Spitsbergen - a colossal iceberg in the Arctic Sea

Svalbard

Gloomy and locked in ice for eight months of the year, Svalbard preserves the pristine natural wonders for which the polar north is renowned.

Spitsbergen - a colossal iceberg in the Arctic Sea

Svalbard

Gloomy and locked in ice for eight months of the year, Svalbard preserves the pristine natural wonders for which the polar north is renowned.

A polar bear on an iceberg in the blue Arctic sea
Dog sledding towards the Arctic horizon, Svalbard
Reindeer in the snowy landscape of Svalbard
Aerial view of the Spitsbergen glacier in white and blue
Snowmobiles in front of the blue glacier of Svalbard
Why Svalbard?

Experience the Polar North

Svalbard is one of the most fascinating corners of the world—it's the northernmost place that is inhabited year-round. This archipelago, located in the Arctic Ocean between Norway and the North Pole, is also known as Spitsbergen.

Around 2,600 people live here, representing over 50 different countries. The chance of encountering a polar bear is higher than meeting another person. In the capital, Longyearbyen, about 80% of Svalbard's population resides.

Despite being one of the coldest settlements, the people here are incredibly hospitable, and the atmosphere is cozy and warm. There are no traffic lights, no street names, and no prisons. It's a dream destination because during summer, it's daylight for 24 hours. What worries us the most is that you might love your Arctic adventure so much, we'll return without half the group.

Everyone can live in Svalbard completely freely—without a visa or additional documents. The adventures here are cold but wild, beautiful, and unique. Mountains, tundras, and skies create postcard-like landscapes that are etched in memory.

Is this journey meant for you?

Challenge

Comfort

Nature

Culture

Here, you truly find yourself at the edge of the world.

We will travel in April, enveloped in daylight all day long. Although located beyond the Arctic Circle, during winter, the archipelago enjoys temperatures about 20 degrees higher than areas at the same latitude in Russia and Canada. The reason? A warm Atlantic current that caresses its shores.

Still, pack your warm clothes, as the cold has its perks—no mosquitoes, no sweating, with nature perfectly preserved, just like in a refrigerator. And it is enchanting—the fjords covered in blue sea ice, glaciers, tundra, majestic mountains, and impressive wildlife. In other words, an endless, pristine Arctic wilderness, where the true ruler is the polar bear.

Colourful wooden homes in snowy Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Currently, there are no upcoming journeys to Svalbard.

Currently, there are no upcoming journeys to Svalbard.

You can join the waiting list, or if you fancy exploring on your own, we can arrange something special just for you and your crew.

"The Arctic Desert" Svalbard

Svalbard is classified as a desert. Due to its rocks and ice, low temperatures, and low humidity, Svalbard falls into the northern part of our planet known as the 'Arctic Desert.' The area receives minimal precipitation, and the air is almost as dry as it would be in a 'hot' desert.

Svalbard might save humanity as we know it. It is the home of the Global Seed Vault on the island of Spitsbergen — the northernmost inhabited place on the planet, where deep underground, safeguarded by the perpetual frost, over 1 million samples of seeds from around the world are preserved.

Snowy Landscape in Svalbard - Waves of Snow and Pink Light

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

From Sofia to Norway

Meeting at Sofia Airport, Terminal 2, dressed in winter clothes, carrying a suitcase full of sunshine. We arrive in Oslo, where we'll spend the night at the Radisson Red Oslo Airport hotel.

Day 2

Svalbard – An Extraordinary Arctic Adventure

Departure from Oslo on 06/12/22 arriving in Longyearbyen – the northernmost town in the world.

Where will we stay?

Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen is located at the heart of Longyearbyen, right between the Svalbard Museum and the main pedestrian street. It's the perfect starting point for our Arctic adventure.

Nansen Restaurant offers a delightful à la carte menu in a beautiful setting. The Hiorthfjelet mountain makes the view from the restaurant and the atmosphere unique. If the weather allows, we can step outside and enjoy the sun on the large terrace.

At Barentz Gastropub, we will find a delicious lunch and dinner, served by the most hospitable bartenders in town. Locals often come here for lunch, the daily specials, or just a beer and a football match.

