Longyearbyen at Sunset: Panorama Tour

This is an evening wilderness safari by snowcat from Longyearbyen into Adventdalen, the valley next to the town. It suits guests who want to see the Svalbard terrain without riding a snowmobile or walking. The tour is timed for the sunset after the polar night, and Hurtigruten Svalbard's page says the sunset is hoped for, not assured.

The snowcat drives toward the area around Moskuslaguna, where the terrain opens up and Longyearbyen recedes behind the vehicle. Guests may see Svalbard reindeer, often in small groups, and Svalbard ptarmigan, which are more often heard than seen. The guide tells stories about early mining remains in the valley and about the aircraft that landed on the winter ice in Adventdalen before the airport opened in 1975. Much of the time is spent outside the vehicle.

The tour lasts two hours. Included are a guide with the necessary safety equipment, hot drinks, biscuits, and the transfer from and back to Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen. The snowcat collects guests outside Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. Guests should wear warm clothing and can bring a camera.

The minimum age is 2 years. The difficulty level is 1 out of 5, described as suitable for everyone. The tour runs in the period March to April.