Bergen - Longyearbyen - Bergen
The Svalbard Line – Roundtrip
All-inclusive Arctic cruise to Svalbard & back, with fjords, wildlife & Midnight Sun
- July 2026 - September 2027
- 15 days
- 14 Stops
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks included
Combine adventure with discovery as you search for ancient fossils in Svalbard's dramatic glacial landscape.
Highlights
Discover the raw beauty of Svalbard on a guided hike to a glacier
Keep your eyes peeled for 60-million-year-old fossils hidden within the gravelly mountain beds
Learn more about the archipelago’s rich geological history
How it works
At the head of the valley where Longyearbyen lies are two glaciers: Larsbreen and Longyearbreen. Over thousands and thousands of years, Longyearbreen has eroded the mountain beds, thrusting out rocks and gravel to create a large moraine that changes its face year after year. Here, in the surrounding mountains, you'll find plant and animal fossils that are up to 60 million years old.
Your trip starts from Nybyen, Longyearbyen’s ‘satellite town’, where you bid farewell to civilisation and dive headfirst into the wilderness. There is no obvious path to follow as your guide leads the way over the moraine area up towards the glacier. The terrain is quite stony and uneven underfoot, but the tempo is kept at an easy level, so you have plenty of time to look for fossils.
The mountains here, filled with old sediments from rivers and swamps, can be read like ancient books – if you know where to look. On Svalbard, scientists have found signs of life from a billion years ago, but most of the major fossils unearthed here are plesiosaurs from the Jurassic period. These marine reptiles could grow up to 13 metres long and weigh up to 3 tons, and would have sunk into the seabed when they died, where they have remained for millennia.
During the hike, there's time for a pit stop for a warm drink and some biscuits while soaking up the wild, ethereal beauty of the glacial landscape.
Before you book
Activity level
Challenging: Good mobility and fitness needed
Group size
Groups up to 12 guests
Availability
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Transport
Walking
Food & drink
No food or drink included
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, warm and windproof clothing
Good to know
Fossils cannot be removed from Svalbard. All guests attending the excursion must speak English due to safety rules. If the guests do not understand English, they cannot join the excursion.
Voyages with this excursion
This excursion is available on selected Hurtigruten voyages along the Norwegian coast. Explore all voyages.
Available: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions our guests ask most often
If an excursion is not fully booked, any remaining slots will be available for purchase on board through your Expedition Team. These will be charged in Norwegian Kroner at your ship’s exchange rate.
However, to ensure yourself a spot, we recommend booking in advance.
You will be able to view them all by logging into your booking here.
If you booked through a travel agent, you can reach out to them for this information.
Yes, you will get a full refund to your original payment method. If that's not possible, we will reach out to check your payment details.
Each of our excursions has a rating to illustrate the level of fitness required. There are four categories, with 1 being the easiest and 4 the most difficult.
Level 1 = Easy: suitable for most
Excursions at this level are physically undemanding and suitable for most people. Level 2 = Moderate: some mobility needed
Excursions in this category involve a small amount of physical activity, but on easy terrain with few major challenges. Level 3 = Active: good mobility needed
Excursions in this category are more active and involve outdoor pursuits that require a decent level of fitness. You may be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. They are not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Level 4 = Challenging: good mobility and fitness needed
These are our most challenging excursions, and require a good level of fitness. They may involve hiking or biking on uneven terrain and may also require specialist equipment. You would be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. Excursions in this category are not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Prices can vary depending on the season you travel. Costs such as exchange rates and local prices may change from year to year, so we show a “starting from” price as a guide. The exact price will be confirmed when you book.
Other excursions in Longyearbyen
Discover more ways to explore this beautiful coastal destination
Guest favourite
Isfjord Safari by Open Boat
Explore Isfjord in Svalbard by open boat, visiting historic sites and spotting wildlife.
Spring, Summer
Husky Dog Wagon Ride
Ride in a husky-drawn wagon along Svalbard's coast, looking for Arctic wildlife.
Summer, Autumn
Historical walking tour in Longyearbyen
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Visit to Svalbard Brewery
Tour and tasting at Svalbard Brewery
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Longyearbyen by E-bike
Discover Longyearbyen by e-bike, exploring mining roads and frontier history.
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Svalbard Wilderness and History Experience
Visit Camp Barentz and the Svalbard Museum, meet huskies and try Norwegian waffles.
Summer
Dog Sledding on Wheels
Drive a wheeled sled near Longyearbyen and spend time meeting the dogs and their pups.
Summer