Ice Cave Adventure

The Ice cave adventure from Frostbite Expeditions is a guided glacier walk at Larsbreen in Svalbard. The route starts on a frozen riverbed, then climbs over the moraine at the edge of the glacier and crosses the ice to a natural ice cave in the glacier side. Along the way the guide talks about geology, how glaciers form, local history and the changing Arctic ecosystem. Guests have time to explore inside the cave and eat a meal there.

The round trip is 7 km with 400 m of elevation gain and takes six hours. The group has 2 to 8 participants. Difficulty is rated three on the operator's scale. Departures run at 09:00 to 15:00 and at 16:30 to 22:30, and the season is October to February.

Included are pick-up and drop-off at the hotel, a guide with safety equipment, a hot expedition meal, snacks and hot drinks, and gear: hiking poles, microspikes, a helmet and a headlamp. Liability and SAR insurance is also covered. Guests bring warm waterproof hiking boots that cover the ankle, wool base layers, a windproof jacket and outdoor pants, an extra warm layer, a hat, a buff, windproof mittens or gloves, a backpack and a water bottle.

The minimum age is 12. No previous glacier experience is needed, but guests need a reasonable level of fitness. The operator may refuse anyone whose clothing is unsuitable for hiking in the weather that day, and the route may change because of the weather.