Duration: approx. 2.5 / 3 hours

As the capital of Svalbard – the Arctic archipelago midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole –Longyearbyen is the region’s principal city. And if it struck you that the town has a very English-sounding name, you’d be right – almost, anyway. In fact, the town was named after its founder, the American entrepreneur John Munro Longyear who set up Longyearbyen in 1906. After leaving the port, this tour takes you to Svalbard Church, the world’s northernmost place of Christian worship. Next up is Svalbard Museum, whose many natural exhibits and historical artefacts provide insight into life in the Arctic. Last on the list of highlights is a drive through the starkly beautiful Adventdalen valley to visit a husky farm, where a short introduction will be followed by a chance to meet the dogs and learn a little about the art of mushing before you head back to your ship.

Crisp Norwegian air, snow-capped peaks, plus a hike up to 327 metres above sea level are the main components of this enjoyable outdoor excursion. Make the journey your destination and give yourself half a day off the ship on a tour that teams a little invigorating exercise with a chance to experience some of the most beautiful, untamed and unspoiled scenery anywhere in the world. The effort you put in while climbing up the mountain will then be more than rewarded by breathtaking vistas of the city, the surrounding mountain ranges as well as Adventfjorden and Isfjorden at the top. Do bring your camera to capture this spectacular eye-candy for the album at home. A well-deserved rest then awaits you at the ship after your descent back down to the port.

After leaving your ship to reach Nybyen – the part of Longyearbyen that began life as a settlement for miners working in the “Santa Claus Mine” – your hiking trip through the Arctic terrain up Mount Sarkofagen will begin. As you explore the wonderful landscape between the Lars and Longyear Glaciers en route to the moraine – a large accumulation of glacial debris – of the Longyear Glacier, you will have time to soak up the special atmosphere of the unspoiled surroundings and enjoy lovely views from your vantage point at 150 metres above sea level. And since glacial regions such as this provide excellent conditions for fossilisation to occur, this is also the perfect spot to discover the palaeontologist slumbering within you and try your luck at finding some plant fossils – a great memento to take back to the folks at home. The enjoyable outdoor tour comes to a scenic close with your return journey to the port and the comforts of your ship.