Ice Cave Overnight

The trip starts with pickup from your accommodation and transport to our base, where the guide gives a short briefing and helps you prepare the equipment needed for the night. From there, we drive to the trailhead and continue on foot or with snowshoes, heading up towards the glacier.

As we leave the lights of Longyearbyen behind, we start an 400 m ascent to get onto the glacier. During Polar Night, we hike through darkness with only our headlamps to guide us. Your hotel tonight doesn’t have five stars—but with a clear sky, you might just sleep beneath a thousand. Later in the season, the returning daylight and eventually the midnight sun offer a different but equally magic atmosphere.

We reach the ice cave and get settled inside. The cave is a frozen world of small chambers and narrow passages, with thick layers of ice all around. After preparing a simple, warm dinner, we crawl into our sleeping bags and fall asleep surrounded by the deep stillness of the glacier. 

The next morning, we enjoy breakfast in the cave before packing up and hiking back down. We expect to be back in Longyearbyen latest by 11:00.

Difficulty level: 4 / 5 (see details below)
Participants: 2–4
Round-trip distance: 6–8 km
Elevation gain: 400 meters
Duration: 17 hours
Age limit: 16 years

Physical Requirements

Suitable for those in good physical condition. This is a moderately demanding mountain hike in rough terrain, with steep sections and a total elevation gain of 400 meters. Some crawling in the cave is to be expected. Not suitable for people with back problems or claustrophobia. You must be able to carry the necessary equipment (such as a sleeping bag) to the cave. The guide will assist with packing.

Included

• Pickup from accommodation at 17:00 | Return at 10:00 (latest by 11:00)
• Guide with safety equipment
• Food and hot drinks
• Cave equipment (helmet / headlamp / crampons), sleeping pad, and pulka (sled)
• Other equipment (snowshoes / trekking poles) if needed

Remember to bring

• Warm, waterproof hiking boots (above the ankle) *
• Wool base layers, windproof jacket and hiking pants
• Extra layers (warm sweater / down jacket)
• Hat, neck warmer, and windproof mittens / gloves
• Small hiking backpack (20–35 liters)
• Water bottle
• Sleeping bag *
• * Muck Boots can be rented for NOK 100
  * Sleeping bag can be rented for NOK 600

You will receive a recommended packing list upon booking the tour.

Important

You must be able to communicate in English to participate in the tour.
For safety reasons, we may deny participation if you arrive without appropriate clothing and footwear.