Pick your season, then your length. Below are three first-visit plans — a 3-day winter escape, a 7-day summer week, and a 10-day deep trip — each as a day-by-day table. They map directly to our trip tiers: the escape, the week, and the complete trip. Build flights around the arrival and departure days, since those are travel days, not activity days.
3 days, winter — the escape
The shortest way to do the core dark-season activities properly. This plan matches our Polar Night Escape (escape tier, from €1,290, runs Oct–Feb).
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fly in via Oslo, airport transfer, settle in Longyearbyen, evening briefing and kit check |
| 2 | Husky sledding by day; electric snowmobile aurora safari after dark |
| 3 | Glacier ice-cave hike, then a trapper-camp dinner; depart next morning |
It suits a first-timer with a long weekend who wants husky, snowmobile, and ice-cave days without committing a full week. Skip it if you need daylight — December and January stay dark.
7 days, summer — the week
A full week under the midnight sun, balancing wildlife, glaciers, and town. This plan aligns with our week tier summer trip (7 days, from €2,990).
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fly in, transfer, settle into a hotel in Longyearbyen |
| 2 | Town and museum day; walk the settlement, get oriented |
| 3 | Walrus safari by boat along the coast |
| 4 | Tundra ATV ride off the road network |
| 5 | Catamaran cruise to a tidewater glacier front |
| 6 | Flexible wildlife or hiking day, weather-dependent |
| 7 | Open morning in town, then depart |
This fits travellers who want comfort, wildlife, and glaciers with room to breathe. The constant daylight keeps days flexible — pack a sleep mask.
10 days, deep — the complete trip
The longest plan, adding remote coast, slower pacing, and time to absorb the place. This matches our complete tier (10 days, from €2,990 winter / €3,790 summer).
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fly in, transfer, settle in |
| 2 | Town, history, and orientation |
| 3–4 | Signature seasonal activities (boats and glaciers in summer; husky and snowmobile in winter) |
| 5 | Rest and flex day in town |
| 6–7 | Longer guided outing toward remote terrain or coast |
| 8 | Glacier or ice-focused day |
| 9 | Final wildlife or photography day, weather-dependent |
| 10 | Open morning, then depart |
This is for travellers who want depth over a checklist — more remote areas, weather buffer days, and a slower rhythm. Choose summer or winter and the activities slot into the season accordingly.
Whichever you pick, lock your flights first, then build the activity days inside that window. The plans above are starting points — guided departures cap at small group sizes, so reserve early once your dates are set.
Quick answers
- Which itinerary should a first-timer pick?
- If you have a long weekend and want the core winter activities, take the 3-day escape. If you have a week in summer and want wildlife and glaciers, take the 7-day plan. If you want depth, remote coast, and a slower pace, the 10-day trip fits. Match it to your time and season.
- How many days do I need for Svalbard?
- Three days is enough to do the signature activities of one season properly. A week lets you cover wildlife, glaciers, and town with breathing room. Ten days adds remote areas and a slower rhythm. Fewer than three feels rushed once you account for flight days.
- Can I combine summer and winter activities?
- No — they are split by season. Snowmobiling, husky sledding, and ice caves belong to winter; boats, ATVs, and walrus safaris to summer. Pick your season first, then the matching itinerary. Each plan below is built for one season.
Updated 6 June 2026.