4 glaciers itinerary

Spitsbergen – Itinerant Journey through the Four Glaciers

This magnificent route takes you through four bays, each home to legendary glaciers: Nansen, Bores, Wahlenberg, and Svea.

As the days go by, these glaciers surprise with their unique character and diversity, each one showcasing the incredible richness of the Arctic world.

Sea kayaking allows you to travel in complete autonomy and to camp in remote, stunning locations.

A distinctive feature of this trip is that the itinerary is limited to just three camps, with a minimum two-night stay at each one. This approach reduces the need for frequent camp setup and takedown — a smart idea, as most people don’t enjoy pitching tents every day.

We alternate between kayaking one day and hiking the next, providing a balanced and varied physical experience.

• A journey through the full range of landscapes in the archipelago (four major glaciers, icebergs, mountains).
• A flexible program thanks to the use of sea kayaks.
• Two nights at each camp to alternate hiking and kayaking.
• A sauna in the heart of the Arctic at your final camp.
• Wildlife observation opportunities: seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes…

DAY 1: Flight to Longyearbyen

The plane lands on the runway at Longyearbyen, on the world’s northernmost lands—just 1,200 km from the North Pole.

Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you and drive you to the Longyearbyen campsite.

Accommodation: Longyearbyen campsite

DAY 2: Longyearbyen – Toundraodden

After a briefing on specific safety rules to know before departure, each participant will be given technical gear for the kayaking expedition.

You’ll have some free time during the day to shop and explore Longyearbyen before departure by boat around 5:00 PM.

The crossing to reach our camp in Isfjord Bay usually takes 2 hours.

Once ashore, your guide will give you a tour of the camp and go over all the safety procedures.

Short hike on the moraine, offering a panoramic view of the Nansen Glacier. Return to camp.

This will be your first night in polar bear country.

In the evening, each participant will take a one-hour shift to stand watch over the camp—a quiet, privileged moment where you feel deeply connected with nature. Arctic foxes are often spotted nearby, playing with bits of rope fluttering in the wind.

Accommodation: Tent
Boat crossing: 1–2 hours

DAY 3: Toundraodden

We stay at the same camp, allowing us to visit a walrus haul-out near the Nansen Glacier’s front. We can reach it either by kayak or on foot with a 10 km hike.

The walruses are not shy and spend most of the day sleeping on the beaches. They have only recently re-colonized this part of the island, gathering on a small islet in front of the glacier.

Hiking distance: 10 km
Duration: About 4 hours

DAY 4: Paddling in front of Bore Glacier

We paddle toward the Bore Glacier, a 6 km-wide wall of ice plunging into the sea. You can sometimes hear the ice cracking as it advances. We follow the glacier’s lateral moraine.

Camp is set up for two nights near the glacier’s front, on the eastern moraine.

Paddling distance: 14 km
Paddling duration: 4 hours

DAY 5: Hiking the Bore Mountains

From camp, we have several hiking options.

Depending on the weather, we can climb the Syte Pass at 475 meters above sea level, through Arctic tundra.

At the top, we’re rewarded with a stunning view over the Bohemanflya region.

Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking duration: 5–6 hours

DAY 6: Boheman

To reach Boheman, we paddle 10 km along the coast (about 2.5 hours of navigation) to reach the cape—a vast, flat tundra plain where reindeer graze. After about 20 minutes, we arrive at the old Boheman cabins, remnants of the island’s first coal mine.

Camp is set up here for two nights.

Paddling distance: 10 km
Paddling duration: 2–3 hours

DAY 7: Hike around Boheman

We hike through the Boheman tundra, observing reindeer and barnacle geese that migrate here in summer. The landscape is dotted with small lakes, creating a picturesque scene.

Overnight at Boheman.

DAY 8: Wahlenberg – Svea Glacier

We paddle to the Wahlenberg Glacier overlooking the sea. After a 4 km crossing, we arrive at Svea Glacier—the largest and most active of all, calving tons of ice each year and filling the bay with multicolored icebergs.

Overnight in tents at the Svea camp.

DAY 9: Hike along Svea Glacier’s ridges

From camp, we set off on a 7-hour hike along the ridges that overlook the vast ice tongue of the Svea Glacier, which stretches for 30 km.

From the peaks, we enjoy sweeping views of Spitsbergen’s mountains and its stunning frozen world.

Overnight at Svea camp.

DAY 10: Kayaking in Svea Bay

We kayak through the small bay, navigating around the ever-changing icebergs calved from the glacier. We slip between the floating ice, observing seals and bird colonies, and exploring the impressive glacier front.

Overnight in tents at Svea camp.

DAY 11: Ascent of Lundbohfjellet

The ascent begins along a wide ridge leading to the rounded summit of Lundbohfjellet, which overlooks the wide plain of Svea.

From here, we see our camp and, in the distance, the vast Isfjord Bay.

Higher up, black earth is streaked with ochre limestone and dotted with bright red lichen, adding color to this mineral world.

We descend via a different route, or optionally climb the Bertilryggen summit.

From the top, there’s a breathtaking view over the Ekman fjord, carved into red rock, where the cliffs known as “The Capitol” reflect in the sea—a truly infinite, awe-inspiring sight.

DAY 12: More kayaking in Svea Bay

Each outing in this bay is different—a fleeting show of drifting ice renewed each day.

In silence, we glide across the water in search of seals or perfect blue icebergs—crystalline and sculpted from the glacier’s heart.

Sometimes the sea shapes them into arches, and you might even witness one flipping over.

