the possibility of the Northern Lights in a destination that is akin more to the North Pole than to Norway itself. This short break is available from the end of October to mid February and can be tailored to suit your requirements - perhaps extend your stay here or combine with Tromsø on mainland Norway.

Enquire

Basecamp Trappers Hotel Polar Night Short Break Svalbard

Winter Hike

Magical Northern Lights

Aurora Season

View towards Longyearbyen

Husky sledding under darkness

Basecamp Trappers Hotel Polar Night Short Break Svalbard

Trappers Hotel Spitsbergen Holiday

Polar Night Short Break in Spitsbergen

Snowmobiling under darkness

Christmas at Basecamp Hotel

Basecamp Hotel lounge area

Basecamp Hotel room

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

Day 1:

On arrival at Svalbard airport, Longyearbyen, take the airport shuttle bus to the city centre (payable locally) and alight at Basecamp Hotel, just a few minutes' journey time. Settle in to the accommodation and take time to explore this Arctic city. There are cosy cafés and bars to stop and have a drink. The hotel receptionist will be happy to recommend and reserve a table at one of the restaurants nearby.

During the dark season, the northern lights can be seen in clear weather throughout the day, making this possibly the best place to witness this natural phenomenon and enjoy the magical spectacle show

Staying at: Basecamp Hotel

Day 2:

After a hearty breakfast, get ready for your first adventure - dog sledding. You will be met at the hotel and transferred to the kennels located 8km outside of the town. Here you will be greeted by eager Alaskan huskies, excitedly waiting for their daily exercise. The guide gives you an introduction on how to harness the dogs and instructions on how to drive your own dog sled team.

Once ready, the Arctic wilderness awaits. With head torches guiding the way you head out across the vast valleys and plateaus around Longyearbyen, enjoying the white landscapes under the polar sky where there is no light pollution and perhaps the Northern Lights blazing above at any given moment. You’ll share the sled, driving in pairs and swapping places on route. Afterwards you return to the camp and take care of your husky team before sitting down by the campfire and enjoying some hot drinks and snacks.

After time in the wilderness and in the company of dogs, you return back to the hotel, maybe relax with a book and a drink before dinner.

Day 3:

Today, clip on the snowshoes or crampons depending on the weather conditions, and head out with a guide to explore the outdoors heading towards Larsglacier, hopefully visiting an ice cave or to find a mountain top with spectacular views overlooking Longyearbyen below. The exact route will be determined by the conditions on the day, which can be changeable. Let the darkness of the polar night sweep over you, while the snow and the moon illuminate the landscape, along with a head torch which all participants receive. The duration of the trip is approximately 5 hours, with hot drinks included.

In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants which the hotel receptionist will be only too happy to suggest.

Day 4:

There may still be time to explore the city, we recommend a visit to the Svalbard Museum before joining the airport shuttle bus back to the airport for your onward flight. The shuttle bus stops at the hotel approximately 2 hours before flight departures, but we recommend you check the timings with the hotel.

You may wish to extend your stay in Svalbard, spending time in this unique destination and taking part in other optional activities which can be pre-booked. It is also possible to add additional nights in Tromso on the Norwegian mainland and enjoy the many wonderful bars, restaurants and activities. Please ask our sales team what options are available.

The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon and so we cannot guarantee you will witness it during your trip. The Polar nights season is from mid November to the end of January. Before and after this period is Twilight.

BUDGET

From £699 per person (excluding flights) based on two adults sharing a double room at Basecamp Hotel for 3 nights on breakfast basis, and includes a Husky Safari and Winter Hike.

This roughly converts to: 804 EUR | 916 USD

Remember that each trip we craft is unique, and you'll receive a personalised trip proposal based on your travel dates and preferences, and in the currency of your choice (GBP, USD, or EUR).

Enquire

Additional Info

This trip has flexible daily departures

Many of trips can be tailored to your requirements and departure dates. Please get in touch with us for a tailored quotation and details of availability for your preferred travel dates. All trips and departures are subject to availability.

Enquire

IDEAL TRIP LENGTH:

3 nights

Traveller's Top Tips

Elin from Magnetic North Travel

Being so far North, Spitsbergen is the only destination you can view the Northern Lights to the South! During the Polar Night, you may even view them at 9 in the morning after breakfast.

Reviews

Svalbard Northern Lights Short Break

4/5

The trip of a life time???? I am so glad i booked my trip with magnetic northern light, i had very short break and i was trying to book a trip the last minute so i sent an enquary and i got a response the second day. Matheo was the agent who helped me, great agent, i had loads of questions that i kept sending ( emails) and he always responds immediatly( very patient i have to say haha). Anyway, i made it to Iceland ???????? 4 nights Aurora hunt and lucky me they appeared for the 4 nights!. My favorite part of the trip was the blue lagoon and Mammamia you dont want to get out of the water :/. On the 3rd day i booked an optional trip (glacier hiking) which I would highly reccomend ( like its a must!) amazing experience ( im speechless) but the part that i wasn't happy about iit was ;that since i chose an optional trip which coast about 100 € i dont get to see the lava beach which is included in the tour ;( and it was very hard for me to decide between my trip to the beach or booking the hike for the glacier but at the end it was so worth it. Our tour guide Sophia was Super, great, funny, smart lady and everyone loved her. The driver was very cool and friendly too. We stayed 2 nights in reykjavic in Cabin hotel ( very tiny rooms but worked out for me because i had the room for myself) and 2 nights in south Iceland in a really cute cottages which i really liked ( each will have their own small cottage / private toilet). One more thing that I loved is how everything is booked and arranged for you and you get everything you need and each day/trip in detail in the app Vamoos and check in reminders! Its fantastic. Bottom line, book your trip the sooner the better and enjoy yourself.

by Rawan, Kuwait on Nov 13 .

Enquire

Dark and Magical Spitsbergen

Svalbard Northern Lights Short Break

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

BUDGET

Additional Info

IDEAL TRIP LENGTH:

Traveller's Top Tips

Reviews

Svalbard Northern Lights Short Break

Join our Newsletter