In all the hotels and restaurants, except Barentz Gastropub, we'll take off our shoes before entering. Slippers are available for hire near the entrance.

Wireless internet is available at the hotel.

Day 3

Arctic Adventure with Dog Sledding

The Polar day is an especially atmospheric time of the year. During this period, the sun never sets, shining all day and night. For some who prefer the night, this might not be the most pleasant time of the year, but as true adventurers, we'll show you that it can actually be one of the most exciting times.

After we help harness the sleigh, our guide will lead us out into an unforgettable adventure. The dogs will be barking eagerly, but as soon as we set off, a beautiful silence will envelop us. The eager dogs will start at a frantic pace, but after just a few kilometres, they will slow down, allowing us to fully immerse in this snowy fairy tale. The guide will drive first with two guests in their larger sleigh, and the group will follow with two-person sleighs. We will indulge in the silence and the surrounding scenery.

In the dark, we'll switch off our headlamps, and shortly thereafter, the outlines of the mountains will appear. Looking south, we'll see that the landscape is brighter towards the horizon. The snow reflects the light from the moon, stars, and, if we're lucky, the Northern Lights. It's amazing to realize how much we can see during this magical time. The atmosphere of the dog sled, the majestic mountains, the tranquility, and the unique celestial displays will transport us to another dimension. The green rays of the sky descend over the white snowy caps of the mountains, creating a magical dance that captivates all the senses.

Meeting point: in front of the main entrance, where we will be welcomed.

Duration: about 4 hours

This tour includes transport to/from hotel/guesthouse, clothing and shoes, and a guide with safety equipment.

Day 4

Underground Adventure - Visit to Coal Mine Number 3

As true adventurers, are you ready to travel 30 years back in time to an underground and very different world? To visit an old mine full of memories of miners lost in the dust? To discover why they went to the mountains searching for black gold and what it was like to work beneath the deep grounds of Svalbard? We can find the answer by spending a working day as a miner.

The mines and coal mining are of fundamental historical importance to the existence of Longyearbyen. Coal extraction began as early as 1906, and the town was named after the first person who started this activity – the American John Munro Longyear.

We will be provided with a guide who will safely lead us through the depths of the mountain tour.

This tour starts right from the hotel. Coal Mine Number 3 is located near the airport, and along the way, we pass by the Global Seed Vault. It was built in 2008 and can hold about 4.5 million seed containers. There are currently about 1.1 million types of seeds from almost every part of the world. Interestingly, although we will see the entrance of the vault, its depth is actually over 100 meters into the mountain.

We arrive at the coal mine with a wonderful view over Adventfjord. It was built in 1971 and between 100 and 200 thousand tonnes of coal were mined annually. It was closed in 1996, but all the miners' equipment was left behind.

We put on our helmets and headlamps before entering the mine, and our 'workday' begins. The dampness and cold air are palpable from the corridor. The guide will explain the coal mine's production as the sound from the mountain's depths echoes around us. We will hear stories about the life of the miners in Svalbard and the community of the past. The whole atmosphere gives the feeling that time is on pause, and at any moment, work will resume and the miners will appear around us.

We finish our journey with a highlight: a mountain walk. It's dark as pitch. All light is turned off. This is the moment we understand why we need the headlamps. Darkness surrounds us, but in the distance, there's light – at the end of the tunnel.

INCLUDED:

– Guided tour of Coal Mine Number 3

– Suit, helmet, and lamp

– Transport to and from the hotel

– Guide with emergency and safety equipment

Recommended equipment:

For this tour, we recommend wearing warm clothes and clothing that can get dirty from coal dust. The mine is not heated, and the provided overalls are regular worker overalls.

Warm boots, woollen clothes, hat, and gloves are recommended.

Duration: approx. 3 hours

Day 5

Ice Cave Tour with Snowshoes

Prepare for a frozen world to appear before you as you descend into the ice cave. Trapped in the ice, you can see 1000-year-old remains of frozen plants, fantastic ice formations, narrow passages, and large caverns. Welcome to the underground world, hidden from all who haven't made their way into the depths.

When you visit Svalbard, it's hard to avoid seeing a glacier. About 60% of the archipelago is covered with glaciers, and when you visit us in winter, there's a great chance you'll cross one by snowmobile or dog sled. Standing on a seemingly flat plateau of snow and ice, it's hard to imagine the frozen wonderland that can be found beneath the surface.

