Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, the world’s most northerly inhabited settlement, We Will arrange check-in at your accommodation. This historic town, founded in 1906 by American entrepreneur John Longyear, sits at 78°N latitude, barely 1,200 kilometers from the North Pole.

In the afternoon, embark on a guided walking tour of Longyearbyen with a local expert who will illuminate the town’s remarkable past. Your guide will lead you through the historic landscape, explaining the significance of the coal mining industry that made human settlement possible in this extreme environment. Walk past the iconic Svalbard Church (built in 1958), a non-denominational sanctuary that stands open 24/7 and houses artifacts saved during World War II. Explore the atmospheric remnants of Old Town, where wooden posts mark the locations of pre-1943 buildings destroyed during Nazi bombing campaigns. Visit the cable car station, a rusting monument to the engineering ingenuity used to transport coal from the mountains to the port. Discover the Governor’s Residence, completed in 1950, an imposing structure that reflects the importance of administrative control in this remote territory.

The tour provides insights into how the mining company SNSK (Store Norske) shaped every aspect of life here, from housing architecture to community infrastructure. Learn about the Svalbard Treaty of 1923, which established this unique legal status allowing citizens of signatory nations to settle and work freely on Svalbard.

Evening concludes with a traditional local dinner, allowing you to acclimate to Arctic rhythms and meet fellow travelers.

After breakfast, meet your Arctic guides for a safety briefing and gear fitting. You'll receive thermal suits, helmets, goggles, insulated gloves, and Arctic boots for comfort in cold temperatures .

Then, board your snowmobiles for a 70-kilometer journey to Barentsburg, the Russian “capital” of Svalbard, through stunning Arctic wilderness. Your guides will highlight local wildlife and geography along the way, along the way we will provide a real arctic meal, while enjoy the landscape and wildlife.

Explore Barentsburg, a former Soviet mining settlement with around 230 residents, featuring a notable Lenin bust and propaganda slogans. Most inhabitants are Ukrainian miners, continuing a long-standing tradition.

Enjoy a meal at a local spot, followed by a guided tour of key buildings, including the formerly bustling communal canteen and infrastructure serving a once-thriving population. Learn about the ongoing operations of the Russian State Trust Arktikugol since 1931.

End your day at the Red Bear Brewery, the world’s northernmost brewery, for a taste of locally-brewed beer in this unique Arctic setting.

Begin your day depart Barentsburg via snowmobile on an alternate panoramic route back to Longyearbyen, allowing you to experience different Arctic terrain and enjoy varied perspectives of the Isfjord and surrounding mountains.

In the afternoon, on the way back to Longyearbyen, visit to the ice cave. Accompanied by expert guides, you’ll venture into a subterranean world of glacial ice, a mesmerizing landscape of crystalline formations, towering ice walls, and cathedral-like chambers sculpted by millennia of geological processes. The profound silence and ethereal blue light filtering through the ice create an otherworldly atmosphere, offering perspectives few travelers ever experience.

 Arrive in Longyearbyen by late afternoon.

After check-in, the remainder of your day is at leisure. Explore the town independently, enjoy a leisurely walk through the shopping center (including the Lompen Senteret, the world’s northernmost shopping mall), sample local chocolate from Fruene AS, souvenir shopping,  or simply rest and acclimatize.

Immerse yourself in Svalbard’s industrial past with a guided tour of Mine No. 3 (Gruve 3). This authentic coal mine, operational from 1916 to 1997, offers one of the Arctic’s most educational experiences. Descend into the earth with a professional miner’s helmet and headlamp. Walk nearly 800 meters into the mountain, exploring three different tunnel sections while your guide explains the grueling conditions miners faced daily. You’ll have the opportunity to wear a miner’s overall and crawl through narrow passages, gaining visceral understanding of the harsh labor that built Longyearbyen. Learn about mining techniques, equipment evolution, and the role of the mining industry in establishing this northernmost settlement.

The mine visit typically runs 2-3 hours and requires moderate physical fitness and comfort with confined spaces.

After lunch, embark on a guided walking tour to the Global Seed Vault. Rewarded with expansive views of Adventfjorden and the surrounding Arctic landscape.

Your guide will lead you to the vicinity of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world’s most important food security installation. Nestled 120 meters deep within the Platåberget mountain and secured in permafrost, this underground fortress contains nearly 1 million seed samples representing global crop diversity. The Vault, opened in 2008 by the Norwegian government, serves as “doomsday insurance” for humanity’s food supply. Learn about its engineering, its scientific significance, and its role in global food security. While the interior is strictly restricted to authorized personnel only, viewing the dramatic entrance carved into the mountainside, surrounded by Arctic wilderness, provides profound perspective on this extraordinary facility.

The evening is devoted to Longyearbyen’s vibrant local culture. Visit historic pubs and gathering places where locals and visitors converge for convivial Arctic hospitality. Share final toasts under the Arctic sky with newfound friends.

After breakfast, transfer to Longyearbyen Airport for your return flight to Italy (arrangements made independently). Depart with unforgettable memories of the Arctic’s raw beauty, rich history, and indomitable human spirit.