Wilderness Camp: One night in the Arctic
Step beyond the ordinary and spend 2 days and 1 night immersed in Svalbard’s untouched Arctic wilderness. This once-in-a-lifetime overnight camp experience takes you beyond hotel comfort and trading the city lights of Longyearbyen for the raw stillness of the high North.
Highlights for Wilderness Camp:
One night in the Arctic
- Unique Arctic camping experience in the wilderness
- Immerse wilderness and the beautiful Arctic landscape
- Winter and summer: Possibility to include hiking tours
- Winter: Possibility to include ski trips
- Led by experienced professional polar guides
- Possibility of northern lights during the winter (sep-feb)
- Possibility of midnight sun during summer (approx. mar to Aug)
- Sustainable: Low climate footprint
From Longyearbyen into one of the valleys like Bolterdalen
From pick up to drop off
Information*: This trip runs all year around but for Norwegian public holidays (“red days”), a different minimum number of participants may apply or the tour might not run. Please contact for information. These days include:
- December 31st to January 1st
- Easter: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
- Labour Day (May 1st)
- May 17th, Ascension day
- Whit sunday and Whit Monday
- Christmas: December 24th, 25th and 26th
Please be ready 5 minutes before pickup outside your hotel entrance. Please have patience as we might need to pick up from several locations.
This is an easy/moderate tour suitable for anyone in basic physical condition.
This tour is not for you if you have backproblems, is pregnant, or have severe mobility or balance issues.
You can read more about difficulty levels here:
See difficulty level description for Svalbard tours here
This is due to winter tours where temperatures gets cold.
You can book the tour as one person but we need a minimum of 2 participants to complete the excursion. If you have a bigger group than 6 persons then please send us a request here
You can see what’s included here
Sleep outside in the Arctic wilderness
What you can look forward to...
This adventure is led by certified professional Arctic guides where we have handpicked a campsite suited for the Arctic season in Spitsbergen. With tailored guidance, you’ll master survival skills, build snow caves in winter, enjoy cooking outdoor meals, and experience the thrill of true Arctic camp adventure.
During the wintertime (approx. October to February) we will also keep an eye towards the skies as the northern lights might set the scenery for our visit.
The sunny winter and summertime (approx. March to August) will have the possibility of long days with the midnight sun as our scenery.
This tour is perfect for smaller groups.
Who can participate?
This small expedition is designed for adventurers in an basic physical condition and who will be able to walk a relaxed pace for approx. a couple of hours.
The hike into the valley to the campsite is short and easy with mostly flat terrain but also some gentle slopes.
During winter you will pull a sled/pulk and carry a bagpack with equipment so it is not recommended for people with backproblems. During summer you will carry a bagpack.
No previous Arctic experience is required – just a sense of adventure and readiness for life in the wild.
Itinerary: Day by day
Day 1: Going into the Arctic wilderness
Your Arctic adventure begins at 12:00pm. right outside your hotel in Longyearbyen entrance where the guide will pick you up.
After a short drive, the town fade away, and the jaw-dropping Arctic wilderness opens up before you. This is where the real journey starts. Together we will divide the gear between us. You will feel the satisfying weight of your backpack - or the smooth pull of your sled (pulk) across the crisp snow during winter. We begin the gentle hike into the heart of the valley with the stunning Arctic terrain, surrounded by dramatic mountains that will make you feel small.
When we reach our handpicked campsite, you won't be a spectator. You will learn the secrets to spending a night in the Arctic. Together we will pitch our tents and build our cozy base for the night.
Once camp is set, there's time to explore the surroundings with a small hike, building snowcaves (during winter), or wrap your hands around a steaming mug of warm coffee while breathing in the crisp Arctic air and just listen to the sound of the Arctic silence.
During winter, the darkness brings the magical northern lights dancing above the valley. The valley is actually one of the best places to spot the phenomenon as we are away from town light pollution. We hope for a clear sky with stars but can also experience the silence from snowflakes.
During summer, the midnight sun can keep the landscape glowing in soft golden light all night long and it will be easier to spot wildlife and special flora and fauna of Svalbard. If the midnight sun is not present then we will still have 24 hours of daylight to enjoy the raw landscape.
Before crawling into your warm, thick sleeping bag, we prepare the dinner together. During the night we will all take turns for being a polar bear watch. We will stand guard watching over the sleeping camp which is a unique and unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the stillness while ensuring camp safety.
Day 2: Morning in the wild & return to Longyearbyen
Wake up to the crisp Arctic air. Unzipping your tent and looking out over the mountains. Enjoy a simple breakfast and the coffee will tast better with the most beautiful view of the landscape.
