Dark Season Offer: 3-nights + 2 activities!

Dark Season Offer

Reconnect with the nature in the polar night. Our dark season offer includes a 3-night stay, plus 2 activities. Only 3820 NOK per person! Offer valid from November until January.

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Get the brightest smile in the darkest place! Enjoy a piece of the longest night of the year, discover the delight of Svalbard when the sun leaves, and let the Aurora Borealis shine above the snowy mountains and fjords.
Admire the beauty of the Polar Night – the silence, the snow, the starry skies… Experience the wonders of this truly exotic destination.
Explore the frozen tunnels under glaciers and get amazed by the immense ice caves, see the city lights flickering on the sea, or enjoy a moonlight walk at mid-day.

The Dark Season Offer includes:

3-night stay in a shared twin room, Panoramic Hike to Plateau Mountain, and a Hike to visit an Ice Cave. Price is 3820,- NOK per person in a shared twin room (2 people for booking). Available also for a single room for solo travellers for 4795 NOK. Breakfast included! You can extend your stay and book other trips too.

Itinerary

Welcome to the land of polar day and polar night! From the moment you set foot at Longyearbyen Airport, you have signed up for a no-sun commitment for a few nights! Yes, long polar nights. Nights of the moon, stars, and, if we are lucky, the magical northern lights! This is the time of the year that we consider the most magical of our seasons!
For the transport from the airport to the hostel, please take the shuttle bus which waits outside the airport. It will go as soon as all the luggage is delivered. The bus costs 110,- NOK per person, one way. Gjestehuset 102 is the last stop. Consider buying a two-way ticket as this is more favorable.
Upon arriving at the hostel, expect to be greeted with a warm hello at the reception. After settling in you have the rest of the day to spend exploring the frozen surroundings or relaxing in our lounge area.

To spend your free hours on the first day, we suggest visiting the Svalbard Science Museum; visit the town, explore shops and restaurants (a descriptive map of Longyearbyen is available for use, you can get this at the reception); or look for short, available excursions to do. Check our Activity Calendar or Activity Planner for this.

Day 2. Hike to visit the Ice Cave (tour days can be interchangeable according to tour availability)

Inside Longyear Glacier’s lies a hidden world of frozen tunnels and sparkling ice formations. During summer, melting snow creates channels that freeze again in winter, forming natural ice caves waiting to be explored. The trip starts from Nybyen with a two-hour uphill hike (about 350 meters of elevation). At the cave entrance, you’ll gear up with helmets, crampons, and headlamps; snowshoes may be used if conditions require. Inside, you’ll crawl through passages, admire crystal-clear ice walls, and enjoy a hot drink and snack in this extraordinary setting. This is a moderately challenging trip (4/5), not recommended for guests with back problems or claustrophobia. Please bring a backpack with water, extra warm clothes, and space for safety gear, along with sturdy winter hiking boots.

More information about this trip

Day 3. Longyearbyen Panorama: A hike to the viewpoint at Plateau Mountain

Just outside town, this hike rewards your effort with unbeatable views over Longyearbyen. It’s a favorite among locals for exactly that reason.

Yes, the trail is steep – but after about 350 vertical meters, we reach the top where you can catch your breath and take in the scenery. From here, we often continue even higher onto the plateau, if time and conditions allow. The view opens up to sweeping Arctic landscapes, from the fjord to the surrounding glaciers.

More information about this trip

View from Plateau mountain. Photo by Polina Bublik — Platåfjellet: Hike to the view point with panorama of Longyearbyen

Practical Information

Cancellation Policy

•22 days prior to arrival give a full refund
•8-21 days prior to arrival gives a 50% refund
•0-7 days prior to departure gives no refund

Svalbard is beautiful, but also unpredictable. For your safety, our guides may need to move activities to another day or replace them with a different trip if conditions do not allow the original plan.
In rare cases, if the weather makes it impossible to run an activity at all, it may be cancelled. Should this happen, you will of course receive a full refund for the affected trip.
Your safety and comfort always come first, and we’ll do our best to make sure you still have a memorable experience.

Weather in the Dark Season

It is the Polar Night – the sun does not rise.
Expect very cold conditions: usually between –8°C and –20°C, but with wind chill it can feel much colder.
Weather can change quickly – clear skies, heavy snow, and strong winds are all possible in the same day.

What to wear

Dress in layers – it’s the best way to stay warm. Remember: it is better to be too warm than to be too cold. And also – there is no bad weather, just bad clothing!

Warm, waterproof hiking boots (over the ankle)
Wool base layers (avoid cotton!)
windproof jacket and outdoor pants
Extra layer of clothing (warm sweater/puffy jacket)
Accessories: insulated gloves/mittens, warm hat, buff/neck warmer, and wool socks.

Smart to bring

Backpack for snacks, water, and spare clothing during your activities
Reusable water bottle (water in Longyearbyen is clean and drinkable).
Hand and foot warmers for extra comfort.
Power bank – batteries drain quickly in the cold.