Suddenly, the glacier groans. We wait before its towering wall, anticipating a collapse. With a thunderous crash, a chunk falls into the sea in a dramatic burst of water.

We land across the bay for lunch, on a beach near an old trapper’s hut, sheltered from the wind.

Just steps away, we might spot fresh polar bear tracks.

Paddling distance: 10–15 km
Paddling duration: 4–5 hours

DAY 13: Svea Bay – Longyearbyen

We take advantage of our proximity to the glacier for a hike across its flat surface, exploring its surreal world of blue lakes and streams winding down gentle slopes.

Return by boat to Longyearbyen.

Overnight at the Longyearbyen campsite.

DAY 14: Free day in Longyearbyen

A rest day before the late-night flight.

You’re free to wander the town, visit museums and shops.

Your guide will offer a historical tour: from its mining origins to its current status as a scientific and tourist hub. Though barely a century old, every building here tells the touching story of pioneers who came seeking fortune in this remote land.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant before your flight.

DAY 15: Longyearbyen – Paris

Return flight. You fly once more over Spitsbergen before arriving in Oslo and finally Paris.

This program is for reference and may be modified depending on weather and/or sea conditions.

Prices Include

• All transfers and transportation as per the itinerary.

• Full board during the stay in Spitsbergen (excluding meals during international flights).

• The services of a French-speaking guide.

• Camping gear and technical clothing (fleece overalls, waterproof Goretex drysuit, neoprene hood, gloves, thick socks, etc.).

Prices Do Not Include

• Round-trip flights Paris–Longyearbyen (departures from other cities available at extra cost depending on availability).

• Airport taxes and security charges.

• Optional travel insurance (cancellation, repatriation, travel risks) depending on the options selected at registration.

• Travel to and from Paris.

• Additional accommodation and meal costs incurred due to changes or cancellations of international flights beyond our control.

• The final dinner in Longyearbyen (approx. €50).

ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION

Group

• Groups from 6 to 11 people. Two people per kayak.

• Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 6 participants. Below this number, the travel company 80 jours voyages reserves the right to cancel the trip.

• However, with unanimous agreement from the participants, the trip may proceed with a €100 supplement per person.

Guiding

• A French guide, expert in the destination with extensive field experience.

Difficulty Level

Moderate

• 4 to 7 hours of kayaking or hiking per day.

• This is a nomadic trip, requiring the setup and breakdown of camp every two days, which requires good physical condition.

• Prior kayaking experience is not required. Most participants are beginners. However, the ability to swim is essential.

• If you are in good overall shape, you can confidently consider this kind of adventure.

Weather

• Weather conditions at these latitudes are highly changeable.

• The upside is that bad weather, if it occurs, often doesn’t last long.

• Summer temperatures range from 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F) on average, and weather is often good.

• However, this is a polar region, and you should be prepared for fog, rain, wind, or even snow.

• The activities and their level of difficulty depend largely on weather conditions.

Accommodation

• You’ll sleep in two-person tents provided by the organization.

• Meals are taken together in the communal mess tent — a cozy and warm atmosphere guaranteed.

Meals

• You’re in the Far North — don’t expect a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables!

• That said, you’ll be well fed with hearty and balanced meals.

Breakfast:

• Muesli, toast, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate — your choice.

• Snacks (cereal bars and dried fruit) are available during the day.

Lunch:

• Picnic-style meals, enjoyed outdoors in the middle of an active day.

Dinner:

• A true feast: hot soup, a hot main course, and culinary treats like pancakes or fritters depending on your guide’s mood!

Budget On-Site

• Longyearbyen is under Norwegian jurisdiction, so the local currency is the Norwegian krone.

• To check the exchange rate before departure: http://www.xe.com/ucc

• There are ATMs at Oslo airport and the Longyearbyen post office.

• Credit cards are accepted in (almost?) all shops in Longyearbyen.

• If you’ve enjoyed your trip and would like to thank your guide, a tip of €20 to €50 per participant is customary.

Trip Characteristics & Spirit

This trip is open to everyone. It’s active and participatory by nature, and requires a certain openness of spirit.

• You will be asked to help load and unload the kayaks and camping equipment on the beaches.

• You may also be asked to help rinse equipment, fetch water, or clean the camp.

• This is part of the spirit of the journey — respecting the sites you explore, leaving no trace of your passage in the tundra or at camp.

Your guide is responsible for group safety and logistics, but your involvement helps foster a supportive group dynamic and a friendly atmosphere. You’re joining a group trip — decisions made by the guide will be in the group’s best interest, even if occasionally at the expense of individual preference.

Depending on weather conditions, group ability, and safety concerns, the guide may alter the initial itinerary without needing to justify or negotiate these decisions.

Photography

• In a kayak, you’ll need proper protection for your gear.

• Freezer bags with zippers can do the trick.

• For enthusiasts with DSLR cameras, a waterproof hard case (like a Pelicase) is recommended.

• It can be strapped to the kayak and allows easy access to your gear.

Formalities

• For EU citizens, a valid national ID card or passport (valid for at least 6 months after your return) is required.

• Svalbard is a tax-free zone.

• Upon re-entering mainland Norway, you will be subject to customs checks, particularly for alcohol and tobacco.

Health & Physical Condition

• This trip is considered easy but remains physically active.

• You must be in good health.

• In this remote setting, emergency evacuation is very difficult.

• A first-aid kit is provided, but you should bring your own personal medication as well.

• It is recommended to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, polio).