FAQ / Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

"Sherpa trails are man-made stairs made out of larger rocks or boulders in steep, uphill terrain." Source: fjordnorway.com As of today, we do not have or use any type of sherpa trail on Svalbard but keep to natural terrain along a pathway commonly used to allow for the smallest possible footprint. © Rikke Hoddø Steinbakk. Platåfjellet - Local’s Favourite: Hike to Panorama View

"In 1918, the place was called Hiorthavn after Norwegian engineer and industrialist Fredrik Wilhelm Louis Hiorth. In 1933, the name Hiorthavn became Hiorthhamn in accordance with a rule that Nynorsk (New Norwegian) orthography should be used as far as possible when it comes to place names on Svalbard." Did you know that Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions has trips to Hiorthhamn, both on foot and by kayak? And did you know that it was also called Moskushamn? "From 1938 to 2002, it was called Moskushamn. The name Moskushamn came from the fact that seventeen musk deer were transferred here from East Greenland in 1929. The musk deer are now extinct on Svalbard." (Sources: Kari Holm, snl.no)

Here you can an overview of expected cruise arrivals for 2024, as published on Visit Svalbard.

Both, depending on where you are: Svalbard is a common name for the Arctic Ocean islands located between approximately 74° and 81° north latitude and 10° and 35° east longitude, while Spitsbergen is Svalbard's largest island with an area of ​​37,673 square kilometers.

The pointed mounds you see are so-called "dirt cones" - these are formed when dirt isolates the ice from ablation* so that the surface around it melts more than the ice below. *removal or destruction of something from an object, in this case by melting and evaporation.

Courtesy of Visit Svalbard.

As described on our page about Clothing, where you will also find videos on How to dress, the type of recommended clothing varies according to the wind, weather, temperature and type of trip you are going on. In the overlap from February to March it can be a stiff kind of cold in the area of Blomsterdalen and Global Seed Vault, and if you are to be standing still for a longer period of time – i.e. spotting some wildlife, listening to some historical content from the guide or simply because someone in the group is on the slower side, you might get too cold in a soft shell pants despite the merino base layer. Also note that there might be some heavy snow fall during this time frame. If you are looking at buying one of these options, consider soft shell pants that are water proof and a thicker layer of merino wool beneath – or ski pants that you can ventilate somehow (i.e. with zipper along the leg). You can also reach out to our collaborating partner and sport shop Arctica for more detailed descriptions of recommended products.

We have many different types of trips in Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions, all of which require suitable clothing, equipment, etc. You will find recommended clothing on all our day trips. On longer overnight trips we send you a tailored packing list when booking so that you get a full overview of your specific trip and are best prepared for your unforgettable Svalbard adventure. For some general tips on clothing, see About Wildlife. Did you not get an answer to the question? Send email to info@wildlife.no

No, you should not bring a backpack on our kayak trips - the exception is the Arctic Challenge, where the trip also includes hiking. All participants will be given 35l dry bags during the briefing for whatever you wish to bring, and the rest can be safely stored at the boat house. You can borrow as many dry bags as you need (relative to the space available in the kayak).

It's not okay to wear jeans and sneakers. In winter it is important to have proper hiking clothing for the weather, wind and temperature for arctic winter conditions, while in summer lighter clothing is required. Note that good hiking boots are always recommended for a good grip on rough terrain and less risk of chafing. For more information on this, see Safety on tour. Did you not get an answer to the question? Send email to info@wildlife.no

The Cambridge Dictionary states the following: A buff is a brand name for a type of scarf (= a garment you wear around your head or neck) which is made from a continuous ring or tubular piece of cloth. In Svalbard, it is also common to see the use of polar buff, a warmer type of buff made of wool and the like, made to insulate the neck and nose/mouth as well as to provide extra warmth during the arctic winter against wind and weather. (On the right you can see an example of using buff/polar buff during a hike to Sarkofagen mountain) Did you know that the "buff" was invented by Spanish Joan Rojas as a solution to protect the neck from the sun, wind and cold during his motorcycle rides?

The Norwegian Encyclopedia says: "Snowshoes are frames with wickerwork that are fastened to the feet to prevent sinking in loose and deep snow." In Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions we use snowshoes of the modern variety when the conditions require it, and these are included for loan on all our hikes. Check out our Wildlife Trugetur Camp - Into the Wild for the ultimate showshoeing adventure!