The ice cave changes from year to year, and you never know what kind of formations the glacier might have created this time. We'll be taken by snowcat and head towards the 'Longyear Glacier', just above Longyearbyen. Longyearbreen is a landlocked glacier filling the valley between two mighty mountains. The journey is not long, but once you climb onto the glacier, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Longyearbyen and the impressive Hiorthfjellet on the other side of the fjord. The entrance to the ice cave is hard to find, but the guide knows exactly where it is. In the middle of the white landscape, you will suddenly see a small opening and a ladder leading you down to the magical world of ice and snow.

You will be equipped with a powerful headlamp, and as you walk one after the other through the narrow passage, you will illuminate the ice. The cave changes from year to year, but we can usually walk a few hundred meters into the cave before it disappears or becomes hard to trace. Often, the passage opens to reveal a cathedral-like world of snow and ice, and it’s simply captivating.

The glacier acts like a giant climate archive. Every year new layers of snow are stored and pressed against each other as they sink into

Day 6

Cultural and Historical Exploration of Longyearbyen – the Northernmost Town in the World

And this adventure starts right from the hotel. An experienced local guide will lead us through Longyearbyen and the thrilling history of the area.

During the tour, we'll visit the Svalbard Museum and the Svalbard Gallery. The themes covered during the tour include history, geology, flora, fauna, and the contemporary community.

At the Svalbard Museum, we'll dive into the 400-year history of the town.

We'll journey back to 1596, when Svalbard was discovered, learn more about the whaling era in the 15th century, the Russian Pomors in the 16th century, the life of Norwegian hunters from 1850, the history of mining, and the transformation of Svalbard into its present form.

The Svalbard Gallery was established in 1995. Here you'll find the art and culture collections of Kåre Tveter, The Svalbards Collection (Arctic maps, books, and currency) and The Recherche Collection (lithographs from the 1838 and 1839 expeditions).

During this walk, we'll be mostly indoors, while the city tour will be by bus.

The tour will approximately last 3 hours.

Day 7

Goodbye Svalbard!

We bid farewell to our Arctic tale. Accommodation at Oslo Radisson Hotel. The next day, we set off back to Bulgaria.

* Panic Frame & Travel reserves the right to adapt and change the program according to changes in accommodation conditions, climate, and other factors that require it.

Activities and Sights

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

An Arctic tale with a dog sled.

Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

Underground Adventure - Visit to a Coal Mine

Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

Ice Cave Trek with Snowshoes

Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

Cultural and historical exploration of Longyearbyen – the northernmost town in the world.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
From Sofia to Norway
Day 2
Svalbard – An Extraordinary Arctic Adventure
Day 3
Arctic Adventure with Dog Sledding
Day 4
Underground Adventure - Visit to Coal Mine Number 3
Day 5
Ice Cave Tour with Snowshoes
Day 6
Cultural and Historical Exploration of Longyearbyen – the Northernmost Town in the World
Day 7
Goodbye Svalbard!

* Panic Frame & Travel reserves the right to adapt and change the program according to changes in accommodation conditions, climate, and other factors that require it.

Activities and Sights

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

An Arctic tale with a dog sled.

Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

Underground Adventure - Visit to a Coal Mine

Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

Ice Cave Trek with Snowshoes

Приключение Намибия, Panic Storm IV

Cultural and historical exploration of Longyearbyen – the northernmost town in the world.

Spitsbergen - a colossal iceberg in the Arctic Sea

Let's head to Svalbard!

There are currently no upcoming adventures under this program.Svalbard.

You can join the waiting list, or if you fancy exploring on your own, we can arrange something special just for you and your crew.

By clicking the "Sign Up" button, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WHAT'S THE JOURNEY LIKE?

1

Fill out the registration form. The exact dates for this destination haven't been confirmed yet, but registration is open. We'll give you a call to get acquainted and let you know as soon as the dates are finalized.

2

Once we confirm the dates, we'll send you the contract, insurance, and invoice. You'll pay a 50% deposit, and the remaining balance is due 45 days before departure.

