Visit Svalbard Photo: Monika Aaserud

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Visit Svalbard Photo: Monika Aaserud 78˚N CRUISEPORT LONGYEARBYEN/ISFJORDEN SVALBARD 1 Sittin’ On Top Of The World Was in the spring One sunny day My sweetheart left me Lord, she went away And now she’s gone And I don’t’ worry Lord, I’m sitting On top of the world She called me up From down in Al Paso She said ”Come back, daddy Ooh, I need you so” And now she’s gone And I don’t’ worry Lord, I’m sitting On top of the world -Doc Watson Nordaustlandet Ny-Ålesund Spitsbergen Pyramiden Barentsøya Longyearbyen Barentsburg BARENTS SEA Sveagruva Edgeøya GREENLAND SEA NORWEGIAN SEA CONTENT Welcome . 7 Shore excursions in Longyearbyen . 8 Isfjord safari to the bird cliffs . 10 Dogs of Svalbard . 12 Kayaking in Adventfjord . 14 Fossil hunting . 16 Hiking on the tundra and in the mountains . 17 Local life & living . 18 ATV . 20 Take care of Svalbard – guidelines . 21 Bicycling . 22 Wildlife watching . 24 Photo safari in Longyearbyen . 25 Taste of Svalbard . 26 Mine no . 3 . 28 Slow Cruise Isfjord . 30 Slow Cruise Isfjord Barentsburg and Pyramiden . 32 Sustainability . 34 Museums and galleries in Longyearbyen . 36 Shopping tax-free . 38 Sun diagram . 40 Festivals and events . 41 Svalbard Cruise Network . 42 Nautical distances . 43 Port Longyear . 46 Photo: Jarle Røssland 6 WELCOME Those of us fortunate to live at 78˚ North feel like we’re living boots make way for boats or kayaks when we set our sights in a dream – a genuine Arctic fairy tale . We have experiences on slightly longer trips . in everyday life in this landscape dominated by tundra, bare mountains, glaciers, extreme light variations and an exciting Svalbard is large and diverse, boasting nature which is animal life that would be hard to match anywhere on earth . surprisingly rich and extremely varied . At the same time, We love life here in Svalbard, and we can’t for a moment we have personal experiences of climate change and the imagine a better place to live . We call this the “Polar bug”, a threats it poses here in the Arctic, and we are worried about term indicating your constant desire to return after setting the future . Life in Longyearbyen may be perceived both as your feet here for the first time . Are you ready to be bitten by different and perhaps extreme, but for those of us fortunate the Polar bug . ? to live here, it’s hard to imagine anything else . We live as one with nature, and we work in harmony to uphold the good life To the uninitiated, Svalbard may seem desolate and barren that we do have throughout the enormous seasonal variations with large open landscapes, sparse vegetation and endless in temperature, light and darkness . We love this place and are glaciers . But if you look beyond this first impression, you will proud to call ourselves Svalbardians . We also love to receive discover an eldorado of nature-based experiences – all year visitors from all over the world – all year round . round . The seasonal variations this far north are enormous – the long, dark season is replaced by bright winter months, I welcome you to Longyearbyen and Svalbard – and hope you which in turn are replaced by a surprisingly mild summer with have wonderful, memorable and profound experiences as a sun 24/7 . guest in our small, local community . Please remember, if you are bitten by the Polar bug, it’s harmless even though it will The archipelago is invaded by birds which migrate here remain in your body for a long time! in vast numbers to nest . On the seemingly inhospitable tundra, a minor miracle occurs at ground level as a rich flora emerges in the most unthinkable of places, offering life where you would hardly believe it was possible for plants to take root . When the landscape dries up after the snow melts, countless possibilities for hiking emerge . Many locals transform into eager hikers and head for the mountain peaks Arctic greetings from which surround Longyearbyen . Consequently, outdoor Ronny Brunvoll recreation still dominates the lives of the locals . Hiking Director of Tourism, Visit Svalbard Photo: Monika Aaserud VISIT SVALBARD Visiting address: Vei 221.1, Central Longyearbyen. Distance from port: 1.5 km Mailing address: P.O.B. 323, NO-9171 Longyearbyen Free Wi-Fi at Tourist Information in Longyearbyen Photo: Jarle Røssland 7 SHORE EXCURSIONS IN LONGYEARBYEN One of the world’s largest areas of untouched wilderness awaits the visitors in the High Arctic. During the summer Svalbard comes alive with calving glaciers, teeming bird cliffs, unique Polar wildlife and hardy flowers, all set against a backdrop of majestic mountain ranges and endless Arctic tundra. Visitors can enjoy a range of excursions. Our local tour operators offer a diverse selection of organised tours. 