25 photos that will inspire you to visit Svalbard

Tracking polar bears on the edge of the world

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Two weeks ago I was just wrapping up a trip to a place that had only ever existed in my dreams – Svalbard.

Never heard of it? Don’t worry, many people haven’t. I probably would have either except for the fact that I’m a huge nerd. While I won’t hold my breath, I hope that at least some of you guys are on the same page as me, and know about Svalbard from the magical, mystical, glorious Golden Compass books from childhood.

Yes, I traveled to the ends of the earth because of a kids book I read when I was a teenager. Who wouldn’t?

Anyways in these books, Svalbard exists as the kingdom of polar bears. And even though it’s fiction, I realized long ago that it’s based on a place that actually exists also called Svalbard, which is the real-life kingdom of the polar bears. Except these ones don’t talk or wear armor. But close enough.

So for the past decade, and I mean DECADE, I have dreamed about seeing the real land of the polar bears. And boom, it finally happened last month with Eclipse Travel.

How amazing is it that books and literature, even fiction, can inspire us to go out and have our adventures and see the world?

visit svalbard

visit svalbard

I also just realized I haven’t blogged in a month. SORRY!

Also known as Spitsbergen, Svalbard is just about as far north as north goes. Longyearbyen, the main settlement is located at 78°N – to me, that is basically the end of the world. Though it’s surprisingly well connected with the rest of Europe with only 3 hour flights north direct from Oslo. Even though it’s part of Norway, it’s also not. I don’t understand the logistics of it but you do go through immigration to go to Svalbard.

And it’s some kind of tax haven, which means CHEAP BOOZE!

visit svalbard

We spent 10 days on the expedition ship MS Ortelius circumnavigating Svalbard at the end of August with Eclipse Travel and I don’t say this lightly, it was seriously one of the coolest trips I’ve ever done. I was already thinking when I could come back before we even docked back at Longyearbyen.

But be warned, polar travel is addicting. Once you get a taste for this epic uninhabited wilderness, you will be hooked.

I’ve got so many stories to share with you guys but I thought I’d first give a little teaser of some of our best photos of the amazing adventures on Svalbard for a week. Enjoy!

Have you ever traveled to a place you’ve read about in a book? Have you heard of Svalbard? Is it on your list? Share in the comments!

visit svalbard

We got on and off our ship the MS Ortelius via these zodiac boats

visit svalbard

Exploring the research town of Ny-Ålesund – the northernmost settlement in the world

visit svalbard

Spotting polar bears roaming the pack ice in the north of Svalbard

visit svalbard

I don’t think I’ve used a telephoto lens more while traveling than on this trip with Canon Australia – more about my gear here

visit svalbard

Even though it was August it snowed a few times on the trip

visit svalbard

60% of Svalbard is covered in glaciers

visit svalbard

Looking out for the most amazing birdlife along these cliffs

visit svalbard

Icebergs washed up on the beach by the 14th of July Glacier

visit svalbard

View from the porthole in our room – I was in a 4 person girl bunk room and it was so much fun!

visit svalbard

Reindeer roaming along the tundra

visit svalbard

One of the many historic trapping huts and cabins around Svalbard

visit svalbard

The Bråsvellbreen glacier – the 3rd largest ice cap in the world

visit svalbard

In Svalbard, it’s the law to carry a rifle outside of the settlements because of polar bear danger

visit svalbard

One of the many amazing glacier waterfalls we were lucky enough to witness

visit svalbard

Even though it was summer, we still have a few subzero days on the ice

visit svalbard

An arctic fox nabbing a meal

visit svalbard

One of our last landings and the location where we did a polar plunge

visit svalbard

The tundra is riddled with bones and antlers

visit svalbard

Cruising through the pack ice

visit svalbard

One of the many hikes on a landing

visit svalbard

The final polar bear we saw on land

Many thanks to Eclipse Travel for hosting me in Svalbard – like always I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me! And many thanks to Eric Supertramp for helping me photograph this magical land!

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136 Comments on “25 photos that will inspire you to visit Svalbard

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  1. This trip looks so amazing! I live in Norway and have always wanted to visit Svalbard! Now after seeing your beautiful photos, I really want to go explore those deserted landskapes!

    Hope you will write a post about Lofoten as well! One of my favourite destinations?

  2. Great photo’s thanks for sharing. I would love to head into this area or anywhere there is lots of ice really 🙂 The movie Chasing Ice made me fall in love with frozen water and ever since I watched it I have wanted to head somewhere really cold 🙂

  3. Those pictures are unreal! Definitely part of my bucket list now!

    When asked for places I want to visit because of books, my first answer is Arabia! I read a book series as a kid that was set on the Arabian peninsula, and I’ve been fascinated by it ever since. So far I’ve only made it to Dubai, but one day…

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