Store norske leksikon says the following: "In the middle of the kayak there is a hollowed out seating section known as the cockpit. This is where the paddler sits on a seat with back straight and legs forward, placed on foot rests furthest into the cockpit area. The paddlers steers with ores, rutter and/or skeg." Example shown below is of a single kayak (*all guests have double-kayaks): © rei.com

Difficulty level 2 - out of 5: 🟠🟠⚫⚫⚫ Tours suitable for most people. Easy and not physically demanding, hiking in flat terrain. Ex: Easy hike to Hiorthhamn Difficulty level 3 - out of 5: 🟠🟠🟠⚫⚫ Tours that are suitable for those in normal good shape. Somewhat more demanding, hiking in rough terrain. Ex: Hike to Foxfonna Difficulty level 4 - out of 5: 🟠🟠🟠🟠⚫ Tours suitable for those with above-average fitness. Above medium demanding mountain hiking, physical strain. Ex: Hike to Fuglefjella Difficulty level 5 - out of 5: 🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠 Tours suitable for those with very good physique and above average physical fitness, experienced in the equipment to be used. Ex: Arctic Challenge

The average temperature will fluctuate from year to year and season to season - Summer season (based on previous years): On average, the temperature at our Wildlife Wilderness Camp varies from +5 to -5 celsius. Winter season (based on previous years): At our Wildlife Trugetur Camp, temperatures can drop down to minus 35. Do you have more questions? Send us an email.

For safety reasons, we cannot let guests wait outside during our tours to the ice cave - unless accompanied by one of our guides. All of our trips take place out in the wilderness where polar bear protection is required. If you are unsure about booking a trip to the ice cave due to claustrophobia or other reasons, please contact us.

Our experienced guides have safety as their top priority and bring the necessary safety equipment on all trips. He/she takes constant risk assessments with regard to weather and wind, terrain and wildlife in the area. For more information, see our section on Safety on the About Wildlife-page. Did you not get an answer to the question? Send email to info@wildlife.no.

No, we do not offer tailor-made trips to see polar bears: Polar bears are protected by law: According to the Svalbard Environment Act §30 it is forbidden to attract, pursue or in any active way seek out polar bears. However, there are many wonderful trips to experience here, in the polar bear's kingdom, where you get the chance to see it, but it should not be the focus of the trip as there is a high probability that you will not see it during the trip. During winter time, we explore the East Coast on snowmobile where the king of the Arctic has been known to roam. During summer time, we go kayaking along the great Isfjorden where polar bears as well as other marine wildlife can be spotted by the lucky ones. Did you not get an answer to the question? Send email to info@wildlife.no.

The bears curl up and dig themselves into a pit just below the surface in the snow, lying with their backs to the wind. Using one of their stretched out paws as a pillow, the polar bear allows more snow to gather around it for extra warmth and insulation. Kilde: wwf.org

Yes, the shuttle bus runs regularly in accordance with all fixed flight routes to and from Svalbard Airport, and stops at all hotels/guest houses in the city. Passengers pay on board using cards (Visa, Mastercard etc.) Here you can find more information about the airport shuttle Did you not get an answer to the question? Send email to info@wildlife.no.

The absolute best is to secure both at the same time. If the choice must be made: make sure you secure your plane tickets first as this is crucial to being able to make the journey and also involves the more unpredictable costs as the season changes.

We refer to our seasons as 'high season, low season and shoulder season' with variations in the number of visitors from year to year - and Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions offer tours all year round adapted to weather, wind and the season we are in. High season (winter) is from February to May and is a popular season for several large events - therefore it is advisable to book both flights and accommodation well ahead of your planned visit. Low season (summer) is from June to September and includes smaller events as well as cruise visitors, expedition guests and other adventurous summer guests. The shoulder season (autumn & dark season) is from October to January also with its events and the magical northern lights of the polar night, more and more people are fascinated by this time of year.

We have no bank or ATM in Longyearbyen, and more and more people only use card or wireless mobile payment as a payment method. Several businesses do not accept cash. Here you can find more information about this. Did you not get an answer to the question? Send email to info@wildlife.no.