8 Photo: Jarle Røssland 9 ISFJORD SAFARI TO THE BIRD CLIFFS Svalbard’s unique wildlife is best seen from a boat, and among the most popular activities is the Isfjord bird safari. Every summer thousands of migratory birds return to breed in the mountains surrounding Longyearbyen, and there is intense bird activity at sea, in the bird cliffs and on the islands. 10 Photo: Jarle Røssland 11 DOGS OF SVALBARD Photo: Jarle Røssland Photo: Jarle Røssland Photo: Basecamp, Maiken Hermansen 12 DOGS OF SVALBARD Dog sledding in an Arctic landscape is both peaceful and beautiful . In winter, the dogs pull the sled across a snow-covered landscape, while in summer they pull specially made wheeled sleds . Visitors get a close-up experience with the huskies and nature . Whether you want to mush the dogs in full speed, cuddle the puppies in the nursery or just experience life in the dog yard, this is a true Arctic experience . 13 Photos: Hurtigruten Svalbard/Espen Øverdahl 14 KAYAKING IN ADVENTFJORD Many visitors are tempted by the chance to glide silently through the water and enjoy the magnificent landscape in a peaceful manner . Kayaking trips are a great way to have a close-up experience with the arctic nature . Some kayaking trips include a guided walk to the abandoned settlement of Hiorthhamn and a hot lunch on the beach, while others include a mountain hike . 15 FOSSIL HUNTING You can combine a hiking trip with exciting fossil hunting . It is possible to find 60-million-year-old plant fossils in Svalbard, which make a great souvenir to take home . The guides will tell you about Svalbard’s history and geology while you enjoy a biscuit and drinks break . 16 Photos: Hurtigruten Svalbard/Agurtxane Concellon HIKING ON THE TUNDRA AND IN THE MOUNTAINS Longyearbyen is surrounded by majestic mountains . There are many guided hikes on offer, from climbing summits to exploring valleys . Some are short and suitable for everyone, while others are more physically demanding . No matter which hiking trip – visitors are assured of a fantastic experience with an experienced guide and wonderful views . 17 Photo: Eva-Britt Kornfeldt 18 LOCAL LIFE & LIVING We are some 2 200 locals living in Longyearbyen all year round. Everyday life in Longyearbyen is quite civilised, but in some aspects dramatically different from life on the main land. Where else do you have 24 hours of daylight during four continuous summer months, where else are wild reindeer crossing your doorstep, and where else do you need to carry polar bear protection if you leave town? We show the visitors real Arctic life here at the top of the world. Join us on a walk through our neighbourhood and visit a local family to experience the everyday life in Longyearbyen. 19 Photo: Kvabbe Grevlingsti ATV The summer in Svalbard is short and hectic with daylight around the clock during the midnight sun season from April to late August . Visitors have the chance to experience this in the world’s most exciting place . They can drive a Can-Am Outlander ATV from Longyearbyen in a summery Svalbard landscape to Advent Valley, experience the rich animal and bird life and, if lucky, they may spot Arctic foxes and reindeer . Visitors can enjoy the wonderful view from the top of the mountain at Mine 7 and then stop for coffee at a trappers’ station! 20 TAKE CARE OF SVALBARD–GUIDELINES Flora and fauna on Svalbard have adapted to the difficult Arctic conditions, but the nature is still very fragile, and even minor encroachments can cause lasting damage . This is why special environmental regulations have been developed for Svalbard . The purpose of the Environmental Act of Svalbard and its appurtenant regulations is among other things to ensure the protection of Svalbard’s vulnerable natural environment and its many valuable historical monuments . 1 . Don’t be an arctic litterbug! Leave no lasting signs of your visit . 2 . Birds and other animals are not to be disturbed . Remember, you are the guest . 3 . Help take care of the biodiveristy . Do not pick flowers . 4 . Leave old cultural remains alone . Law protects all traces of humans from before 1946 . 5 . It is prohibited to lure, pursue or otherwise seek out polarbears in such a way as to disturb them or expose either bears or humans to danger . 6 . Do not leave the settlements without a suitable gun, and experience in using it . 7 . Be considerate to others . 8 . Contact the Governor’s office (Sysselmannen) if planning a longer field excursion . A mandatory registration applies for travel to large parts of Svalbard . 9 . Acquaint yourself with the rules and regulations pertaining to travel and other tourist activities on Svalbard . 10 . For the sake of both the environment and yourself, we recommend organized tour arrangements . www .sysselmannen .no/en www .sysselmannen .no/en/Svalbard-environmental-protection-fund 21 Photos: Hurtigruten Svalbard/Agurtxane Concellon 22 BICYCLING Riding a fatbike is lots of fun .
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