Hike to a magical ice cave in Svalbard

This is a guided glacier hike on Svalbard that ends in a natural ice cave. The group walks over moraine terrain and snow to either Larsbreen or Longyearbreen, depending on the weather, and then goes into a cave that meltwater has shaped inside the glacier. The entrance changes from year to year, and the guide may lead the group down a ladder. Inside, guests move through narrow passages lit by headlamps and look at ice formations, tunnels and crystals. Wildlife such as reindeer or polar fox may be seen, and from November to February Northern Lights may be visible.

The tour lasts six hours, with pick-up at 10:30. The hike is mostly uphill at a relaxed pace, and a field lunch is eaten before the walk back down to Longyearbyen. A group has a maximum of six guests per guide. The operator rates the difficulty 4/5.

Pick-up is by van outside the guest's hotel, and the guest is returned there at the end. Included are a helmet, a headlamp, and spikes or sometimes snowshoes, plus snacks, coffee or tea, the field lunch, SAR-insurance, and a guide who carries safety gear and polar bear protection. Flights, hotel nights and travel insurance are not included. Guests bring a backpack of 20 to 30 L and a bottle of water.

Guests need to be able to climb a ladder, crawl on their knees and communicate in English. The operator says the tour is not for people with claustrophobia, back pain, vertigo, ankle or knee problems, or those uncomfortable in steep terrain. The season runs from 1 November to 30 April.