3

A month before the expedition, we'll remind you about the journey with a detailed email filled with insights about the destination, flights, and more.

Let's head to Svalbard!

There are currently no upcoming adventures under this program.Svalbard.

You can join the waiting list, or if you fancy exploring on your own, we can arrange something special just for you and your crew.

By clicking the "Sign Up" button, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WHAT'S THE JOURNEY LIKE?

1

Fill out the registration form. The exact dates for this destination haven't been confirmed yet, but registration is open. We'll give you a call to get acquainted and let you know as soon as the dates are finalized.

2

Once we confirm the dates, we'll send you the contract, insurance, and invoice. You'll pay a 50% deposit, and the remaining balance is due 45 days before departure.

3

A month before the expedition, we'll remind you about the journey with a detailed email filled with insights about the destination, flights, and more.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is something unclear?

+359 887 293 757

Is Svalbard safe?

Svalbard is a unique Arctic location and a journey here differs from most destinations. We always move with experienced guides who know the terrain and conditions perfectly. We carry suitable gear for the Arctic environment. Outside populated areas, we proceed organized and prepared. Simply follow the guides’ instructions and enjoy one of the last wild places on the planet.

What documents do I need for the journey?

With an international passport, valid for at least 6 months after the end date of the journey.

What's the temperature like, and is it suitable for kids?

Temperatures range from -10 degrees to -20 degrees, and we don't recommend bringing young children with you.

What's the currency and how much money should I carry with me?

The currency of Svalbard is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Card payments are accepted everywhere in Longyearbyen. Accommodation, transportation, activities, and breakfasts are included in the price. Lunches and dinners are not planned, giving you the freedom to choose meals that suit your taste. With that in mind, budget around 500 euros per person.

Can you get mobile service and internet access?

Mobile network and internet are only available in Longyearbyen. Outside the town, there is no coverage. Svalbard is not in the EU, so European roaming does not apply. We recommend downloading offline maps and relying on Wi-Fi at the hotel for communication.

Can I fly a drone in Svalbard?

Strictly limited. Prohibited in Longyearbyen. Prohibited within a 5 km radius of the airport. Forbidden in all protected areas (national parks, nature reserves), which cover most of Svalbard. From 1 April to 31 August: forbidden within a 500 m radius of bird colonies. In practice, drones are almost impossible for travellers to use.

Ready for an adventure?

You've signed up for the expedition, but wondering what to pack? You can check off your gear here and ensure you've got everything you need.

Pack your bags and be prepared for the eternal winter of Svalbard and the year-round low temperatures.

Clothing
GEAR

Binoculars (personal choice)

External Battery (power bank)

Thick Winter Trousers (for Skiing)

Winter gloves, hat, scarf

Winter (Ski) Jacket

Reusable cup or mug

Personal Medications

Small Daypack for Day Hikes (15L)

Essential Personal Hygiene Supplies

Beachwear (swimsuit)

Ski Goggles

T-shirts

Thermos

Thermal Underwear

Warm clothes

Warm Socks + Spare Pair

Shower Slippers

Journey to Svalbard

We'll sort it out for you.

Journey to Svalbard

We'll sort it out for you.

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?

Who are we?

Panic Frame & Travel is not a commercial travel agency. We don't offer you tranquility, tickets, or accommodation in an all-inclusive hotel with white tablecloths. We see ourselves as Tarzan tourists, organizing journeys to hard-to-reach places, encountering wild nature, and traveling by campers, catamarans, off-road jeeps, and even helicopters.

Forbes logo

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?

Who are we?

Panic Frame & Travel is not a commercial travel agency. We don't offer you tranquility, tickets, or accommodation in an all-inclusive hotel with white tablecloths. We see ourselves as Tarzan tourists, organizing journeys to hard-to-reach places, encountering wild nature, and traveling by campers, catamarans, off-road jeeps, and even helicopters.

Forbes logo

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?

Who are we?

Panic Frame & Travel is not a commercial travel agency. We don't offer you tranquility, tickets, or accommodation in an all-inclusive hotel with white tablecloths. We see ourselves as Tarzan tourists, organizing journeys to hard-to-reach places, encountering wild nature, and traveling by campers, catamarans, off-road jeeps, and even helicopters.

Forbes logo