After breaking camp and packing up our gear, we hike back to through the valley. Keep your eyes and camera ready to see if you can spot some wildlife like a Arctic polar fox, ptarmigan or a Svalbard reindeer looking for food.
We will have you back at your hotel in Longyearbyen around 12:00pm. Tired but refreshed, you'll carry with you unforgettable memories of a night spent in the raw beauty of Svalbard's wilderness - like only a few have ever experienced.
What guests say
Don't just take our
word for it
From hauling pulkas and setting up a cozy camp to melting snow for dinner, everything felt smooth, safe, and thoughtfully led. Polar-bear precautions were handled professionally with short night watches, and—at our request—the dogs joined, which made it even more special. The highlight was a roped glacier hike where our guide, Andreas, impressed with calm leadership and deep glacier knowledge. A truly memorable, well-run adventure.
They did a great job preparing us, taught us the basics of setting up a camp and a lot of little tricks. The equipment provided was great, and our guides perfectly adjusted the tour to the abilities of our group, resulting in an unforgettable experience for all of us, with northern lights throughout the night. If you are hesitating - go for it!
The Guides
Save your spot
One night in the Arctic
Frequently asked questions for this tour
Here you can find answers to some of your questions
No, it is not considered as difficult. All campsites will be easy accessible. It is suitable for those with a basic physical condition and the ability to walk in a relaxed pace for approx. a couple of hours. Not recommended for those with limited mobility (uneven terrain). Whether you’re trying this adventure for the first time or your are used to camping the professional guide will try to adjust the experience to suit your skill level the best as possible, ensuring a safe and exciting adventure in the wilderness.
Yes, it will be safe. Safety is our absolute priority. The certified guide will carry firearms. We will take turns on polar bear watches during night (approx. a couple of hours each) and you will be taught how to do so. You can really enjoy the quiet beauty of Svalbard when everyone else is asleep.
Yes. We have an age limit of 12 years old. During winter we enforce this age limit due to the unpredictable Arctic weather.
This most important requirement is that your child wants to join! It is crucial to bring lots of layers for the children and good warm hiking boots.
Yes, you can participate in this wilderness camp even if you haven’t tried camping before. You will learn everything you need to know along the way.
We set up a private Arctic field toilet in the immediate vicintity of the campsite. Your guide will explain the eco-friendly leave-no-trace routines at the camp.
We will sleep in good sleeping bags and on a good thick mattress in tents designed for the Arctic environment.
Depending on the weather and conditions, it may be possible to have a short day hike with lightweight backpacks on day 1 or day 2. In the dark season and winter, we offer the possibility to go on skis (possible to rent boots and skis).
Packing list
A full list of the necessary equipment will be provided to you upon booking.
- Warm and windproff clothing
- Solid and warm hiking boots
- Personal equipment
- Warm inner layers (we strongly recommend wool)
- Big backpack 60L (summer)
- Small backpack (winter) – In wintertime we can use sledge/pulk but still a good idea to bring a small backpack for water bottle, personal equipment and clothing etc.
This tour is not recommended for pregnant people or those with back problems. Children within the age limit can attend accompanied by an adult.
For safety reasons, all passengers must be able to understand and communicate in either Norwegian or English. If this is not possible, the passenger must be accompanied by someone who is fluent in one of these languages.
Safety is our top priority. We handle all governor of Svalbard camping permits and polar bear safety equipment.
What's included and what's not
Included
- Transportation from hotel and back to hotel
- Transportation to starting point and end point
- Tent
- Sleeping kit (Sleeping bag, mattres)
- Pulk
- Common equipment
- Food and snacks on the tour
- Camping gear
- Cooking equipment
- Headlamp (winter)
- Crampons (winter)
- Walking sticks
- Borrowing hiking boots (we need shoe size.
- Guides with emergency equipment
- Applications
- SAR-insurance
Not included
- Warm and windproff clothing
- Backpack 60+ Liter
- Accomodation in Longyearbyen
(We can help arrange) - Food and beverages in town (Longyearbyen)
- Travel & cancellation insurance
- Flight tickets (you can book via SAS or Norwegian)
- Winter tour: We have the possibility to add ski to the package. Skis are not included (available for rent – contact oss for information or add in the booking process)
Practical information
• The itinerary is always weather dependent and the tour/activity can be modified or cancelled due to safety concerns. Please see conditions.
• We offer the opportunity to borrow a pair of hiking boots. In this case we need boot size information when booking. We do recommend you to use your own solid and warm (hiking) boots if they have good ankle support.
• All tours are with english speaking guides. Please feel to make a request for language and we can have a look at the possibilities (no guarantees).
