Longyearbyen under the Midnight Sun

This is a wilderness safari by snowcat from Longyearbyen into Adventdalen, the valley next to the town. It suits guests who want to see the Svalbard scenery without riding a snowmobile or walking. The route heads toward the area around Moskuslaguna, where the terrain opens out and Longyearbyen recedes behind the vehicle. The tour runs in the evening, and the midnight sun is above the horizon during that time, since it returns to Svalbard from 19 April.

On the way, guests may see Svalbard reindeer, which live only on the archipelago, and Svalbard ptarmigan, which stay all year. The guide talks about the history of the valley. Aircraft first landed on the winter ice in Adventdalen before the airport was completed in 1975, and the valley was for a long period the town's only air link to mainland Norway. Traces of early mining remain in the terrain, and the guide tells stories from that era.

The tour lasts two hours. The page rates it 1 out of 5 for difficulty and describes it as suitable for everyone, with an age limit of 2 years. It runs in the period April to May. Included are the transfer from and to Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen, plus biscuits with hot drinks, and a guide who carries all necessary safety equipment. The snowcat collects guests outside the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. Guests sit indoors but spend a lot of time outside, so the operator recommends warm clothing, and a camera is suggested.