Local Svalbard shore excursions
in Longyearbyen
Small-group shore excursions on Svalbard. You step off your cruiseship in Longyearbyen and straight into the Arctic wilderness. Experience Svalbard’s most spectacular landscapes, wildlife on adventures in small groups with limited time and unlimited curiosity for the Arctic.
Step off your cruiseship and into the Arctic wilderness
When you visit Svalbard and Longyearbyen with a cruiseship you probably wish to discover more of this beautiful landscape. We offer different Arctic adventures in some of the most spectacular and unspoiled scenery on Earth during the midnightsun season. Explore the land with our expert guides and get an experience of a lifetime.
What to do in Longyearbyen:
Best tours for cruise ship visits
Hiking tours
Hiking tour
with private guide
Departure: All year around
Do you need a family-friendly hiking tour or a more challenging adventures to the peaks in Svalbard? Choose a half day tour for 3-4 hours with your private guide.
- Available period: All year around
- Pick up time: 09:00
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty level: Your choice
- Age limit: No
- Minimum: 1 person
- Price half day (1 to 4 persons): NOK 5400,- (1350,- per person)
Glacier hike
on Backyard glacier
Departure: All year around
An easy glacier walk, viewing ice formations and crevasses while learning intriguing Arctic stories in a secure and comfortable environment.
- Available period: All year around*
- Pick up time: 10:00am (to 15:00)
- Duration: 5 hours
- Difficulty level: 3/5
- Age limit: 12 years
- Minimum/Maximum 2/8 persons
- Price per person: NOK 1990,-
Longyearbyen sightseeing
The Global Seed Vault and iconic places
Departure: All year around
The tour that will take you to the outside entrance of the Global Seed Vault placed out of town as well as visiting other iconic places around Longyearbyen.
- Available period: Every day all year around*
- Pick up time: 16:00 (return 18:00)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Difficulty level: Easy and for most
- Age limit: No
- Minimum: 2 persons
- Maximum: 6 persons
- Price per person: NOK 1149,-
Wildlife photo
safari tour
Departure: May to September
During the polar summer we’ll take you to different areas primarily outside town to look for Arctic animals like birds, Svalbard reindeer and the Arctic fox.
- Available period: May 1 to September 30
- Pick up time: 09:00am /13:00pm / 17:00pm
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty level: 2/5
- Age limit: 8 years
- Minimum/Maximum 2/8 persons
- Price per person: NOK 1550,-
Why explore Svalbard
with a local guide
True local expertise
We live here and know the Arctic conditions as well as the secret viewpoints, local history and best changes of spotting wildlife.
Polar bear safety first
Safety is parmount on Svalbard. Our guides are fully certified, armed, and trained in polar bear protection as soon as you walk outside the boarder of town.
Small groups. Big adventures.
Avoid the big busses and groups. We keep our groups intimate for a personal and quiet Arctic connection. It is time effective and you get to experience more for the short time you are staying here with the cruiseship.
Small groups. Big adventures.
We can pick you up at the cruise port as well as drop you off here.
Excursions for all ages
Some of our tours can be tailor-made and private so you can bring your child or do a hike which is for your pace.
Inquire availability
Frequently asked questions
We meet you directly at the cruise pier/port area, outside the security gate. Our guides will be clearly visible with the sign on the car “Backyard Svalbard”.
If your ship is delayed a short time, we will try to adjust our tour start time if possible. If your ship is cancels the port of calle entirely due to weather or ice conditions, you will need to contact your travel insurance for refund.
Yes. We offer shorter trips as well as tailored tours for short cruise visits. You can also book a guide for the day to fit your ships schedule the best way and explore Svalbard.
No. We strictly specialize in small group experiences. Instead of big 50-person tour buses, we use minivans. This allows us to access unique locations where big busses cannot drive and gives you a personal flexible experience away from the cruise crowds.
Yes. We offer fully customizable private tours. If you want a tailored itinerary focusing purely on history, hiking, photography, or a specific pace for seniors or children, please contact us in advance to lock in a private tour.
It could be MSC cruises, AIDA cruises, Princess Cruises, Mein Shchiff, MSC Preziosa etc.
Escape the cruise crowds
and experience the real Svalbard
Let our local Svalbard guide take you beyond the tourist trails for an authentic, safe experience. Spaces are strictly limited to ensure a personal and Arctic connection.
